I know, I know—the Leslie Knope in you wants to muscle through and DIY this

(been there, done that 🙋🏼‍♀️)

You’re super on top of everything else in your life, so spending hours going down internet rabbit holes and crowdsourcing info is just par for the course, right?

But you’re also no newbie—you’ve traveled a ton.

So you know how much work goes into planning a bomb-ass itinerary that meets your high standards.

On average, people spend 20-30 hours planning a trip—some even spend 40+ hours

Umm, hello … that’s an entire workweek—minimum!

One study found that, in the 45 days leading up to a trip, people spent an average of over 5 hours PER DAY on travel planning.

I thought we were supposed to be spending this time actually on vacation?!?!?!

What if you had an expert to co-create your ideal vacation with you?

Someone who understands the logistics and knows the hotels?
Someone who has insider info on the best things to do when you get there?
Someone who's planned HUNDREDS of trips for the pickiest clients?

  Hola!
I'm Stephanie

As they say, it’s not what you know, it's WHO you know. AND NOW YOU KNOW ME.

I've helped hundreds of clients take the trips of their dreams

I used to plan trips for billionaires.

I’ve been in the industry since 2007 and spent 11 years working at one of the best private tour operators in the world. I’ve planned customized trips for HUNDREDS of demanding, discerning clients (think Succession, but nicer). In fact, I was named a Top Travel Specialist in Condé Nast Traveler in 2021 and 2022.

But whenever I was researching my own trips, I saw a lot of generic travel advice that just focused on fancy hotels or hot-right-now restaurants and missed the rest of the experience—or worse, was crowdsourced from a complete stranger.

That's why now I'm putting my skillsknowledge and expertise to work for YOU.

BEHIND
the COURSE

With gentle encouragement and an art director's eye, I collaborate with my couples to create effortlessly editorial images full of pure love, stunning backdrops, and natural moments (with just enough guidance!)

Light is my biggest inspiration, and I find weddings to be complex, joyous, fashion-filled, emotional, utterly beautiful celebrations that I can't get enough of.

ENNEAGRAM 8, CREATIVE TO MY CORE, ARTIST, ROMANTIC, JANE AUSTIN STAN


about
 abigail

Inquire Today

as seen in

Harpers Bazaar / Vogue Marie Claire / Weddings Magazine

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As a globally celebrated wedding photographer with nearly two decade’s experience, Tec Petaja brings an innate knowledge of composition, mood, and light to every moment he captures.

by abigail fitzgerald

About
     Author

the

Inquire Today

as seen in

Harpers Bazaar / Vogue Marie Claire / Weddings Magazine

How it Works:

01

Alignment

With my expert guidance, you’ll cut through the noise and arrive at your destination confident that you have the most interesting and efficient itinerary, while still leaving room for discovery and exploration.

02

Activities

I’ll pull from my years of expertise to layer in recommendations for the TOP things to see and do (and eat) each day—so you can skip the internet rabbit holes.

03

Accommodation

Where you spend your downtime is a big part of the travel experience, and you want to know that room is going to be worth what you're paying (hotel prices these days!).

If you want the best rooms, the best value, and the best treatment, you need a pro to book your hotels.

“You always have the best recommendations for travel, restaurants, and local attractions. You were the one who told us to go to a ryokan in Hakone as a stop on our honeymoon and it's now one of my favorite places on earth.”

— Sheila S.  |  Chicago, IL

What You Get

AN EXPERTLY CRAFTED ITINERARY OUTLINE

I’ll tap into my years of expertise to create an itinerary with the most worthwhile destinations, the best pace, the most efficient logistics, and my top hotel recommendations.

ONE ITINERARY REVISION

Send feedback on the initial itinerary and I’ll revise it based on your preferences and requirements.

PERSONALIZED DAILY RECOMMENDATIONS 

I’ll provide a mix of must-see highlights and insider spots, so you never have to wonder which are the best places; you’ll be free to take them or leave them based on your mood, energy levels, and in-the-moment vibes.

CHOOSE YOUR ONBOARDING

If you hate questionnaires, send an email; if you’re super busy, send a voice or video note; if you want to chat it out, jump on a call or a Zoom. You’ve got preferences, I’ve got options.

CULTURAL & HISTORICAL INFO

Get more out of your trip with cultural and historical context and even useful phrases in the local language.

PRACTICAL TIPS & ADVICE

Practical advice so you're not scratching your head wondering what to pack, how much to tip, what shape the plugs are, which days a site is open, or how to get from place to place.

RESOURCES FOR BEFORE & AFTER YOUR TRIP

Fun extras like movies, TV shows, books, recipes, and even playlists to get you excited for your trip and keep the vibes going when you get home.

VIP HOTEL BOOKINGS

I’ll give my top picks for luxury hotels in each of your destinations, based on what matters most to YOU, and book them so you can take advantage of my partnerships and added-value benefits.

