WHAT IS A DESIGNED TRIP?
A Designed Trip is a pre-designed travel plan based on our personal, first-hand travel experiences in each destination. As they are pre-designed, our Designed Trips have been created as a turnkey travel option and can be booked and delivered in as little as one week.
DESIGNED TRIP OR CUSTOM TRAVEL PLAN?
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DESIGNED TRIP AND A CUSTOM TRIP?
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WHAT’S THE BENEFIT OF CHOOSING A DESIGNED TRIP OVER A CUSTOM TRIP?
There are a range of benefits to choosing a Designed Trip over a Custom Trip:
CAN I COMBINE ONE DESIGNED TRIP WITH ANOTHER?
Definitely. For a longer trip, it’s absolutely possible to go from one Designed Trip to the next. Let us know your ideas and we will be happy to help
WHAT’S THE BENEFIT OF CHOOSING A DESIGNED TRIP OVER A CUSTOM TRIP?
There are a range of benefits to choosing a Designed Trip over a Custom Trip:
- Designed Trips are quick to book.
- As Designed Trips are pre-designed, your trip can be booked and delivered in as little as one week, whereas the process to design a Custom Trips typically takes much longer.
- Designed Trips are personally verified by us.
- Designed trips are based on our personal travel experiences and all hotels, experiences and local partners have been personally verified by us, so you can relax knowing that all aspects of your trip have been tried and tested.
- Designed Trips are time-efficient.
- All Designed Trips have been planned to perfection and are repeatedly reviewed to ensure you can make the most of your time away, with the best sights and authentic experiences within a reasonable overall budget.
- Designed Trips have been reviewed by other travelers.
- Our Designed Trips are based on our own travels, but you don’t have to rely solely on our word. We have lots of clients who have traveled on Designed Trips and have shared their reviews and experiences.
- Designed Trips are still adjustable.
- Pre-designed doesn’t mean one-size-fits-all without flexibility. If you want to lengthen or shorten your trip, adjust an activity or two, or even switch out a destination, Designed Trips can be amended. Just ask us!
CAN I COMBINE ONE DESIGNED TRIP WITH ANOTHER?
Definitely. For a longer trip, it’s absolutely possible to go from one Designed Trip to the next. Let us know your ideas and we will be happy to help
BOUTIQUE, LUXURY BOUTIQUE OR LUXURY?
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BOUTIQUE, LUXURY BOUTIQUE AND LUXURY?
Every Designed Trip includes personally selected boutique hotels, transportation between destinations and small-group experiences, but if you want to make your trip extra special then we would recommend opting for Luxury. Our Luxury option allows you to upgrade the elements of the Boutique and Luxury Boutique experiences, including luxury hotels, as well as private experiences where available.
Every Designed Trip includes personally selected boutique hotels, transportation between destinations and small-group experiences, but if you want to make your trip extra special then we would recommend opting for Luxury. Our Luxury option allows you to upgrade the elements of the Boutique and Luxury Boutique experiences, including luxury hotels, as well as private experiences where available.
CHOOSING YOUR DESIGNED TRIP
CAN YOU HELP ME DECIDE WHICH DESIGNED TRIP IS RIGHT FOR ME?
Definitely! We’ve traveled to over 40 countries and have experienced many different cultures and locations. Let us know what type of travel experience you’re looking for, and we can make a few recommendations.
CAN I MAKE ANY CHANGES TO A DESIGNED TRIP?
Absolutely! Pre-designed doesn’t mean there isn’t any flexibility. Whether you want to shorten or lengthen your trip, switch out a destination or change an activity, let us know. If, however, you want a trip built around your specific desires, a Custom Trip might be more appropriate. We can help you decide, so get in touch.
I WANT TO RELAX MORE ON MY DESIGNED TRIP. caN I REMOVE SOME ACTIVITIES?
Of course! We created the Designed Trip itineraries so that you can make the most of your time in each destination, but if there are any experiences that don’t sound like your cup of tea, or if you want to have more free time to relax and unwind, just let us know.
I WANT TO EXPLORE MORE ON MY DESIGNED TRIP. CAN I ADD ACTIVITIES?
