Alissa’s career began in the travel credit card space, where she developed compelling marketing campaigns for prestigious programs like the Hilton Honors Card and the Delta SkyMiles Card in collaboration with American Express. Later, Alissa joined Citibank, where she ultimately led the American Airlines AAdvantage Card team, crafting stories that showcased sought-after destinations across the globe, in turn, inspiring travelers.

During her tenure as a leader across various roles, Alissa relished the opportunity to visit sought-after properties and attend high-profile events both within the U.S. and abroad. After transitioning her focus to raising her family, she poured her creative energy into volunteering with various non-profit organizations, applying her marketing talents to make a difference to meaningful causes on both a local and national level. Along the way, Alissa cultivated a knack for curating travel experiences that combined discerning accommodations with memorable adventures tailored to her family.

Before long, Alissa’s expertise made her a trusted resource for friends and colleagues alike who eagerly sought her recommendations and customized itineraries. Recognizing the power of travel to foster cultural enrichment, deepen personal connections, and create cherished memories, Alissa embraced her role as a travel advisor. Today, she brings her sophisticated approach, wealth of experience, and genuine love for exploration to craft journeys that resonate deeply with each client’s unique aspirations.

How do you prepare for your trips?

Research, research, and more research! In addition to speaking with friends and other travel advisors, I scour online travel, restaurant, and local guides like Virtuoso, Infatuation, and TimeOut. When traveling overseas, I like to make the most out of my time and enjoy some time off the beaten path of typical “tourist traps.” I start with a list of our personal must-sees, seasonal exhibits and events, shops, and restaurants, which I then organize by neighborhood, making sure to build in time for exploring, shopping, and relaxing. Whenever possible, I book prepaid tickets and have my hotel concierge make restaurant reservations well before we arrive.

What has been your most memorable travel experience to date?

For a milestone birthday, we took our teen and tween children to London and Paris for their first time in Europe. Knowing my family’s limited attention span, we limited our tours at historic attractions and opted for interactive experiences, including a self-guided graffiti tour in Shoreditch, climbing the towers of Notre Dame, a chocolate tour, and a perfume-making class in the Marais. We shopped ’til we dropped in both cities and made it our mission to taste macarons from every bakery we passed in Paris—a tradition we continue to this day!

Rachel’s love affair with travel began early on and blossomed into both personal adventures and professional immersion experiences across the world’s most coveted destinations. With an extensive background as a food and nutrition expert and founding and managing a strategic communications practice, Rachel had an ideal foundation for transitioning to luxury travel advising. Life’s serendipities sealed Rachel’s fate in making her ultimate pivot to becoming a travel advisor—and she’s never looked back.

Meticulous travel planning flows through Rachel’s DNA, an extension of her decades orchestrating flawless communications events. She believes extraordinary travel experiences are born when an advisor gets to know their client as a person—their travel style and preferences, their passions, and the little details that make a big impact for them. By stepping into her clients’ shoes, Rachel ensures every detail is thoughtfully considered and diligently executed. In her world, a fabulous trip begins the moment you share your vision. The bespoke service she provides throughout the planning process sets the stage for the magnificent journeys that await her clients.

What has been your most memorable travel experience to date?

My husband and I love to see the world through activity. After hours of hiking up a trail in Torres del Paine National Park on the Chilean side of Patagonia, our guide laid down a blanket and set out a gourmet lunch spread. While it was summer there, we were surrounded by snow-covered mountains at high altitude. We savored our delicious lunch while soaking in the awe-inspiring scenery around us. Our love for moving in the outdoors, seeing planet Earth’s most beautiful places, and enjoying memorable culinary experiences came together in one magical moment.

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

Our travel bucket list is long, and there are still so many places we want to see and experience, but there’s something about going back to familiar places that have captured your heart. Whether long weekends hiking and experiencing fall foliage in the Hudson Valley, celebrating anniversaries in Napa Valley, where we got married, or traveling to the cities that host our favorite tennis tournaments, there’s something special about going back to the same destinations and properties we enjoyed the first time around.

