What does a travel advisor do?

A travel advisor is your personal travel planner, strategist, and advocate—before, during, and after your trip. At STM Travel Design, our advisors manage the details that shape your travel experience, from routing and itinerary recommendations tailored to your travel goals and preferences to intentional accommodation matching, timing advice, logistics coordination, and on-the-ground support.

Rather than piecing together plans on your own, you work with a professional who understands destinations, anticipates challenges, and designs a trip that reflects your priorities, pace, and travel style. Our role is to turn ideas into a well-planned, well-supported journey, so you can travel with confidence.

Do you charge planning fees?

Yes, some of our advisors do, while others do not. However, planning fees reflect the time, expertise, and professional services required to design a customized travel experience, which the advisor has invested in to acquire the knowledge and experience they have.

Every trip requires research, coordination, supplier communication, and ongoing support. Planning fees let us focus entirely on creating thoughtful, well-executed itineraries tailored to you. Fees vary based on the trip's complexity and are always discussed upfront, so expectations are clear from the beginning.

How far in advance should I book my vacation?

Booking timelines vary by destination and travel style, but earlier planning almost always leads to better availability and more options.

For complex international travel, Europe, cruises, and peak travel seasons, we typically recommend planning 6–12 months in advance. This allows time to secure preferred accommodations, ideal flight routes, and in-demand experiences. Shorter planning windows may be possible, but advance planning provides the best flexibility and value.

What support do you provide during travel?

Our support doesn’t end once your trip begins. STM Travel Design advisors remain available before, during, and after travel to assist with changes, delays, or unexpected situations.

If plans shift, a flight is delayed, or something doesn’t go as expected, you have an experienced advisor advocating on your behalf. We work directly with our partners to resolve issues efficiently—so you’re not navigating challenges alone while traveling.

Who should work with a travel advisor?

Working with a travel advisor is a great fit for travelers who value expert guidance, thoughtful planning, and reliable support throughout the travel process.

You may benefit from working with an STM Travel Design advisor if you:

• Are planning international or multi-destination travel

• Want a custom itinerary tailored to your interests, pace, and priorities

• Are booking cruises or river cruises and want help navigating options and inclusions

• Prefer trusted recommendations for hotels, transportation, and experiences

• Have limited time to research and coordinate travel details

• Value having professional support if plans change while traveling

Whether you’re planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip or a thoughtfully designed vacation, a travel advisor helps ensure your experience is well-planned, well-supported, and aligned with what matters most to you.