At Epic Travel Designer, we believe travel is more than visiting a destination — it’s about creating lasting memories, tailored to how you want to feel and experience your time away. Many of our clients come to us uncertain about where to go, but confident they want something special.
That’s where our structured service model comes in. With clarity at every step, you always know what to expect and can decide how far you’d like to continue with us. In this post, we’ll share the journey of one of our repeat clients, S, to show how our Travel Consultation, Travel Proposal, and Custom Travel Planning services work hand in hand to design unforgettable vacations.
Step 1: Travel Consultation – Finding the Right Destination
S first engaged us in 2018 for a customised family trip to Taiwan. Even years later, her family still remembers that trip fondly — a reflection of our goal to create everlasting travel memories.
For her next vacation in September, S returned with a few simple criteria:
One week duration
Family of four (two teenage boys)
Loves nature, peaceful surroundings, and bonding time
Not into shopping or crowds
Prefers cooling weather
Budget: SGD 250–290 per person per day
Rather than guessing where to go, we recommended our paid Travel Consultation, priced at SGD 150.
This service includes:
Curated Destination Shortlist – Aligned to preferences, budget, and travel style
Tailored Activity Recommendations – Matching the client’s profile
Presented In PDF – Activities, pros and cons of each destination discussed
45-Minute Phone Call – Reviewing the options in depth, aligning with client’s requests
For S, we shortlisted Jeju & Busan, Nepal, Yunnan (China), and Central Vietnam (Da Nang & Hoi An).
During our consultation call, the family narrowed it down to Nepal vs. Jeju & Busan. Nepal ultimately won their hearts — it was exotic, cooling, nature-focused, and away from the crowds.
At this stage, the Travel Consultation was complete. S could have taken the shortlist and planned her own trip — or proceed with us to the next step.
Step 2: Travel Proposal – Designing the Journey
Once Nepal was selected, S engaged us for a Travel Proposal.
This stage is where we research, design, and present a detailed plan — covering accommodations, logistics, activities, and experiences, fully tailored to her family’s needs. Because it involves significant work, the Travel Proposal comes with an upfront fee.
At the end of the Travel Proposal stage, both parties have the freedom to decide whether to continue or part ways:
Clients may take the proposal and DIY their own arrangements.
We may also decide not to proceed further if we feel the working relationship is not aligned.
We have a few simple conditions of satisfaction that guide our decision to continue:
Respectful Partnership – We work best with clients who are courteous and consultative. Travel design is a collaboration, not a transaction.
Mutual Trust – We ask clients to trust our expertise and not view our role as “transactional”. Our value lies in research, creativity, and insider knowledge.
Respect for Downtime – We do not work on weekends unless it’s an emergency. This boundary allows our team to recharge so we can serve clients at our best.
The truth is, no matter how much effort is invested, there will always be rare instances where some clients cannot be satisfied. In such cases, after much thought and consideration, we may decide not to move forward beyond the Travel Proposal stage. This is never taken lightly — as walking away impacts our team morale — but when it does happen, it is solely to protect our well-being and uphold the high standards we extend to all clients.
Happily, S was a delight to collaborate with. Together, we refined her proposal through thoughtful questions and adjustments until her family’s ideal plan came to life.
Step 3: Custom Travel Planning – Bringing It All Together
After approving her final proposal, S proceeded to Custom Travel Planning by placing a 50% deposit on the agreed tour fare.
From there, our team arranged everything:
Handpicked hotels that fit her style and budget
Reliable private drivers and guides
Exclusive experiences tailored to her family
Seamless logistics for a smooth journey
All S and her family had to do was look forward to their adventure.
Why This Three-Step Process Works
Our service model — Travel Consultation → Travel Proposal → Custom Travel Planning — is designed with transparency and flexibility in mind:
Clarity – You always know what’s included and what your options are.
Flexibility – Both client and designer can decide at each stage whether to continue.
Alignment – We move forward only when mutual respect and trust are established.
For S, this resulted in another meaningful journey, just like the one she first entrusted us with back in 2018.
FAQ – Our Services & Policies
Q: Can I stop after the Travel Consultation or Travel Proposal?
Yes. At each stage, you are free to take our work and plan independently, or continue to the next step with us.
Q: Why do you charge an upfront fee for the Travel Proposal?
Because it requires detailed research, design, and customisation — valuable work even if you choose not to book with us afterwards.
Q: What if we are not a good match?
The Travel Proposal stage allows both sides to assess fit. If values or communication styles are not aligned, either party may choose not to proceed further. In such cases, there is no refund for work already completed.
Q: How often do you end engagements due to misalignment?
Extremely rarely — fewer than 5 times in over 10 years of business. Most of our clients are respectful, trusting, and return to us for multiple trips.
Q: What happens if I proceed to Custom Travel Planning?
Your upfront planning fee will be offset against the tour fare, and we will handle every detail of your trip from start to finish.
If you’re unsure where to go but know you want something unforgettable, our Travel Consultation is the perfect place to start.
With Epic Travel Designer, you can trust that every stage of your journey — from idea to itinerary — is handled with expertise, care, and transparency.