What kind of trips do you book?
Expedition cruising, the Islands of Tahiti, Chicago, and Sweden are where my heart is, alongside history, archaeology, culture-led and wildlife positive travel more broadly - you can read more about why on my Home Page and About Me section.
My customer base is a genuine mix, from luxury tailor-made trips to more straightforward, off the shelf package holidays, so don't feel you need to fit a particular mould to work with me.
Am I obliged to book once you've sent me a proposal?
No. There's no obligation to book after receiving a proposal from me. I'll put together the best options I can find for your budget and brief, and it's up to you whether you go ahead.
Having said that, it does take a lot of time and effort to pull together proposals and options, so I ask that you are serious about booking before coming to me, and that you have a spend guide in mind. If you're not sure about what the trip will cost, get in touch and we can have an open and honest conversation so we're on the same page!
Do you charge a planning fee? Does it cost more to book through you than direct with the supplier?
No I don't charge a fee and in almost all cases, it costs no more to book through me than going direct with the supplier.
Even a simple trip takes a significant amount of research and time to pull together the right options, and I only get paid if you actually book with me. If I'm regularly asked for quotes that don't turn into bookings, I reserve the right to introduce a fee or let a customer know I'm not able to help further.
Is there a minimum trip value you'll book?
Yes - my policy is not to book trips under £1,000 per person. Every booking, regardless of size, involves the same level of care, time and coordination, so this minimum lets me give each client the attention their trip deserves.
How do you get paid?
The supplier pays me, not you. Think of me a bit like a mortgage broker - I partner you with the right product for your needs, and I'm paid by the provider for making that match, not by charging you on top.
Can I book the suppliers I already like through you?
In many cases, yes. I work with a wide range of well-known names, from Jet2holidays to Audley and plenty in between. If there's a specific brand or supplier you have in mind, just ask and I'll let you know straight away if I already work with them, and if not I can often get set up pretty quickly.
If you've found a trip online that you like the look of but want the added benefits and personal service of booking through me, get in touch - there's a good chance I can help.
Can I still work with you if I already have something pre-booked?
It depends what it is. I can absolutely help build plans around visiting friends and family abroad, or around a tour or similar you've already booked - I do this often. The elements I book around your existing plans will have package protection (depending on inclusions), but the elements you booked yourself will not. Every situation is different, so get in touch and we can talk through what's possible.
If you've already booked the entire trip or the major element of it elsewhere, then either I can't help, or it doesn't make sense for me to work on the small remaining pieces.
Do you book flight-only or accommodation-only trips?
I tend not to do standalone hotel or flight bookings. Flights are more likely to be something I can help with, particularly where the routing is difficult to piece together or hard to get on a through ticket - that's where I can add the most value. Do bear in mind, though, that my minimum spend still applies to these bookings.
I can often book ground arrangements only if you have booked the flights yourself, so you know you're looked after from the moment you arrive to the day you depart.
Is there anything you won't book?
Yes. I don't recommend or book captive wildlife entertainment - you can read my full Animal Welfare Policy for more detail.
I also have a limit on cruise ship size and will only promote ship experiences under 1,500 passengers, while anything over 3,000 passengers I won't book at all. For the in-between size of ship, I encourage a cruise and stay itinerary rather than a standalone cruise.
My specialism and preference is expedition and river cruise, because both are small-ship travel at heart - intimate, expert-led and genuinely immersive in the places we visit, rather than the destination becoming a backdrop to the ship itself. Expedition cruising takes you somewhere remote and wild with people who know that landscape inside out, while river cruising opens up some of the world's richest historic sites, sailing right past centuries of history with a level of access, flexibility and personal service that larger ships simply can't offer. My own cruise on the Nile, alongside my expedition cruises to the Galapagos and Svalbard, remain among my favourite trips I've ever taken.
Will you always show me the cheapest option?
No. The options in your itinerary reflect the best fit for your stated budget and preferences, not automatically the cheapest. I work with suppliers across the market, from luxury to budget-friendly, which is why it's important we discuss your preferences from the start.
If you ask me to price match or bring the cost down, I'll be upfront if that means a step down in accommodation or inclusions, so you can make an informed choice. You'll still get the benefits of booking with me either way - though there are some properties, experiences or suppliers I won't book at all, due to quality standards.
It's worth remembering that by booking through me, you're getting support from the point of booking, through travel and beyond, with a lot of additional perks and benefits. It's not the same as clicking book on a website.
How long does the whole process take, from enquiry to booking?
