Frequently Asked Questions
Questions are always welcome!
About A World Within Reach
Who is A World Within Reach?
A World Within Reach is a travel advisory service founded by two seasoned travelers, Tamar Brooks and Barbara Kim. We cater to individuals looking for personalized experiences, specializing in creating unforgettable moments you won’t want to miss. Our relationships with the best of the best hotels groups worldwide, unparalleled experience providers and on-the-ground teams ensure an unforgettable experience, wherever you go.
How did A World Within Reach get started?
Tamar and Barbara are seasoned travelers who have not only traveled to 80+ countries but spent more than a decade (each) living outside the US. Tamar has been planning exceptional trips for friends and associates for years. The demand for her services has grown to such a level that she is making it official. Barbara’s entrepreneurial background, interests and dedication to exceptional service was a natural fit for this partnership. ​ Plus we work together well - having trained and run several (half) marathons together, traveled the Serengeti together, planned an exclusive dinner event in the UK Houses of Parliament and more. After thoughtful design discussions with Kyle Seltzer of KAX Lifestyle (thank you Kyle!), A World Within Reach was born.
What is SmartFlyer and how is A World Within Reach associated with them?
A World Within Reach is an affiliate of SmartFlyer, an independent agency working under the SmartFlyer umbrella. ​ SmartFlyer is a network of both in-house and independent travel advisors that focuses on curating strong partnerships throughout the travel industry. This provides you access to more luxurious vendors, unique locations and another level of visibility and buying power to ensure you get the best of the best wherever you choose to go. Smartflyer is also a Virutoso member, an elite, invitation-only consortium of the top 1% of travel providers in the world.
Why should I use a travel advisor?
Consider three reasons: our experience, our expertise and your time. Experience: Spend your time enjoying your travels (not waiting for an uber, waiting in lines, eating at the only place with space or at inconvenient times). Expertise: We are connected with top properties and experience providers. Let us do the leg work to ensure you have the best experience. Time: Your time is valuable. Let us do the research, make the bookings, compile the travel confirmations.
What services do you offer?
We are a full service travel design company. We can plan each moment from your departure to arrival home. Or we can book you the hotel of your dreams. And anything in between. We listen to you - your travel goals, your preferences, your budget - and design the travel experience that best fits you.
Do I need to purchase travel insurance?
We highly recommend you purchase travel insurance for your trip. We are not an authorized insurance company, however we are able to present you with insurance options and connect you with preferred vendors to answer all your insurance questions.
Do you work with on-the-ground teams?
We do. While we have traveled to 80+ countries personally (we are working on the other 110+) we can not be with you on every trip. We work with best-in-class local providers and may team up with your lodging’s concierge to help you find the best dining spots and activities in the area.
What type of itinerary do you provide?
Your itinerary will contain every detail of your trip, including flight information, hotel confirmations, experience/ activity bookings, dining reservations, emergency contacts and more. Your itinerary will be available both on and offline to ensure you have every detail with you at each step.
Do you book group travel?
Absolutely. Are you traveling with your running friends for a marathon? With your girlfriends for a weekend getaway? With an extended family of ages ranging 6 months to 97 years? With your co-workers? With your music-festival-loving-book-club? We have traveled in (almost) every configuration imaginable and are happy to create the perfect itinerary for your group.
Do you book Airbnbs?
We do not typically book Airbnb’s or Vrbo’s. We book you at fully vetted properties within our worldwide network of lodging providers, which does include villas and more private lodging options. We want to ensure you have the best experience wherever you go.
Can you help me book private flights?
Absolutely. We can book and coordinate any flight options from commercial to private to charter. Will you be taking your dog? We know a thing or two about dog transport internationally as Barbara’s dog accompanies her across the pond.
Can you book travel with my rewards points from preferred hotel groups?
Unfortunately, no. We can enter your preferred hotel and airline membership information, but we are unable to book you with reward points.
Can you help plan a night out?
We certainly can if you are also booking hotels or lodging through us.
What important information should I have thought through before contacting you?
Great question. We are happy to chat with you at any planning stage. A few things to think about include: - Where are you thinking about going? (or let’s chat about locations) - When are you thinking of traveling? (next year, next weekend) - What sort of experience are you looking for? (snow, sand, animals) - What is important to you on the trip? (amenities, good food) - What would you like to invest in the trip? (or does budget depend on where/what?)
What happens if something goes wrong during my trip?
Please let us know as soon as possible. Before your trip, you will be added to a WhatsApp group with your A World Within Reach contacts and others on your trip. This is the best way to reach out with questions, concerns or changes. You will also receive 24 hour support and emergency contact numbers.
What are your fees?
Great question! Our fees can vary depending on the type of trip you're planning. In most cases, we're compensated directly by hotels and tourism partners, so there’s no additional cost to you. That said, every itinerary is unique—so we recommend reaching out with your specific travel plans. We're happy to answer any questions and walk you through the process. Feel free to contact us via the form or email—we’d love to help!
Why do you charge a cancellation fee?
Great question—and one we completely understand. Most agencies offering the level of personalized service we do charge a cancellation fee. Here’s why: - Our time and expertise have value. We invest significant time into understanding your preferences, researching options, and crafting a custom itinerary that’s tailored just for you. If you choose not to move forward, we don’t receive the backend compensation from our travel partners—despite the work already completed. - You gain access to elevated experiences. Our relationships with a network of exclusive and preferred partners unlock special amenities, upgrades, and unique experiences that you wouldn’t have access to on your own. - There’s no markup. You don’t pay more by booking through us. In fact, rates are often the same—or better—than booking directly, with the added benefit of our guidance and support. We value your time, and we value ours. Charging a cancellation fee ensures we can continue to offer the high level of service and attention to detail our clients expect. If you have any questions, we’re always happy to talk more about our process!
Why do you charge a fee for booking flights?
We are happy to book your flights to ensure the most direct routes with minimal transfer times allowing you to maximize time on the ground at your destinations. For most flights airlines do not pay commissions to travel advisors, so we do charge a fee for this service. Please see our website Pricing section for details. You may opt to book your own flights and leave the rest of the planning to us.