Emily’s love for exploration was ignited during her childhood, which was filled with many family trips, each one sparking her sense of wonder. Known amongst her friends and family as the go-to travel planner, she was ultimately inspired in 2024 to turn her enthusiasm for travel into a full-fledged career as a luxury travel advisor. Combining meticulous research with her rich knowledge from personal travel experiences, Emily seeks out stunning destinations that align perfectly with her clients’ dreams and preferences, designing itineraries that are as unique as they are bespoke.

For Emily, travel isn’t just about relaxation; it’s a powerful way to connect with loved ones, deepen relationships, and discover the beauty of diverse cultures and perspectives. She understands that planning a vacation can be daunting and in turn, is committed to making the process seamless and stress-free for her clients. From the first conversation to the moment her clients return home, Emily ensures every detail is cared for, allowing her clients to focus on the joy of anticipation and discovery. Every trip she curates offers an endless source of creativity and opportunity, transforming each destination into a unique canvas for adventure, connection, and inspiration.

What has been your most memorable travel experience to date?

The moment I arrived in New Zealand and took in its breathtaking landscape, I knew I was in for an extraordinary experience. From glacier exploration to golf to learning about Māori traditions, the wide variety of activities we enjoyed was incredible. When combined with the country’s stunning beauty, I left with the strong belief that this destination should be at the top of everyone’s travel list. If it weren’t so far from New York, I’d return year after year!

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

Although I still have many destinations on my bucket list, I return time and time again to Italy. I just can’t resist the country’s incredible food, welcoming people, and rich cultural heritage. While I sometimes revisit familiar places, I always make sure to explore a new town, dine at a new restaurant, or experience a temporary exhibit to keep each visit exciting.

Driven by her long-lasting love for travel, Meredith joined SmartFlyer after a twenty-five-year career in media and real estate where she honed her skills in client service. She prides herself on her dedication to truly understanding the preferences and exceeding the expectations of her clients. She relies on her own extensive travel experience as inspiration and uses her boots-on-the-ground research to guide her clients through the ideation and planning process. Through attentive listening and insightful questioning, Meredith goes beyond the surface to uncover the nuances that make each journey personalized and uniquely memorable.

Collaboration is fundamental to Meredith’s approach to travel planning. By forging strong relationships with the most premier hotels, exclusive resorts, and vetted tour partners worldwide, she ensures that every aspect of the travel experience exceeds expectations. Whether it’s a lavish escape to the sun-kissed shores of the Maldives, an exhilarating South African safari, or a romantic retreat amidst the enchanting streets of Paris, Meredith leaves no stone unturned in crafting the perfect getaway. From the initial consultation to the final farewell, she is dedicated to delivering unparalleled service, ensuring her clients make indelible memories while they travel.

How do you prepare for your trips?

The anticipation leading up to a trip is the most exciting part of the process. I like to do some research about the destination to get a sense of the activities I want to do or places I want to see and even read a novel that is set in the place I am visiting for historical context. In the days leading up to departure, I organize all my information and documents and ensure I have reading materials and digital content downloaded for flights and downtime during my trip.

Which destinations are you looking forward to visiting? Why?

I have never been to Asia, so I am planning a trip to Japan or Thailand in the next year or two. I can’t wait to explore the food and culture, as well as immerse myself in the ceremonial and spiritual elements found there. I would also love to go on a safari to Tanzania or Botswana with my family.

After graduating from NYU Law School, Betsy practiced law before becoming a legal recruiter helping to place attorneys in legal departments of Fortune 500 companies. This work afforded her the opportunity to meet people from all over the country stemming from many walks of life. She loved hearing about prospective candidates’ backgrounds, motivations, and career goals. In fact, it was this immersion into the legal profession that was invaluable in teaching her the nuances of client services, further sharpening Betsy’s already attuned attention to detail.