This depends on the complexity of the trip, how far out you're travelling, and how much back-and-forth we need to find the right plan. I aim to have a first quote back within a few days to a week, though more complex trips can take longer - and I can turn around last-minute trips when necessary too.
Quotes often rely on information from tour operators and ground handlers abroad, which is outside my control and can add to the timeline. As a small boutique business, I also give a lot of care and attention to existing customers, which can affect turnaround for new enquiries during busy periods - the trade-off for very personal service.
Once we start, I'll tweak the itinerary as many times as you need before you commit. My priority is always an itinerary that genuinely works for you, not one that's simply fast.
What happens after I pay my deposit?
You'll be sent a link to my booking hub, where you'll find useful information, anything you need to action, and details of your Nickson Travel customer perks. Within a few days, you'll also receive your bonus itinerary on a free app, giving you a day-by-day overview of your trip. I upload your supplier documentation directly to the app, and any changes or updates on my end are automatically reflected in your version, so everything relating to your travel is safely stored in one place. It's even linked to a flight tracker, so you'll be notified of any delays.
From there, I'll be in touch about any special requests, and help with pre-booking seating where you'd like it (the process varies depending on the trip). I complete advance passenger information and check-in on your behalf at no extra charge, and where you need any documentation in hard copy, I'll post it out to you in compostable jute ticket wallets, so there's nothing for you to print yourself.
Before you travel, I also offer a pre-departure phone call to run through any last-minute questions, so you feel fully confident heading off. While you're away, I'm always there as backup if you have any questions or issues - or just to share in the excitement!
Am I financially protected when I book with you?
Yes. Nickson Travel keeps your money safe alongside Protected Trust Services (PTS member 6305). When you pay, your money goes into a separate trust account managed by independent trustees, who allocate it to pay for your specific supplier booking - so you have full peace of mind. All funds are securely held in the UK.
For flight-inclusive holidays, you receive ATOL protection through the ATOL-holding suppliers I book with. Suppliers may also be members of ABTA, ABTOT or similar trade bodies, which can provide additional protection.
How and when do I pay?
This varies by supplier, since each has its own deposit and balance requirements. I'll confirm the exact deposit amount and payment schedule for your specific booking so you know exactly what's due and when, right from the start.
What can I do if I need to cancel or change my trip after booking?
Cancellation and amendment terms are set by each individual supplier, not by Nickson Travel, so they vary depending on what you've booked. Deposits are non-refundable and if your plans do change, get in touch as early as possible - the sooner I know, the more options are usually available to you.
What do I get for being a loyal customer?
Join the Nickson Travel Rewards Scheme and start collecting stamps for things like following me on social media, signing up to my mailing list, booking, or referring a friend - it's not just for the big spenders. Collect enough and you'll unlock VIP Club membership, with perks like a welcome gift, lounge passes (or a £50 discount) on every qualifying booking, priority on new enquiries, referral rewards, and automatic VIP flagging with accommodation providers (T&Cs apply).
I'd also point you to my Partner Perks page, where I've teamed up with trusted brands to offer discounts on things like sustainable travel kits and water filter bottles - worth checking out alongside the rewards scheme.
And this is all on top of the complimentary concierge service every customer gets as standard when booking through Nickson Travel - covering everything from check-in and documentation to your pre-departure call. You can read more about that under 'What happens after I pay my deposit?'
I'm a founding member of the Responsible Travel Advisor Collective, and making trips better for the destinations my customers visit is something I'm passionate about. Whether that's what I pick at booking stage and how I pull the trip together, what I won't sell, which suppliers I use, the information I give my customers for while they're in resort and access to discounted sustainable products, and of course the rewilding contributions.
How does the rewilding contribution work?
Every package booking with me generates a rewilding contribution as standard. For every passenger over two years old, I contribute £5 (funded by me, not added to your price) to Mossy Earth's habitat restoration work. Once your trip is complete, I'll be in touch to let you choose which project it goes towards. You can read more here.
What's your animal welfare policy?
Please click here to read information on what I will and won't book, as well as tips for you as a traveller on what to look out for while away.
Why do you have a limit on cruise ship size?
Smaller ships mean a more personal, immersive experience - more time ashore, easier access to remote or less-visited places, and a lighter footprint on the destinations and wildlife that call them home.
Want more responsible travel tips?
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Fill out my enquiry form below to tell me a bit about what you're looking for - destination (if you know), rough dates, budget and who's travelling.
Prefer to chat first? You can also reach me directly by email at annika@nicksontravel.co.uk or WhatsApp on 07736 308877 to set up a convenient time for a call.