From Planning My Own Trips to Crafting Yours: My Journey as a Travel Advisor
Planning, perks, and peace of mind: What I can offer you as your advisor.
How I Caught the Travel Bug (and Why I Became a Travel Advisor)
My love for travel started early. Growing up, my family would tag along on my dad’s work incentive trips, usually family-friendly and sun-filled destinations. But the experience that truly changed everything came after college, when my grandmother took my aunt, my two cousins, and me to Italy for the ultimate girls’ trip.
It was my first time traveling internationally and I was instantly hooked.
We each had a “job.” One cousin kept the diary, another tracked our spending. I was in charge of the art history, as I had just taken a class on Renaissance Art at University of Iowa. My aunt and I enjoyed making many “investments” in local shops. We saw La Traviata at the Arena di Verona in the rain and didn’t care one bit. We navigated trains, stayed in beautiful hotels, and stumbled through conversations with locals. My aunt even found her wedding dress and her husband’s wedding tie on that trip.
There are so many stories, many that fade with time, but the feeling remains vivid. That trip, almost thirty years ago, still feels like yesterday, and it was the perfect first taste of the world.
Since then, I’ve traveled to 17 more countries, but that experience in Italy remains foundational. I didn’t realize it at the time, but that trip planted the seed for what would become my calling in this next chapter of my life: helping others experience the world with curiosity, connection to local culture, and doing so with confidence.
The article my grandmother wrote for her local paper, all about our trip, plus an excerpt from the detailed journal my cousin gifted us afterwards. From first Italy trip 2000.
Why I Became a Travel Advisor
I thrive the moment my husband and I choose a destination. I dive headfirst into researching hotels, neighborhoods, restaurants, transit routes, museums, coastal walks, wine bars tucked down alleyways, unexpected finds. I document everything in Google docs, spreadsheets, notebooks, or many times, the mental filing cabinet in my brain.
I love the planning. For me, it brings almost as much joy as taking the trip, uncovering new discoveries, feeling prepared for the unexpected, and having the confidence to pivot when things don’t go as planned. There’s a certain empowerment that comes from navigating something unfamiliar, and to me, that’s what travel is all about.
I love arriving prepared, but still open to spontaneity. I love the sense of grounded confidence that grows with each new experience. Travel isn’t about checking boxes or rushing through every landmark—it’s about truly experiencing the place you’re in.
After leaving my corporate role, I realized I was at a crossroads. I’ve always gravitated towards helping others discover food, wine, and travel experiences. I initially thought I might create a blog filled with recipes, wine features, and occasional travel itineraries. But then I realized that there’s an actual profession that marries all of this. And becoming an independent travel advisor with Fora felt like the perfect fit.
Through Fora, I have access to an extraordinary network, best-in-class resources, insider relationships, and the freedom to build The Curated Course in a way that reflects my values. I choose the partners I want to work with. I’m not incentivized to push a particular hotel or brand. I can take on as many or as few clients as I choose. And I have the training and infrastructure to support every step of the journey, from the moment you leave home to the moment you return.
Experiencing Chinese New Year in Hong Kong. From Hong Kong in 2018.
Why It Comes Naturally
My years leading project management teams, as well as owning and operating restaurants, equipped me with invaluable skills that translate seamlessly into how I support my clients today. I learned how to:
negotiate with confidence
build and nurture relationships - with clients and suppliers
optimize time to make every moment count
manage budgets thoughtfully
problem-solve in real time
research strategically
communicate clearly and empathetically
stay calm under pressure
These strengths didn’t stay behind in those roles, they came with me. When I advocate for my clients, navigate a delicate situation with a hotel, or smooth out logistics before they become stress points, I’m drawing directly on those same skill sets. It feels less like a career shift and more like a natural continuation of the work I’ve always done, just now in a position that brings me so much joy.
What’s travel if you don’t have some fun?? From Paris 2023.
