How long have you been in business
I have been working and travelling the world for years.  Firstly as an international development consultant, then as a project and finance manager and finally a travel professional. I've travelled to four continents and 60+ countries and countless cities.
Are you a licensed professional
Yes, in order to work in the travel industry in Ontario one must be licensed.  I am a registered member with the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA). I am also a Conde Nast Top Travel Specialist.
 Why do you charge fees
 I have always been a fee based professional regardless of the sector.

My business model is based on client service excellence and that level of effort requires significant amounts of time.  I work with a select number of clients each year and being fee based allows me to fully concentrate on each traveller and their wishes without any bias.  

If you work with a wealth advisor, an accountant or  consult a nutritionist, personal trainer, a medical specialist, or have hired an engineer or contractor then you have engaged in a fee-based relationship.

I work for and on behalf of my clients. 
I do not work for airlines, or hotels, or tour operators, or any other travel supplier.
Your work seems to be very oriented toward custom trips
That is true. I do enjoy the research, crafting, and creating of a custom itinerary of destinations and experiences that travellers have dreamt of for years.   I create  custom "all inclusive vacations" instead of purchasing one off the shelf.  However, when my clients wish to have a quick getaway using a packaged vacation , or cruise or simple flight and hotel booking I make those arrangements.    

I want to see a breakdown of all of the costs of my trip

Me too! Here's the thing. I do not always have access to that information. 
I work with with a colleague at your destination - so that you have on the ground support - who has negotiated rates and contracts with local suppliers that I am not privy to. 
I always strive to optimize the value for your travel investment.  If your concern is overall pricing, we can look for ways to reduce pricing by changing the scope of your travels.  If this is the case, let's discuss your this at the outset. 
How do we work together
Good question. Typically we start with a complimentary 30 minute conversation; this can be on the phone or virtually.  We will chat about your travel needs and if I am a good candidate to assist. At the end of the conversation - if we agree to proceed - I will send along a Client Profile Form. 
If we proceed can you outline the steps involved
The Client Profile Form will provide the backdrop to the development of your itinerary

If I need additional info I'll get in touch 

I'll then create a high level travel proposal for you which you will review and approve. Proposals are limited to three (3) significant iterations as part of my services. Beyond that an hourly fee will apply. 

Once the itinerary is approved then I  will complete the final details of your itinerary

I'll collect method of payment at that point 

You will receive an invitation to your electronic itinerary  which can be viewed on a desktop or mobile device in due course with most or all of the components of the itinerary (flights, accommodation, transfers, excursions, guides, activities) populated in the itinerary. There may be changes as we move toward your departure which is normal

I inform you of timelines regarding  deposits, balances due and other related items

I'll monitor your itinerary for changes, cancellations and other circumstances that may affect your travels 

If changes occur you will be asked to confirm them and they will be reflected in your electronic itinerary

Approximately 10 days before departure you will receive - depending on your level of service and preference - a set of hard copy travel documents including a final invoice with the travel investment for all components and our service fees

Just prior to departure I will invoice for my services and trip elements recompense. I work until that point on an honour based system and trust my clients will honour my work and compensation

Once your travels are underway I or my in destination partners will be available for support and assistance

I will be happy to receive your constructive feedback on your travels 
What is the best way to communicate with you
Email, Text, Whats App, Phone call, virtual meeting  in that order as I may be reached anywhere in the world.  In-person meetings can be scheduled via my calendar. Email is the preference so that there is a clear record of instructions 
What form of payment do you accept
Credit card 
What is generally excluded from the trips you design
Gratuities for local staff, costs for travel visas if they are required, costs for inoculations, discretionary items (souvenirs and shopping),  meals and alcoholic beverages unless the trip design includes these, any other discretionary items
You mentioned travel insurance, can this be purchased through you
In most cases, yes, Manulife and Travelex are the insurance providers I carry. I am a travel professional; I will refer you to an insurance specialist with either of my carriers above to ensure you are making the correct insurance choices for your travels. 
Will I get "great deals" by working with you
My business is based on mostly custom planning and anything unique is also uniquely priced so the candid answer is "no". 
I do not search for bargains. If you are an existing client and I know that you are interested in an Antarctic Cruise or a Small group Tour of Egypt I will inform you as suppliers advise me of any promotions of the same. 
If a value vacation is your aim then working with a mass volume supplier or online travel agency is a better choice for you
What about Airbnb
 I do encourage the use of vacation rentals if it is appropriate for your trip. However I avoid using Airbnb.
Why?
I travel alot to heavily touristed cities. I am saddened by the hollowing out that I see - primarily due to short term vacation rental platforms like  Airbnb - on city centres.
It is an absolute fact that locals and local services are being displaced.
Where one's local tiny market used to exist one now finds a cannibis shop or a souvenir shop with cheap imported goods.
When I travel I want to live in the local culture, walk with locals, enjoy their lifestyle and see the city through their eyes. 
The opportunity for this is very quickly fading.
I do work with reputable and professional property management firms who have a portfolio of rental properties, villas, apartments are such and would be happy to arrange that for your travels.
How much time do we need for planning
 That depends on where you want to go.
​Once-in-a-lifetime, bucket list or other milestone trips ie safaris generally require nine to twelves months advance planning. Highly desired destinations are also the same.  I prefer two months of planning time at a minimum. If I have four to six months planning time we have a greater selection of accommodation, activities and guides. Last minute getaways are possible though at a surcharge.
What if I want to you to design an itinerary only so that I can bargain hunt for accommodation and experiences
Happy to do so.  The cost for a 7 day itinerary in a single destination starts at $500 CAD plus taxes.  I will recommend flights and hotels for your travels and you can do the sleuthing and reservations.  
You mention a travel memory portfolio
Yes! A travel memory portfolio is similar to a wealth portfolio. We set up a number of trips over a period of time that will be taken by you and up to six people you wish to travel with.  I collect data from eveyone as to their preferences including destinations, experiences , timing. I compile this and propose a series of travels. You all choose which trip and when. It's a great way for groups of friends who travel annually, multi-generational families with hectic schedules or even couples who want to manage their leisure time in a more thoughtful way. Ask me for more info or let's meet. 
What happens if...
Some of these scenarios may require additional service fees to Life Travelled Well as this is unplanned and unexpected work which is outside of the original itinerary. The most important thing to note however is that even with an additional fee you always have someone that you can reach out to  24/7 who will work to remedy the situation.
I only want advice
Perfect.  Book a time in my calendar or send me an email. My hourly fees and taxes will apply.  

