How our guides are made
Editorial Policy
Travel advice is only useful if it's accurate. Here's how we research, write, source and update every guide on this site — and what we will never claim.
Last updated
Who writes our guides
Guides are researched and maintained by Empyrean Travel, a Los Angeles travel agency owned by Gigi Becker and providing travel management since 1984. Our specialties — corporate travel management, French Polynesia and Africa — get the deepest coverage, because that's where our experience is.
How we research
Every guide is built from primary and authoritative sources, which we link at the bottom of the page:
- Government sources for entry rules, documents, safety and health — such as the U.S. Department of State, TSA, CBP, the CDC and foreign governments
- Official tourism boards, national park and wildlife authorities, and airports
- Airlines, cruise lines and long-established hotels and lodges, for how they operate
We use modern research tools, including AI, to help gather and organize information. Facts that matter — rules, requirements, seasons, routes — are checked against the official sources we cite before publication.
Answer first, then the detail
Each guide opens with a short “Quick answer” that stands on its own, followed by the nuance, a list of frequently asked questions and the official sources. That makes our guides easy to scan for people — and easy for search engines and AI assistants to quote accurately.
Facts that change
Entry rules, fees, schedules and prices change often. Where a guide mentions one, we state the stable rule, mark specific figures “as of” a date, and point you to the official source. Every page shows the date it was last reviewed. Always confirm requirements before you travel — or ask us and we'll check for your specific trip.
What we will never do
- Publish fake reviews, testimonials or invented statistics
- Accept payment to include or rank a destination, hotel or supplier in a guide
- Use affiliate links in our guides or travel resources
- Claim first-hand experience we don't have
How we make money
Empyrean Travel is a full-service travel agency. Like most advisors, we're compensated through supplier commissions and, for some services, planning fees — which are always explained before you book. Our Virtuoso affiliation through Andavo Travel gives clients access to amenities at partner hotels; it does not decide what we recommend. See how travel advisors get paid.
Corrections
Spotted something out of date or wrong? Email gigi@emptvl.com and we'll review it promptly and update the page.