PLANNING A TRIP? WE DO RESEARCH RIGHT.
Planning a trip takes time. Lots of time. If you want to truly experience a place, you need to put in many hours of research before you go.
We do research right.
We know where to look for local gems and unique ways to see familiar landmarks.
We love the hunt—for the coolest, the best, the most interesting, the truly authentic.
We search wide and dig deep. We scour the overwhelming and ever-expanding array of travel resources—from guidebooks and podcasts to online forums and social media—to find unforgettable, under-the-radar eats, sights, shops, and more, at your destination.
We also get recommendations from locals whenever possible and firsthand accounts from fellow travelers who have been there.
Let us “scout out” the spots that will make your trip yours. We go beyond the famous, familiar, must-see sights and pinpoint lesser-known local finds that will help you feel connected to people and place.
Tell us where you’re going and what you want from your travels, and we’ll deliver a custom-made Scout Report tailored to your goals, budget, and interests.
If you don’t love to research (we do) or you are pressed for time (we’re not), or want an Upper Round Road perspective, then a Scout Report is for you.
To get things started, drop us a note here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need a Scout Report?
We believe it’s essential to do research before you go, so you can be truly present once you’re there.
But there’s a mind-boggling amount of travel info out there these days: websites, social media, bloggers, influencers, articles, AI apps, guidebooks, travel forums… on and on.
That’s a lot to sink your teeth into—and if you’re busy with work, or family, or simply don’t like doing research, a Scout Report will provide essential intel to help you experience your destination in an authentic and meaningful way.
Let us give you a hand doing the research that’s required to take your trip to the next level.
How, exactly, do you create my custom report?
We burrow into the endless and often confounding rabbit holes of travel content and happily lose ourselves down there so you don’t have to.
We search wide and dig deep. We scour the overwhelming and ever-expanding array of travel resources—from guidebooks and podcasts to online forums and social media—to find unforgettable, under-the-radar eats, sights, shops, and more, at your destination.
We also get recommendations from locals and firsthand accounts from fellow travelers who have been there, whenever possible.
We take all this information—verify and vet it—and organize it into your personalized Scout Report.
What do I get, once your research is complete?
A detailed, easy-to-follow, personalized guide of recommendations that will help you feel more connected to your destination and experience a truly meaningful, memorable trip. More traveler, less tourist; that’s the goal! Your Scout Report includes links and references so you can learn more about each of our suggestions.
Throughout the scouting process, we stay in touch and work closely with you to give you exactly what you need to make the most of your journey.
Do you make reservations and book tickets?
No. We are travel advisors. We are not travel agents. We don’t make reservations for you. We don’t book tickets. We provide sound, well-researched recommendations to help you finalize your plans and carry with you on your journey. Our interest is only in elevating your experience..
How is an Upper Round Road Scout Report different from other options out there?
We love doing research. We know where to look, what to look for, what to trust, where the BS lurks, and how to zero in on the best information to enhance your trip. We check, re-check, cross-reference, and confirm to be sure we’re giving you the best and most accurate, up-to-date suggestions possible.
We offer honest, unbiased recommendations. We don’t have travel partners. We don’t receive commissions.
And… We’re actual human beings! Not an app. Not AI. That’s important. Read on…
What about AI?
Sure, there are AI tools that will help you plan your trip. But they’re proving to be unreliable, error-prone, and often make recommendations based on old data.
Do you really want to rely on out-of-date information about a recommended restaurant in Budapest?
Or have AI suggest a shop in Taipei that closed two years ago?
With Scout Report, you’ll work with real humans who provide a personal touch to your travel planning. That’s a far cry from the digitized, algorithmed, unenlightened advice you get from artificial intelligence.
AI can’t provide the creative thinking and nuance necessary to finesse a truly personalized plan. We can! And we check, vet, verify, and confirm before we make recommendations.
How do I get started?
Drop a note here to let us know you’re interested in a Scout Report. We’ll send you a short Scout Report Questionnaire to help us learn about your trip—then we’ll follow up with a call to get additional details and put together your report.
How much does it cost?
The Scout Report fee structure is based upon the depth of research requested. Once we receive a completed Scout Report Questionnaire, we will provide an estimate. Fees start at $200.
How long does it take?
Timing depends on the depth of research requested. Ideally, we prefer at least two weeks to produce a thorough report and longer for deep dives and multiple locations.
Do I really need an Upper Round Road Scout Report?
YES, if any of these scenarios sound like you:
"I want to be more traveler, less tourist.”
“I can figure out the ‘must-sees’ myself, but I want an expert to find under-the-radar awesomeness for me to explore.”
“I started planning, but got too busy. My trip is around the corner and I’m running out of time.”
“I’m not good at doing research. I don’t even like doing research.”
“Research? You mean I need to do research before I go?”
“Where do I start? This is overwhelming. All these travel sites are saying different things!”
“We’re planning this trip on super-short notice.”
“The kids are sick. Work is crazy. I’m totally stressed out with all this planning I’ve got to do. Help!”
When should I contact you and order a Scout Report?
The sooner the better. The earlier we start to research and plan your trip, the more time we have to discover what’s out there. Send us a note here and we’ll get the ball rolling!