
Your travel is an investment in experiences, connection, and culture. Planning a trip can be daunting, but we know where to start and how to make your dream a reality. Take a look at some commonly asked questions, and if you don't see what you need to know, please reach out.
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To start with, you get your time back. We handle the research, design, and planning so you don't have to. Beyond convenience, you'll enjoy a seamless, stress-free trip with access to unique experiences you couldn't arrange yourself. All of our partners are thoroughly vetted, ensuring quality and reliability. We stay in touch with our partners before and during your trip, and if any issues arise, we’ll do everything we can to resolve them and support you every step of the way.
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We partner with suppliers that make a conscious effort to build sustainability into their offerings. That means doing what they can to be good stewards of the environment but also supporting the people and places that make each destination special. We prioritize partners who work directly with local people—hiring local guides, showcasing regional artisans and craftspeople, sourcing ingredients from nearby farms and markets. We seek out experiences that connect you meaningfully to the culture, helping you feel like part of the community, not just a visitor. For example, many of the boutique hotels we recommend source their amenities from local producers, and our restaurant suggestions often feature family-owned establishments that have been serving their communities for generations.
We are also sensitive to over-tourism and will advise travel at times when the destination is less crowded. That helps sustain local economies during low season and also gives you a bit more breathing room.
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Absolutely! Beyond our genuine passion for travel design—and the time we save you by managing all the details—there are exclusive advantages. Through our affiliate relationships with Virtuoso and Andavo, we have access to a global, trusted network of partners who extend special “can’t be Googled” experiences and perks to our clients. These can include complimentary room upgrades on arrival, daily breakfast, resort credits, and more—benefits you won’t find when booking on your own. We’re also proud to be part of invitation-only programs like the Four Seasons Preferred Partner Program, offering even more elevated VIP treatment.
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Yes, we do. Our fees vary depending on group size and trip complexity, starting at $500. A detailed breakdown can be found here. These fees reflect the time and care we invest in getting to know you, researching tailored options, and crafting a thoughtfully curated travel plan. They also support our behind-the-scenes work—building strong relationships with trusted partners and staying in close contact before and during your trip. Our fees ensure mutual commitment to designing the immersive, meaningful experience you're dreaming of.
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Yes! We have access to villas through several trusted partners. We don't book Airbnb or VRBO since we can't vet and verify those accommodations. The properties we work with often offer additional services like grocery delivery, private chefs, or on-site cooking classes.
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Budgeting can be tricky, especially for new destinations or experiences. Trip costs vary significantly based on destination, season, and preferred experiences, so we approach this a couple of ways.
During our Inspire call, we'll ask questions to understand your travel style—what accommodations you enjoy, how you like to spend your time, any exclusive experiences you're interested in, and the overall feel you're going for.
If you don't have a set budget in mind, that's totally fine. We'll suggest a budget range based on our discussion and see if that feels comfortable. If you do have a range in mind, we tailor your options accordingly. And if your vision doesn't quite align with the budget, we'll present both the ideal scenario and thoughtfully curated alternatives that preserve the essence of your vision while respecting your financial considerations.
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For the best experience and access to premier accommodations, we recommend planning international travels 9-12 months in advance, especially for peak seasons. Iconic properties like Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on the French Riviera or Villa d'Este on Lake Como often book out a year ahead for prime suites.
For US destinations, we suggest 6-8 months advance planning, with even earlier bookings (9+ months) for popular times like coastal New England in summer, New York City during fall fashion week, or Washington D.C. during cherry blossom season.
For special celebrations or multi-generational trips, we recommend starting the conversation at least a year in advance to ensure we can craft the perfect experience for your important occasion.
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The timeline depends on your trip's complexity, but here's our typical process: After our initial inspiration call, we’ll send you a recap of our discussion. Once you sign our Client Agreement, we begin crafting your proposal—this usually takes one to two weeks depending on your group size, destination(s), and special requests.
From there, we'll work together through revisions and refinements until your itinerary is perfect. While this collaborative phase varies for each client, we’re committed to taking whatever time is needed to create your curated journey.
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Things come up and plans change—that's understandable. We can pivot if we're still in the planning phase, however, a new Design Fee will apply. Changes after payments have been made will incur fees from both vendors and Tres Travel Design, varying by circumstance. That said, we want you to be happy with your trip, so we'll do everything we can to be nimble and responsive.
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We'll send proposals through our travel tool, and you can message us back and forth through the messaging portal. Otherwise, feel free to email. You may also text us via WhatsApp if something requires immediate attention. Please note our available hours are 8 AM – 5 PM CST and limit communications to those hours when possible, with the exception of emergencies.
