Featured Off-the-Beaten-Path Travel Experts

For the past six years, my family and I have lived and traveled continuously around the world, visiting every continent in a 13-month span and documenting the experience as full-time travel creators. Along the way, our YouTube channels have grown to more than 700,000 subscribers, drawn not to glossy brochure travel, but to the real version: the logistics, the decisions, the tradeoffs, and the moments that don’t fit neatly into an Instagram square. After decades spent running digital marketing agencies, I co-founded ABC Trips, a luxury and adventure travel agency focused on high-touch, experience-driven travel—polar expeditions, African safaris, expedition cruising, private yachts, and deeply cultural itineraries designed for solos, couples, groups, and families. The work sits at the intersection of brokerage, storytelling, and logistics, with a strong bias toward knowing what’s genuinely worth the splurge—and what’s just good marketing. Along the way, I’ve served as a quoted travel industry source for major publications, appeared on network news segments and podcasts, and collaborated closely with leading travel brands, lodges, and expedition operators worldwide. My commentary often focuses on luxury and expedition travel, family and multigenerational travel, travel trends, and what it actually takes to design a location-flexible life that works long-term. These days, my time is split between: - Advising clients on exceptional luxury and adventure travel through ABC Trips - Serving as a media source and collaborator for journalists and brands - Continuing to explore the world with my family—still learning, still curious I’m not especially interested in chasing trends or shouting into the void. I value thoughtful questions, smart conversations, and people who care about doing things well—and enjoying the ride while they’re at it. If our paths cross, there’s a good chance we’ll have something interesting to talk about.

Maina is a tourism professional with extensive experience working at eminent East African brands such as Elewana Collection, Soroi Collection and Angama. She has a love for storytelling, and for the behind-the-scenes intersections where travel, conservation, and relationships converge.

My name is Kristen and I have traveled, lived and worked all across the globe for over a decade. In 2013, after nearly a decade building a career in corporate marketing in NYC, I left it all behind to travel solo across 3 continents and 26 countries. From there I became a scuba diving instructor, and spent the next 10 years living and working in Thailand, Mexico, St. Croix and Florida. In 2017, I was voted PADI's Inspiring Woman Diver of the Year. Beginning in 2024 I joined Fora as a luxury travel planner and have launched my own travel brand and blog, Dear Destination Travel, so that I could help inspire others to make their travel dreams and goals come to life. I have now traveled to 6 continents and over 35 countries. My website, deardestinationtravel.com, is a complete travel resource and inspiration hub.

Jennifer Spatz is the Founder of Global Family Travels and a leader in regenerative, community-based tourism. A cultural anthropologist at heart, she designs immersive travel experiences grounded in her company’s mission to Learn, Serve, and Immerse—connecting travelers meaningfully with local communities, cultures, and natural environments. Through partnerships with global and local nonprofits, Jennifer integrates regenerative tourism principles and aligns programs with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Her journeys combine cultural exchange, educational experiences, homestays, and community-driven projects that strengthen social and environmental systems in the destinations visited. Her insights on regenerative travel have been featured in TravelAge West (“Regenerative Meets Family Fun”) and on the podcast Regenerative Tourism: When Sustainability Isn’t Enough. (see all news links here: https://www.globalfamilytravels.com/news)

Maina is a safari travel specialist, dedicated to helping travelers from around the world experience Africa’s wild beauty safely and authentically. With years of hands-on experience exploring Kenya’s national parks and working closely with trusted safari operators, Maina combines insider knowledge with a passion for wildlife conservation.

Sandals #1 US Travel Agency... Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Rivage Travel Consulting & www.BestCaribbeanResorts.com is a boutique travel consultant group owned by husband and wife duo, Jonathan and Angela Patton. As Sandals specialists with over 15 years of expertise, we have personally visited every resort and booked over 2,000 client trips to Sandals, earning recognition as the 2024 Top Sandals Travel Agency in the USA and ranking among the top seven travel advisors nationwide. Being in the top 1% of all US travel advisors, our Diamond Elite status with Sandals Chairman’s Royal Club means we have insider knowledge and experience when it comes Sandals & Beaches resorts. TRAVEL AWARDS & INDUSTRY RECOGNITION Sandals Resorts Awards 2026 Sandals Chairman’s Royal Club Diamond Elite 2025 Sandals Chairman’s Royal Club Diamond Elite 2024 Sandals Chairman’s Royal Club Diamond Elite 2024 Top Sandals Travel Agency – USA 2024 Top Sandals Travel Agency – South East 2024 Top Sandals Butler Elite Travel Agency 2024 Top Sandals Island Routes Agency - Worldwide 2024 Top 10 Independent Sandals Travel Agency – Worldwide 2024 Sandals Million Dollar Club 2023 Sandals Chairman’s Royal Club Diamond Elite 2023 Sandals Chairman’s Royal Club Platinum Elite 2023 Sandals Chairman’s Royal Club

