with Tom Smith Travel-affiliate of The Travel Society

Now would be the time to decide if you want to have a custom independent designed itinerary that is designed by Spain and Portugal specialist Tom Smith Travel. Your itinerary would contain everything: hotels, transportation including train and intra European flights, local tours and sightseeing, etc. You will be able to self manage your itinerary day to day. It means you will need to re-confirm your activities directly with the supplier OR hotel daily. Everything would be confirmed and pre-paid of course and you will have vouchers in your final documents.

The other option we offer is the choice to have one of our preferred Destination Management Companies (DMC) operate your itinerary designed by Tom Smith Travel. You would have 24/7 support all along the way working with a representative here in Europe. The use of the DMC is more of an expense to you, but if you feel you need 24/7 support along the way it is the way to go. It is definitely the easiest way to travel. Most of my clients prefer involving a DMC.

choose your travel style

If we agree to proceed after presentation of one rough itinerary, the Terms and Conditions and Client Agreement is sent to you for your “e-signature”.

The planning fee of $250 per couple or individual covers up to 6 hours of travel planning. Additional hours will be billed at an extra rate and/or based on length of itinerary. Typical extra fee beyond the 6 hours, is $75 per hour. You will be notified that you are about to exceed the initial planning fee or $250. The fee is per couple or individual. The fee is a professional fee, similar to a retainer and is separate of any other fees or for travel purchases. The fee is non-refundable. Either party may terminate the agreement with a written or email notice at anytime.

contract signing +
planning fee

Then the itinerary proceeds with items - in this order: *This is very important*: (1) itinerary / destinations (2) hotel selection, (3) internal transport (car/air/rail) (4) day tours (day trips/tours/excursions). This is the logical progression of developing an itinerary. Lots of information and special tips and exclusive tried and true experiences are included. Client’s credit card will be used to secure all reservations and make deposits and final payments. Cancel and change policies will be in effect. Credit card authorization form is required. See terms and conditions for other fees charged for service.

Alternatively, you have the option of contracting with one of my trusted DMC (Destination Management Company) that can provide 24/7 assistance once you are traveling. Please request this from us if you need it. The cost of using a DMC is sometimes expensive, but many clients prefer the 24/7
assistance, which I do not provide once you have begun your trip.

finalization + booking

Your fee (the fee I charge you as a travel professional) guarantees you that the features and suppliers of your itinerary are tried and tested companies with which I work with here in Europe. I have an established professional relationship with these companies. I am not able to work with clients who prefer to “DIY” (do-it-yourself) as it makes for a chaotic, disorganized, and non-workable itinerary. This means booking accommodations on your own, tours on your own, etc. Yes, I have horror stories. Please do not feel that you need to book anything yourself once we have an agreement. This means hotels, tours, car rentals, train, etc.. We will give you lots and lots of quality choices and options according to your wishes of course. If you choose to “DIY” for any part of your trip once we have begun, other than your international air, then I would ask that we not continue and I wish you the best of luck with your trip.

Air ONLY: If you prefer to take care of your own international airfare, that is perfectly fine and OK as I do not book or ticket award travel or upgrades.

no DIY
do-it-yourself please

Bundled Package Rates:
For some itineraries, we leverage our in-country partners with access to proprietary rates that cannot be disclosed based on their contractual agreements with individual properties. By bundling the components of your trip together we can secure the best overall value. In other words, we cannot always provide “line item” pricing for your itinerary.

Consulting Services Only:
If you prefer to use my services for consulting only my hourly charge is $75 (minimum 2 hours). I will offer you consulting on your itinerary but will not be responsible for any bookings/reservations unless you ask me to make them.

additional information

A final complete professional Master Itinerary will be sent (electronically from a service called: Umapped) to the client along with all documents/vouchers, terms, including cancellation penalties, change fees, and lots of great “insider” information. You can carry it in your phone, ipad or laptop. Many clients have asked what the Master Final Itinerary from Umapped is all about. You will be sent a FAQ to understand Umapped. It is electronic. It comes to you approx.. 2-3 weeks prior to your departure and it is the final itinerary after all of our work to develop the perfect trip for you. It is a complete itinerary containing all of your flights from home to Europe, intra European flights, transport including train tickets, hotel accommodations, local tours and day trips, dinner reservations if you have them, just absolutely everything about your trip in detail. It also contains PDF documents, tickets and vouchers that you will need for services along the way. You will be need to download and print everything and carry with you. Also included are our own custom helpful guides for dining, local tours and helpful travel tips. You can add as many travelers as you want to send out this itinerary. You should expect the Master Final Itinerary(electronic) about 3 weeks to one month prior to your departure.

delivery of your final master itinerary

In most cases (not all) there will be a personalized “Welcome Packet” waiting for you at the first hotel you check into. This is “hard copy” stuff. It will contain itinerary information, useful information and Tom’s Travel Tips. Please ask for this Welcome Packet from the front desk when you check in….they often forget to give it to you!

welcome packet