FIT (Flexible Independent Travel)

FIT (Flexible Independent Travel) 

Flexible Independent Travel (FIT) is how the travel industry has named small groups (singles, couples, families) traveling together to the places that they want to go, at the pace they want to set, with a smaller group of people and fewer restrictions. The emphasis in this type of travel is “independent.” This is the kind of travel that I usually do. Those who travel this way are not interested in group tours either because they don’t like to travel in groups or because they don’t want someone else to decide where they go. That’s where FIT comes in.

For FIT, I work with suppliers to create the ultimate holiday, including transportation (cars, trains, planes, boats), housing (hotels, inns, B&Bs, or apartments), and activities. I put it all together into an itinerary with everything you need, including confirmation numbers, maps, tickets, and packing advice.

I particularly enjoy helping travelers create FIT itineraries because they can be complicated puzzles that reveal incredible adventures when they are assembled. Transportation, lodging, and activities must be aligned to dates, interests, time, and budget. On your own, it is a daunting task, especially without insider knowledge. Let me help you put together that Bucket List trip.

Here are a few examples of FIT itineraries that combine history, nature, food, and culture that may inspire you:

  • Europe: Italy - The Amalfi Coast

    A great location for a FIT is the Amalfi Coast in Italy. The rugged coastline and vistas make it a great location for those who want to travel independently by car or train.
    Starting in the charming town of Positano, visitors can explore vibrant cliffside streets, indulging in local cuisine at a family-run trattoria.
    A day trip to Pompeii offers a fascinating glimpse into ancient Roman life, with well-preserved ruins and guided tours available.
    For natural beauty, a hike along the Path of the Gods rewards adventurers with breathtaking views of the coastline.
    In the evening, a cooking class can be arranged, where clients learn to make traditional pasta.
    As the sun sets, a leisurely boat ride to the island of Capri provides a perfect end to the day, allowing travelers to enjoy the stunning coastline and the famous Blue Grotto.

  • Southeast Asia: Thailand - Chiang Mai and Pai

    Thailand is an amazing country, combining history, natural beauty, and cultural showstopper. Visiting multiple locations can be difficult without the help of a travel advisor. The highways use the English system, so they drive on the left side of the road, not to mention having a reputation for “creative” driving. A travel advisor can arrange your transportation, including transfers from your housing to the stations or airports. Once that’s settled, you can enjoy the beauty of Thailand.
    Starting in Chiang Mai, travelers can participate in a traditional cooking class to learn about Thai ingredients and dishes.
    Visiting the impressive Wat Phra That Doi Suthep temple offers spiritual insight and stunning views of the city.
    A day trip to the Elephant Nature Park allows for ethical interactions with rescued elephants, providing both fun and a chance to learn about wildlife conservation.
    Afterward, a scenic trip to Pai reveals beautiful landscapes, hot springs, and waterfalls.
    In Pai, travelers can explore local markets, enjoy live music, and take part in a bamboo rafting adventure on the Pai River.

  • Africa: South Africa - Cape Town and the Garden Route

    Cape Town, South Africa is a vibrant cosmopolitan city surrounded by natural wonders, including coastline, mountains, vast plains and jungles.
    You can visit iconic sites like Table Mountain, where a cable car ride offers panoramic views of the city and coastline.
    A visit to Robben Island provides historical context about Nelson Mandela and the fight against apartheid.
    The next leg of the journey takes travelers along the scenic Garden Route, stopping at Knysna for local oysters and a boat trip through the lagoon.
    Nature lovers can explore the Tsitsikamma National Park, with opportunities for hiking and canopy tours.
    In the charming town of Oudtshoorn, clients can visit an ostrich farm and learn about the fascinating birds.
    The trip can conclude with a wine tasting tour in Stellenbosch, allowing travelers to savor South Africa’s renowned wines.

