Kelsey’s passion for travel was sparked at the age of seventeen while studying King Tut and Ancient Egypt—which remains a curious subject and a trip that has yet to be planned!—and led to her spending the last 15 years planning local and international weddings and events. With her expertise in some of the most sought-after locations around the world for destination weddings combined with knowledge gained during her personal travels, Kelsey began assisting friends and family with their travel needs, which soon evolved into her work as a travel advisor with SmartFlyer.

Forever scouting discerning properties, restaurants, and excursions Kelsey has frequented London, Italy, and France with a passion for discovering these destinations more deeply. One of her most memorable European vacations was an unexpected girls’ trip to Bordeaux and Nice, where the small town of Eze captured her heart. For a taste of France closer to home, Kelsey has spent a lot of time in St Barth and loves the duality of the laid-back but glamorous beach vibe with the excitement of exquisite dining establishments. While Kelsey’s bucket list trips include safari, the Galapagos, and the Maldives, she equally seeks out the simplicity of mountain towns like Aspen and Park City. Kelsey believes that a trip planned with an advisor who is deeply invested in the memories made there is key. Personalized service has always been a part of Kelsey’s ethos to event planning, which extends to her sharing preferred accommodations, experiences, and dining outlets to ensure that clients who choose to work with her receive the most thoughtful recommendations tailored to their tastes. Her work as a travel advisor empowers her to create an impact with each trip planned.

How do you prepare for your trips?

I quite enjoy preparing for trips because I am a true planner at heart. I like to have my curated itinerary mostly finished about three weeks before my trip, leaving room for adventure and spontaneity. Researching attire and dining experiences is part of the fun for me, as feeling good and prepared enhances the vacation experience. I also make sure to plan visits to must-sees – whether it be a hotel, rooftop, or experience – even if I’m visiting just for a brief stopover. I often keep lists that will coordinate outfits with locale and love to have all my travel documents in a hard copy just in case – call me old-fashioned!

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

There are a handful of things that make an impact on me and will draw me back to a location over and over again. One is the hospitality and friendliness of a hotel or the local people who call the place home and another is the way a place makes you feel. I return to Cabo San Lucas and Italy time and time again because of the heart and soul of these destinations where I continually make new memories.

I’m a big foodie – or rather often hungry! – so the dining options that I love will bring me back again and again. I will also be drawn back to things that I feel are truly unique, like Arbol at Las Ventanas or the city of Eze right outside of Nice. I’m equally drawn to charming towns like those dotting the south, especially Nashville and Charlotte, as well as places further afield like Bordeaux and Castillon du Gard in France.

Studying abroad during her college years, Sarah quickly discovered her love for travel and all the enriching lessons it has to offer. She continues to extend that passion into her personal and professional life, traveling with her husband and two children to discover both fresh and long-time favorite destinations.

Having spent twenty years in the fitness industry teaching private pilates and personal training before diving into her travel career, Sarah is practiced at serving discerning clientele. Getting to know her clients and their personal needs has always been her highest priority. She parlayed this finely tuned skill into the travel space by consistently taking pride in the details, often surprising her clients by anticipating needs they didn’t even know they had.

Sarah especially enjoys planning trips for families, couples, special occasions, and fun friend getaways. Her first-hand knowledge of hotels and destinations around the world – gathered from her personal travel experiences – guides clients in the perfect direction every time.

Which destinations are you looking forward to visiting? Why?

South Africa is at the top of my wish list for travel with the family. I would also love to explore Peru for a more spiritual, personally fulfilling trip.

What has been your most memorable travel experience to date?

Whether it’s a relaxing spa or wellness weekend with my girlfriends or beach vacations in Mexico with my family, it’s hard to pick just one since each trip leaves a lasting memory, big or small. However, if I had to choose, it would be my fortieth birthday ski trip to Aspen with some of my closest friends.

Growing up in a family that prioritized experiences above all else, Lauren’s perspective on the value of travel was instilled in her at a young age. However, her experiences living abroad in Rio de Janeiro and Florence firmly cemented her desire to always prioritize exploration and travel in her life. This ethos has carried over into Lauren’s own family, as she and her husband are raising their son to be a global citizen; he received his first passport stamp when he was just a few months old!

When it comes to travel planning, Lauren’s approach is highly personalized and high-touch from the very first phone call. Not only does she invest time in understanding her clients’ preferences and desires for their trips, but she also gets to know them personally, allowing her to thoughtfully plan every detail. Lauren goes above and beyond, taking care of every detail – reservations to booked-out dining hotspots, exclusive access to access to cultural experiences with a private guide, and destination-specific tips and recommendations – ensuring that her travelers can relax and enjoy the destination as soon as they touch down.

For Lauren, the most rewarding aspect of being a travel advisor is the opportunity to curate unforgettable moments for her clients, fostering enduring relationships along the way. Her strong rapport with her clients as an advisor allows her to offer even more tailored recommendations when she’s out and about, exploring and researching new destinations.

