The ideal timeline is 9-10 months before departure and for river cruises you can book
even farther ahead of time. This allows you the most selection of accommodations and
the lowest pricing. Waiting until a couple of months before you want to travel limits your choices and assures you pay a higher price. Although there are some exceptions, last minute deals are usually advertising gimmicks, the sale is created off of the price that has already gone up, the early booking prices are usually the best.

Yes, I do charge a non-refundable planning fee in most cases. The fee starts at $75 per trip and is based on the complexity, length, and research time required for your itinerary. This covers my time, expertise, and resources used to create a personalized proposal tailored to your preferences.My goal is to deliver high-quality, thoughtful travel experiences rather than the cheapest options available. If you're primarily looking for rock-bottom deals, I may not be the best fit. However, if you're ready to invest in a well-planned, memorable journey—whether it's a relaxing escape, a special celebration, or a dream trip of a lifetime—I'm here to make it exceptional.

It depends on the complexity of your itinerary, if you know what you want I can deliver some options within 4-5 business days. I typically deliver a custom trip itinerary about 1-3 weeks after we receive your planning fee. It depends on the complexity of your itinerary, if you know what you want I can deliver some options within 4-5 business days. I typically deliver a custom trip itinerary about 1-3 weeks after we receive your planning fee. 

I highly recommend you buy a travel insurance policy to cover your trip. As the day of your departure approaches, I want to help you be prepared for unexpected travel problems you may encounter on the way so you can make the most of your journey. I can provide price quotes from travel insurance providers upon request.

I provide you with a highly detailed day-by-day itinerary that includes flight recommendations, private transfers, accommodations, private tours, excursions, local highlights and pricing presented via Zoom or in person. I also link travelers up with small group tours, affordable cruises, unique boutique sailings and river cruises. 

The best time to get in touch with me is when you know the dates you want to travel and are ready to put a deposit on your trip. Shopping around for a trip you are not ready to pay for is futile since pricing and availability changes on an almost daily basis. I recommend booking your trip right away as pricing and availability can change without notice. I cannot always put a hold on inventory and when I do, the hold is only for 24-48 hours. If you decide to wait, your proposal could become unavailable.

Custom-built travel isn’t cheap – it’s true, but there are some very good reasons for this. Like tailors of haute couture outfits, we hand-make each trip we sell based on years of insight, knowledge and experience. Nothing we do is off-the-shelf, meaning we put lots of care into fine-tuning your itinerary to make sure it fits you perfectly. We draw on friendships, agreements, and relationships with local contacts and partners to ensure we can do things differently – always elevated, and never ordinary. No two Rosewater Travel trips are ever the same. Our higher premium reflects all the added ideas, expertise and energy that goes into your itinerary, logistical expertise, insider insight, and all the management and details. We really love travel and take huge pride in giving you the best and most seamless experience of your life. In other words: it’s really, really worth it.

Custom-built travel comes at a premium, and for good reason. I work with a team that will meticulously design each trip based on years of expertise, deep knowledge, and an unwavering passion for travel. Every journey we create is unique, tailored specifically to you, with no off-the-shelf solutions. This involves fine-tuning every detail of your itinerary to ensure it’s a perfect fit.
Leveraging trusted relationships with local contacts and partners to deliver experiences that are truly exceptional—elevated, authentic, and never ordinary. The higher cost reflects the care, creativity, and effort poured into every itinerary. From expert logistics to insider insights and seamless management, every detail is handled to give you an unforgettable, stress-free experience. In short, it’s an investment in a trip that’s genuinely one of a kind—and absolutely worth it.

I partner with local destination management companies that are travel experts in the location in which they reside. I also work with trusted and vetted cruise and tour companies that have been established in the travel industry for many years. I am part of
a network of travel professionals that are constantly qualifying and requalifying hotels, resorts, cruise ships and other travel providers so that if I recommend it, I know that it’s a trusted location.