Hey, I’m Laura, and travel changed my life.
Although I have always loved travel, it wasn’t until I got divorced in 2017 that my desire to see the world was truly ignited. I had wasted a decade of my life being unhappy, and I decided then and there to make travel a priority. After spending 2020 cooped up and unable to travel, I realized how much I not only wanted but needed travel in my life. So I decided to do something about it.
But there was one problem—nobody wanted to travel with me. I was single and in my late 30s, watching all my friends juggle kids and mortgages while I'm over here trying to convince someone - anyone - to explore Morocco with me. And while solo travel is cool and all, some places felt a bit sketchy to tackle alone as a woman.
I looked into group trips, but they weren’t appealing to me - so many generic tourist traps with zero personality and even less cultural awareness. That's when it hit me: What if I created the exact kind of trips I wished existed? The kind where you actually connect with local communities instead of just treating their home like a photo backdrop?
So I went all in. I tested everything myself first - because if I'm going to tell you to take a mud bath on a Colombian volcano or eat grasshoppers in Mexico City, you better believe I've done it too. I rode camels in the Sahara, floated over ancient pyramids in hot air balloons - the whole nine yards.
In 2021, I said goodbye to my 14-year career in higher education to go all in on my dream. Since then, I've taken over 230 people to 9 countries, building the kind of travel experiences I wish I'd found when I was looking.
So now I am inviting you to come along for the ride.
Why travel with me?
Fair question. Let me be straight with you: If you're looking for those massive tour groups where you're herded around like cattle and only talk to locals trying to sell you stuff, I'm not your girl.
My trips are different because, honestly, I refuse to settle for the mundane version of group travel. You know the type - 40 people crammed in a bus, following some rando with a flag, taking photos of locals like they're exhibits in a zoo. Hard pass.
Instead, I keep things small and real. Like, "getting invited into someone's home to learn their secret family recipes" real. Or "playing soccer with kids in the Sahara Desert while their moms feed us homemade bread" real. Or "bringing medical supplies to Cuban families who actually need them" real.
And yeah, we stay in some pretty epic spots - think art deco homes in Mexico City and literal caves in Cappadocia. But it's not about the 'gram (though your photos will be fire). It's about creating the kind of experiences that make you see the world - and yourself - differently.
Here's the thing: I'm not just sending you off with some random foreign guide I've never met. Me or one of my trusted tour leader besties are there with you to hold your hand (or your beer). On every. Single. Trip. Because these aren't just vacations I'm planning - they're the exact adventures I wish I'd found when I was looking for something more meaningful than another resort holiday.
Here’s how traveling with me will benefit you. ⇟
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Whether it's planning a hot air balloon ride over the pyramids of Teotihuacan, hitting up the local port wineries of Northern Portugal, or swimming with plankton in Cartagena, I've got it figured out. I spend countless hours researching the best of the best in every place I go and making local connections so you don't have to hope you’re making the most of your precious time off.
When you travel with me, you know everything you do is going to be an amazing experience because I’ve already tested it all myself—and it’s always changing!
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Going to a new country can be scary! Navigating a place you’ve never been when you can’t speak the language can be enough to deter you from going at all.
I’ve been to 26 countries (many of them multiple times) and 6 continents. I’ve lived in Spain twice. And I know a thing or two about finding the best flights.
I’m used to trouble-shooting, I know how to navigate foreign places, and I am confident in helping others do the same. Plus, we have local guides helping us throughout the entire trip!
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You won’t find any all-inclusives or cruise ships on my trips, and that’s by design. I believe travel should minimize the negative impacts of tourism and be beneficial to the area in which it takes place, like supporting the local economy, giving back, and helping those less fortunate.
The goal is always to leave a place better than we found it and give more than we take. That’s why I’ve partnered with 1% For the Planet and pledge to give at least 1% of my annual revenue to environmental and social impact organizations around the world.
Learn more about why positive impact travel is at the core of my business.
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I might be a travel planner, but I always leave room for spontaneity. Ya girl gets some FOMO!
I will try anything at least once, even if I am terrified. I want to see each place through the eyes of a local, and I love immersing myself in each culture to get the most authentic experience possible--sometimes that means crashing a Colombian quinceanera, getting an impromptu cleansing by a shaman, or eating crickets. My trips are well-planned out, but we always have some unexpected activities—that’s sometimes the best part! -
One of my passions is travel photography and videography, and I LOVE making people feel confident through photos. That means you're guaranteed to go home with Insta-worthy photos of yourself that you’ll actually love because I am documenting our trips every step of the way.
You’ll get select photos from me throughout the trip that you can post daily on social media or send to your friends back home, and a full album of our trip upon return. (see some examples here)!
Sometimes we might even have professional photographers or videographers along for the ride.
Check out some of my travel pics and stories on Instagram.
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Despite being an ambivert and liking my alone time, I love making new travel friends. My groups come home from every trip with at least a handful of new friends, usually from all over the world. Plus, I have local connections in my partner countries to help us find off the beaten path activities that can’t be found with just a Google search.
It’s honestly one of my favorite parts of traveling, and I can’t wait to have you join our travel family!
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I frequently travel to Spanish-speaking countries because I grew up learning Spanish. While we often have local guides who speak English, traveling with someone who speaks another language certainly never hurts. And I'll give you Spanish lessons along the way!
7 Questions With Laura
What was the first country you ever visited?
Venezuela. My parents took me when I was 12, and that’s right around the time I started studying Spanish.
What is your favorite place to visit in the world?
Oof, this is so hard! I can never just pick a favorite anything! That being said, I love Cappadocia, Turkey and the Sahara Desert.
Did you seriously quit your job to do this?
Yep! After 14 years of working in higher education, I was ready for a change. I wanted to travel more than I was able to and wanted the flexibility to work from anywhere in the world. I also love the idea of having creative freedom over my own business. Life is short! If you’re not happy, do something about it!
Is this really all you do for work?
For the most part! I also run an AirBnb side-biz, and I am always working on creating new offerings for my business. I like to keep busy!
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Probably this. Starting my own business and walking away from the security and safety of a great career to the unknown—that decision did not come easily. There have been lots of long work days and lots of tears, but I am extremely proud of myself for taking the leap!
What’s the most difficult thing you’ve ever done?
Leaving my marriage. I was in a very unhealthy situation for a very long time, and I lost myself in the process. Ending that relationship and starting over at 33 was terrifying, but it was so worth it—it’s shaped who I am today, and I have zero regrets.
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
Anyone who goes out with me knows I like to rap. I do a mean rendition of Shoop and I’m On a Boat by The Lonely Island.
Group Trip Testimonials
“I have always had a passion for travel, but often find myself overwhelmed with the task of planning the details of a trip. Laura takes the worry out of traveling! She handles all the details and plans an incredible experience. I found myself doing and seeing things that I would have never sought out myself! It doesn’t matter if you’re well-traveled or don’t have a single stamp in your passport – Laura takes the time to curate a trip that everyone will enjoy. In addition to all the wonderful activities, I left the trip with brand new friends that started as strangers! My trip with Laura to CDMX is easily one of the most memorable travel experiences I have.” — Taylor
“Laura’s CDMX trip was one of the most fun trips I’ve been on in years! I travel a lot and usually the planning of the trip is so much work that I give up on seeing everything. On Laura’s trip, all I had to do was show up. We did so many things that I never would have found on my own. We also did things that I maybe wouldn’t have picked for myself but ended totally enjoying!! I also liked sharing the experience with a group of new friends and getting to know people as part of the experience. I definitely can’t wait to join Laura on another trip to some exotic place!!” — Rachel