Why you should book a tailor-made trip with Rough Guides

There’s no one right way to travel—but if you’ve ever felt stuck between an inflexible group tour and the stress of planning everything yourself, tailor-made travel might be what you’re looking for.

How does tailor-made travel work?

Tailor-made travel is exactly what it sounds like: a trip planned just for you, without you having to plan it.  You work with someone who actually lives in the place you're going. They know the area well, understand what works, and help shape a trip that fits how you like to travel—not a generic plan made for the masses.

You tell them what you're into, how you like to pace your days, and what your budget looks like. They’ll take care of the details—where you stay, what you do, how it all fits together—so when you arrive, everything’s already set.

Who are tailor‑made trips perfect for?

Not everyone has time to plan a trip from scratch—and not everyone wants to follow a group tour with a fixed schedule and zero wiggle room. Tailor-made travel sits somewhere in the middle. You still get to choose where you go, how long you stay, and what kind of pace you’re after—but a local expert helps you bring it all together.

Independent travelers who want local insight without the stress of planning

This isn’t a pre-made itinerary pulled off a shelf. When you work with someone local, you're getting real insight from someone who actually lives there. They know what’s worth your time, where to go when it’s less busy, and how to avoid the stuff that feels too staged. Instead of trying to piece everything together from blogs and forums, you get someone who knows the area planning a trip around your preferences.

Families needing flexible pacing and kid-friendly activities

Traveling with kids usually means juggling different needs and energy levels, so it helps to have someone who knows what works. A local expert can plan around that—picking places that work well for families, recommending age-appropriate activities, and building in downtime so no one gets overwhelmed. They’ve likely helped families before, so they know what to suggest. You’ll also have support 24/7 during your trip should something need to change.
 

Couples planning honeymoons or anniversaries

If you're planning something special, it helps to have someone who can add those extra touches—like a private dinner, a sunset cruise, or even just making sure your hotel has a good view. You can focus on enjoying the trip while they take care of the planning.

Older travelers looking for comfort and reliability

When comfort and accessibility are priorities, having someone local who understands that makes a big difference. They’ll suggest hotels that are easy to get around in, arrange transportation that suits your needs, and pace things so it feels relaxed—not rushed. And if anything comes up during the trip, you’ll know who to contact.

Anyone short on time who values personalization and expert support

Maybe you don’t have time to plan a trip—but you also don’t want something generic. With tailor-made travel, you hand over your ideas and get a trip that still feels like yours. 

Can I choose my hotels and booking dates?

Yes, that’s one of the main draws of tailor-made travel. You get to decide exactly where you stay and when you go. If you’ve got a preference—maybe a small, character-filled hotel, a quiet guesthouse in the countryside, or something more upscale near the water—your local expert helps you find what fits. They’ll suggest places that match your style and budget, including some you probably wouldn’t come across on your own.

You also pick your own travel dates. Want to go during a shoulder season for fewer crowds? Planning around school holidays or a specific event? That’s all up to you. There’s no fixed schedule to stick to, which means you can shape the trip around what works for you.

Once you’ve got the basics down, your local expert works with you to sort out the rest—private transfers, guides, restaurants, and things to do along the way. It’s a collaborative process, and you can keep adjusting it until everything feels right.

And if something changes while you’re planning—maybe you want to stay an extra day somewhere or try out a new activity—you can easily shift things around. 
 

Is it more expensive?

Tailor-made travel usually costs more than doing everything yourself, but the value can be well worth it. Since you're working directly with people on the ground—local experts who know the place inside out—you’re not paying extra for layers of agents or resellers. That keeps prices more honest and focused on the trip itself, not commissions.

Most itineraries include the key things upfront—your accommodation, private transport, knowledgeable guides, and meaningful activities—so you’re not left guessing what’s covered or dealing with unexpected add-ons later.

That said, this type of travel isn’t designed for shoestring budgets. If you’re aiming to spend less than €100 per day, it might make more sense to travel independently using our guidebooks, local buses, and budget accommodation. 