What I Actually Do (and How I Help)
Even if you’ve always booked your own trips, here are the areas where as your Travel Advisor I can add real value, both practical and emotional:
Hotels & Location
I help you choose accommodations and neighborhoods based not just on aesthetics or name recognition, but:
where you’ll be spending time
how the city is laid out
transit access
local vibe
early morning departures
walkability and safety
Being Your Advocate
If something goes wrong such as a room issue, incorrect bill, or experience that doesn’t match expectations, I step in. Having someone negotiate from outside the situation often yields better results, while you stay in vacation mode.
Upgrades & Perks
When booking through an advisor, you’re prioritized, regardless of loyalty status (this is something most people don’t know and trust me, we’ve tested it with my husband’s fancy Bonvoy status vs. me booking something for us, I’ve gotten the upgrade and he hasn’t!). I can often secure:
complimentary upgrades (based on availability)
daily breakfast for 2
hotel or onboard cruise ship credits
early check-ins / late check-outs
VIP status and welcome amenities
Access to the Best Networks
I draw from major hotel groups and cruise lines including: Aman, Belmond, Auberge, Rosewood, Leading Hotels of the World, Marriott Bonvoy, Hyatt, Hilton, Viking, AmaWaterways, Regent Seven Seas, and more, along with access to Virtuoso benefits.
Immersive Itinerary Design
My philosophy: do less, but do it well. Your itinerary should feel exploratory, but not frantic. The idea is to really experience, not just check boxes.
I build immersive itineraries meaning that you experience the location like a local. I also take into consideration your requests and balance it with experience. The strategy is to stay awake on your arrival day, but paired with lighter activities so you can make it through and get your sea legs for the rest of your trip.
You’re NEVER going to see everything. That’s just not possible. There are going to be cities or places you visit that you know you may never return to, and that’s okay. See what is most interesting to you, and understand that it’s physically impossible to see everything that everyone has ever toured.
We define non-negotiables first, and that often includes dining. Some of the world’s best restaurants require strategizing, connections, and timing, and I help with that too.
The BEST carne cruda in Piemonte, topped with shaved white truffles. From Truffle Fest 2019.
Relationships & Local Support
I have access to global specialists whose singular goal is to make your trip exceptional. These companies have on the ground support to help navigate the inevitable hiccups that take place and work to pivot as needed.
Logistics: The Invisible Glue
From navigating train routes in Europe to coordinating airport transfers in unfamiliar cities, to knowing what to do when your room isn’t ready at 9 am or how to tackle that first jet-lag-filled day, I handle the practical pieces that shape the rhythm of your trip. I make sure your time is spent enjoying, not troubleshooting. Travel should feel intentional and effortless, not rushed or frantic.
Decision Fatigue
If you’ve narrowed your choices to three hotels or four destinations, I will help you get to one. It’s amazing how much relief comes from not making every decision alone.
What I’m Planning Right Now
Several clients are exploring unique Spring Break destinations, and I love how this creates a perfect Christmas gift for the whole family! As one client noted, it sets the stage for the kids to value experiences over things, and also provides the perfect backdrop for a themed Christmas morning (as examples, add berets and macarons to the kids’ stockings for a Parisian theme, a mini piñata for a Mexican beach vacation, or origami for a Japanese adventure). Finally, it helps provide anticipation for what’s to come during the drab winter months of January and February.
There are also some fantastic Travel Tuesday opportunities right now, including last-minute festive getaways at exceptional value, like up to 40% off select Auberge properties or the 3rd night free at several NYC hotels (and truly, there’s no better place to feel the full magic of the holiday season than New York in December).
And don’t forget about those long winter weekends in January and February—it’s a perfect chance for a Caribbean escape or a restorative spa retreat to reset your mindset for the year ahead.
For those dreaming a bit further ahead, if 2026 travel is on your horizon, now is the time for thoughtful early planning. I’m already securing preferred rates and benefits through my advisor network, and would love to help you shape something meaningful. Check out my Fora page below if you want help designing a unique trip that will stay with you long after you return home!