FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
THE MOST
answered
where do you book travels?
Because we're based in Italy (and Austin, TX!), it goes without saying that we're experts in all things Europe and the Mediterranean. We'll happily share our insider knowledge and hidden gems with you.
But, the depth of our knowledge doesn’t end here. We have an extensive travel history and partners worldwide, so we can plan a highly curated trip wherever you’re headed.
WHY SHOULD I HIRE A TRAVEL ADVISOR IF I CAN BOOK TRAVEL ONLINE MYSELF?
WHY SHOULD I HIRE A TRAVEL ADVISOR IF I CAN BOOK
TRAVEL ONLINE MYSELF?
Think about it like this: You have groceries delivered to your home, hire an accountant for your taxes, and work with a personal trainer to stay in shape, so why wouldn’t you engage an experienced travel advisor to plan your upcoming trip? Yes, you can do it yourself... but do you really want to spend the 40+ hours required to plan a trip yourself?
We geek out on staying updated with all things travel-related. Perhaps that beachfront property you found online is beautiful in photos, but it’s actually a bit rundown in-person. Or maybe you’re not aware of how narrow the roads are along the Amalfi Coast and thought renting a car would be a good idea for a scenic drive (pro tip: it’s not). We’re here to provide thoughtful insights throughout the planning process.
Our strong partnerships with luxury hotels guarantee you an extra level of care that you wouldn’t receive otherwise. (Who doesn't love VIP perks?) Lastly, we know that even expertly planned trips can experience issues along the way such as flight delays, missed connections, and other elements beyond human control. You'll never be alone, as we provide you with local emergency contacts available for 24/7 assistance.
DO YOU BOOK PRIVATE VILLAS?
Yes, we can recommend luxury private homes worldwide! We work with select suppliers to guarantee these properties are perfect for your needs. However, we don’t book with Airbnb or VRBO. Because they’re individually managed and there’s no definitive level of standards that must be met, we can’t guarantee the listing is accurate.
CAN YOU ACCOMMODATE TRAVELERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS?
Absolutely. I’m the mama to a son with special needs and severe food allergies, so I understand the importance of planning a trip that caters to diverse requirements.
Just let us know upfront in your client questionnaire about anything such as limited mobility or dietary restrictions, and we'll gladly curate your trip accordingly!
DO YOU BOOK AIRfare?
Yes, we book premium economy, business, and first-class plane tickets. The best part? You never have to be placed on-hold for hours with the airline if your flight is cancelled or delayed. The Air Desk monitors + assists with your booking, providing a smoother travel experience. If you self-book a flight and it is cancelled or delayed, the airlines will not allow us to assist. We highly recommend using our Air Desk for smoother travels in case of any hiccups that may arise.
*Additional fees apply for booking airfare with the Air Desk.
DO YOU RECOMMEND TRAVEL INSURANCE?
Absolutely, yes! There’s always a risk of unforeseen circumstances. Insurance will protect your travel investment, your health, and your belongings. So, we highly encourage you to make this investment.
We can provide quotes from our trusted insurance carriers to cover trip cancellation, trip interruption or delays, medical, dental, emergency medical transportation, lost luggage, and more. You’re also welcome to obtain your own insurance.
HOW DO YOU PLAN TRIPS TO DESTINATIONS YOU HAVEN’T VISITED YET?
Although we wish we’d been everywhere in the world, we haven’t made it there (yet!). If your destination is one we haven’t personally visited before, we leverage our travel partners worldwide to assist us in providing the VIP travel experience we guarantee. They help us curate trips with thoughtful logistics, unique experiences, and can provide insights to off-the-beaten-path activities that typically can't be found on an online search.
WHAT WILL MY PROPOSAL LOOK LIKE? WILL YOU PROVIDE LINE-BY-LINE PRICING?
WILL YOU PROVIDE ME WITH
LINE-BY-LINE PRICE BREAKDOWNS?
Some of the world’s best travel suppliers negotiate confidential wholesale rates for hotels, drivers, and tours. They aren’t legally allowed to disclose this information, not even to us. We only work with preferred partners that provide fair prices to our clients. We realize it’s not ideal to have a lump total as opposed to a thorough line-by-line breakdown, but it’s not uncommon in the travel industry.
We will always throughly discuss your trip budget prior to creating a proposal. We will provide you with a proposal within your budget, along with extra suggestions if we think you'd want to splurge on a particularly unique experience. We are very transparent upfront about expected trip spend.
WHAT WILL I PAY WHEN WORKING WITH YOU?
Upon agreement, you’ll issue payment to Unfolded Travels for our Trip Design Fee. Then, we will put together your trip proposal! Once your itinerary is approved, a deposit is required to book your travels. The amount due varies per supplier, but is typically around 30%. Your final balance is typically due 30-60 days prior to your departure.
If you are looking for a hotel-only booking with VIP perks, there is no fee for booking with us!
HOW WILL WE COMMUNICATE, GIVEN THE TIME DIFFERENCE?
Besides our three standard calls (Discovery, Proposal Review, and Pre-Travel Itinerary Walkthrough), nearly all communication will be via email communication. This ensures that we're not disturbing one another outside of business hours, but more so, it enables us to keep all of your trip information in a single place. This leaves much less room for error in the planning process. Should you need to reach us via phone, please send us an email to schedule a time to connect.
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