Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this feature about the launch of my ✨NEW TRAVEL PLANNING SERVICE✨, at The Velvet Runway Travel.
You may have been wondering where I have been for the last couple of weeks. Well, as well as travelling myself, I have been busy with a new business venture, and the launch of a new Travel Planning Service.
As you know, I have always loved travelling and I love planning travel almost as much as travelling itself! I really enjoy putting together personalised and bespoke itineraries, and helping people plan their dream trip, so I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve taken my passion to the next level by becoming a Travel Advisor.
Having lived and worked abroad, as well as travelled widely I want to share my knowledge and make good use of my experiences, my insider knowledge and my resources to create a platform that offers not only the best travel inspiration, but also a bespoke travel planning service to help and inspire others to explore the world through a personalised, curated travel itinerary planning service.
And, so the VELVET RUNWAY TRAVEL was born, and I have become a certified travel advisor, affiliated with Fora Travel.
As a preferred partner to thousands of global luxury hotels, boutique hotels and villas, reputable and award-winning tour guides, private transportation and more, we make sure that each client’s experience is unforgettable. These partnerships allow us to provide VIP service, with amenities such as upgrades, hotel/resort credits, and other services that are not otherwise available, at no added cost to you.
As an affiliate of Fora Travel, The Velvet Runway Travel clients enjoy preferred partner privileges at many top hotels around the world, including brands such as Four Seasons, Rosewood, Belmond, Hyatt, IHG, Ritz Carlton, Dorchester Collection, Oetker Collection, Kempinski, Small Leading Hotels of the World and more.
In addition, Fora’s membership in the Virtuoso luxury travel network allows me to provide clients with exceptional value they would otherwise not receive — including complimentary upgrades, free breakfasts, spa credits, VIP amenities and special access at many of the world’s top hotels.
If you have already chosen your hotel, no problem! I can still negotiate a great deal for you and even if you have already booked your hotel, I may be able to intervene to add on some perks!
So, today I want to share with you a little more about my latest venture and how this can benefit you!
Travel Planning Service
Whether you are just looking to book a one night hotel stay or organise a personalized round the world trip, I have the service for you!
Work with me to create a bespoke trip curated to match your interests and your budget — whether it’s just booking your hotels, organising a weekend getaway or planning an entire trip from beginning to end, I truly do it all.
I also offer corporate services and special events travel planning, such as destination weddings and honeymoons.
Here are some of the benefits of using a Travel Advisor/ Travel Planning Service
1. I can save you time and energy, but also money!
Your time is valuable, and I can save you hours and hours when it comes to the research portion of your planning, and I can help you save time in little ways as well, such as helping you obtain travel insurance, apply for a visa and more.
It’s my job to have the insider track on the best deals, the best times to travel etc., and to take the hassle out of vacation planning for you, so you can just relax and enjoy your well-deserved break.
But, additionally, I have a direct connection to thousands of vacation options worldwide and can access the latest availability, pricing and special offers with the push of a button!
2. Pay the same (or less) and Get Way More! Really- way more!
Being a Fora Advisor means I can hook you up at the best hotels around the world with upgrades, perks, resort credit, free breakfast & more by booking your stay.
VIP perks typically include
✨breakfast for two each morning
✨room upgrades/ extended check-in and check-out (subject to availability)
✨ Hotel or resort credit in preferred partner hotels
I always provide a price quote for your hotel before booking so that you can be sure you are getting the best available rate, and the best news is that I do not charge any fee for accommodation booking services.
3. You will get personalized travel recommendations and insider knowledge
After a preliminary chat about your budget, style of travel and interests, I can also provide a destination guide, as well as a detailed itinerary, accommodation options and booking assistance for all locations.
My premium planning service includes
✨ a detailed itinerary for all days of travel with recommended activities and restaurants organized by theme and proximity
✨Fine-tuned recommendations for accommodation
✨Booking of hotels, resorts, villas, all-inclusive stays, cruises
✨Transportation arrangements (private transfers, car rentals, trains, ferries etc.)
✨Guided tours/activities
✨Restaurant recommendations (and reservations if required), and
✨ Ongoing communication with my travel partners to ensure VIP service & help with any unforeseen events/circumstances
Of course, there are a range of service options between a simple hotel booking and the premium service, depending on your needs, and I do charge a planning fee for destination research and itinerary planning.
What are the next steps?
So, you’ve decided on your next adventure and you’re ready to start mapping out the details. Here are the next steps to plan your trip.
The simplest service I offer, for which there is no fee, is booking accommodation (hotels, resorts, all-inclusive packages or cruises), whether you have already selected the accommodation or you need a few recommendations!
