At Touch of Jewel Events, we believe milestones deserve to be celebrated in meaningful, intentional, and luxurious ways—no matter the zip code (or country). When Titi’s husband entrusted us with curating a surprise destination birthday travel experience in Marbella, Spain for her 40th, we knew we were creating more than an event—we were crafting a once-in-a-lifetime experience, virtually.

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how we successfully planned an international celebration for 12 guests—all from our headquarters in Dallas, Texas—with not a single in-person visit prior to arrival.


Destination events require a special kind of coordination, and virtual planning adds another layer of strategy, communication, and precision. From the start, we were in touch with the luxury concierge and VIP services team at Ikos Andalusia, a five-star, all-inclusive Mediterranean resort nestled along the Marbella coast.

We navigated:

Time zone differences between Texas (CST) and Spain (CET)
International coordination meetings via Zoom, email, and WhatsApp
Timeline tracking using shared Google Docs, Calendars, and task boards

Our planning services included:

Full travel itinerary creation
Transportation coordination from airport pickups to a Tesla rental for the birthday queen
Welcome gift curation delivered to guests’ rooms
Excursion planning, including a private yacht day
Daily dining and restaurant confirmations
Aesthetic dress code planning
Spa bookings and free time suggestions
A digital guest guidebook designed on Canva with clickable links, contacts, and visuals


Because the guests were flying in from all over the US, we coordinated private airport group shuttles to ensure everyone arrived at the airport with ease. Upon landing in Spain, private shuttles were scheduled by arrival time to bring each guest to the resort in comfort.

At the resort, we pre-arranged:

A champagne welcome note from the TOJ team to the birthday queen
Room allocations, concierge service briefings, and personalized touches
Luggage assistance and room readiness in partnership with the VIP Services at Ikos
Each guest received a beautifully designed Welcome Guide which included:
Daily itinerary of all scheduled activities
Links to menus and resort restaurant hours
Tesla rental details for self-driving adventures
Spa booking confirmations
What to pack & dress code reminders
Local exploration tips for Marbella & the Andalusia region
We even included a curated packing checklist with reminders about European travel adapters and spa-appropriate swimwear!


We organized unforgettable moments throughout the week, including:

A private Yacht Day cruising along the southern Spanish coast
Curated dinners with pre-reserved restaurant confirmations and group menus
Relaxation blocks with spa reservations for the celebrant and friends
Recommendations for cultural experiences and scenic town exploration nearby
Each day felt both curated and relaxed—the perfect balance of luxury and leisure.

5 Planning Tips for a Seamless Virtual Destination Celebration

Whether you’re a fellow planner or a client dreaming of a destination birthday, here are key takeaways from this successful Marbella experience:

Choose a resort with a dedicated VIP or concierge team. This ensures on-the-ground coordination when you can’t physically be there.

Over-communicate. Use shared documents, video calls, and emails with clear time stamps and expectations.

Create a digital guest guidebook. Guests feel at ease when they have everything in one place—from dress codes to daily plans.

Plan arrival logistics tightly. Transportation to/from airport, hotel check-in flow, and room gifting should feel seamless.

Build in personal touches. Whether it’s a champagne note or personalized itinerary, these thoughtful details create unforgettable moments.