Growing up in a small town, Rachel couldn’t wait to explore all the world had to offer–now, she cherishes the opportunity to empower her clients to experience that same excitement that once spurred her to pursue a career in hospitality.

Rachel dipped her toe in the travel industry as a part-time job in college after falling in love with Europe while studying abroad. But it wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic that she and business partner Samantha Dorfman launched their own all-encompassing agency, CuratedCoast, as a solution to help clients easily navigate hours-long hold times with airlines. Now that travel has rebounded, Rachel and her team are across everything from simple domestic flights to hotel bookings and fully customized multi-stop itineraries.

Rachel has always had a passion for travel, but it wasn’t until she started working in the travel industry that she realized her true passion – planes! Once she started booking air, she fell in love. Rachel believes that your vacation begins the second you board your departure flight, and she makes sure that every little detail is taken care of–even down to your in-flight meal. Her knowledge of the ever-changing travel landscape allows you to kick back, recline your lie-flat seat, and coast!

How do you prepare for your trips?

I always buy a disposable camera before I leave for a trip (sometimes two for longer trips!). Everyone always has so much fun using them to take pictures and it’s such a nice surprise seeing how they turned out later on. Plus, getting them developed gives you something to look forward to when returning home, even though your vacation is over!

What does your perfect vacation day look like?

My perfect vacation day starts with a slower morning. I’m a huge fan of hotel slippers and robes, so breakfast with coffee in a hotel robe on the balcony of my room is ideal! During the day, I love to explore the destination; I’ll try to go to a few smaller shops or restaurants to really feel like a local there. Then, I’ll return to the hotel to relax by the pool before getting ready to wind down for dinner, most likely with a glass of wine in hand.