You’ve gotta start somewhere.

You bring the holiday idea. I’ll work out how it fits together.

A big trip can mean a lot of research and decisions. I bring the route, places to stay, transport and experiences into one practical plan, built around your interests, pace and budget.

You’ll know where you’re going, how the journey fits together and what to book first.

A rough idea is enough to enquire. No payment or commitment required.

Here’s what your plan can look like

Inside a Signature Journey

Take a look inside a sample journey through France, Switzerland and Italy: the route, a travel day and the thinking behind a place to stay.

01 | The Route

A route that makes sense.

See the stops, nights and practical details that bring the whole journey together.

Sample itinerary route through Paris, Lucerne, Wengen, Florence and Rome, with stay dates and nights.

02 | A Travel Day

A smoother travel day.

Sample travel day from Paris to Lucerne via Basel, showing rail connections and an arrival plan.

Connections, journey times and a gentle arrival plan, together in one place.

03 | Where You’ll Stay

Why this place works.

A recommendation with the location, budget and booking checks explained.

Sample Wengen hotel recommendation showing location reasoning, budget allowance and checks before booking.

Illustrative sample. Managed Booking is optional and costs extra. Prices and arrangements are indicative.

Meet Lachie

I’m Lachie, the person behind Somewhere by Design. My travels have taken me to 18 countries, including three months travelling solo through Europe and road trips around New Zealand’s South Island.

Those trips shaped the way I plan: realistic travel days, convenient places to stay and time to enjoy each stop. You’ll work directly with me, from our first conversation through to your finished plan.

More about me

The Signature Journey

Personalised planning doesn’t have to mean luxury travel. Your budget and priorities shape the route, places to stay and experiences recommended.

What You Receive

  • A route and number of nights shaped around your interests and pace.

  • Recommended areas to stay and suitable accommodation options.

  • Transport routes, connections and practical travel guidance.

  • A flexible day-by-day plan with experiences and free time.

  • Booking links, priorities and useful planning notes.

  • One round of consolidated feedback within the agreed scope.

A complete, personalised journey designed around you

$895 per shared itinerary

Founding Traveller Offer: $695

Available for the first three paid Signature Journeys.

The fee covers one shared journey for travellers following substantially the same route and itinerary.

Self-Book is included. Travel purchases and optional booking support cost extra.

Choose How You Want to Book

The planning is only one part of getting a trip off the ground.

Once your Signature Journey is ready, choose how much of the booking process you want to handle yourself.

Self-Book

You’ve got the plan. Take it from here.

Included with your Signature Journey

You make and manage your bookings directly with suppliers. I provide the recommendations, booking links and order to book them in.

Assisted Booking

Book it yourself, with us beside you.

+$195

We work through the agreed bookings together in a dedicated remote session. I guide you through dates and details; you enter your payment information and authorise each purchase.

Managed Booking

Approve the plan. We’ll handle the bookings.

From +$295

I complete the agreed advance bookings using your nominated payment method, after we agree the scope, spending limits and booking window. You remain available for required authentication and approvals.

Booking-support fees are additional to the planning fee. Travel purchases are separate. The final Managed Booking fee and scope are confirmed in your proposal.

Managed Booking covers agreed advance reservations. Later cancellations, refunds, rebooking and disruption support are not automatically included.

How the Signature Journey Works

Share your trip idea, rough dates and the help you need. You don’t need to have every detail figured out.

1. Tell me about your trip

2. Agree on the details

I’ll confirm whether we’re a good fit and send a proposal covering the scope, fee and expected timeframe. Planning starts after you accept and the required payment is received.

3. I research your journey

We’ll talk through your interests, pace and budget. I’ll then bring the route, accommodation, transport and experiences into one practical plan.

4. Review your journey

You review the itinerary and provide one round of consolidated feedback within the agreed scope. I make the adjustments and prepare your final plan, ready for Self-Book or optional booking support.

Is the Signature Journey Right for You?

The Signature Journey is designed for Travellers who:

  • Are planning a meaningful or more complex holiday rather than a simple single-destination break.

  • Want a journey shaped around their interests rather than a standard package.

  • Feel overwhelmed by research, comparisons and conflicting advice.

  • Want accommodation, transport, activities and logistics considered together.

  • Want a clear plan without having every minute rigidly scheduled.

  • Value their time and would rather hand over much of the planning work.

  • Want to choose how involved they are when it comes time to make the bookings.

  • Only want an isolated search for the cheapest flight or hotel without planning the wider journey.

  • Want a pre-made itinerary delivered instantly.

  • Expect unlimited destination, date or route changes within one planning fee.

  • Need materially separate itineraries for Travellers following different journeys.

  • Want a tightly scheduled group tour or an all-inclusive travel package.

It May Not Be the Right Fit If You:

Already planned your trip?

Trip Review | $295

I’ll review your route, pace, transport connections, accommodation locations and booking priorities. You’ll receive a clear review of what works and what I’d reconsider before you book.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to Start Planning?

Tell us what you are imagining, even if it’s only a rough idea. I’ll confirm whether I can help before you decide to proceed.

No payment or commitment required to enquire.

Explore More. Worry Less.

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