Our Designed Trips have been planned to give you a balanced mix of pre-planned activities and free time to explore independently. If you would like to include more activities planned, we can absolutely help with that. With that said, one of the best aspects of travel is leaving some elements up to chance, and allowing for some unplanned experiences and interactions!
CAN I COMBINE two designed trips?
Definitely. For a longer trip, it’s absolutely possible to go from one Designed Trip to the next. Let us know your ideas and we will be happy to help.
what is the price of a designed trip?
You can find the price per person on each Designed Trip page. Each Designed Trip is different depending on destination and duration, and prices can fluctuate slightly depending on time of year, number of people on the trip and any adjustments you might want to make. Get in touch with us and we can provide you with a quote for your trip.
how do i know how much my designed trip will cost?
Once you have decided on your Designed Trip, your dates, and any adjustments we will provide a personalized itinerary and pricing for your trip. We have included base pricing on each Designed Trip page to give you an idea as to what the final cost might be, but prices can fluctuate depending on time of year and any personalization. Get in touch and we can help.
BOOKING PROCESS & TIMING
HOW LONG DOES THE PROCESS TAKE?
Once you’ve selected your Designed Trip and chosen between a Boutique, Luxury Boutique or Luxury experience, your trip can be booked and delivered in as little as one week. If you would like to make some changes to your trip, such as including an alternative activity, shortening or lengthening your trip, then this can take a bit longer.
WHEN DO I FIND OUT HOW MUCH MY TRIP WILL COST?
Once you have decided on your Designed Trip, your dates, and any adjustments we will provide a personalized itinerary and pricing for your trip. We have included base pricing on each Designed Trip page to give you an idea as to what the final cost might be, but prices can fluctuate depending on time of year and any personalization. Get in touch and we can help.
WHAT IS THE PAYMENT SCHEDULE?
Once you have selected your Designed Trip and confirmed all details such as your dates and any adjustments, we will provide you with your final pricing.
Payment of the trip (100% of the total trip cost) is due upon your approval of the final trip pricing. This will allow us to secure all of your reservations and finalize your online Trip Plan with all of the details you need to travel.
Payment of the trip (100% of the total trip cost) is due upon your approval of the final trip pricing. This will allow us to secure all of your reservations and finalize your online Trip Plan with all of the details you need to travel.
ONCE BOOKED, WHAT INFORMATION DO I GET ABOUT MY TRIP?
Within one week, we will send you a private link to your own online Trip Plan which will ensure you feel fully prepared to travel.
Included in the Trip Plan is;
Included in the Trip Plan is;
- Your Destination: key information about your destination(s), as well as links to interesting articles to read before you leave.
- Go: All the information you need for your transportation, such as flights, trains, ferries, car hire and transfers. This will be your key source of travel information, accessible at home or abroad, with all the times and locations of your transportation as well as, where applicable, tickets, seats, coaches and boarding passes.
- Sleep: Your hotel / apartment booking information, including confirmation numbers, room details, check in and check out times, and contact information, should you have any questions.
- Do: A day-by-day guide for your trip, giving you information about your pre-booked experiences, as well as inspiration for sights to see during your free time, including map links and more.
- Activity Details: As with your transportation and accommodation, you have access to all the booking information for your experiences, including meeting times and locations, contact information and, where applicable, tickets and guidance notes.
- Destination Mini Guide: Every Designed Trip includes a destination 'Mini Guide' with a selection of our favorite restaurants and sights to see, so you’ll never be short of somewhere to eat, drink or visit!
fLEXIBILITY & CHANGES
CAN I MAKE ANY CHANGES to a designed trip?
Absolutely! Pre-designed doesn’t mean there isn’t any flexibility. Whether you want to shorten or lengthen your trip, switch out a destination or change an activity, let us know. If, however, you want a trip built around your specific desires, a Custom Trip might be more appropriate. We can help you decide, so get in touch.
i want to relax more on my designed trip. can i remove some activities?
Of course! We created the Designed Trip itineraries so that you can make the most of your time in each destination, but if there are any experiences that don’t sound like your cup of tea, or if you want to have more free time to relax and unwind, let us know.
i want to explore more on my designed trip. can i add some activities?
Our Designed Trips have been planned to give you a balanced mix of pre-planned activities as well as free time, allowing you moments to do what feels right. If you would rather have more activities planned, we can absolutely help with that, but we would recommend not filling every moment just yet. One of the best aspects of travel is leaving some elements up to chance, and enabling yourself to react to how you feel at that time on that day. Maybe switch out an activity rather than packing your itinerary too full? Feel free to share your ideas with us!
can i combine two designed trips?
Definitely. For a longer trip, it’s absolutely possible to go from one Designed Trip to the next. Let us know your ideas and we will be happy to help.
INCLUSIONS
what accommodation, transportation and activities are included in my designed trip?
You can see what’s included in your Designed Trip. including accommodation, transportation and activities, by viewing the Pricing & Inclusions section at the bottom of each Designed Trip page.
what's included in a boutique travel experience?
With every Designed Trip, we include personally selected boutique hotels, transportation between destinations and small-group experiences. You can find all inclusions for each Designed Trips by viewing the Pricing & Inclusions section at the bottom of the page.
what's included in a luxury boutique travel experience?
If you want to make your trip extra special then we would recommend opting for Luxury Boutique. For the ultimate experience, our Luxury Boutique option provides you with all elements of the Boutique experience, plus luxury boutique hotels, as well as private experiences (where available).
what kind of accommodations will be included?
As an independent travel agency, we have the freedom to work with a wide range of accommodation options. For our Designed Trips, we have selected highly-rated boutique hotels in each location, giving you a beautiful, centrally located base for your time in each destination. You can see some example hotels on each Designed Trip page.
what kind of activities will be included?
For our Designed Trips, we have selected a range of activities which include hands-on workshops, small-group tours and authentic cultural activities. The activities have been chosen to give you a well-rounded experience in each location, with a mix of history, culture, cuisine and physical activity. If you would like private experiences rather than small-group, some of our Designed Trips offer a Luxury Boutique upgrade with private experiences where available.
what type of transportation will be included?
To ensure your experience is seamless and relaxed, our Designed Trips include transportation between each destination via train, plane, car or ferry, excluding private airport transfers and international flights at the beginning and end of your trip. If you want to include private airport transfers, some of our Designed Trips offer private airport transfers.
EXCLUSIONS
what elements of the trip are not included?
Your international return flights from your home are not included in the Designed Trip price.
Travel insurance is not included in the Designed Trip price. Travel insurance is a personal decision and depends on your own circumstances. If you would like to purchase travel insurance, Squaremouth is an excellent resource for comparing providers and policies.
Travel insurance is not included in the Designed Trip price. Travel insurance is a personal decision and depends on your own circumstances. If you would like to purchase travel insurance, Squaremouth is an excellent resource for comparing providers and policies.
PRICING & FEES
what is the price of a designed trip?
You can find the guide price per person on each Designed Trip page. Each Designed Trip is different depending on destination and duration, and prices can fluctuate slightly depending on time of year, number of people on the trip and any adjustments you might want to make. Get in touch with us and we can provide you with a quote for your trip.
how do i know how much my designed trip will cost?
Once you have decided on your Designed Trip, your dates, and any adjustments we will provide a personalized itinerary and pricing for your trip. We have included base pricing on each Designed Trip page to give you an idea as to what the final cost might be, but prices can fluctuate depending on time of year and any personalization. Get in touch and we can help.
what are your fees to book and manage my trip?
All fees are included in your final price, and the price quoted on each Designed Trip page is inclusive of our fees to develop, book and manage each element of your trip.
PAYMENT
what is the payment schedule?
Once you have selected your Designed Trip and confirmed all details such as your dates and any adjustments, we will provide you with your final estimate.
Payment of the trip (100% of the total trip cost) is due upon your approval of the final trip estimate. This will allow us to secure all of your reservations and finalize your online Trip Plan with all of the details you need to travel.
Payment of the trip (100% of the total trip cost) is due upon your approval of the final trip estimate. This will allow us to secure all of your reservations and finalize your online Trip Plan with all of the details you need to travel.
can i book some of my trip on my own or with hotel / credit card points?
