Let’s Design Something Extraordinary…
Archipelagos is a design-led travel company —
not a booking agency. The distinction matters. We design trips the way an architect designs a home: with intention, expertise, and an obsessive attention to how every element works together.
THE PROCESS
Getting Started
01
Start here
Start with the Working with Archipelagos overview. It outlines the process, what's included, and the fees involved — so our first conversation is entirely about your trip, not logistics.
02
Tell Me About Your Trip
Fill out the Travel Planning Form. It takes about five minutes and gives me what I need to come to our call with ideas already forming — not a blank page. The more you tell me, the better I can design for you.
04
Design & Commitment
Once we agree to move forward, Archipelagos will collect a $500-$1000 non-refundable design fee and a 10% deposit on the estimated trip cost. The design fee covers our research, sourcing, and itinerary creation. The 10% deposit is also non-refundable but is credited toward your final balance.
03
We Talk
Once I receive your form, I'll reach out to schedule a complimentary 20-minute consultation. We'll talk through your vision, I'll share initial thoughts, and we'll both decide if it's a mutual fit. No pressure, no obligation. If I don’t think I can assist you, then I’ll refer you to someone who can.
05
Build. Refine. Travel
We design your full itinerary — accommodations, experiences, transfers, dining, and logistics (making sure we leave room for serendipity) — and present it for your review. You get up to four rounds of revisions. Once approved, I handle all bookings and send you a complete set of pre-trip documents so you can travel with confidence.
WHY ARCHIPELAGOS
What Makes This Different
Travel is easy to book. What's harder — and rarer — is travel that's actually designed. We've walked the properties, done the tours, eaten at the restaurants, taken that train and driven the roads (eek!). Our recommendations come from experience, not a search engine or Claude (even though we love her).
We work with a small number of clients at a time, mostly referrals, because this work requires real attention and time to get to know our clients and what makes them tick. Every trip we design is built from scratch — never templated, never repeated.
-
Our recommendations come from experience, not a desk, google or ChatGPT. We’ve tried the food, done the tour and vetted the hotels- AND we’ll be honest about whether we think the service matches the price tag.
-
of amazingly creative and professional advisors that you can't access on your own. We are part of the Serandipians Luxury consortium, where we have preferred rates, access to room upgrades, and on-the-ground contacts at the world's best hotels — relationships built over years, not available to the public. We also have a really lovely group of friends in the industry who are always giving us the ‘up to date’ deets on all things travel.
-
one invoice, one advocate, one cheerleader (sometimes two cheerleaders). We handle every detail and every contingency so you don't have to worry, you just have to show up!
-
The pace of travel, the season, and properties are chosen for how they feel TOGETHER — not just whether they're available or have a good deal. Yes, we love a good deal as much as the next person, BUT we’re not looking to build a good trip, we’re looking to build a memorable one. The difference is in the details.
Is This Right for You?
Your budget is $10,000+ per week
For two travelers, this is our typical minimum. It's what allows us to design at the level this work requires and gives us the flexibility to find the best options for you that fit your trip objectives and style.
You value expert judgment over price comparison
You're looking for the right experience, designed around you — not the cheapest route from A to B.
You communicate clearly and respond in a timely manner
Memorable, seamless travel is a collaboration. Availability and pricing move fast — timely feedback protects both.
Customized travel design— like any custom professional service — requires planning, collaboration, and investment. The best experiences don't happen last minute.
Is it possible to plan an amazing trip last minute? Yes. Is it going to be cheap? Unlikely. Are you going to have the pick of the best properties in your budget? Hard No.
You appreciate that great things take lead time