I'm a mom of 2, and travel often with my husband and kids. I've travelled to nearly 40 countries and lived in 7. My website, Tiny Footsteps Travel, reaches tens of thousands of readers each month. Drawing on nearly a decade as a public school teacher, I create thoughtful, eco-conscious travel guides on my site that are family-friendly, for kids of all ages. I create itineraries, videos, and resources that make meaningful travel accessible for parents and their children. I primarily cover the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America, Scandinavia (especially Sweden, Denmark and Iceland) and the British Isles. I ensure that my readers have a true picture of what their trip entails through honest feedback based on real personal experiences.

I’m the founder of Limitless Morocco Tours and a Morocco travel expert with hands-on experience designing private tours, desert adventures, and cultural journeys across Morocco. I specialize in helping travelers experience authentic Morocco through customized itineraries, local guides, and immersive desert experiences in places like Marrakech and Merzouga. I regularly share expert insights on Morocco travel, safety, itineraries, and best practices for first-time visitors.

Passionate traveller and co-founder of CheckinAway.com, where I share detailed reviews and guides for upscale hotels and unique destinations. Exploring the world one trip at a time—here to share insights and help you plan unforgettable adventures!

Howdy! I'm Joey, a freelance writer, content strategist, and podcaster with 10+ years of experience. I write compelling stories for cloud and finserv, HR, home, and travel companies. With my background in PR and marketing, I can hone in on your brand's strengths. I'm also a strong interviewer and ghostwriter and love helping executives build their personal voice.Looking to bring in more business? I'll partner with you on a content and SEO strategy that delivers what potential customers are looking for — then we'll action the heck out of it.Got a mountain of data or a lengthy webinar to sift through? I'll turn it into easily digestible content with strong data analysis and research.Need the perfect voice for that social media video to go viral? I'll use my professional home studio to bring your brand to life. You're doing great work. Let's make sure the world knows about it. Get in touch: jaheld24@gmail.com.

With 25 years in the travel industry across Europe, I have recently started my own business as a travel consultant. Leveraging my experiences as a tour guide in France, Norway and the Benelux, as well as resort work in other countries, I now help plan itineraries for independent travelers to Europe,

Jared Sternberg is a passionate champion for the environment and its communities. With his company, Gondwana Ecotours, he has become a leader in sustainable travel. Raised in a home where sustainability was not only taught, but practiced, Jared understood the importance of preserving the environment around him at an early age. His awareness and appreciation for the world inspired a thirst for travel that began in his adolescence and continued into adulthood. At the University of California, San Diego, Jared pursued an International Studies and Spanish Literature degree. During his studies, he spent a semester abroad in Barcelona to immerse himself in the local language and culture. Following this, he backpacked across Europe, which solidified his belief in the transformative power of travel. Upon graduating, Jared left California again in search of meaningful travel experiences. His journeys led him to Africa, where he worked with locals in Ghana to build a vocational school. Inspired by their resilience and commitment to creating positive social change, Jared reflected more deeply on inequity, privilege, and his role in shaping a better world. As a result, between 2010 and 2013, Jared studied environmental and human rights law at Tulane University’s Law School in Louisiana, hoping to positively impact communities through legal action. During his studies, he continued broadening his perspective by working with locals in Ecuador, Cuba, Brazil, Panama, Nicaragua, Alaska, and more. During this time, Jared had a pivotal realization– working with local communities to improve the conditions of the places he traveled to provided a profound and direct impact on the world. While legal actions are a necessary piece of the puzzle, after observing the sustainable projects of ecolodges that he frequented and worked with, Jared began to see tourism as a powerful channel for redistributing resources and educating others. This realization sparked the vision of Gondwana Ecotours. Jared aspired to create a small, sustainable tour operation whose mission was to generate positive change for the destinations and communities it visited. The tours would emphasize nature, wildlife, and local culture to create unique experiences that foster genuine connections between the traveler and the places they explore. In 2013, he founded Gondwana Ecotours, dedicating to serving the communities he worked with, the destinations he cherished, and for you–the intrepid traveler seeking meaningful, sustainable travels off the beaten path. When he’s not working with his global team office or collaborating on-site with local vendors, Jared resides in Homer, Alaska, with his wife Ashley, son Levi, and dog Leeroy. In his spare time, Jared enjoys wildlife viewing and photography, playing and watching soccer, and practicing the drums and piano.

