Bespoke. It has such a magical and mysterious tone to it. In fact, not many associate it with traveling. Bespoke is widely used in the context of custom-tailored clothes and only recently, has been used to address a specific kind of luxury travel.
From the word itself, bespoke means highly customized and unique. Bespoke travel is a luxury travel experience designed with the client in mind.
It features a lot of unique, highly local experiences that you can’t access by joining mass group tours.
Every aspect of a bespoke travel itinerary is carefully planned to maximize your travel experience. The aim is to give you a special individual experience you can’t find anywhere else. It also aims to give you a glimpse of the local culture and experience it as any local would.
When you look at a bespoke travel itinerary, you’d expect to find destinations off the usual tourist track. Experiences are also unique and usually arranged solely for you.
You can enjoy a bespoke experience anywhere – even in popular global destinations. Just because a country is full of tourist traps doesn’t mean you can’t have a bespoke experience.
Sometimes, when we speak of bespoke travel we think of exotic Caribbean or Pacific destinations. While most bespoke travel companies plan itineraries to these locations, it’s also entirely possible to have a bespoke experience in a popular city like New York or London.
All it takes is for your travel agent to come up with the best local and unique experiences. Remember, the goal of bespoke travel is for you to have a unique experience in a travel destination – no matter how popular it is.
Absolutely.
Yes, you can take all the time to research the Internet and consume dozens of articles and videos on the best localized and culture-intensive experience. But the reality is that nothing beats a trained local travel agent.
By engaging a travel agent who specializes in bespoke travel, you are assured that they know the ins and outs of your destination. They have contacts with the local scene and can create that amazing experience for you.
Fancy a helicopter tour of the skylines of New York? Perhaps a private tour of some of England’s stately homes? Maybe a glamping session on a remote tropical island?
A travel agent can arrange for these experiences. They will turn your travel dreams into a reality.
When working with a travel agent to craft your bespoke itinerary, expect a lot of communications involved. Again, you are not buying a pre-planned packaged tour. The travel agent will create a customized itinerary that most probably will only be offered to you.
Make sure to communicate clearly what you want to achieve during your travel. Do you want to have more local experiences mingling with the locals? Do you want private tours of undiscovered hidden gems? Are there any special occasions you’re celebrating during the travel i.e. anniversaries, birthdays, a proposal?
Your travel goals will help your travel agent propose the best set of activities for you and your companions.
Most bespoke travels also feature boutique inns or unique accommodations as well as personalized modes of transportation. Don’t hesitate to communicate with your travel agent your preferences for accommodation and transportation.
Since they are not packaged tours, it’s hard to put a price on bespoke travel.
Packaged tours usually offer affordable travel experiences because of the high volume of travelers. The more people who join the tours, the more tour operators can drive costs down. Plus, they often include inexpensive sights or destinations in the itinerary.
The opposite is true for bespoke travel. It usually involves only a small group of people to exclusive destinations. Depending on your bespoke travel itinerary, you can get a series of expensive locations and experiences.
With that said, it’s best to work with a budget in mind when dealing with your travel agent. Be open about how much you want to spend on the trip so that the travel agent can plan accordingly. Bear in mind, most travel agents will charge the direct costs of the travel to you. Then add a small percentage as their professional fee.
However, be assured that travel agents also work in your interest by scouting for deals on accommodations, transportation, and other travel experiences. These deals will also be passed on to you directly.
Are you a seasoned traveler tired of the usual tourist traps? Do you want to see the world from a fresh perspective?
Then bespoke travel is the solution.
The world has a lot to offer. Even if you’ve been to the same place many times, there’s always something new to explore.
And that’s what a bespoke experience can offer.
If you’re looking for an experienced bespoke travel agent, then give us a call. Here at Magia Retreats, our founder Nicole Rolstad has over 15+ years of experience in destination travel and can create the perfect bespoke travel experience for you. Get in touch with us today.
August 21, 2021
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