Recent Itineraries:

Honeymoon in Scotland & London

Maine's coastal highlights

Skiing & Nightlife in Japan

FRIEND REUNION IN HAWAII

FOOD & ARCHITECTURE IN ITALY

Recent Itineraries:

Honeymoon in Scotland & London

Maine's coastal highlights

Wine & horses in Portugal

Skiing & Nightlife in Japan

Friend reunion in Hawaii

ALL the JUICY DETAILS

Timeline

Once you've onboarded, the whole process—including initial itinerary, revision, final approval, and booking hotels—takes about two weeks.

Availability

Because of the highly personalized nature of this service, I only take 5 clients per month. Make sure you're one of them.

Investment

Planning fee starts at $580 for itineraries of up to 10 days. Apply now.

KIND WORDS

"We'll remember this trip for years to come"

Thank you for your attention to all the details to make our trip so special. I wouldn’t have found the beautiful winery hotel on my own, and it was the most memorable part of our trip. It is truly a special place, and one which we will remember for many years to come.

We will definitely be consulting you for any future trips and will recommend you to our friends.

— Nicole P., Boston, MA

"Our honeymoon was great—everything went smoothly and we really liked the hotels"

The trip was great and everything went smoothly. We really liked the hotels you recommended and appreciated that the ones in Edinburgh were near the train station—your recommendation to take the train to London was a great lower-stress option to flying.

— Adam R., Dove Canyon, CA

"Perfect vacation"

Just returned from a great trip to Maine! The itinerary was perfect, hotels just right, and recommendations spot on. Perfect vacation."

— Mary R., Bellevue, WA

This is for you if:

You don't want handholding while you travel, but you know you need a game plan before you go

Your head is spinning from all the random advice you're finding on the internet and the recommendations you're getting from friends

You want to simplify the travel planning process dramatically

You want to make sure you're squeezing all the juice out of your limited vacation days (but that it also feels like a vacation)

It's probably not for you if...

You prefer to just wing it and don't see the value in pre-planning your trip

You have plenty of spare time, love reading online forums, and know how to judge what is and isn't worth it

You understand the logistics and know how to create the ideal pace, without wasting time OR overloading your days

You don't care what hotel you stay in and are okay with maybe missing the coolest experiences

Do we need to do some girl math?

Totally legit math:

Between the flights, the hotels, the restaurants, the sightseeing, the shopping, and, let's be real, those new outfits NEED just for this trip (THERE's the girl math! 😜)—you're going to be dropping thousands of dollars on this vacation.

Isn't it worth spending a few hundred more to make sure it's going to be exactly what you want it to be?

Real, actual math:

When you book your hotels through me, the added-value benefits alone are worth AT LEAST $100 per nightoften more like several hundred.

That adds up to WAY MORE VALUE than my planning fee.

So you're actually coming out ahead.
 

true

also true—NOT girl math!

Frequently Asked Croissants 🥐

LET ME MAKE SURE I'M CRYSTAL CLEAR ON WHAT I'M GETTING

This service includes an optimized itinerary outline with daily recommendations and VIP luxury hotel bookings. Please note that the itinerary outline includes curated suggestions and touring highlights but is not a full, day-by-day itinerary. If you’d like an in-depth destination guide, or for me to handle concierge bookings for restaurants, performances, transfers, etc., you can add those services on. Click here to get a quote.

CAN I SEE AN EXAMPLE OF AN ITINERARY OUTLINE?

WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH YOUR FEE?

Charging a planning fee is standard among travel advisors, as it covers our time and expertise.

In my case, you’re getting top-notch advice and recommendations gleaned from my 15 years of industry experience. For 11 of those years, I planned ultraluxury private tours that included the VERY BEST of everything, and I’m giving you access to that knowledge and expertise at a fraction of the cost. I’m also saving you HOURS of research and planning.

I make a commission on hotel bookings, which allows me to keep my fee low. You pay the same price for hotels as if you booked directly.

But by going through me, you get HUNDREDS of dollars worth of added value, like free breakfast, hotel credits, complimentary upgrades, and more, which add up to A LOT more than the cost of my planning fee. So really, you’re coming out ahead (and that’s not even girl math).

Win-win!

WHAT IF I WANT A SHORTER TRIP?

For trips of fewer than five nights, please email me.

WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY TO TALK TO YOU?

Charging for the call benefits both of us because your time is valuable, as is mine.

On your end, it’s really a courtesy fee so I make sure I’m not sitting on an empty Zoom call.

On my end, it’s a way for you to dip a toe before taking the plunge, so I want to make sure you’re getting something out of it. Whether you decide to book with me or not, I want you hang up with your questions answered and a clear path forward.

If you don’t, I’ll refund the call fee.

And if you do decide to book my services, the cost of the call will be applied toward the final payment.

JUST WHAT IS A VIP HOTEL BOOKING?

I’ll tap into my hotel partnerships to get you added-value benefits like free breakfast, complimentary upgrades, spa credits, and more. I'll also reconfirm the booking a couple weeks ahead to make sure everything is in order, and VIP you before you arrive to request extra-special treatment.

I’M NOT LOOKING FOR THE MOST OVER-THE-TOP, SUPER-EXCLUSIVE HOTELS. CAN I STILL WORK WITH YOU?

