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Kelly Matthews Gormly

Specialties

Few things excite Kelly as much as having a trip on the horizon, and it’s this excitement that she helps to instill in each of her clients as she helps them plan their next adventure.

Kelly is a natural-born planner, and travel allows her to combine her skills and passions, into creating extraordinary experiences for her clients. After a decade spent working in the world of attorney recruiting, Kelly made her transition into the world of travel by translating her hobby of planning for friends and family into a newfound career. The foundation of her travel advisory services is built on the principles of personalized service, thoughtful communication, and efficiency—but what sets her apart is her innate understanding of each of her clients’ tastes and in turn, needs. As someone who used to get overwhelmed by the time and energy it took to plan her own travel, Kelly knows first-hand the value of handing over the reins. Today, she acts as a resource for all things travel for her clients, going above and beyond to elevate each travel experience through her tailor-made recommendations.

Whether clients are looking to snake through the Serengeti plains on a private safari concession, sunbathe on a white sand beach in the Maldives, sip an aperitivo in the shadow of a medieval cathedral, or simply get away for a long weekend of lazy days and cozy nights in California wine country, Kelly leverages her industry connections and boots-on-the-ground resources to craft a first-class travel experience.

As a Southern California native, Kelly grew up going on family trips to Hawaii and Catalina Island. She has expanded her travel adventures over the years and now counts places like New Zealand, Italy, Bora Bora, and Tanzania among her favorite destinations. Like any avid traveler, Kelly is always looking to further broaden her horizons. Her family knows that if they receive a text from Kelly mid-morning on a Monday or Tuesday, it’s likely a link to some new hotel, experience, or city that just shot to the top of her bucket list—for scouting purposes, of course. When she’s not traveling, Kelly resides in West Los Angeles with her husband.

Which destinations or hotels do you go back to again and again? Why?

I always feel drawn to the allure of Italy. I’ve now traveled there in my teens, twenties, and thirties, and can’t seem to get enough of it. On some trips I return to places I’ve already been; on other trips, I venture into new regions. I have yet to leave Italy without an overwhelming sense of peace and appreciation for its beauty and culture. On my next trip, I’m hoping to explore the Dolomites, the Amalfi Coast, and the Puglia region!

What has been your most memorable travel experience to date?

One night while glamping in the Serengeti, a hippo was grazing so close to our tent that we could hear him chewing and breathing right next to our heads! The only thing separating us from his huge jaws were our canvas “walls”. On the same trip, we ventured into Rwanda to trek with the mountain gorillas. We had to scale the walls of an overgrown crater to reach this particular family of gorillas and spent the better part of an hour within arms-length of a troop of thirteen gorillas. The babies swung on vines and tumbled through the bushes right in front of us as if they were showing off their newly learned tricks. The pinnacle of the experience was the solo silverback standing up and banging on his chest within ten feet of us — it was simultaneously surreal, shocking, and sensational.

Travel Tip

  • Lean in to everything your destination has to offer – talk to the locals, join the tour, leave time for wandering. The organic experiences are often the most memorable!