I just want you to book a car service for me
I can do that. Send me an email. My hourly fees and taxes will apply. 

I missed my flight
If I have booked your flight then I will work with the airline to have you rebooked.  The rebooking though may require additional fees payable to the airlines.  If you missed the flight because you slept in then there will likely be charges by the airline to have your ticket reinstated. If you missed your flight because you did not arrive early enough to manage the security process then there will likely be charges by the airline to have your ticket reinstated. If the airlines have cancelled your flight - and they do have the right to cancel flights at any time due to any circumstance so it's important to understand that - then the airline will absorb the rebooking cost.  Also important to understand that if you have booked a business class seat the airline may or may not be able to guarantee that same class of travel; their aim is just to get you to your destination.

My accommodation is awful 
If I have booked your accommodation with one of my verified and reputable suppliers then I will contact my supplier and manage the situation. 

I don't like my guide
If I have reserved this guide, I will contact the supplier and manage the situation.

I have decided to cancel my trip and want you to manage the situation.
A cancellation fee applies for transaction cancellations requested by the client.
If an entire trip is to be cancelled it is a significant amount of work to contact suppliers, process refundable trip elements, etc, etc, etc.  
My hourly fees and taxes will apply in this situation.

I am feeling unwell and need to return home
I will work with my team locally to see what can be done to abort the trip.  Bear in mind that once you are travelling ninety percent of the arrangements are non-refundable.  This is why out of province/state medical insurance and  trip interruption and cancellation insurance is critical.  The airline may charge additional fees to have your ticket rebooked for a different departure than scheduled.

I missed getting back on my cruise ship in time
I will advise the cruise line and work with them so that you may board at the next available port. My hourly fees and taxes will apply in this situation.


My luggage didn't arrive in time for my cruise
Your travel insurance will cover this item.  You will have to purchase items on board and keep all of your receipts. Note that the insurance company will only insure up to the value of what you had originally packed and they will ask for a list of everything you had in your suitcase. This means that if you packed a pair of ten year old shorts from the GAP you can expect to be reimbursed the current value of those shorts so I would avoid purchasing a pair of Chanel shorts as a replacement.
If you wish assistance with insurance claims my hourly fees and taxes will apply in this situation.

I break up with my partner while we are travelling
I will chat with you to see how you would like to proceed and if one or both of you are interested in continuing on the trip solo, and arrange the itinerary and flights accordingly.
My hourly fees and taxes will apply in this situation. 

I want to skip my final flight destination and get off an an earlier stop 
Uh no.  I will give you a specific example.  Clients had flights with a final destination of Hamburg. They were stopping over in Frankfurt to change planes.  They casually mentioned to me that they were planning on starting their trip from Frankfurt instead of Hamburg where their flight ended.  Their ticket ended in Hamburg and I reminded them of that. If they had decided to skip their final leg the airline would have considered them a "no show" and invalidated their entire ticket. As in unable to use that ticket to return home.  Flight tickets are priced based on a complete itinerary and if one part of the ticket is incomplete then the airline has the right to cancel the remainder of the ticket that is unused without providing a refund. If you decide to skip a flight let and need a new ticket my hourly fees and taxes will apply. 

I have to return home due to an extenuating circumstance
If you have purchased Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance this will be possible. Cancel For Any Reason insurance only insures eighty percent of your travel costs however it is truly cancel for any reason. My hourly fees and taxes will apply in this situation. 

I have just learned of a Travel Advisory and no longer wish to travel
If you purchased travel insurance before a Travel Advisory was issued then you will be able to claim your trip against the travel insurance.  In some cases airlines and accommodation suppliers may also allow cancellations and refunds without cancellation fees. If a refund is not possible you will receive a Future Travel Credit. My hourly fees and taxes will apply in this situation. 

"The most important thing to note however is that even with an additional fee you always have someone that you can reach out to who will work to remedy the situation."