How to Plan Unforgettable Journeys Where Every Detail Matters

Planning a truly bespoke, exclusive, and entertaining trip from start to finish can be a lot of work! Thankfully, we’ve got the cheat sheets.

The devil, as they say, is in the details. This applies to travel as much as it does anything else, and trust us, “winging it” is not the way. While there’s something to be said for a bit of spontaneity from time to time (more on this later), it’s clear to seasoned travelers that the best way to get the most out of any trip is to make it unique, consider the details ahead of time, and plan it well. Sounds like a lot of hard work? Well, anything that’s worth doing is worth doing well! Fortunately, some guidelines will help you through the most complicated bits and ensure nothing is missed and nothing is left to change when you plan your next bespoke getaway.

Inspiration

The most crucial part of any bespoke, unique trip is the destination. There are the classics, of course, like London, Milan, New York, and Paris, each of which is an entirely worthy and world-class destination. While these are the big guns and certainly worth visiting if you’ve never been, finding a little inspiration can help you find the perfect destination match for you. 

Thanks to the magic of the internet and same-day delivery, you won’t have to look far to get those travel planning juices flowing: 

• Social media has a way of guiding you, but it is often more interactive than simply reading an article. Seek out travel influencers who go on trips that are up your alley. Comment on posts and ask for details, or hit the travel boards on sites like Reddit for unusual suggestions.
• There’s nothing wrong with seeking professional help! If you’re struggling to find inspiration, reach out to a travel concierge and give them an idea of what you want from a vacation. They’ll be able to suggest several destinations for you to choose from.
• Luxury travel publications such as Condé Nast Traveler or Vogue‘s “living” and “travel” sections are great places to find new, fresh ideas.

Booking Travel

Here’s where things begin to get really fun. Planning the travel portion of your vacation doesn’t have to include sharing armrests with strangers and wasting hours at the airport. If you branch out and hit that search button on “charter private plane” instead of opting to fly commercial, you’re fine-tuning your trip to ensure that every minute is well planned, comfortable, and enjoyable.

• Private aircraft take off according to the passengers’ schedules, not the airports, making them the best choice to fit snugly into a bespoke itinerary.
• Time is money, and private air travel maximizes your use of time by helping you avoid lengthy check-in lines, long boarding processes, and the interminable shuffle from one end of the plane to the other to find your seat. Your flight can be used to catch up on beauty sleep and arrive refreshed, or put the finishing touches on an almost-perfect itinerary so that it’s ready to enjoy when you arrive. Private aircraft can also get you closer to remote terminal destinations, saving more time and negating the need to switch modes of travel.
• The exclusivity and luxury of private air travel are the perfect bookends (and filling, depending on how many destinations you have) for your trip. The best service, the most comfortable cabin, chef-made meals curated according to your preferences; there’s nothing like it.

Preparation

The key to a truly unforgettable trip is preparation. Once you’ve got your destination nailed down, it’s time to look into all the day trips, weekend excursions, sightseeing, shopping, exploring, tasting, and more that you can do. Forewarned is, after all, forearmed!

• What time of year would be best to go: winter or summer? High season or when the other tourists are already heading home? When are the best festivals or cultural events? Learning about and booking things like this in advance will ensure that you can attend, but also give you the time you need to plan your trip to include times of rest and time for travel between events and locations. You won’t miss a thing!
• Consider language and culture: Suppose you’re going somewhere where the primary language isn’t yours. In that case, you’ll need to use a translation app and learn as many simple, helpful phrases in the local language as possible. Does the country have cultural norms that are different from those in your home? Things like tattoos being covered in public, or no excessive skin on display? As a visitor, you should be prepared for and understand any requirements or unwritten rules and abide by them.
• Consider your experiences: If you’re staying within city limits and not planning to do any strenuous activity, the most aggressive pair of shoes you’ll need to pack will likely be cross trainers. If you plan to hike most days, packing only your best Louboutins won’t get you far. Pack for the trip you’ve booked, instead of just including things you’d like to wear just because.

• Go above and beyond and out of your comfort zone. Things like private tours and tastings will be your friends. They are a way to experience your destination’s authenticity, but in an exclusive way. Book an experience that you may not usually try, like a zipline adventure. The day after that, treat yourself to a pampering session at an opulent luxury spa. Remember that all the hard work you’re putting in now will leave you free to relax and enjoy the trip and the fruits of your labor later.

Last But Not Least: Appreciation

You’ve put in the work, refined all the details, and prepared for your trip’s exciting excursions. The only thing left to do now is to appreciate the experience! Doing all the work ahead of time leaves you free to be in the moment when you travel, because you deserve it.