Greetings from Scout & Bimble! It’s hard to believe we announced our opening just over three months ago, on November 1. When we opened for business, I had a sales goal for the first year (11/1/2022 to 11/1/2023). As we begin February, I am about to hit that sales goal almost nine months earlier than expected! I am thrilled and grateful for all the folks who have contacted me and who have become clients. I love making travel dreams come true for others and am excited to share where some of my clients plan to go (so far) in 2023! In no particular order, here’s a breakdown of some of the trips created for clients. I hope you find this overview of actual itineraries helpful and inspiring as you think about where you want to go next.

First, let’s get ready for a 9-day visit to beautiful Portugal, with sojourns in both Lisbon and Porto. These well-traveled clients, busy professionals from DC, know exactly what they want from each trip segment – from where they sit on the airplanes to the hotel amenities they expect during their visit. With access to vetted and reliable suppliers, I researched and matched my clients’ preferences with five-star accommodations at less than five-star rates! My clients will be in the heart of Lisbon, within walking distance of all the places they want to visit during their 4-night stay in Portugal’s delightful capital city. Then, it’s on to Porto via a quick local one-hour flight. Once again, I found the perfect place for them to stay based on their needs and preferences. With four nights in Porto, these clients will be surrounded by the past in Porto’s historic area of Ribeira, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Next, let’s go to Switzerland for a client who wants to add a two-night stay after his Viking river cruise ends in Basel. A successful business owner, this client didn’t have the time or energy to deal with the logistics of putting together a short stay in Lucerne. He found my website (www.scoutandbimble.com) after a quick Google search and discovered that I am a certified Switzerland Travel Expert by Switzerland Tourism. For this client, I was able to pull out all the stops by matching him to one of Virtuoso’s Best of the Best hotels in Lucerne, including exclusive amenities that he can only access through a Virtuoso travel advisor. This client could have just reserved his hotel stay online by himself, but because he worked with me, I could get him an additional set of amenities worth over $500. These amenities – including a welcome gift from the hotel, free breakfast every morning, a food and beverage tab, and more – add value and make his hard-earned vacation funds go farther! 

On to a special 25th-anniversary celebration in Madrid, where an adorable couple will immerse themselves in the local culture – with activities focused on the things they enjoy doing together: learn about the history, dance to local music, and imbibe in local culinary delights! After getting to know these clients during their consultation, I was able to recommend the perfect activities for their stay in one of my favorite cities in Spain. They specified that they wanted one activity for each day in Madrid. So, I delivered, with activities such as a highly sought-after flamenco show and dinner one night, a daytime tour of medieval Madrid (with tapas), and spa appointments for massages at their hotel (Four Seasons Hotel Madrid…with Virtuoso amenities). I loved providing concierge-level service for this sweet couple looking to celebrate their anniversary by gifting themselves with the best gift – a fantastic travel experience where they don’t have to worry about the logistics and details before or during their trip.

Then, another couple contacted me about curating a trip to Las Vegas for their 25th anniversary! Having never been to Vegas, these two clients wanted a trip with diverse and exciting activities. They also wanted to see if I could add Virtuoso amenities to their stay at the Cosmopolitan. I provided two draft itineraries with my recommended options they could choose from. These two lovebirds decided to go on a foodie tour, including 10 courses of local dishes and adult beverages. On another day, they embark on a private daytime tour of Grand Canyon West and the Hoover Dam, with door-to-door service and meals, such as local barbecue, included. And no trip to Vegas is complete without tickets to a magic show and Cirque du Soleil! These clients are excited about their trip and have been reviewing their itinerary details using an app I provide that allows them to get a sneak peek at all the fun things they get to experience together in a few months.

And finally, let’s go back to Switzerland for a complex group trip to the Ticino region, just north of Italy. This group of women is meeting in Zurich after flying in from various places across the United States. Then, they head south to Lugano, where they will stay at one of Virtuoso’s Best of the Best hotels. With varying budget levels within the group, I chose a beautiful hotel that could accommodate each budget. This group of travelers wanted a fully bespoke experience in Lugano and beyond. With day trips to beautiful Morcote and historic Sonogno, along with a “Cruise & Cook” experience where they take a cooking class on local dishes that they create for their lunch on a cruise of Lake Lugano, these women are going to have the time of their lives. When I learned that a few of them were avid knitters, I suggested they visit the famous Casa della Lana (House of Wool) in Sonogno for some local handmade wool yarn. The clients were thrilled with the level of detail and added touches I included to make this trip truly unique and special.

This is just a sampling of the itineraries I have been curating since opening for business just three months ago. With Scout & Bimble, each of my clients receives personalized attention throughout the process so that their itineraries match their travel style, needs, and preferences. I love my job and am excited to continue helping clients make their travel dreams come true!