All payments are made directly to the travel provider (hotel/resort/transportation company etc). The only amount payable directly to me is the planning fee, where applicable.
Here is a brief overview of the levels of service I offer and the associated prices. Please note that this information is a general guide only and that you will always be provided with a quote before any contract is signed.
1. Basic Service – Accommodation Booking
If you already know where you want to stay, let me book it for you at no additional fee (and usually at a preferential rate).
If you need some help quickly determining the best options for your destination, I’ll send you the three best accommodation recommendations, given your taste and preferences while keeping your budget in mind.
If it happens to be a partner hotel, I can add special VIP perks, which typically include:
- Breakfast for two each morning
- A $50 to $100 hotel or resort credit, and
- Room upgrades/extended check-in & check-out whenever possible.
2. Silver Planning Travel Service : Destination Research and Accommodation Booking
If you know what city or cities you want to visit, but need some more information about the destination, as well as a place to stay and possible hotel transfer, this is the package for you, as you will receive detailed information about your chosen destination, accommodation recommendations and booking assistance, based on your specifications and budget.
3. Gold Travel Planning Service : Itinerary Planning and Bookings
If you are ready to go somewhere, but don’t know exactly where, this package is for you! After a preliminary chat about your budget, style of travel and interests, you will receive a selection of location recommendations to select from, followed by a detailed itinerary, accommodation options and booking assistance once you have made your choice.
4. Platinum Travel Planning Service : Itinerary Planning and Bookings, Activities, Restaurants and More
This is my premium service and is for you if you are looking for a complete bespoke package that requires a significant amount of research.
After a preliminary chat about your budget, style of travel and interests, you will receive a selection of location recommendations, followed by a detailed itinerary, accommodation options and booking assistance for all locations.
You can find out more about the different service levels and the next steps to plan your trip, as well as answers to the most common FAQs here.
My Favourite Travel Quote
“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer”
Anonymous
Final words on my new Travel Planning Service
It’s time to invest in yourself and your well-being and I would love to help you plan the trip of your dreams, and take that much-needed break to explore the world and renew your spirit.
I hope you enjoyed this feature about my new Travel Planning Service and if you’re ready to start planning the trip of your dreams, drop me an email or message me on Instagram or Facebook.
Where do you want to go next and how can I help get you there?
I will be back soon with more style, lifestyle and travel inspiration and don’t forget to subscribe to the blog below to make sure you never miss a post.
With love,
I love travelling and do it quite a lot for work, so I enjoyed this post! It’s always lovely to save on luxury travelling as well! Congrats!/Madison xo
Thanks so much Madison xo
Good luck!
Thank you x
Great tips for planning trips.
Thank you Nancy x
Hello!
Very interesting and helpful post! I love traveling myself, I love it 🙂
Greetings from Poland!
Thanks Klaudia! Travel is amazing as you learn and discover so much 🙂
This is so exciting for you Julia, I wish you so much luck with your new business. All of your travel experience will help others so much xx
Janet
http://www.rediscoveringmystyle.com
Thank you so much Janet x
Congratulations! I will definitely reach out when we plan our dream trip!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thank you so much, Jill, and yes, please do reach out! I would love to help you plan your dream trip 🙂
That is amazing! I’m so excited for you in your new venture! Congratulations!
Thank you so much! xo
How amazing! Congratulations on this venture- perfect for you and your travel talents!
-Ashley
Thank you so much Ashley! It definitely feels a good fit for me x
BIG congrats! 👏 Love seeing people do what they love.
http://www.fashionradi.com
Thank you so much – travel is definitely my passion ✨
I am SO excited for you and this new adventure, my friend! As I said a little earlier on your IG post, I just know you are going to be amazing at this and your business is going to flourish because of YOU! 🙂 You are so knowledgeable and just from following your beautiful blog for so long, I would absolutely trust you to plan any vacation. You know your stuff and also, how amazing that you have access to so many perks too!!
Wishing you all the best, Julia!!
Make Life Marvelous
Thank you so much, Ashley! I really appreciate your support and your kind words! I hope that I can plan a vacation for you one day 🙂
So happy for you Julia! I will remember to reach out to you when my hubby and I plan our next big trip. You are such an avid traveler which definitely makes you the perfect person for this job.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thank you Kathrine! Please do reach out as I would love to plan the perfect trip for you and your hubby xo
Congratulations on your new profession! It must be fun working in travel. Have a great weekend!
PerlaGiselle | iamperlita.com
♥ | instagram.com/iamperlita
Thank you so much! Yes, it’s great fun, but it’s also a lot of work x