planning your journey

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welcome

We’re thrilled that you’ve decided to reach out to us about travel planning. We love nothing more than making travel dreams materialize and look forward to connecting with you. Please read below to discover more information about our trip planning process, trip investment considerations, and our services.

Five Senses Journeys manages a finite number of trips which allows us to craft finely tuned vacations while maintaining communication and availability to travelers who are on the road.

timeline

We prefer a minimum of 90 days lead-time to design your itinerary. Six-to-eight months is even better, to get you access to the best availability and pricing. For bucket-list type trips — think a safari in Africa or an expedition cruise, a 9-to-12-month lead-time is ideal, as those incredible experiences can book up further in advance.

budget | trip investment

Every destination is different, and each trip we design is unique. There are also variances depending upon the time of year you travel. Europe and the UK continue to be bustling destinations. High season in many European and UK locations expands from April – September/October. The Holy Year in Rome and the Vatican City, The Jubilee Year of 2025 anticipates 35 million visitors to Italy through all of 2025.

    • Customized land journeys we plan start at $500 per person – per day (excluding international flights)
    • High season European/UK travel starts at $750 per person – per day (excluding international flights)

An investment of this size allows us to customize journeys that align with our providers (lodging, transport(s), and touring). At this price point, you can expect 4- and 5-star accommodations and experiences from vetted, high-quality travel providers. We request that you have a budget in mind to share during our Discovery Call. This will help us set parameters around what kind of experience we can craft for you.

Five Senses Journeys is connected with the most amazing travel partners around the world, the kind who specialize in customized excursions and encounters. We mention this because the trip investment question encompasses more than a hotel. As you try to land on a number, keep the kind of experiences you want in mind as well.

Please note that travelers must also budget for separate expenditures that are above and beyond your Five Senses Journeys vacation investment, this includes travel insurance. Personal expenses must also be considered, those incurred while in-destination: meals/drinks outside of those included with an experience, gratuities, taxis/public transportation, spa & recreation, and museum/site entrance fees or activities.

our services

Your Five Senses Journeys’ Travel Planning & Consultancy Fee includes:

    • Independent and personalized trip research and design
    • Preparation of your quote and customized itinerary
    • Reserving and booking your trip including premium/luxury hotels, and premium economy/business class flights (if requested)
    • Administration of your booking from initial trip payment through to departure
    • Securing quotes and booking comprehensive travel insurance
    • Customized Trip Plans Itinerary app
    • Arranging limited concierge services ahead of departure
    • A Bon Voyage trip briefing and/or final trip walkthrough

In addition to planning your trip from start to finish, collaborating with Five Senses Journeys means you have our personal dedication, attentiveness, and expert advice throughout the process.

ready to plan your journey?

When you retain Five Senses Journeys to plan your travel, you’re hiring a professional Travel Advisor. You’re getting the benefit of our nearly three decades of knowledge and expertise. Retaining Five Senses Journeys includes access to our preferred partners, hotels, vendors, suppliers, and airlines. These exceptional partnerships ensure that your trip runs smoothly.

are we a good fit?

Because we work so closely with our clients, it’s important to establish upfront whether or not we’re a good fit for one another. If it turns out we’re not an ideal fit for this trip — we’re happy to provide referrals to other colleagues in the travel industry. We truly believe most people can benefit from working with a travel professional.

we’re a good fit if…

    • You’re a curious traveler open to new experiences.
    • You’re able to clearly articulate what makes a travel experience great for you.
    • You trust us to plan your trip.
    • You understand that planning the best trip possible means efficient communication between us.
    • You’re looking for an amazing trip and understand that’s not always the least expensive option.

we may not be a great fit if…

    • You love planning travel yourself. There are instances where this can work, but we should discuss what you want to do versus what you want us to do.
    • You trust your friends’ and family’s recommendations over ours. While we love collaborating with clients and invite your input, if you value the opinions of your friends and family more than ours, we’re probably not a great fit.
    • We partner with incredible 4- and 5-star hotels, primarily to ensure the quality of your experience. 
    • You’ve used travel agents in the past who worked solely off commission and don’t understand why we charge a planning fee.

vacation planning & consultancy fees

Travel Planning & Consultancy
Non-refundable Travel Planning & Consultancy Fees start at $350 per trip depending upon the complexity of the vacation. If more than one family is traveling together, the Planning Fee is per family. This covers the time involved in researching and designing a highly customized travel experience. You’ll receive an invoice via email after our initial and complimentary Discovery Call.