But if you’re working with a mid-range budget (€150–250 per person per day), you’ll find there’s a lot of flexibility to create something that feels personal and well-paced. Higher budgets open the door to more unique stays and private access to places most visitors miss.
 

Where can I go?

Pretty much anywhere you want. Our network of local experts now covers more than 100 countries, across every continent—so you can stick to the classics or plan something well off the usual routes.

Some of the most requested trips right now include street food and homestays in Vietnam, wine and glacier country in Argentina, coastlines and wildlife drives in South Africa, and lava fields and geysers in Iceland. But that’s just a fraction of what’s out there.

You could dive into Tokyo or Rome for a city break, head out on a mountain trek, plan a food-focused route through your favorite region, explore places that rarely make the guidebooks, or slow it all the way down on a quiet island in the Maldives or Caribbean. A local expert helps shape everything around your pace and priorities.

Want to see what’s possible? See some of our trip ideas gallery for inspiration.

How can I compare options?

Rough Guides works a bit like a marketplace that connects you with trusted local experts. You tell them what kind of trip you're after, and a few local experts will send you their take on it. Each one brings something different to the table—different styles, different strengths—so you can look through them and decide what feels most like you.

Everything’s laid out in the same format, which makes it easy to compare. You’ll see what each day looks like, where you’ll sleep, how you’ll get around, and what’s included in the price. You’ll also get real feedback from other travelers, so you’re not choosing blindly.

You’ll be in direct contact with each expert throughout, so you can ask questions and request changes until the trip feels like a match. Once you’ve picked your itinerary, you’ll have around-the-clock support while you’re traveling, plus a money-back guarantee for added peace of mind.

What’s the difference between tailor‑made and ready‑made trips?

Tailor-made trips start with you. You choose where to go, how long to stay, how fast to move, and what kind of places you want to sleep in.

Then a local expert helps shape it into a trip that actually works—offering ideas, filling in the gaps, and making sure everything fits together. It’s a bit like planning with a friend who really knows the destination. You get flexibility, support, and a trip that reflects what you care about.

Ready-made trips work differently. The itinerary is set, the dates are fixed, and they’re usually designed for groups. It’s a straightforward option if you want something quick—but you’re following someone else’s plan. These trips tend to be more budget-friendly, but  but there’s not much room to make it your own. The route, the hotels, the pace—it’s already been decided.

At Rough Guides, everything is tailor-made. No group departures, no off-the-shelf packages—just custom travel built around you, shaped by someone who actually lives there and knows how to pull it all together.

Booking process & timing

To keep things smooth, it’s a good idea to get started at least three months before you want to travel. If you're heading somewhere popular or during peak season, earlier is better—up to a year in advance isn’t too much. That gives you time to sort out accommodation that actually suits you and shape an itinerary that fits your pace and interests.

1. Fill enquiry form

The first step is filling out a short enquiry form online. You’ll share where you want to go, when you’d like to travel, how many people are coming along, and your general budget. This info helps match you with someone local who knows the destination and how to build a trip that fits you. The more you share here, the more helpful the first suggestions will be.

2. Tell us your preferences

After you submit the form, you’ll get an initial day‑by‑day itinerary—usually within minutes. You’ll be able to view it in the portal and leave comments directly on each day. Want to slow things down? Prefer food markets to museums? Just say so. This feedback helps shape what the local experts will create for you.

3. Compare proposals from local experts

Based on your feedback, Rough Guides brings in up to three proposals from different local experts. Each one reflects your style, interests, and priorities. You can message or call them directly, ask questions, tweak plans, or just see who you click with. Then pick the expert—and the itinerary—that feels right.

4. Confirm & book

Once you’ve made your choice, you’ll lock in the trip by paying a small deposit online. You can pay in full or in instalments—whatever works for you. Your money is held securely and and Rough Guides only releases it to your local expert shortly before your trip begins

5. Enjoy travel with support

While you’re traveling, your expert stays in the loop. Need a dinner recommendation? Want to change plans on the fly? You’ve got someone local you can reach out to—just in case.