Learn how FAM trips and hiring a travel advisor benefits you. When you hire me to design your vacation, you’re trusting me with something incredibly personal — your time, your memories, your investment. That’s why I never blindly recommend a hotel, experience, or destination. I go. I stay. I taste. I ask the questions you’d want answered. And when I can’t be there personally, I know I have trusted and vetted partners and relationships with other travel advisors who can speak first hand to the properties, experiences, and destinations.

In the travel industry, we call these experiences FAM trips (short for familiarization trips). And while they may look like just another getaway on Instagram, here’s why they matter deeply to your vacation.

What is a FAM Trip?

A FAM trip is when a travel advisor is invited to visit a destination, hotel, or region to better understand what it’s like. Think of it as a behind-the-scenes masterclass in a place. I’m there to evaluate everything from the quality of the beds to how attentive the service feels, so I can match the right property and experiences to the right client.

It’s not just about looking at brochures or websites; it’s about experiencing it all firsthand.

Why It Matters for You as the Traveler

1. Firsthand Experience, Not Just Google Research
   When you see a “5-star” hotel online, you don’t know if it feels like five stars. And it’s hard to
   determine if the person leaving the review has the same “5-star standard” that you do. Because
   I’ve been there, walked through the lobby, and noticed the details that matter, I am able to speak
   directly to the quality of the property, and whether or not it’s a good fit for your trip.
2. Vetted Partnerships = VIP Treatment
   As a Virtuoso advisor and a partner with on-the-ground teams like my friends at Calvados Club in
   Croatia, I build personal relationships with the people running these properties. That means when
   my clients arrive, they’re not just another booking, they’re my clients, and the hotel knows it.
3. Matching You to the Right Fit
   Not every property or tour is for everyone. A modern boutique hotel in Puglia might be perfect
   for a honeymoon couple, but a private villa in Sicily could be better for a multigenerational trip. My
   job is to know the difference, and that’s easier when I’ve been there myself.
4. Insider Tips You Won’t Find Online
   Where’s the quietest room? Which guide makes history feel like a story instead of a lecture?
   Which villa has the most magical sunset views? These are the details that make a trip
   extraordinary, and I only learn them by experiencing them myself.

A Peek Behind the Curtain

When you see me traveling to places like Puglia or Sicily, it’s not just for fun (though I’ll never say no to pasta al fresco or a glass of prosecco). I’m working — scouting properties, meeting partners, and experiencing every detail so that when I design your trip, it’s seamless and stress-free.

The truth is, a FAM trip is an investment in you. Because when I know the difference between “good” and “exceptional,” I can deliver the kind of trip that becomes a story you’ll tell for years.

Ready to see what’s possible when every detail is handled?
👉 Download my complimentary Services Guide and get a glimpse of how I design unforgettable
journeys.

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