I help couples, families, and busy professionals plan luxury travel without the stress. Specialties: destination weddings, honeymoons, all-inclusive vacations, and family trips. Based in Toledo, Ohio. My website is bit.ly/lisaschictravel

Christina Gales is a luxury travel advisor and founder of Christina Gales Travel, a boutique travel consultancy specializing in European itineraries, Caribbean escapes, elevated family travel, milestone celebrations, and luxury ocean and river cruises. A Fora and Virtuoso-affiliated advisor based outside Chicago, Christina has planned hundreds of trips across 20+ countries and serves over 100 clients nationwide. With extensive destination training across Europe, the Caribbean, Iceland, Hawaii, and Mexico—plus specialist certifications in luxury travel, cruise planning, and ecotourism—she brings both breadth and depth to every journey. Her preferred status with 8,500+ hotels, resorts, and cruise lines globally allows her to secure exclusive perks and VIP experiences for clients. As both a travel professional and mother of five, Christina is frequently sought after for her expertise in family travel strategy, multi-generational trip design, and making luxury travel approachable for real families. She speaks regularly on European travel planning, destination trends, the psychology of travel, and the shift toward meaningful, purpose-driven travel experiences. Her itineraries favor local culture, boutique hospitality, and personalized experiences over mass-market tourism. Known for her warm, collaborative approach and concierge-level support, Christina helps travelers feel confident, connected, and inspired—from dream to departure to memories that last a lifetime

China travel expert and social media storyteller, focusing on intimate explorations of the country's hidden gems—from the misty peaks of Tiger Leaping Gorge to the vibrant markets of Dali. As a member of Ink Voyages - a boutique travel agency dedicated on tailored China experiences - I blend cultural insights with practical itineraries and information, empowering wanderers to uncover authentic China beyond the guidebooks, fostering meaningful cultural exchanges one reel at a time.

I’ve spent over seven years at Yonder Travel Insurance mastering the 'fine print' so travelers don't have to. My expertise lies in deconstructing complex policy language into clear, actionable advice, whether I’m recommending the ideal plan for a unique itinerary or guiding a client through the intricacies of the claims process. By maintaining key partnerships with top insurance providers, I stay at the forefront of industry trends to provide unbiased, expert insights that help travelers maximize their benefits and navigate the unexpected with confidence. I use this experience to craft insightful responses on behalf of Yonder to further educate the public on travel insurance, which you can explore in my featured articles section.

As a Program Manager at SEEK, I manage the delivery of strategic programs for SEEK's AI platforms and services group, which aims to create a seamless and personalised experience for candidates and hirers across the Asia Pacific. I have over 10 years of experience in leading and executing complex technology projects across various industries, including government, higher education, and the private sector. I am passionate about solving seemingly impossible problems with creative and innovative solutions, leveraging my skills in leadership, strategy, business process optimisation, and IT project delivery. I have a Master of Technology in Computer Software Engineering and a Bachelor of Music in Performance. I am also a certified MSP Practitioner, ITIL certified and a certified mentor. I enjoy collaborating with diverse and talented teams, and contributing to SEEK's mission of helping people live more fulfilling and productive working lives.

NBB Travel is a boutique luxury travel advisory with roots in Scottsdale and Chicago, designing thoughtful, seamless journeys for clients who expect Nothing but the Best. Nancy takes her clients’ travel vision and elevates it through deep destination knowledge, meticulous planning, and a trusted global network of top hotels, guides, and partners—delivering experiences that feel effortless, personal, and exceptional from start to finish. Founded by Nancy Bertschy, NBB Travel was born from a career spanning consulting and real estate, where precision, negotiation, and relationship-building were non-negotiables. That background now powers a highly curated approach to travel planning—combining big-picture thinking with obsessive attention to detail. Whether designing complex international itineraries, milestone trips, or refined escapes, Nancy brings a calm, strategic mindset and insider access to every journey—so clients can simply enjoy the result.

I am an online entrepreneur, author, and travel scholar specializing in high-end travel, cultural exploration, and local destination experiences. As the founder of Paradize.life, a travel website dedicated to collecting luxury destination knowledge, I am an expert in helping travelers find unique experiences, local secrets, and personalized itineraries across Europe, Asia, and beyond. My area of expertise is deep travel research and writing, where I track future trends, review top destinations, and create content to inform and motivate modern travelers. Although I have not visited each country personally, my strength is transforming in-depth research into clear, informative, and SEO-optimized content connecting travelers with luxury services, from private jet charters to luxury resorts and unique tours.