How to plan your dream customised holiday with a travel agent
Customising your next getaway allows you to enjoy a journey specifically tailored to your personal preferences and travel style. Here is how collaborating with a travel agent can <a Being able to select what you do and don't see, and what you do and don't participate in, is a huge benefit of custom-made itineraries, as opposed to a cookie-cutter-style itinerary," Penn says.
Guide to organising a custom holiday
What is a customised holiday and what can it include?
A customised holiday is essentially an itinerary built entirely around what the traveller or travellers want to see, do, and experience.
“We can do customised holidays for individuals, groups, couples and families of any sort,” she says. “We can also create itineraries for people who don’t feel that standard travel packages suit their needs, can’t find something that works for them, or have specific ideas about what they’d like to do.”
Penn explains that travel agents at RACV Travel and Experiences can customise almost any aspect of a trip, including:
cruises (noting that cruises have set dates).
Why book a custom holiday?
Choice
The primary appeal for many people booking a tailor-made trip is the freedom to do exactly what they want. “In every group tour, there’s going to be a day trip or stop that isn’t really on your bucket list,” Penn says. “But you just go along with it. You’ve already paid entry for it in the tour cost anyway. When you’re custom-making (a holiday), you can make sure you’re paying for something you actually want.”
With a bespoke itinerary, travellers can dictate the pace of their holiday. This might involve lingering in a particular destination or moving through locations more quickly. “There’s less of a time crunch on things,” Penn says.
The flexibility of a custom pace is also beneficial for travellers with mobility requirements or those who prefer a more relaxed trip with plenty of downtime.
Personalisation
Penn mentions she has assisted in creating unique vacations for travellers with niche interests, such as a horticulturalist <a He wanted a stronger focus on gardens and national parks," she says. "Normally in an itinerary, you'll find maybe a stop or two that includes something like that, but not to the level of his interest."
“He was really excited by the day tours we were able to piece together for him that actually included this area of interest.”
Facilitation
While custom itineraries can be designed for any destination, Penn notes that they are particularly advantageous for certain locations.
“Culture and language can be quite a big adjustment when <a she says. "There are some <a re quite adventurous, can find it more challenging than others."
In these instances, Penn says travel agents can arrange local contacts to help travellers get their bearings, allowing them to comfortably explore destinations they might otherwise have felt hesitant to visit.
How to plan a customised holiday with a travel agent
While it is possible to plan a trip independently, there are clear advantages to organising a bespoke getaway through a travel agent.
“The reason that we’re in the travel industry is because it’s a passion point,” Penn says.
RACV travel agents typically leverage industry connections to secure better deals, which can make a customised holiday more affordable than planning it yourself. These professional networks also allow agents to suggest experiences you might not have otherwise considered.
Using a travel agent to book a custom trip can also help prevent decision fatigue, which occurs when you are overwhelmed by too many options.
“Someone who’s planning their own trip can get so caught up in needing to find the perfect place that they then overwhelm themselves with all of the information,” Penn says.
“And that’s where our team recommendations come in. We’ve got personal experience, but it can also be easier to make decisions when you’re a little bit removed.”
The booking process
Penn says that while many clients arrive at RACV Travel and Experiences with a clear vision, it is perfectly fine if you don’t. A custom itinerary can be developed starting with nothing <a It's a conversation back and forth about what you're looking for, how we can help and what we might be able to recommend based off your requirements, destination and the type of traveller you are," Penn says.
“Getting an idea of the style of travel that sounds attractive, sounds restful, sounds fun, is what we try to get from the initial meeting.”
From there, the agent uses that information to draft an itinerary and quote. Do not assume the first version will be the final one, as agents will adjust the plan based on your feedback.
“Don’t be afraid of asking for what you want,” says Penn. “Take the time to have that conversation with the travel agent about what sounds good in your itinerary and what maybe isn’t capturing your fancy and needs to change.”
How much does it cost to customise your holiday?
Although a custom itinerary can carry a higher price tag than a standard package, Penn explains that it often provides superior value.
“Customised, independent itineraries can be more expensive than a big group tour where the costs are split over 40 or 50 people,” she says. “But the reality is that half of the things on the group tour you didn’t really want to do anyway.”
“A customised itinerary might cost you a little bit more, but you’re actually paying for the things you want to do. You’re not paying for someone else’s sightseeing bucket list; you’re paying for your own.”
You can also discuss your budget with your travel agent. They can review the draft and identify ways to reduce costs, such as swapping a four-star hotel for a three-star property or removing non-essential experiences.
RACV Members can save on custom holidays, tours, cruises and holiday packages to destinations around the world.
Expert tips to get the most out of your custom holiday
Avoid trying to pack too many activities into a single day or location. A travel agent can provide guidance on what is realistic for your chosen destination and timeframe based on your preferred pace.
Do ask your travel agent questions and provide constructive feedback, as this is what will help take your custom itinerary from good to great.
Do prioritise the activities that align with your personal interests and travel style, even if they are not standard tourist attractions.
Don’t base your holiday solely on things you’ve seen online or on social media.