A travel agent typically works with travel suppliers to book trips for clients, often focusing on specific packages and deals. A travel planner, on the other hand, customizes travel experiences based on individual preferences, providing personalized itineraries, recommendations, and detailed planning services to ensure a unique and tailored travel experience.

As a travel planner, I offer personalized itinerary creation, destination research, accommodation and transportation bookings, activity and excursion planning, dining recommendations, and travel advice tailored to your interests and preferences and based on which tier you choose. I also provide ongoing support throughout your trip to ensure everything goes smoothly. I handle all the planning and research needed to organize your trip, saving you hours of time and effort!

I start by using the Questionnaire that you fill out upon signing up for my services to understand your travel goals, interests, budget, and any specific requirements you may have, even down to if you're a morning or night person. Based on this information and the tier you choose, I craft a personalized itinerary that includes accommodations, activities, dining, and transportation options that align with your preferences. I ensure that every detail is tailored to provide you with a unique and enjoyable travel experience.

Yes, I charge a planning fee for my services. This fee covers the time and expertise required to create a detailed, customized itinerary and provide ongoing support throughout your trip. The exact fee varies and depends on which tier you choose. Please visit "My Services" for more information on what's included in each tier. I believe that the personalized attention and convenience provided by a travel planner offer excellent value.

It's best to contact me at least 3-6 months in advance for international trips and 1-3 months in advance for domestic trips. This allows ample time to research, plan, and for you to book all aspects of your travel. However, I can accommodate shorter timeframes depending on the specifics of your trip.

While it may seem easier if I personally handled all the bookings, there are legal reasons that prevent me from doing so. Travel planners who book directly can sometimes be classified as travel agents, which involves additional liabilities. Additionally, booking on your behalf would require me to handle and store your credit card information, which raises security and privacy concerns. That's why I only accept payments through PayPal and Venmo right now. These platforms provide a secure way to handle transactions without me needing to store your sensitive payment information. However, I plan everything for you and send you direct links for booking, so all you have to do is make a few clicks. This way, you still enjoy a seamless and hassle-free experience without any legal or security concerns.

Yes, I can assist with last-minute travel plans. While planning on short notice can be challenging, I will do my best to create a fantastic itinerary so you can secure necessary bookings. Please note that availability and options may be more limited with last-minute planning.

Since most of my travel has been in Southeast Asia, I would say that my specialty is the places I have personally traveled such as Nepal, Thailand, India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Singapore, and Vietnam. However, I am an expert in the planning process which doesn't change much from country to country, so whether you're interested in Asia, Europe, luxury travel, adventure trips, cultural explorations, or relaxing beach vacations, I can tailor each itinerary to suit your specific interests and preferences.

I provide detailed itineraries, including all necessary confirmations and contact information. I also offer ongoing support throughout your trip, so you can reach out to me anytime for assistance.

No, unfortunately, there are no refunds available for the travel planning services. Once the planning process begins, the fee is non-refundable due to the time and effort invested in creating your personalized itinerary. Payment must be sent before the planning process begins.

I communicate with clients primarily via email, WhatsApp, or iMessage. Since I am often traveling, these methods allow me to stay connected and respond promptly. Please ensure you have WhatsApp or an iPhone to receive messages through iMessage, if not I will solely communicate through email.

You can reach me at info@niniinoel.com or fill out the "Request More Info" form on the bottom of the "My Services" page for any questions, additional information, or support you may need. I'm here to help make your travel planning experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible.