Yes, provided the budget is realistic for the type of experience you are seeking. During our initial conversations we will help you understand what is achievable within your range and where adjustments might be needed. Once we agree on a framework that feels right, we design within that budget, ensuring every element adds genuine value and aligns with your vision for the journey.
It is not always more expensive, but it is very different. When you book online, you are choosing from what they want to sell, not necessarily what is right for you. What we design often cannot be replicated with online booking tools, because it is built entirely around you — your timing, interests, energy, and intentions for the journey. Working with a travel designer means having every element considered, connected, and crafted to fit, creating an experience that feels seamless and personal from start to finish.
In order to meet our standards of experience, we prefer to design and manage the full journey from start to finish. This allows us to ensure the flow, logistics, and overall experience align perfectly. However, if you already have flights or certain elements arranged, we are happy to discuss how we can best integrate them and still deliver a seamless, well-designed journey.
Every journey we design is unique, created around your preferences and purpose for travel. We sometimes use proven routes, trusted hotels, or select tours as building blocks, but no two itineraries are ever the same. Your trip is designed for you, not pulled from a template.
There are a lot of variables involved — the research required, the collaborations with our trusted partners overseas, and the complexity of the holiday. Allow anywhere from two to six weeks for the design process. We begin by securing the key elements or “pillar” experiences such as cruises, tours, flights, and time specific events, then refine the rest of the itinerary to ensure everything feels considered and complete.
After your consultation we begin designing your Trip Vision — a narrative of how your journey could unfold. It captures the feeling, flow, and highlights of your potential experience overseas, helping you see what your travel story might look like before any details are confirmed. Once you are happy with the direction, and the commitment to travel deposit is received, we move into detailed design and booking. You will always know what stage your trip is in and what comes next.
It begins with a conversation. We learn what the journey means to you, what experiences matter most, and how you like to travel. From there we design a personalised itinerary that blends logistics, creativity, and local expertise into a seamless travel story. You can read more about how our travel design services work here.
Spirit of Travel is based in Christchurch, New Zealand, and we design journeys for clients across New Zealand, Australia, and beyond. Planning sessions and design reviews can be held online, so location is never a barrier to working together.
We work with discerning travellers who value time, authenticity, and purpose in their travel. Many are professionals, couples, or families seeking once in a lifetime experiences, from milestone celebrations to long awaited bucket list adventures, designed with care and insight.
We’re travel designers or travel architects. That means we're not just vendors of pre-made packages — we design experiences from the ground up. We combine the personal service of a trusted travel agent with the creative insight of a designer, curating journeys that feel effortless, intentional, and deeply personal. Sometimes that may include a small-group tour, a cruise, or a curated journey - but only when it’s the right fit for you and aligns with the story you want your travel to tell.
