Frequently Asked Questions

We are a private travel consultancy — not a travel agency. Travel agencies sell products (flights, hotels, packages) from a catalogue. We design experiences from nothing, using a network of relationships, expertise, and access that no booking platform can replicate. Our fee reflects the depth of bespoke service we provide; it is not a mark-up on commodity travel products.

Our clients range from first-time visitors to Europe who want to experience it at its finest, to experienced travellers who have already done the obvious and want something deeper, more private, and more meaningful. What unites them is intellectual curiosity, a preference for quality over quantity, and an appreciation for the kind of access that cannot simply be purchased at scale.

For a standard journey of 10–14 days, we recommend beginning consultation at least six months in advance. For journeys involving exceptionally competitive access — a particular opera night, a specific harvest season, a notable cultural event — nine to twelve months is preferable. We can accommodate shorter timeframes for less access-dependent itineraries, though the range of available options narrows considerably.

Absolutely. A meaningful portion of our clients travel alone — executives between assignments, widows and widowers returning to beloved destinations, scholars following a particular artistic or historical thread. We design with the solo traveller in mind: never making you feel the absence of a companion, ensuring there are moments of sociability alongside moments of rewarding solitude.

We charge a flat consultancy fee for itinerary design, which varies by the complexity and duration of the programme. Accommodation, dining reservations, transportation, and private access arrangements are invoiced separately at net cost, with a service management fee. We are fully transparent about our fee structure from the first conversation — there are no hidden charges or last-minute additions.

Our journeys are positioned at the luxury tier of European travel. A meaningful 10-day itinerary for two, including five-star accommodation, private transfers, and curated dining, typically begins at $18,000 (excluding international flights). Itineraries with exceptional private access, helicopter transfers, or extended duration can range considerably higher. We are happy to discuss budget parameters during your initial consultation.

We do not typically arrange transatlantic flights — most of our clients prefer to work with their preferred airline or a specialist flight arranger for that element. We do arrange all internal European flights, first-class rail, private transfers, and any charter aviation required within the itinerary. We are happy to recommend trusted partners for transatlantic business-class arrangements.

Your lead advisor does not travel with you unless specifically requested (and engaged as a touring director). Instead, we introduce you to trusted local guides and contacts in each destination — people who know their city or region as intimately as we know the overall journey. Your advisor remains reachable by telephone throughout and will manage any changes or additions in real time.

We provide a direct mobile number for your senior advisor for the duration of your journey — not a call centre, but the person who designed your itinerary. We have managed missed trains, sudden closures, medical situations, and last-minute opportunities with equal competence. We also recommend that all clients carry comprehensive travel insurance, and we can suggest trusted providers.

Yes — thoroughly and without compromise. We discuss every dietary requirement, physical limitation, and personal preference during the consultation process and ensure every element of the itinerary is designed accordingly. Europe’s finest establishments are accustomed to accommodating guests with exacting requirements, and we will always confirm in advance with our personal contacts.

We design many journeys for multi-generational families — grandparents, parents, and grandchildren discovering Europe together is one of travel’s great gifts. We know which country houses welcome children with genuine warmth, which itineraries engage younger travellers, and how to structure a day that holds meaning for a twelve-year-old and an eighty-year-old simultaneously. Family travel is a particular speciality of our London team.