We plan a lot of luxury trips. After thousands of itineraries, we've noticed that the travelers who come home raving aren't the ones who spent the most — they're the ones who got the small decisions right. Here's the cheat sheet we wish more first-time clients had before booking.
1. Arrive a day early on long-haul trips
Jet lag steals the first two days of most international itineraries. Padding an extra night before activities start lets you nap, find a coffee shop, and walk the neighborhood without obligations. It's the cheapest upgrade you can buy.
2. Book the late-morning flight, not the dawn flight
A 6 a.m. flight means a 3 a.m. wake-up and a wrecked first day. Mid-morning departures are usually only $40–$80 more, and they leave you human enough to enjoy the destination on day one.
3. Don't pack the itinerary
The single biggest regret travelers tell us about: 'we did too much.' Two anchor experiences a day is the sweet spot. Leave time for the unplanned coffee, the gallery you walk past, the local who recommends a place you can't pronounce.
4. Treat the first restaurant reservation as the most important one
First meals set the tone. Pick a place that's genuinely beloved by locals, not the rooftop with the view. Memories form fast and food is a primary anchor.
5. Carry one credit card without foreign transaction fees
Even a 3% fee on a $12,000 trip adds up to a flight upgrade you didn't get. A no-foreign-fee travel card is non-negotiable. Bring a backup of a different network (Visa + Amex, not two Amex) in case one isn't accepted.
6. Power adapters are not interchangeable
Universal adapters are bulky and the converters often die mid-trip. Buy two simple country-specific adapters before you leave. They cost $8 and they'll work in every hotel without fuss.
7. Photograph your passport, ID, and cards
Store the photos in two places — your phone and a private email draft. If you lose a wallet abroad, this saves a 24-hour ordeal at an embassy.
8. Leave room in your luggage for what you'll bring back
Almost every luxury traveler we've worked with regrets stuffing their bags on the way out. Pack to 75%. Buy what you love. The trip ends much better.
9. Tell us what you actually like
Vague briefs produce generic trips. 'Cultural and relaxing' tells us nothing. 'I love jazz, hate organized tours, want one fancy meal and three street-food nights' — that's a brief we can build around. Be specific. Even the picky stuff.
10. Don't skip travel insurance
Single trips priced at $5,000+ should always have it. Storms, illness, missed connections — the math overwhelmingly favors having coverage. Pick a policy with primary medical and trip interruption, not just cancellation.
