Good to know
Frequently asked questions
How we design bespoke luxury journeys in Japan, Singapore and China — what it costs, what's included, and how to begin.
- What is Travel Curators?
- Travel Curators is a private travel atelier, founded in 2016, that designs bespoke luxury journeys in Japan, Singapore and China. We began as a Japan luxury specialist and now work on the ground across all three countries. We don't sell packages — every journey is built from a blank page around the individual traveller.
- Which destinations do you cover?
- Japan, Singapore and China, the three countries we know most intimately, with dedicated local teams in each. We can extend to selected destinations elsewhere in Asia for travellers we already work with.
- How does a bespoke journey work?
- We start by understanding you — your interests, pace and the people you'd find unforgettable — then design a one-of-a-kind itinerary and refine it until it feels right. We generally take on complete, multi-day journeys where we handle all the bookings, rather than single à-la-carte reservations.
- What should I expect to invest?
- Journeys are fully bespoke, so there is no fixed price. As a guide, our travellers typically invest from around USD 1,500 per person per day, excluding international flights — scaling with privacy, access and complexity.
- Is there a planning fee?
- Yes. We charge a non-refundable pre-trip planning fee from USD 150 per person per day, which counts towards your final trip cost. It reflects the depth of research and curation involved, and varies with complexity. We recommend travel insurance that covers this fee.
- What is included?
- Almost everything except international flights — accommodation, meals, domestic transport, entrance tickets, your special experiences, and 24/7 support. Our journeys are all-inclusive, with no hidden costs such as airport taxes or gratuities, and no kickback shopping stops or pay-extra optional tours.
- How far in advance should I plan?
- It depends on complexity. A relatively simple journey — hotels, a few restaurants, a private guide and driver — can be arranged in a matter of days. Elaborate journeys, and peak seasons such as cherry blossom or autumn leaves, should be secured well in advance.
- Can you secure hard-to-book or Michelin-starred restaurants?
- Yes — securing sought-after and members-only tables is part of what our in-country teams do, as one element of an end-to-end journey rather than a standalone booking.
- Who do you work with?
- Discerning private travellers and families, and the luxury travel advisors, concierges and family offices who refer their clients to us. Our US-based Head of VIP Relationships supports advisor partners in their own time zone.
- What is a Curator?
- A Curator is your country host, present at your side or discreetly in the background exactly as you wish, making sure help is never far and nothing is left to chance.
- How do you support us during the trip?
- A dedicated team supports you before and throughout the journey, including a 24/7 concierge group (on WhatsApp or your preferred channel) for the duration of your travels.
- Do you operate year-round, including Christmas and New Year?
- Yes. We work with our own long-tenured local guides and can arrange journeys at any time of year, including the festive period.
- Why are you more expensive than a conventional operator?
- Because our journeys are genuinely all-inclusive, our groups are small, and we eliminate kickback shopping and pay-extra extras. We choose premium, carefully curated suppliers, and decades of relationships let us secure access and value that can't be found on a booking site.
- Are you accredited?
- Yes — Travel Curators is IATA-accredited and CaseTrust-NATAS certified, and is backed by one of Singapore's most established travel houses, founded in 1978.
- How do I begin?
- Begin with a private conversation through our contact page. We'll arrange a call to understand who you are and what would make the journey matter before we design anything. We take on a limited number of journeys each year.
Let us design something only yours
We take on a limited number of journeys each year. If yours is one of them, it begins with a conversation — read by a Curator, and answered personally.
Begin a private conversation