European Travel Consultation

Custom Europe Travel Planning

Hi, my name is Steven and I'm the founder of Travels with Friends. Let me be your guide planning your next trip to Europe and I'll make it the most memorable one of your life. The insight I offer is based on my personal travel experience in Europe over the past 17 years and focuses on Austria, Britain, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy and Poland. I am a Certified Travel Associate (CTA), a France Destination Specialist and a Bavarian Ambassador. Take a look at what I'll do.

Please note that at this time I cannot accept new clients.

What do I offer?

I work one on one with you to plan a custom "pay as you travel" European vacation. With this option I'll tell you about your destination's not-to-be-missed sights and the perfect hotels and then make all the reservations for you. You pay your hotel and other costs as you travel. Car rentals and rail tickets do require a deposit or prepayment, but in general you arrive in Europe with your detailed travel packet (including itinerary and reservations) and pay as you go. This service makes travel in Europe just as easy as travel at home. It isn't based on group commissions or pre-paid "packages", so the result is one of freedom, tailor made just for you. I charge fees to pay for my time, expertise, and expenses.

How does it work?

The first step is to decide your dates and get airline tickets. I'm sure you will want to search the web for deals, or maybe use frequent flyer miles, so I don't sell tickets, though I will check consolidator prices for you if you wish. Once your tickets are purchased, we begin our detailed communications to develop your itinerary. The benefit of working via email is that all parties concerned have plans in writing. This ensures that there is no miscommunication about what will be confirmed or reserved.

The next step is selecting hotels. I recommend specific hotels with charm, great location and high level of service that I have personally inspected or stayed in. My reviews are independent, no one pays to be included. I update my ratings frequently, adding new hotels as I travel. If my selections do not fit your needs in a destination, I will research other hotels (higher or lower in category and price) to offer you.

Finally, after hotels are secured I work with you to make any other arrangements - train tickets, car rentals, private guides, museum passes, etc. I provide advice you won't find in books based on my own experience and insights from past travels to help you set the best itinerary possible for your budget and interests. Throughout the planning process I am available to you for the inevitable questions that arise. If you are making arrangements to travel with others, I ask that I work with only one person who is the decision making spokesperson for the group. ( It can get messy if two or more people are calling the shots.)

Once everything is complete I send your reservations in a travel packet that includes city or country maps and suggestions on things to do while you are there.

Who uses my services?

Whether a CEO or a housewife, or anyone in between, my clients are looking for an expert with first hand experience, someone who has "been there and done that", and offers valuable advice based on real life experiences. Most find my service on the internet and communicate via email, though some have taken one of the travel classes that I offer in Northern California. Some are first timers to Europe while others are busy people who understand the value of expertise and want a well planned trip. And most of all, I'm proud to say, I have loyal repeat customers who use my services year after year because the amount of detail that I include and the quality of hotels that I recommend.

Read some Client Testimonies

There is always a price.

Most clients return from their trip and tell me that my fee was the best money they spent on their entire vacation. Here is a price breakdown for planning a trip that includes 1 hotel room per night. (For families or groups requiring additional rooms on the same itinerary, please add $100 per room.)

Trip length up to 13 nights = $500 USD

Trip length of 14 nights or more = $40 USD per night

Please note that at this time I cannot accept new clients.

Please note that our office closes several times each year while we are leading tours. During this period, phone calls will not be returned and we cannot guarantee a response to emails. Thank you for your understanding.

Office Closing Dates

How do we begin?

Once you've made up your mind to let me to be your guide as you plan your trip, I require a $200 deposit (Visa or MasterCard) toward the final fees (non- refundable). I will also need a photocopy of the credit card (or cards) you'll use to secure your reservations, and a short signed note that authorizes me to use them on your behalf for that purpose. Note: Your card will only be used to guarantee hotels or make deposits, and it will NEVER be given to anyone without first obtaining your express permission via email. Once all reservations are made, then the balance of my fee is due.

Interested? Email: info@travelswithfriends.com

Top of Page