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

Italy! I love everything about it – from the delicious food and wine to the warm and friendly people, the beautiful coastal regions and magical cities, the charm, and the pursuit of la dolce vita. Italy is somewhere that I continue to return to and will never grow tired of. It is also a client favorite, making it the destination I book the most. I love returning to discover new regions, scout new hotels, and check out new restaurants and experiences to further tailor my recommendations. I hope to return in the upcoming year, and this time with my son to introduce him to my favorite place on earth.

What’s your strategy to overcome jet leg?

I don’t have a magic secret, but I do have some tips! The second you arrive at your destination embrace whatever time it currently is there. Don’t let yourself think about what time it is at home! If it’s daytime, try to stay up for the whole day. If it’s evening, have a nice dinner, and a glass of wine, and call it a night. I also always take a sleeping pill my first night or two to ensure I get a full night’s sleep and don’t wake up at 3am wide awake for the day. With a full night of sleep, I know I will wake up refreshed and ready to enjoy wherever I find myself!

Shaun’s background in interior design perfectly complements her approach to vacation planning as a luxury travel advisor. Her transition from interior design to travel planning has beautifully expanded her expertise, allowing her to design trips with meticulous attention to detail. Shaun’s keen eye for aesthetics and understanding of space and comfort gives her an edge when crafting visually stunning and atmospherically pleasing travel experiences. Her ability to tune into the elements of beauty and design seamlessly translates to selecting exquisite hotels, resorts, and private accommodations on behalf of her clients that not only look splendid but also offer an unmatched level of comfort.

Whether her clients are seeking a serene retreat, an adventurous excursion, or cultural immersion, Shaun leverages her unique blend of skills to tailor experiences that become lifelong memories. Her knowledge of destinations that cater to various types of travel groups—families, couples, or friends—enables her to tailor each itinerary to the group’s specific dynamics and preferences. Ultimately, Shaun’s passion for all things beautiful ensures that each aspect of the journey is thoughtfully chosen to delight and inspire her clients, making each adventure she plans distinctively enchanting and deeply satisfying.

What does your perfect vacation day look like?

My perfect vacation day begins with breakfast and a beautiful view. I love having a planned itinerary of places to go and things to see, often navigated with a local guide. Later, I enjoy exploring on my own and revisiting some of the locations we quickly passed. Ending the day at a wonderful local restaurant with a nice glass of wine, and laughing with family or friends, is my pure bliss.

What has been your most memorable travel experience to date?

When my boys were in high school, our first big trip was to South Africa. Being animal lovers, this adventure was a long-awaited dream.

Katie Jacobson is a Northern-California native who currently resides in Newport Beach, CA. She developed a love affair with travel while studying abroad in London. She started Ever After Honeymoons in 2009 based on a love of travel. Since starting Ever After Honeymoons, Katie has visited over 40 countries around the world. To say she loves her job is an understatement! Katie is passionate about her work and continues to explore the world, seeking out unique destinations and one-of-a-kind travel experiences as much as she can.

With so many beautiful places in the world, it can be overwhelming selecting the perfect destination for your honeymoon or vacation. When you work with Katie, you receive personalized recommendations based on her vast travel knowledge. She has visited many of the most beautiful and exotic destinations around the globe; whether its a safari in the Serengeti, a relaxing vacation in the Amalfi Coast, or a spiritual journey through Bali, she’s done it! Let her put her expertise to work and make your dream honeymoon or vacation a reality.

Katie offers personalized travel planning and concierge services. When you work with her, you benefit from the strong relationships that she has built with hotels and vendors around the world. When she plans your honeymoon, you are not just another guest at a hotel. You are a special VIP that receives the best rooms, exceptional service, and special amenities.

A New Jersey native, Taylor moved to New York City in 2010 to attend New York University. There, she studied Cultural Aesthetics and Travel in addition to pursuing a minor in Italian. Taylor has been traveling extensively since a young age; her early travels brought her to the western part of the United States and the Caribbean while her recent travels have been primarily within Europe. Taylor previously lived in Florence and it was during her time in Italy that she developed a deep passion for the country and the culture. To this day, Italy continues to be her favorite and most-requested destination.

Taylor is constantly discovering new hotels and resorts to share with her clients. That being said, perhaps her most valuable assets when planning travel are the relationships that she has developed with other industry professionals, as she has been working in the hospitality space for 8-years and counting. These relationships have been fostered through involvement in of the industry’s most exclusive events, including Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas and International Luxury Travel Markets in both Cannes and Mexico. It is these lasting connections, her attention-to-detail and intense dedication to servicing clients with excellence that contribute to her success as a luxury travel advisor.

Taylor recently relocated from our office in New York to join our SmartFlyer team in Newport Beach. She’s fallen in love with California and has been able to discover the many benefits that the Golden State has to offer! Through her explorations, Taylor has recently honed her expertise on California road trips as they are one of her favorite personal hobbies. She can’t wait to share the secrets of the West Coast, along with the dozens of other areas of specialty, with her clients!