Unfortunately, no. In order to provide a seamless travel experience, we plan and book trips holistically from start to finish. We also get preferred rates on nearly all hotels, transportation, and activities, helping us better design amazing trips within travelers overall trip budgets. If you have a specific hotel or activity that you would like to be included in your Travel Plan, just let us know!
how are payments processed?
All payments are processed safely and securely through Wave, either by credit card or bank transfer.
BOOKING INFORMATION
once booked, what information do i get about my trip?
Shortly after we have made your hotel reservations and booked your activities, we will send you a private link to your own travel plan which will ensure you feel fully prepared before you set off.
Included in the travel plan is;
Included in the travel plan is;
- Your Destination: key information about your destination(s), as well as links to interesting articles to read before you leave.
- Go: All the information you need for your transportation, such as flights, trains, ferries, car hire and transfers. This will be your key source of travel information, accessible at home or abroad, with all the times and locations of your transportation as well as, where applicable, tickets, seats, coaches and boarding passes.
- Sleep: Your hotel / apartment booking information will be included, providing you with confirmation numbers, room details, check in and check out times, room details and contact information, should you have any questions.
- Do: A day-by-day guide for your trip, giving you information about your pre-booked experiences, as well as inspiration for sights to see during your free time, including map links and more.
- Activity Details: As with your transportation and accommodation, you have access to all the booking information for your experiences, including meeting times and locations, contact information and, where applicable, tickets and guidance notes.
- Destination Mini Guide: Every Designed Trip includes a destination 'Mini Guide' with a selection of our favorite restaurants and sights to see, so you’ll never be short of somewhere to eat, drink or visit!
accommodation
what kind of accommodations will be included?
As an independent travel agency, we have the freedom to work with a wide range of accommodation options. For our Designed Trips, we have selected highly-rated boutique hotels in each location, giving you a beautiful, centrally located base for your time in each destination. Each hotel has been personally visited by us to ensure the best service and facilities for our clients. You can see some example hotels for each destination on each Designed Trip page.
i want to stay in a particular hotel. Can you book it for me?
Absolutely! Let us know which hotel you’re interested in considering, and we will factor it into our planning. Although please note that as we haven’t selected this hotel, we can’t guarantee the same service level and experience as with our other pre-selected hotels. There also may be an increase in the cost of your Designed Trip if your requested hotel is more expensive.
ACTIVITIES
what kind of activities will be included?
For our Designed Trips, we have selected a range of activities which include hands-on workshops, small-group tours and authentic cultural activities. The activities have been chosen to give you a well-rounded experience in each location, with a mix of history, culture, cuisine and physical activity. If you would like private experiences rather than small-groups, our Luxury Boutique add-on includes private experiences where available.
i want to relax more on my designed trip. can I remove some activities?
Of course! We created the Designed Trip itineraries so that you can make the most of your time in each destination, but if there are any experiences that don’t sound like your cup of tea, or if you want to have more free time to relax and unwind, let us know.
i want to explore more on my designed trip. can i add some activities?
Our Designed Trips have been planned to give you a balanced mix of pre-planned activities as well as free time, allowing you moments to do what feels right. If you would rather have more activities planned, we can absolutely help with that, but we would recommend not filling every moment just yet. One of the best aspects of travel is leaving some elements up to chance, and enabling yourself to react to how you feel at that time on that day. Maybe switch out an activity rather than packing your itinerary too full? Feel free to share your ideas with us!
CANCELLATIONS & CHANGES
what if i have to cancel or change my trip?
Our Designed Trips include flexibility to amend elements of your Travel Plan up to 30 days before you travel, in accordance with the policies of our partners, although any major amendments may incur a fee or additional costs. If for some reason you do have to cancel the trip entirely (without changing to a different date) there would be a cancellation fee. If your trip is canceled more than 30 days before the departure date, the cancellation fee would be 33% of the total trip cost, while cancellations made less than 30 days before the departure date have a 100% cancellation fee.
can i make any changes to a designed trip?
