Pairing his service record with more than fifteen years as a business executive, he brings a carefully honed worldview to every journey he plans for his clients. As a graduate of American University with an MBA and a Master of Global Management from Tulane University, Matt combines his global perspective with a passion for crafting travel experiences that are as unique as the clients he works with at Perspectives Travel.

From active adventures in the Caribbean to immersive cultural experiences in Europe and beyond, he focuses on designing moments that balance thoughtful planning with spontaneity and local authenticity. Matt has traveled extensively and continues to seek firsthand knowledge of destinations to ensure every recommendation is rooted in real experience.

A hotel enthusiast, food lover, and music devotee, he enjoys exploring destinations through their cuisine, culture, and rhythm, always with an eye toward creating core memories for his clients. Whether sending families to unspoiled islands, curating corporate offsites, or planning milestone celebrations, Matt’s goal is simple: to design travel that feels personal, effortless, and unforgettable.

What has been your most memorable travel experience to date?

One of my most memorable travel experiences was a multi-generational holiday trip to the south of France with my family. We wandered the historic streets of Avignon, explored the vibrant markets of L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, and savored the exceptional wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, all moments that felt both indulgent and authentic. We then spent time along the stunning coastline near Nice and Antibes, soaking in the Mediterranean views and charming seaside towns. It was a perfect mix of history, culture, and family connection, and a reminder of why I love designing trips that balance luxury with real, lived experiences.

What does your perfect vacation day look like?

My ideal vacation day starts early with a morning surf session to wake up and feel the rhythm of the water. Midday is for a leisurely gourmet lunch, followed by exploring the local streets, markets, or hidden corners of the destination. Later, I might squeeze in a round of golf before watching the sunset with a cocktail in hand, then enjoy a dinner of refined local cuisine. I’d cap the night with live music as the perfect close to the day.

Dreaming of exploration, Rachelle continued to pursue her love of adventure by studying International Studies and French Literature in college. Jetting off to Europe any chance she could, she eventually moved to France, where she learned to “live like a local.” The influx of cultural knowledge during her time abroad left her in awe of our vastly vibrant world, leaving her thirsting for more. She learned to never lose that thirst for exploration and to live life through a lens of curiosity. 

Rachelle has since moved back stateside and is passionate about sharing her expertise with her clients. Her mission is to advise her clients on how to quench their own thirst for adventure, culture, wanderlust, and authenticity, no matter where their adventures may take them.

Which destinations are you looking forward to visiting and why?

My bucket list destinations are Morocco, Thailand, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, and Bali. Booking travel to these locations felt daunting prior to becoming a travel agent, but since becoming an affiliate of SmartFlyer, I have access to knowledgeable partners based around the world who help me craft personalized itineraries in even the most remote destinations. 

What inspired you to become a travel agent?

I became a personal translator, tour guide, and travel agent when my family and friends came to visit me while I was living in France. I realized my excitement in planning mundane details, and I reveled in watching their eyes light up with wonder at a new destination. Helping others travel is infinitely rewarding to me, something that fell flat when I considered any other career path. 

This ethos is built on Amina’s more than 15-year career as a luxury beauty and fashion executive where she learned that what consumers truly crave is personalization. After almost two decades of experience creating marketing campaigns and customer profiles, Amina understood that luxury is not one size fits all. From holidays spent escaping Wisconsin winters for the Caribbean to studying in China, Argentina, and France during her time as a Tulane University MBA student, Amina transformed a love of travel and organization into a career that lets her create immersive and authentic travel experiences for clients. Her goal is to get to know her clients as the individuals that they are, so that she can create their moment of luxury, as they define it, anywhere in the world. Amina accomplishes this by learning her clients’ goals, priorities, and preferences for each trip, understanding that they may shift over time.

Amina has traveled extensively to 27 countries and continues to gather firsthand experience for her clients by visiting two new countries each year. She is also a hotel enthusiast, staying on average 100 nights in five-star hotels annually. While Amina likes to say that her specialty is understanding her client’s needs and not a specific destination, as a Caribbean specialist she enjoys sending clients to “unspoiled” islands like Dominica, Canouan, and Nevis. Amina is a proponent of visiting the same destination multiple times to better understand the local culture, and always encourages clients to learn about a destination through its cuisine and cocktails.

What is your most memorable travel experience?

The moment I hit the water after jumping off my overwater bungalow in Bora Bora is something I’ll never forget. French Polynesia was the number one destination on my bucket list and it was more spectacular than I ever imagined. When I got to Moorea, I thought I was in paradise and then I stepped onto Bora Bora and I completely understood why it’s ranked as a top destination for so many people. From breakfast being delivered via a traditional Proa boat to swimming with stingrays and sharks, this trip was the perfect mix of relaxation, adventure, and exploration.

What does your perfect vacation day look like?

My dream vacation day begins with waking up to a view of the ocean around 10am, just in time to have breakfast delivered with a mimosa made with fresh-squeezed orange juice. Then, I’d venture out with a private guide to explore the city center with stops at locally-owned boutiques, art galleries, and important cultural sites. After lunch at a restaurant frequented by locals, I’d grab a book from my room before heading down to the beach. The next four hours would consist of me jumping waves, sipping on craft cocktails, collecting seashells, and pretending to read my book while I’m actually dozing off! After a quick outfit change, it’s time to take a chef-led cooking class followed by live music at an intimate venue.

What began with trips to visit the beaches of the Gulf Coast expanded to the cultural richness of Europe. However, it was her move to St. John in the USVI that marked a significant chapter in her life of exploration. While living and working in the islands, Kristin met Steven, a chef with a passion for worldly cuisine who ultimately became her husband. In the intervening years, they’ve traveled the globe, bringing their diverse experiences back to Baton Rouge, where they’ve raised their two daughters.

Kristin’s approach to travel—and travel planning—is deeply rooted in the belief that the essence of a destination is best discovered through immersing yourself in its history, environment, and culture—especially its food, wine, and entertainment like live music. Since 2017, she has been dedicated to balancing the environmental impact of travel through responsible and value-driven tourism. Her mission is to create tailor-made travel experiences built upon her travel planning ethos. Kristin encourages travelers to embrace each destination fully, seek out the unexpected, all the while, helping clients to connect with locals while avoiding over-visited tourist traps.

Continually embodying her belief that the impact of your travels is far-reaching, Kristin has brought her children and parents along on adventures around the world.Some beloved family trips have included favorite destinations like Vermejo in New Mexico and Gleneagles in Scotland, with exciting bucket list trips such as sailing the Nile and experiencing an African safari on the horizon. No matter where they’re headed, Kristin practices mindful tourism with her family—traveling with as many as six adults and eight kids with her extended family. She feels that as a responsible traveler who values dynamic cultural exposure, to truly live is to explore the world with open eyes, ears, and hearts.

What’s your most memorable travel experience?

A core travel memory will always be the helicopter adventure to Ol Doinyo Lengai in Tanzania. Currently erupting carbonatite lava—some of the strangest stuff you’ll ever see—this volcano is known to the local Maasai people as the “Mountain of God.” It is the only volcano erupting this black lava and before even landing on this active volcano (and, well, before hiking the steep climb to peek inside), we had the most stunning helicopter ride. We started on the flat, dry terrain of Chem Chem and gradually ascended to the mountainous caverns and lush green landscapes. We even flew over Empakaai Crater, which was flocked with numerous bright pink flamingos. This crater lake is only visible from the air and remains untouched.