The benefits of tailor-made travel

Let’s face it: everything feels better when it’s custom-made to fit you – from suits to jewelry to built-in wardrobes. Why should your vacation be any different? With the help of a knowledgeable travel expert, your next trip away could be based entirely on your needs and preferences, and be one of the best travel experiences you’ve ever had. We believe the advantages of bespoke travel are endless; in this article we explore to some of the clearest benefits to taking a customized approach to your next big trip.

Defining tailor-made travel: a customized experience

Let’s start with the basics – what exactly is tailor-made travel? Essentially, a trip is tailor-made when it’s built for you by an expert (ideally based within the chosen destination), with your ideas, preferences, and budget all in mind. As it’s customized, you can decide exactly where you go, what you do, how you travel between locations, and how long you stay for. If you feel a pre-arranged, package vacation isn’t quite for you, or you’ve looked around for trip inspiration but can’t seem to find something that ‘fits’, then tailor-made travel could be the answer.

How expensive is bespoke travel?

If you’re wondering if tailor-made travel is more expensive, it tends to be priced slightly higher than pre-packaged trips, but the difference in costs can be vastly different. Luxury trips will usually be priced at a premium, of course – but there are also budget tailor-made trips that are very affordable. There are also ways to customize your trip to lower the cost, such as taking public transport instead of a private car, or staying in more affordable accommodation. You should also consider general expenses and research how much things cost within the destination you choose – buying lunch and drinks in the Maldives, for instance, is going to be pricier than in Vietnam.

The benefits of tailor-made vacations over pre-packaged trips

Let’s break down the key benefits of bespoke travel over a pre-packaged tour…

Enjoy greater flexibility and creativity when planning

In a way, tailor-made travel combines the convenience of a planned trip with true freedom – as you can customize every aspect. Unlike pre-packaged tours with rigid schedules and the decisions made for you, you can decide exactly when to arrive, where you want to focus your time, and how long to stay at each location. You can even try a multi-destination trip that crosses borders, and be in control of where and when. This flexibility allows you to create a truly unique itinerary that’s based entirely on your vision for the trip – with as much activity and downtime that you think you’ll need.

Endless personalization: guides, activities and accommodations

The world is your oyster when it comes to activities and places to stay – and also whether you want the help of a local guide in certain places, or to freely explore on your own. When you’re put in touch with one of our on-the-ground experts, they will suggest activities based on what you enjoy, and have a range of accommodation options to suit your preferred style and budget. Whether you want a focus on yoga and wellness, outdoor adventures like cycling and hiking, foodie experiences and wine tastings, spending time in the locality – or a mixture of all of those things – it’s entirely up to you.

In the hands of experts: a stress-free way to plan your trip

Though everything is up to you, that doesn’t mean you have to take on the burden of planning and decision-making. Tailor-made travel is a collaboration with travel experts, who in TravelLocal’s case, are locally-based in the destination you want to visit. This means you get the most in-depth, on-the-ground advice and assistance, as these skilled operators will do everything from booking your flights and accommodation, to arranging transfers, activities, and guided tours for your dream trip. As they know the destination inside-out, they can organize truly authentic experiences that allow you to really understand and immersive yourself in the local life and culture.

Working out these logistics yourself for somewhere unfamiliar can be time-consuming and stressful – but with the invaluable help you receive when booking a tailor-made vacation, it becomes a seamless experience from start to finish.

Take full control of your budget

Since you are directly involved in all the aspects of your trip, you can adjust factors according to budget, such as where to stay, meal plans, activities and transport options, to keep your trip in line with how much you want to spend. Your local agent can also help you create a bespoke travel plan that suits your financial needs – unlike a package tour which usually has a set cost, making certain experiences seem out of reach. Just be sure to tell your travel expert up front how much you’re hoping to spend, and they can arrange a trip that keeps costs easy on the picket, or better yet, advise you on what’s realistically available in your range.

Making more responsible choices with tailor-made travel

In today’s unpredictable climate, making responsible travel choices is more important than ever – and arranging a tailor-made trip makes it easier to do so. Opting for eco-friendly accommodation options, family-owned homestays, or ethically guided tours is as simple as explaining your priorities to the travel expert building your tour. They will also be able to advise you on the most sustainable ways to experience their country – such as recommending locally-owned restaurants and businesses, helping to support the local economy and preserve cultural heritage; and suggesting wildlife experiences that prioritize the animals’ protection and wellbeing.

In contrast, pre-packaged vacations often veer towards pleasing the masses, which can contribute to over-tourism, environmental degradation, and a lack of meaningful time experiencing the local culture. Unethical animal experiences, such as dolphin shows and elephant riding, are also more common in the package vacation market.

By choosing a tailor-made trip, you can travel more mindfully and align your journey with your values – while also creating unforgettable experiences that benefit both you and the destination you visit.

Tailor-made travel: an essential checklist for travelers

Planning a tailor-made trip can be exciting, but it’s important to stay organized to ensure everything goes smoothly. Here’s a checklist to help you prepare for your bespoke travel adventure:

• Choose your destination: Where in the world are you dreaming about going? Pick a destination that aligns with your imagination, interests, time availability and of course, budget. Look up when is the best time of year to go to that destination, and consider multi-destination trips if you want to go all out!
• Set your budget: Decide how much you’re willing to spend overall, and remember to include on-the-ground expenses. Allocate funds for the tour you’re going to book but also activities, visas, inoculations, meals and any extra transportation, as well as local guides if you need them.
• What are your must-haves? What’s the main purpose of your trip? To relax on the beach, have an active adventure, immerse yourself in local cuisine? What experiences or activities are must-haves for you? Discuss with your family and friends that you’re traveling with, and take notes to share with your travel expert.
• Share your vision with a local travel expert: Share your ideas and notes as well as personal preferences, your budget, and ideal time to travel, with a local expert based within the destination. With us at TravelLocal, this is really easy to do!
• Collaborate on your itinerary: This trip is entirely yours – so the length of the trip, the amount of travel days, the type of accommodations, the activities, and the cost, should all be what you envisioned for your dream vacation. Your local expert can tweak and change the itinerary as you suggest things, while offering their in-depth advice to hone it.
• Stay flexible: Tell your expert if you’d like to leave room for spontaneity and unexpected changes of direction – and think about your downtime. Sometimes packing everything into a tight timeframe can be a regret for travelers, who end up rushed off their feet the entire trip!
• Remember travel documents: Before you go ahead, be sure to check any visa requirements and ensure your passport is valid – especially if you’re booking at the last minute! This includes travel insurance, vaccination certificates, and any necessary permits that need advance planning.

Is tailor-made travel right for you?

Tailor-made travel offers a unique and personalized way to explore the world, but is it for you? If you value personalization, and have distinctive ideas over what exactly you’d love to do on your trip, and enjoy creating something bespoke with the knowledge and assistance of a locally-based expert, it could be more aligned to you than a pre-packaged tour.

It’s also ideal if you want unique, authentic experiences that really get under the skin of a destination; or if you have a specific reason for the trip such as food, wellness or adventure. Your local expert can design a trip that totally revolves around your particular passions, or that of the family and friends that you’re traveling with.

Last but not least, it’s a brilliant way to travel responsibly, as every element of your trip from the accommodation and activities to transport options, can be eco-focused when it’s planned from scratch.

Make it happen

If the concept of tailor-made travel sounds right up your alley, get in touch with one of our local travel experts. They’re based on the ground within the destination you want to visit, ready to create a bespoke travel itinerary that’s based entirely on your ideal vacation.