$350 per Trip

Intricate/Group Travel
Travel Planning & Consultancy Fees for more intricate trips are discussed during the initial Discovery Call, including but not limited to group or multi-generational trips, private jet travel, extensive concierge services, etc.


Variable

Hotel Only Bookings
If you know exactly where you want to stay, hotel only bookings with Five Senses Journeys’ preferred partners around the globe are complimentary. You’ll receive the best published rates (or better) as well as additional value-added amenities such as hotel credits and daily breakfast. Our luxury hotel brands include the Four Seasons, Relais & Chateaux, Hyatt Privé, Leading Hotels of the World, Rosewood, Marriott Stars, and many more.


Complimentary

Less Than 90 Days to Departure
Travel planning that begins less than 90 days from departure date is charged at a $200 per trip supplement in addition to the standard Travel Planning & Consultancy Fee.


$200 per Trip

Trip Re-Booking/Change Fees
Travel that has been confirmed and deposited that requires rebooking air/lodging/transfers/tours is charged at $75 per hour, with a maximum of $350.


$75 per Hour
($350 Maximum)

Cancellation Fees
In the event of any trip cancellation, the planning fee is non-refundable. No cancellation fee will be required if there were no bookings made towards your trip. Five Senses Journeys charges a $150 per person penalty for trip cancellations made after the deposit, but before final payment. After final payment, or within 60 days of departure (whichever comes first), the Five Senses Journeys penalty is 10% of the total trip cost. The trip cancellation fee must be paid before the trip is cancelled.


$150 per person after the deposit but before final payment

10% of the total trip cost after final payment (or within 45 days of departure)

Insurance
We strongly encourage clients to purchase travel insurance. Some insurance policies cover all cancellation fees, including those of the Five Senses Journeys. Your Travel Advisor can recommend an appropriate insurance policy.

 

Client Proposals & Quoted Prices

    • Trip proposals are valid for 30 days. To research again, after 30 days, will attract a subsequent Vacation Planning & Consultancy Fee.
    • Time and expertise go into each unique trip proposal we create. If after the initial trip design proposal, a traveler makes changes to the initial agreed upon trip investment, destination, number of travelers, etc., a subsequent Vacation Planning & Consultancy Fee will apply. This Fee will be determined by measure and significance of the modification(s).
    • Trip quotes are subject to availability and rates are subject to change until bookings have been confirmed with deposit or full payment.

Using Frequent Flyer Points (Miles) — and Loyalty Programs

    • Redeeming frequent flyer miles or hotel points: Five Senses Journeys does not service nor redeem airline frequent flyer miles or hotel reward points on behalf of travelers. This is due to the inherent complexities associated with being a third party.
    • Loyalty Programs, mileage and point accrual: We will inquire about your loyalty program memberships (air, hotel, cruise line) at the beginning of the trip planning process, to ensure that you will accrue miles/points.

design your journey

ready to get started?

If our Planning Your Journey guidelines line up with what you’re envisioning, the next step is to complete our short Design Your Journey form. Before completing this form, we invite you review our trip investment, timeline, and services sections above to ensure we’ll be a good fit for one another.

Scroll down further to find our Design Your Journey form — it will only take a few minutes to complete, and it’s important that we understand the type of trip you’re considering, and your travel style.

Upon receiving this completed form, we’ll send you a link to our calendar to schedule a complimentary Discovery Call. We look forward to connecting soon!

Five Senses Journeys is currently accepting new trip inquiries for departures February 3, 2025 — and beyond

Before clicking the SUBMIT FORM button, I have read, understood, and agree to the Five Senses Journeys Client Service Agreement + Terms And Conditions