Yes! I only work with 5-star hotels (or best-available, depending on the destination) since they're my expertise and where I can provide added value through my partnerships. BUT, there's a range within that, and I’ll help you find the right luxury hotel for YOU.

CAN’T I JUST BOOK THROUGH MY CREDIT CARD/LOYALTY PROGRAM AND GET ALL THE SAME BENEFITS?

Technically the benefits may be the same on paper, but the relationships are where it’s at. THAT'S how you get the best rooms, the upgrades, and the personalized, VIP treatment.

Consider this: whereas you may only stay at a hotel once, I’m potentially booking it again and again, so they want to keep me (i.e. YOU) happy.

And if you’re part of a hotel loyalty program, why not book through me and STACK your benefits?

CAN YOU ARRANGE THINGS LIKE FLIGHTS, TRAINS, AND RENTAL CARS? 

I can point you in the right direction, but this service doesn’t include these kinds of arrangements. If you need these, I recommend booking my Concierge Travel Planning service instead.

WHAT ABOUT CRUISES OR VILLAS?

Yes, as part of this service, I can book small luxury cruises that essentially serve as hotels during part of your trip. Examples would be cruises on the Peruvian Amazon, in the Galapagos, or on the Nile. I work with these regularly and know the products well.

I’m also happy to book villas that are part of a larger resort, which I believe provide an ideal “best of both worlds” option. However, I do not book private or independent villas.

DO I NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE, AND CAN YOU BOOK IT FOR ME?

It really depends on your comfort level. For this kind of trip, most services will be refundable (I will make sure you have clear cancellation policies from each supplier), so you may not need it. However, trip interruption or delay coverage can still be helpful.

I can book travel insurance for you; feel free to email me with questions and I’m happy to help.

HOW FAR AHEAD SHOULD I START PLANNING MY VACATION?

For most destinations, I think about 6 months out is the sweet spot to ensure availability and avoid disappointment. Some destinations and peak seasons may require planning a year in advance. That said, working with a pro can be extra helpful for last-minute trips (please note that I charge a supplement for crunch-time arrangements).

If you have questions about timing your trip, feel free to email me or book a Destination Discovery Call.

I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHERE I WANT TO GO—IS IT WORTH IT FOR ME TO WORK WITH YOU?

Absolutely—I’ve talked MANY clients through this over the years! I recommend booking a Destination Discovery Call so I can get to know you and what you want for your vacation. Then I can recommend some destinations and give you next steps.

CAN YOU HELP ME WITH ANY DESTINATION IN THE WORLD?

Pretty much. I haven’t been everywhere, but I know a lot about a lot of places, and if I don’t have the answer, I have the resources and connections to get it. If I can’t help you, I’ll refund you.

WHY SHOULD I USE YOU INSTEAD OF ANOTHER TRAVEL PLANNER?

I’ve been in the travel industry since 2007 and have won awards for my expertise. At my previous job, top travel advisors came to ME for their most important clients.

So if you want to know you’re getting TOP-NOTCH recommendations and planning, I’m your girl.

I HAVE SPECIAL INTERESTS FOR THIS TRIP—CAN YOU HELP ME WITH THAT?

Yes ma’am! In fact, that’s the perfect reason to work with a pro: I can eliminate the hassle of researching and make sure your itinerary includes EXACTLY what you want.

I DON’T WANT TO TOTALLY OUTSOURCE THE TRIP-PLANNING PROCESS—I ENJOY IT!

I totally get the thrill of planning your own trips—it’s part of the adventure!

But imagine pairing your vision with my expertise to co-create an unforgettable journey. I’ll streamline the logistics and cut through the noise, saving you countless hours of research and ensuring you get the BEST experience and value.

Then you’ll get to focus on the exciting parts of crafting your trip, like exploring the history, culture, and culinary delights of your destination.

CAN’T I JUST FIND ALL THE INFORMATION FOR FREE ON THE INTERNET, OR GET ADVICE FROM FRIENDS, OR HAVE CHATGPT PLAN MY TRIP FOR ME?

Possibly, but doing all the research yourself takes a LOT of time and effort, and the results of any of the above options would still be unvetted (and sometimes ChatGPT just makes shit up). 

If you want an amazing trip, you need expert guidance and great recommendations.

And if you were already planning to splash out on this trip, then all the more reason to hire an expert. (In fact, I would argue that the more you’re spending, the more help you need.) 

You want to make sure that money’s well spent, not wasted on poor logistics, crappy hotel rooms, or mediocre restaurants.

I'll help you simplify, clarify, and pick THE best spots for the vacation you're craving.

Instead of adding something else to your plate, working with a travel expert reduces your pre-trip stress—which INCREASES your trip satisfaction.

And you can still do the fun stuff, like learning about the local culture and creating cross-referenced spreadsheets of ALL the restaurants … (oh—is that only me? 🫣) 

But you’d arrive at your destination
  • with all the big stuff in place
  • knowing you’re hitting the most worthwhile destinations and staying at the best hotels
  • armed with the must-see highlights and don’t-miss hidden gems
—all curated by an expert and personalized to YOUR vibe and style.
LET'S GO