Research Travel Planning for Writers
Most travel advisors plan vacations. We plan research trips.
Whether you're a novelist gathering sensory details for a setting, a nonfiction writer conducting interviews, or a memoirist tracing family history, research travel has different requirements than leisure travel. You need time in archives, not theme parks. Conversations with locals, not guided tours. Flexibility to follow leads, not rigid itineraries.
Early & Away specializes in understanding what writers need and translating that into practical logistics. We design customized itineraries that support your specific research goals, then handle the bookings so you can focus on observation rather than coordination.
You travel independently, with the confidence that someone who understands the writer's process has thought through every detail.
Why Work With a Travel Advisor
Research travel requires different planning than vacation travel. You need the right neighborhood, not just a convenient one. Time for unexpected discoveries, not a packed itinerary. Someone who understands why three days in one market town might matter more than four cities in a week.
You get access you can't get booking online. As an Ensemble Travel Group member, I offer hotel upgrades, complimentary amenities, early check-in/late check-out, and connections to vetted local experts and destination specialists worldwide—benefits that support research, not just comfort.
You're not paying more. Travel advisors are compensated through supplier commissions. You typically pay the same price (or less) and receive more value through included amenities and expert planning.
You get your time back. Instead of hours researching accommodations, train schedules, and archive access, you arrive with a plan designed around your project—and someone to call if plans change.
How It Works
We begin with a conversation about your project: What are you writing? What questions do you need answered? What do you need to see, feel, hear, and understand?
From there, we design an itinerary tailored to your research goals and handle all bookings and logistics.
You travel independently, with the confidence that someone who understands writers has thought through every detail—from which neighborhood offers the best walking routes to which museums allow photography to how much unstructured time you'll need to process what you're learning.
Service Levels
Choose the level of support that matches your needs and budget:
The Research Scout — For the self-sufficient planner Investment: $250–$500
A comprehensive research plan and location guide for your project, designed to help you book and navigate your own trip.
What's included:
- Detailed research plan with recommended sites, museums, archives, and cultural experiences
- Curated accommodation and transportation options
- Cultural preparation materials and suggested reading
- Two 30-minute consultation calls
- One revision
Best for: Writers comfortable booking their own travel who need expert guidance on where to go and what to research.
The Research Journey — Our core offering Trip value: $3,000–$8,000 (you pay for travel costs; $250 planning fee)
Complete trip planning and booking for a 5–14 day research trip, customized to your project and destination.
What's included:
- Pre-trip consultation to understand your research goals
- Customized daily itinerary based on your project needs
- All accommodation, transportation, and activity bookings
- Pre-arranged access to archives, special collections, or expert consultations where possible
- Cultural preparation materials and reading recommendations
- Pre-departure briefing and post-trip debrief
- 24/7 support during your travel
Best for: Writers who want comprehensive planning support and value efficiency. This is our most popular service.
Timeline: 8–10 weeks minimum from inquiry to departure
The Immersion Experience — For deep research requiring specialized access Trip value: $8,000–$15,000+ (you pay for travel costs; planning fee $250)
Everything in the Research Journey, elevated with specialized access and deeper support for complex research needs.
What's included:
- Everything in Research Journey, plus:
- Pre-arranged meetings with local experts, historians, translators, or cultural guides
- Private tours or after-hours museum/archive access
- Translator or research assistant services if needed
- Extended trip length (2–3 weeks)
- More personalized, flexible support
- Optional: on-site companion/guide for portions of the trip
Best for: Established authors with book advances, writers with complex research requiring specialized access, or those seeking deeply personalized experiences.
Timeline: 10–12 weeks minimum from inquiry to departure
Destinations
Early & Away designs research trips worldwide, with particular expertise in:
- The United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales)
- Western Europe (Italy, Croatia, Germany, France)
- Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore)
- South America (Peru, Ecuador)
- The United States (all regions)
Don't see your destination listed? We work globally and welcome inquiries for any location that serves your research.
Ready to Begin?
If you're working on a project that requires place-based research, we'd love to hear about it.
Schedule a consultation to discuss your research needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a published author to work with Early & Away? No. We work with writers at all stages—emerging, established, and everything in between. What matters is that you're engaged in a project that requires place-based research.
How far in advance should I book? For all individual trips, we require a minimum of 8–10 weeks advance booking. For complex international trips or those requiring specialized access, 10–12 weeks is ideal.
Do you only work with fiction writers? No. We work with novelists, nonfiction writers, essayists, journalists, memoirists, genealogists, and anyone whose writing benefits from deep engagement with place.
What if I'm not sure exactly what I need? That's what our initial consultation is for. We'll ask questions about your project and help identify what kind of research would be most valuable.
What happens if I need to cancel? Cancellation policies vary by service level and are detailed in your service agreement. We recommend travel insurance for all trips, which we can help you secure.