Most bad trips are pacing problems

Not bad hotels or bad destinations. Too much moving, too little margin, and a schedule that assumed everything would run on time.

Build margin where a failure is expensive

A tight connection before a cruise departure is a different risk from a tight connection on the way home. Put the buffer where missing it cannot be fixed.

The first and last days are not real days

A day that starts with a long flight is not a sightseeing day. Planning one is how a trip starts exhausted.

Fewer bases, longer stays

Every move costs half a day and some goodwill. The itineraries clients remember fondly almost always moved less than they originally wanted to.