FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions | Luxury Sustainable Travel | Escapes by Ema

FAQ

Questions Answered

Everything you need to know about how we work, what to expect, and the journey ahead.

Getting Started

Absolutely. In fact, that's often exactly where we begin. Rather than starting with a destination, I start with you — how you want to feel, what you're navigating in life right now, and what kind of experience would serve you best.

From there, I'll suggest destinations and properties that align with your emotional needs, the season, and your travel style. It's a far more intuitive approach than simply picking a place from a map.

It starts with a conversation. You can request an introduction through the website, and I'll respond within 24 hours. From there, we'll have an initial call to understand what you're looking for — not just logistically, but emotionally. What do you need from this journey?

There's no obligation at this stage. It's simply about understanding whether we're the right fit for each other.

The process begins the moment you reach out. After our initial conversation to understand your needs, I'll begin designing an initial trip proposal — a considered framework that captures the emotional arc, destinations, and properties I believe will serve you best.

We'll refine this together until it feels precisely right. Once you're happy, a deposit secures your bookings with our partners. You'll receive all documentation and details, and as your departure approaches, we'll have a pre-departure call to ensure everything is in place and answer any final questions.

Ideally, 6 to 12 months in advance. This allows time to secure the best properties — particularly for high-demand periods or intimate lodges with limited availability — and to design your journey with the care and consideration it deserves.

That said, I understand life doesn't always work on neat timelines. If you have a shorter window, we can still create something exceptional with what's available.

I design journeys of any length, though I generally find trips of at least 5 nights allow me to deliver the depth, creativity, and intentional pacing that define my approach. This isn't about filling time — it's about creating space for genuine transformation.

Our ethos is rooted in slow travel: giving you time to arrive, settle, and truly experience a place rather than rushing through it. That said, every enquiry is welcome — please get in touch with what you have in mind, and we can have a conversation about what's possible.

The Experience

Most travel planning starts with where. I start with how — how you want to feel, what you're carrying, what you're ready to release or discover. This emotional-first approach shapes everything: the destinations I suggest, the properties I choose, and the pacing of your itinerary.

I also personally vet every property I recommend, with a particular focus on genuine sustainability and wellness — not marketing claims. And I work with a limited number of clients each year, which means you receive my full attention rather than being handed off to a team. You can read more about my approach here.

Your time off is precious. It should work as hard as you do — and deliver something genuinely remarkable. That's where I come in.

I take the time you don't have: researching, vetting, designing, and coordinating every element so your journey speaks to exactly how you want to feel — whether that's restored, challenged, inspired, or simply at peace. Every property, every experience, every transition has been personally validated. You're not navigating dubious review sites or taking risks on the unknown.

Beyond the planning, I'm there throughout — handling logistics, fielding questions, solving problems if they arise. From the first conversation to your return home, it's completely handled. Hassle-free travel, designed with intention and delivered with care.

Nothing is fixed. The itineraries and experiences featured on the website are there for inspiration — to give you a sense of what's possible and the way I think about travel.

Your journey will be designed entirely from the ground up, shaped around your needs, your rhythm, and the way you want to feel. No two trips are ever the same.

Never. Every journey I design is entirely private — your experience, your pace, your moments. You won't be joining a scheduled tour or sharing your trip with strangers.

All experiences are privately guided, and your itinerary is built around you alone (or you and your travel companions). This is bespoke travel in the truest sense.

I don't offer group departures or scheduled trips for travellers to join. Doing so would mean compromising on the deeply personal, tailor-made approach that defines everything I do.

Solo travellers are absolutely welcome — and I design many journeys for individuals seeking time alone. Your trip will simply be yours, crafted around your needs without the constraints of accommodating a group.

I work primarily with carefully vetted hotels and lodges — properties I've experienced personally and trust for their integrity, service, and sense of place. Many of these offer private villas or standalone residences within their grounds, which can be ideal for families or those seeking more space.