Schedule a Chat

Themed Travel

Themed Travel is a fun way to organize a trip. I have spent my adult life doing this without naming it that way. My themes have been architectural, historical, and literary. They have involved cars, trains, coaches, and some great hikes. (I once went searching for the inspiration for Wuthering Heights in the moors near where the Brontes lived - miles and miles of hiking with only sheep for company and the moors undulating in the sunlit purple of the heather.)

Other themes for travel include genealogy, artists, gardens, food, religion, book/movie/television sites. I once put together a trip to find English gothic cathedrals that I had studied. I have plans for a future trip that focuses on the architecture of Gaudi in Barcelona and another on Islamic architecture in Spain. A travel advisor can help you put these trips together so that you can immerse yourself in your interests and not have to worry about how you’re going to fit it all in. To be honest, this is where I am at my best as a travel advisor because this is my favorite way to travel.

Because I love themes, I’m always excited to plan a themed trip. Below are some examples of themed trips that may provide you with some inspiration.

World War II Themed Trip

Embark on a poignant themed trip through Europe, exploring World War II battlefields and memorial sites that honor the courage and sacrifice of those who fought.
Begin in Normandy, France, at Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery, where thousands of soldiers are laid to rest. Visit the Utah Beach Museum to gain insight into the D-Day landings.
Next, head to Caen and explore the Memorial de Caen, a museum dedicated to peace that chronicles the war's events. Travel to Belgium to walk through the forests of Ardennes and visit the Bastogne War Museum, which recounts the Battle of the Bulge.
Continue to Berlin, where remnants of the Berlin Wall and the Holocaust Memorial serve as powerful reminders of the city’s tumultuous past. Conclude your journey in Amsterdam at the Anne Frank House, reflecting on the personal stories of those affected by the war.
British Television Film Sites
I have a friend who recommended that I create a tour of the British murder mystery filming locations across the country. These beautiful locations in villages and small towns saw more murders per capita than any major city in the world! They are lovely to visit and remember the “crimes” that occurred there. But there are lots of beautiful sites used for British television.

It’s quite possible to visit locations for such television shows as Midsomer Murders (Wallington, Oxfordshire) or Grantchester (Cambridgeshire). But, maybe you are a Downton Abbey fan (Highclere Castle) or Doctor Who (Cardiff or Canary Wharf) or Broadchurch (Dorset Jurassic Coast). I can put together an itinerary for you that visits the places that you’ve enjoyed on television for years. Name the show or movie and I’ll find the iconic sites for you to visit, and connect the transportation and the housing to make it seamless.

Bucket List Travel

When I was in the 9th grade, studying French for the first time, our teacher, who was wonderful about including history in our lessons showed us an image of Mt. St. Michel off the west coast of Normandy. I was hooked and began what would be called my bucket list of travel. Mt. St. Michel is a gothic monastery rising out of an outcropping of rock in the middle of a bay. Each day the tide rose and cut off access to the island from the main land (there is a bridge now). Those caught in the violent tides would be swept out to sea. That was how the monastery survived for 1200 years. The moment I saw that image, I started what would be my “bucket list” of places to see in the world.

I finally saw Mt. St. Michel in 2021. My husband and I were among the first people to enter France after travel restrictions were lifted. We walked the mile from the town of Belvoir to the island. Each step brought me closer to this thing I’d wanted to see for decades. It was exactly what I wanted it to be.

Bucket list holidays are wonderful things. Like a theme, they focus your travel on exactly what it is that you need to see. Every time I check off a place on my bucket list, I add at least four more. For me, it’s a way to focus my travel and structure it around seeing particular things or places that I have “always” wanted to see.

There are many books that describe the most important places to visit in the world. They all have titled such as 100 places to visit before you die or just bucket list. I love to explore these books to discover places I’m not familiar with.

Another great compendium of bucket-list places is the UNESCO World Heritage list, a list compiled by the United Nations of historically significant cultural and natural locations, which now includes over 1,200 sites around the world, such as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the historic center of Brugge in Belgium, the imperial palaces of China, and my favorite Mt. St. Michel, among hundreds of others.