Faqs for the curious…

What exactly does a travel advisor do?

We plan your personalized vacation by connecting everything we know about you—your travel motivations, preferences, and desires—with our expert knowledge about destinations and travel experiences around the globe.

Why work with a custom travel advisor?

Radcliffe Travel Co prioritizes relationships both with you and our suppliers. We invest time in getting to know you and your family – things like your interests, hobbies, adventure level, health & wellness routines and the pace you like to travel.  Our desire is developing a long-term relationship and over time we get to know you better and always have our eyes open for new experiences and destinations we know you will love.  We look out for you at all stages of your travel journey—from research and planning, to being your advocate if unexpected changes occur along the way.  

How far in advance do I need to plan my vacation?

There has never been a time where travel is in such high demand than it is now. Pent up demand for travel has made it necessary to plan further out than was required in the past. How far ahead you need to plan depends on a variety of factors such as destinations and time frame.

For destinations such as Africa, in order to have the best choice of properties and activities, planning at least a year out is ideal. The same goes for trips over the Festive season or school holidays. Basically, if you’re thinking about it, it’s probably time to plan it. Another factor to consider is the time it takes to lock in properties. While a hotel booking may only take a bit of time to lock in, finding space during Spring Break may take hours to find availability if not booked well ahead. Additionally, highly tailored itineraries can take between 20-50 hours of work spread out over weeks or months.


Why should I book with you instead of doing it all myself?

Travel Advisors provide value in a similar way that Interior Designers do. Can I decorate my own home? Of course I can! Will the end result be the same as it would if I had hired a professional designer? Not even close! Travel planning can be overwhelming and complicated and your time is valuable. We save you time, ensure peace of mind, and provide a different level of expertise than the internet can provide. In addition, we can give you access to insider experiences, special VIP treatment and a truly tailored way to travel. If something goes wrong, we have the personal connections to find a resolution. 


Can you help me rent an apartment through AirBnB?

Part of the value of working with Radcliffe Travel Co is the confidence that comes with knowing that all of our suppliers have been vetted in regards to both quality and financial stability. For this reason, we do not work with VRBO or AirBnB. That said, we have access to a wide array of rental apartments and villas throughout the world.

What happens if my plans change after I book my trip?

It depends on the situation. We will always advise you of the cancellation policies and dates for your travel plans and recommend you keep them in mind as your travel gets closer. Our planning fees are non-refundable and other parts of your trip may also be non–refundable. For those amounts we recommend travel insurance. There are a lot of unknown and unpredictable factors and travel can be a big investment. Buying travel insurance can give you the peace of mind that if there are bumps before you travel, your investment is protected. We have a recommended travel insurance provider and will happily share the information so you can evaluate your options.