I also have a small portfolio of private homes in select destinations. If a villa makes sense for your journey, I'm happy to explore options — though my strength lies in curating the full experience: accommodation, guides, transfers, and meaningful moments woven throughout.

Sustainability & Wellness

I look beyond marketing claims and certifications. While credentials from bodies like The Long Run, Fair Trade Tourism, or GSTC matter, I also evaluate properties on measurable impact: community employment and ownership, wildlife conservation contributions, waste and water management, and supply chain ethics.

Most importantly, I visit properties personally. I want to understand how a place operates, how staff are treated, and whether the property's values translate into genuine practice — not just brochure language. You can read more about my vetting process here.

I believe travel can — and should — be a genuine force for good. Every journey I design considers not just minimising harm, but actively contributing to the places and communities you visit. This means partnering with properties that employ locally, protect ecosystems, and reinvest in their surroundings.

Beyond property selection, I advocate for slow travel: fewer destinations, longer stays, reduced flights where possible, and train journeys where they make sense. When you travel with intention, your presence becomes part of a positive exchange rather than an extraction. I'm always happy to discuss the specific positive impacts your journey will have — it's an important part of the conversation.

Wellness isn't about spa menus or yoga retreats (though those can certainly be part of it). To me, wellness travel is about designing journeys that leave you feeling better than when you arrived — restored, recalibrated, reconnected to yourself.

That might mean intentional pacing with built-in breathing room. It might mean choosing destinations that offer silence, nature, or altitude. Or it might mean simply ensuring you're not exhausted by your own holiday. The goal is presence over performance.

Absolutely. I work with properties experienced in catering to a wide range of dietary needs — from allergies and intolerances to plant-based, kosher, or halal requirements. We'll discuss this in detail during our initial conversation so nothing is left to chance.

If you have specific health considerations that affect how you travel — mobility, altitude sensitivity, medication needs — these will be factored into every aspect of your journey, from flight routing to property selection.

Practicalities

Everything. Your journey is fully managed from the moment you leave home to the moment you return. This includes flights, accommodation, private transfers, curated experiences, restaurant recommendations, and 24/7 on-trip support.

You'll receive a detailed itinerary with all confirmations, along with a direct line to me throughout your travels. I'm there if plans change, flights are disrupted, or you simply want a dinner recommendation. You travel with complete peace of mind.

No. I don't charge planning fees — and never have.

Firstly, because I believe inspiration should be freely shared. I want to show you how I think and what I can create — without obligation. If the journey resonates, that's enough.

Secondly, through long-standing relationships with the properties and partners I work with, I've negotiated specially contracted rates. These are often lower than published rates you'd find booking directly, which allows me to add a small margin while remaining competitive. You receive all my expertise, time, and care for a price comparable to — or better than — going it alone.

Journeys typically start from US$2,000 per person, per day. This reflects the calibre of properties, the depth of experience, and the level of service involved — from bespoke itinerary design to in-destination support.

Every journey is different, and I'm happy to discuss what's possible within your parameters. The goal is always to deliver exceptional value for the investment — not just a trip, but an experience that genuinely transforms how you feel.

UK customers: Yes. All bookings are ATOL protected (for packages including flights) and fully bonded, giving you complete peace of mind and financial security. Your money is protected in the unlikely event of supplier failure.

US customers: I strongly recommend acquiring comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation and supplier default coverage. This is standard practice and ensures you're fully protected regardless of where you're travelling from.

I can advise on the right coverage for your specific journey and am happy to discuss options during our planning process.

You have a direct line to me — 24 hours a day, wherever you are in the world. If flights are cancelled, if plans need to change, if something isn't right, I handle it. That's what full-service means.

I also maintain strong relationships with the properties and partners I work with, which means issues are resolved quickly and with care. You're never left navigating problems alone.

Still have questions?

I'm happy to answer anything not covered here. Let's start a conversation.

Get in Touch