Absolutely! Pre-designed doesn’t mean there isn’t any flexibility. Whether you want to shorten or lengthen your trip, switch out a destination or change an activity, let us know. If, however, you want a trip built around your specific desires, a Custom Trip might be more appropriate. We can help you decide, so get in touch.
i want to relax more on my designed trip. can i remove some activities?
Of course! We created the Designed Trip itineraries so that you can make the most of your time in each destination, but if there are any experiences that don’t sound like your cup of tea, or if you want to have more free time to relax and unwind, let us know.
i want to explore more on my designed trip. can i add some activities?
Our Designed Trips have been planned to give you a balanced mix of pre-planned activities as well as free time, allowing you moments to do what feels right. If you would rather have more activities planned, we can absolutely help with that, but we would recommend not filling every moment just yet. One of the best aspects of travel is leaving some elements up to chance, and enabling yourself to react to how you feel at that time on that day. Maybe switch out an activity rather than packing your itinerary too full? Feel free to share your ideas with us!
INSURANCE
do i need travel insurance?
Travel insurance is not included in the Designed Trip price. Travel insurance is a personal decision and depends on your own circumstances. If you would like to purchase travel insurance, Squaremouth is an excellent resource for comparing providers and policies.
DESIGNED TRIPS FOR GROUPS
what is the cost of a designed trip for a large family or small group?
Designed Trips are perfect for family trips and large groups and there are no additional fees or costs based on group size.
about cohica
what makes you qualified to offer designed trips?
With over a decade of professional experience in travel and luxury hospitality, we know how to work with partners and suppliers to offer the highest level of service and ensure every trip runs smoothly. We’ve visited over 30 countries and formed an extensive network around the world, allowing us to offer bespoke Custom Trips and perfectly tuned Designed Trips using our own experience and unmatched local insight for our clients. We’re based in Europe, trilingual, and are constantly traveling to expand our network of partners and develop new Designed Trips to destinations we’ve experienced first-hand.
what other type of trips do you design?
We design all types of trips! Along with our Designed Trips, which use our first-hand experience and trusted local partners to deliver the perfect experience for our clients, we also create Custom Trips which are bespoke to the needs, wants and desires of our clients. We’ve designed large group trips. Honeymoons, first-time trips abroad, family and couple trips to nearly every continent on earth (except Antarctica). Our trips always include authentic experiences that are active, participatory and reflective of the local culture. We aim to support independent and locally-based businesses and work hard to seek out environmentally and socially responsible partners and properties.
how are you different from a travel agent?
Unlike most traditional travel agents, we’ve personally visited 100% of the destinations on our Designed Trips, and 90% of the destinations where we design Custom Trips. Our travel experience allows us to offer more cultural insights, local knowledge, and detailed information about each destination, ensuring you have the best and most authentic travel experience possible. Also unlike many traditional travel agents, we’re not tied to corporate commission-based contracts. This independence gives us the freedom to recommend boutique hotels, local transportation, private guides or custom activities purely based on what’s right for you and your trip. At the same time, our IATAN accreditation as an independent travel agency allows us to access competitive rates.
so, how do you make money?
First, we didn’t get into this business for the cash flow. We very much value an independent lifestyle and find purpose and joy in helping people explore the world.
That being said, our revenue from Designed Trips is made in two ways:
That being said, our revenue from Designed Trips is made in two ways:
- The Designed Trip fee: The overall cost of your Designed Trip includes a small fee for us to develop, book and manage your trip from start-to-finish.
- Commission: Because we are an accredited Independent Travel Agency, we sometimes receive a small booking commission from hotels, transportation and activity partners. We have no ties to corporate booking contracts or consortiums, so any commission we receive is through direct booking and never drives our decisions or recommendations.
who are your typical clients?
Cohica Travelers range in ages, backgrounds and travel experience, but share one thing in common. They are people who value authenticity, new experiences and connection with local culture.
which destinations do you work in the most?
We design Custom Trips to destinations all over the world, very often to places that we’ve visited first-hand and have local contacts. When it comes to Designed Trips, we have been there ourselves and experienced every element first-hand. Since moving to Europe in 2016, a large percentage of the trips we’ve designed have been to European and Mediterranean countries, especially Italy, Portugal, Spain, Croatia and Greece.
