If you don’t want an average trip, don’t plan it like the average person
Leave the planning in our hands, it’s what we do best.
“We would recommend Marina in a heartbeat to anyone that wants to have an authentic experience.” Dilu, UK
Your itinerary as unique as you are
Customised to your needs
Goodbye to standardised itineraries and trip templates.
We craft your entire trip — from the destinations, to accommodations, and unique experiences — completely for you.
Validated by you
Your itinerary is finished when you are 100% satisfied with the result.
We’ll present you a first draft and have a call with you, so you can ask us any question you like, fine tune your itinerary, and polish all the details.
Available everywhere
We’ll send you the final itinerary in a PDF that you’ll be able to download and bring with you during your holidays.
All you need is a phone. And wherever it goes, your itinerary will follow.
Curated by locals
We were born and raised in Catalonia and currently live in Andorra.
We provide you with insights and tips directly from the source, and show you a side of our country that few get to see.
Away from the touristy eye
We’re sick of social media pointing travellers to the same “secret” spots.
Your trip will only include places we love and trust, not the ones that shape the mass travel market, or are overhyped.
Your holidays shouldn’t feel like work
Did you know that 43% of people waste more time researching their vacation than they actually spend on their vacation?
If you plan a trip on your own, on average…
- You’ll spend 40 hours researching, with dozens of tabs open on your browser.
- You’ll use Google Translate and will still have to decipher what a “hooded ox” (bou capllaçat) means.
- One or two meals during your trip will go wrong.
- You’ll miss on places you don’t know.
- You’ll think that paella is a typical Catalan dish.
- You won’t find the name of that place you wanted to visit because you either forgot where you saw it or lost the document where you saved it.
- You’ll need a massage to ease the stress of planning.
If you plan a trip with us, on average…
- You’ll spend 40 hours doing things you love and daydreaming about your adventure, while we handle the process of meticulously coordinating all the details.
Having your dream trip planned with us is a breeze
Our trip design service focuses on every aspect of planning your bespoke trip for an authentic travel experience. From start to finish, and everything in between.
Step 1: Discovery
Explain us your dream trip so we can get to know what you’re looking for and see if we’re a good fit. We’ll then confirm if we’re able to help you and send you the final price.
Step 2: Design
We’ll email you a link to book your slot for a 60-min call on our calendar and a questionnaire. On the day of the call, we’ll present you the itinerary options we’ve designed.
Step 3: Review
We make any adjustments to the itinerary (if needed) based on your feedback and, once you’re happy with the result, we send the final plan in PDF to you.
Don’t just take our word for it
I’ll always remember the trip to Barcelona having Marina and Marc as my guide. They planned my 2 days there so wisely that I could see most of the significant spots of the city, which were all a sight of wonders: the Sagrada Família, the Gaudí park, Montjuïc…
They also let me experience the local vibes, visiting a square where the young locals often hang out. I enjoyed our walk to the beach as I could have a close look at the neighborhoods, the local stores and bought a chorizo sandwich to enjoy after dipping in the sea. In between visiting the places were times for trying lots of delicious local food.
Overall the experience felt so complete yet wanting to return for more. I can’t wait to have another trip planned by Marina and Marc.
My friends and I had a blast in Barcelona thanks to Marina’s amazing travel tips and planning.
The best thing is that we saw the city through the eyes of a local: we saw gorgeous places and took part to events that we would have never discovered otherwise. The cherry on the top: the most amazing food in cosy local restaurants far away from the touristy eye!
We would recommend Marina in a heartbeat to anyone that wants to have an authentic experience!
FAQ
What is included in the Bespoke Itinerary?
The design of an itinerary completely tailored to your requirements.
The itinerary includes the following:
– Restaurant recommendations for breakfast (if it’s not included with the accommodation), lunch, and dinner
– Fabulous accommodation options
– Experiences and activities explicitly selected for you
What is NOT included in the Bespoke Itinerary service?
Our Bespoke Itinerary service is all about planning, not booking. We’re not travel agents, so we won’t make reservations for you, but we’ll give you all the links you need for accommodations, tours, and services we recommend.
We also don’t handle flight research, travel options to Catalonia, or visa requirements, but we’re here to help you make the most of your time once you arrive!
What if the itinerary is not 100% what I expected?
If the itinerary doesn’t feel quite right after the first round of revisions, no worries! We’ll make a second round of edits, and if needed, we can hop on another Google Meet call to fine-tune the details.
How far in advance do we need to plan?
We typically need about a month’s notice (or more) depending on your destination, travel dates, and trip length.
Some accommodations and experiences book out 6–12 months in advance, especially during peak seasons, so the earlier we start, the better!
If you’re planning last-minute, don’t hesitate to reach out. If we can’t take it on, we’ll do our best to steer you in the right direction.
Can I contact you after receiving the final itinerary?
Once you receive your final itinerary, feel free to email us with any practical questions about your trip. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
Can I contact you during my trip?
Is every trip plan really personalised?
Who will design my trip?
Your itinerary will be crafted by me, Marina. I’m one of Unexpected Catalonia’s founders and the voice behind our Travel Guides and The Travel Newsletter.
Born and raised between Catalonia and Andorra, I’ve spent years uncovering the most unique and authentic experiences these regions have to offer.
My goal? To help you experience Catalonia and Andorra like a local, immersing yourself in the culture, staying in charming hideaways, and making every moment of your trip unforgettable.
How flexible is the itinerary?
Your itinerary will be more like a well-curated menu than a rigid schedule.
You’ll get structured recommendations (daily activity ideas, routes, and local spots) without feeling like you’re on a strict timetable. It’s designed to give you enough guidance to maximise your trip while leaving room for spontaneity, flexibility, and personal preferences.
Want to swap a hike for a lazy morning at a café? Go for it. Feel like adding a last-minute detour? You’ll have all the info to make it happen easily.
Bespoke Itinerary Investment
The cost of the Bespoke Itinerary service depends on the length of your trip. It starts at 237€ for a weekend plan with an additional 19€ per extra day.
If you have special requests (ex. a number of people higher than 6 or a trip longer than 20 days), please drop us an email.
Ready for your next adventure?
Get in touch to start planning your holidays.
Hey,
This is Marina, co-founder of Unexpected Catalonia.
On average, people do a ~2-week trip per year. They save all year to spend some time doing what they like, with the people they love, wherever they want.
At the same time, countless hours are wasted trying to find the right info, deciding where to eat, or planning the itineraries.
We created Unexpected Catalonia for people who want to enjoy the trip of a lifetime without wasting a single minute in a less-than-great place, boring plan or dull meal.
This Trip Design is a curated service to help you plan a unique and personalised trip to Catalonia or Andorra with the confidence that you’re guided by a local and won’t make a bad choice.
I can’t wait to plan your itinerary, and if, in the meantime, you need more info, feel free to join our newsletter, check our blog, or get our ultimate planning map.
Happy travels,
Marina