Auntie is a personal travel planner — which means she handles all the hard parts of trip planning so you don't have to. All the research rabbit holes, the logistics puzzle, the pacing decisions, the "is this actually worth it?" judgment calls — Auntie takes care of all of it and delivers a beautifully crafted, detailed itinerary built around you. Every itinerary includes Auntie's original Ways to Wander walking routes, curated recommendations, destination tips, and a Choose Your Aunt-Venture checklist of exactly what to book and where to book it. You get the plan, the tools, and the confidence to execute it — and a trip that actually fits you.

Great question — and an important one! A travel agent books things on your behalf — flights, hotels, tours — and typically earns commissions from those bookings. Auntie is a travel planner, not a travel agent. That means Auntie doesn't book anything for you. What she does is handle everything that comes before the booking: the research, the curation, the logistics strategy, and the planning puzzle. You'll receive a detailed itinerary plus a Choose Your Aunt-Venture checklist with links to book everything yourself, on your own timeline. And because Auntie earns no commissions, every recommendation is completely independent — Auntie’s only agenda is your best trip.

Sure you could. But here's what a quick AI or Google search can't give you: the judgment that comes from actually being there. Auntie has stood in pouring rain outside a "must-see" attraction and realized it wasn't worth the hype. She knows that the trendy neighborhood that looks perfect on Instagram is a 40-minute metro ride from everything else on your list. She can spot a manufactured "hidden gem" from a mile away. That kind of real-world knowledge — gained through 25+ years of exploring the world as a regular human — is what turns a technically correct but generic itinerary into a trip that actually works and actually feels like you.

Great question! Guidebooks are one-size-fits-all, and mass downloads are usually generic. Auntie’s itineraries are handcrafted and include her original Ways to Wander walking routes, thoughtful storytelling, custom maps, and personal touches. This is a planning service, not just a PDF.

Auntie plans all kinds of adventures, tailored to your interests and style. Whether you love vibrant cities, foodie experiences, nature escapes, or cultural deep-dives, Auntie’s got you covered. Solo traveler? Traveling as a couple, family, or group? Auntie can design a trip that works for you — from quick weekend getaways to multi-destination journeys. Let Auntie do the hard parts of your next trip so you can wander more, worry less!

All kinds! Auntie works with solo wanderers, couples, families, and groups. Whether you’re a first-timer who wants extra support or a seasoned traveler craving something fresh, Auntie makes sure your trip reflects you.

Auntie offers three levels of planning support, each with a different degree of customization — so you can choose what’s right for your trip and your style:

• A Spoonful of Sugar is Auntie’s ready-to-go level — 3-, 5-, and 7-day itineraries with Auntie’s original Ways to Wander walking routes, destination tips, and a Choose Your Aunt-Venture booking checklist. Download instantly and start booking. (Starting at $45)

• Up the Auntie is Auntie’s personalized level — 3- to 15-day itineraries tailored to your interests and travel style, plus accommodation recommendations and a custom packing list. (Starting at $75)

• The Full Auntie is Auntie’s fully custom level — A completely custom trip, built from scratch with two live planning sessions, full logistics and dining recommendations, and a branded all-in-one travel packet. (Starting at $180)

Not sure which level is right for you? Check out the full pricing page for complete details — or just email Auntie at auntie@awaybyauntie.com and she'll point you in the right direction!

Absolutely — that's exactly what Auntie Recommends is for! This standalone service is designed for travelers who know how they want to feel on a trip but aren't sure where to go yet. Tell Auntie what you love, what you hate, and what you're dreaming of — and she'll come back with a thoughtfully curated shortlist of destinations that actually fit you, not just whatever's trending. It's the perfect starting point before choosing an itinerary. $75 — available as a standalone service in Auntie's shop.

Absolutely. That’s where Auntie's standalone Wander Organized bundle comes in! Auntie will take your existing plans and turn them into a clean, easy-to-follow itinerary with routes, tips, and checklists — so you can enjoy your trip without juggling all your loose notes and booking emails.

In short: Yes! However, Auntie specializes in destinations that are rich in history, culture, and walkable experiences. If you’re headed somewhere remote or highly niche, just reach out to auntie@awaybyauntie.com — if it’s not a fit, Auntie will tell you honestly.

Yes! Multi-stop itineraries are fully supported at The Full Auntie level. Transport between destinations is included in the planning — no extra charge!

