A great trip and an unforgettable one are separated by details — the right room, the reservation you didn't know to ask for, the transfer that arrives before you do. As a boutique advisory backed by Virtuoso partnerships and trusted global relationships, we bring access, advocacy, and firsthand knowledge that no booking engine can replicate. Whether it's a multi-generational family trip or an intimate escape, we handle the complexity so you can focus entirely on the experience.

We require a non-refundable Trip Design Fee at the start of each project. This reflects the research, itinerary architecture, and coordination involved in creating a bespoke travel experience. The specific amount depends on the scope and complexity of your trip.

Every trip has its own rhythm, but as a general guideline, we recommend reaching out at least three to four months before your travel dates. For peak-season destinations, holiday travel, or group experiences, six months or more is ideal.

Trip requests received within eight weeks of departure may be subject to additional fees, as compressed timelines require intensive coordination.

Item descriptionLois & James Travel is affiliated with Departure Lounge, a Virtuoso member agency. Virtuoso is one of the world's most respected luxury travel consortia, giving our clients access to exclusive amenities at over 2,200 properties worldwide — including complimentary breakfast for two, room upgrades, hotel credits, and early check-in or late checkout. These benefits are not available when booking directly or through online travel platforms.

Absolutely — hotel bookings are at the heart of what we do. As a Virtuoso-affiliated advisory, we book directly with properties through preferred channels that aren't available on public booking sites. That means our clients regularly receive complimentary upgrades (when available), daily breakfast, resort or hotel credits, early check-in, late checkout, and other amenities that come standard with our reservations — at no additional cost to you.

Our services are best suited for travelers planning trips starting around $1,000 per person per night for international destinations and $750 per person per night domestically. These ranges vary depending on destination, season, and the level of customization involved.

Yes. Multi-generational and family travel is one of our specialties — we design for every member of your group.

A small-group journey curated by Lois & James in an iconic destination — intimate, elevated, and beautifully executed.

Lois & James Travel designs custom itineraries worldwide — from New York City, Charleston, and London to East Africa, Japan, the Greek Islands, and beyond. The destinations featured on our Experiences page reflect our current hosted trips, but our advisory work takes clients anywhere in the world. We specialize in luxury family travel, women's getaways, and elevated group experiences, and we curate intimate hosted trips limited to 12 guests

We focus exclusively on the destination experience — hotels, ground transportation, dining, excursions, and every detail on the ground. We do not book airfare or manage airline reservations, miles, or points redemptions.

We understand that plans evolve. Our booking policies include clear guidelines for changes and cancellations, and we walk you through every detail before you commit — so there are no surprises.

Once a trip is deposited, modifications are handled by our team and subject to an administrative fee. Cancellations may incur fees depending on timing and the policies of our hotel and supplier partners. We advocate on your behalf whenever possible to minimize impact, but we encourage all clients to consider travel insurance as an additional layer of protection.

Full change and cancellation terms are provided with your booking agreement.