Sometimes, yes — when it makes sense.

While Auntie’s services are designed primarily for multi-day trips, there are certain situations where a thoughtfully planned single-day experience can make a big difference. This might include cruise port days, long layovers, pre- or post-work travel, accessibility-focused outings, or special one-day adventures where timing and logistics really matter.

These requests are handled on a case-by-case basis and offered as limited-scope planning rather than a standard package. If you’re unsure whether your situation is a good fit, feel free to reach out to auntie@awaybyauntie.com and we’ll talk it through together.

Sure thing! While Auntie usually focuses on personal adventures, she’s happy to help with business or team travel, too. Whether it’s a work retreat, incentive trip, or just a little bit of fun around your conference schedule, Auntie can create a thoughtful plan that balances productivity with memorable experiences. Just email auntie@awaybyauntie.com to start a conversation about what you’re looking for, and we’ll go from there!

Sometimes! If your trip is coming up soon, reach out to auntie@awaybyauntie.com and we’ll see what’s possible. A rush fee may apply for custom itineraries needed on a tight timeline.

Auntie highly recommends starting your travel planning as early as possible, especially for international trips or travel during high season. Booking flights, accommodations, and tickets 3-6 months in advance usually helps ensure availability and better pricing. (For reference, Auntie usually starts booking a nibling’s milestone trip a full year in advance!)

Here’s what to expect with each service level:

• Spoonful of Sugar (ready-to-go):
  You get immediate access to your itinerary as a download. Since this is a ready-to-go plan, you can start booking right away — but keep in mind you’ll still need time to secure flights, accommodations, and any sightseeing tickets.

• Up the Auntie (personalized):
  Once you provide your trip details and preferences, expect your personalized itinerary within 5–7 business days. Because your plan reflects your unique interests and travel dates, please allow this turnaround time to get a thoughtful, tailored experience. Be sure to start early so you have plenty of time to book based on your custom plan.

• The Full Auntie (fully custom):
  This is a comprehensive, collaborative process involving a kickoff call, in-depth planning, and potential revisions based on your feedback. Turnaround times vary depending on trip complexity, but Auntie recommends initiating planning at least 3 to 6 months before departure. This allows ample time to create your fully custom itinerary and handle bookings with confidence.

Starting early helps ensure you get the best experiences, availability, and peace of mind as you prepare to wander more, worry less!

Auntie Extras are everything beyond Auntie's three core itinerary levels — a mix of standalone services and Add-ons you can mix and match to make your trip even more you:

• Auntie Recommends - Destination discovery and Shortlisting for travelers who aren't sure where to go yet. (Standalone, $75)

• Wander Back Bundle – Turn your adventure into beautifully preserved keepsakes and memories. (Add-on, starts at $95)

• Wander Together Bundle – Pre-trip and in-trip activities and guides for families and groups. (Add-on, starts at $95)

• Wander Ready Bundle – Pre-trip prep support with maps, packing tips, and travel tech guidance. (Add-on, starts at $95)

• Wander Organized – Auntie pulls together a trip you've already booked into a clean, easy-to-follow itinerary. (Standalone, $95)

• Map My Wander - A custom Google Map curated around your interests and route. (Add-on, $25)

• Tripkeeper – A professionally printed binder with everything you need, travel-ready and offline. (Add-on, $75)

Explore all Auntie Extras in the shop!

Mostly, yes. With the exception of Auntie Recommends and Wander Organized (both standalone services), you can add any Auntie Extras to any itinerary to make your trip extra special!

Easy! If you already know where you're going, head to Auntie's shop and choose your itinerary level — Spoonful of Sugar, Up the Auntie, or The Full Auntie — plus any Auntie Extras you'd like. Once you check out, Auntie will guide you through the next steps, whether that's downloading your itinerary instantly or filling out a quick questionnaire to get the ball rolling on your personalized or custom plan.

Not sure where you're headed yet? Start with Auntie Recommends and Auntie will help you figure that out first!

Either way — you've got an Auntie for that!

Yes! Gift cards are available in multiple denominations and can be applied toward any itinerary or Auntie Extra. They never expire, but they are non-refundable and can’t be applied to past purchases. Check out Auntie’s gift cards in the shop!

Easy! Simply shoot Auntie an email at auntie@awaybyauntie.com. She’ll get back to you quickly!