Despite her background in law, Betsy has always loved planning events, dinners, trips; what began as a hobby giving guidance on trips for her friends and larger groups eventually flourished into a career change. Betsy become a Virtuoso Travel Advisor in 2017 and hasn’t looked back since! She thrives when helping people turn their dream trips into reality. Her planning process is rooted in spending time discussing options, giving vetted suggestions, and helping clients narrow down what is going to make them most fulfilled. Every single trip looks different, which is something about the job that Betsy absolutely loves.

What is your most memorable travel experience?

My most memorable travel experience was landing in St. Barths for the first time. I had heard so much about it before I went – it was such a unique feeling to land and be stepped into the culture and cuisine of this French island. Despite being only a three-hour flight from my home in New York, it felt as if we were across the Atlantic in Europe! From the second I stepped off the plane, I was so happy to breathe in the Caribbean air and eat lunch and dinner with my toes in the sand. The energy and vibe of the island are so distinct – I still feel the same element of being transported to another world whenever I visit.

Which destination do you go back to again and again?

I would visit Italy again and again–there are countless resorts and cities with so much to explore and do! Each region is so unique and has its own character and style. I love the history combined with nightlife, delicious food, and picturesque sights. My favorite place is Capri–when you are there, like St. Barths, it feels like you are transported to another world in another era. My favorite thing to do is have drinks at sunset on the steps of the Quisisana Hotel and people-watch before walking to a delectable dinner in town.

Allison traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe during her college years. After graduating from Emory University, her passion led her to roles at luxury lifestyle magazines including Town&Country and Town&Country Travel. This further fueled her interest in travel, providing Allison with knowledge of special destinations all over the world. Her friends would ask for her recommendations and she loved telling them everything she knew. It was only natural for Allison to eventually turn this into a career.

Allison often travels with her friends and family, so she knows firsthand the importance of getting the details right! She gets to know her clients, typically asking many questions upfront about their interests. Some clients just want to relax (she’ll recommend a fantastic destination with 5-star service), while others relish exploring new cities and learning about a culture (a hotel in a prime location, with a private guide to explore the city and find hidden gems). While recently in Paris with her daughter, they captured the true Parisian experience with a bespoke shopping tour and a private baking lesson with a local pastry chef. Allison knows that each client is different, and each itinerary must be tailored to fit the travelers.

What have been some of your most treasured trips to date?

My family loves to travel! We recently had memorable trips to Amsterdam, Croatia, and South Africa. In the cold New York winters, I prefer a tropical location – such as the luxurious beaches of Hawaii or the rich culture and stunning landscapes of Colombia, Costa Rica, and Belize. But my most treasured trips have been exploring new places in Europe. Greece is one of my personal favorites, last year I spent a few days touring Athens and then enjoyed the brilliant blue water and fun nightlife in the Greek islands!

Which destinations are you looking forward to visiting and why?

My family and I are going to Thailand later this year. It will be the perfect mix of amazing food and culture in Bangkok, followed by Chaing Mai and Phuket. It’s time to get planning on the packing now!

After receiving her JD from Georgetown University Law School, she practiced securities law in New York City for six years. Lisa stopped working as a lawyer after having children, but after a few years away from work, she was inspired to make a career change. Lisa has always been passionate about travel and loved researching trips for herself,  family and friends; it was actually her own travel agent who encouraged Lisa to pursue a career in travel back in 2016! She’s loved every day of this career pivot since.

Lisa believes that the most important part of planning a trip is to listen to your clients; no two travelers are exactly alike, and she often finds that itineraries to the same destination will be completely different due to the clients’ varied desires and expectations. This is part of what makes the job so exciting for her–before beginning any trip planning, Lisa tries to get a sense of what the client wants to get out of the trip. Is it an active client who wants to be busy all day? Or a client who likes to relax? Over time, she gets to know her clients’ personalities and interests which helps her create their version of the perfect trip.

How do you prepare for your trips?

My husband and I love to explore cities on foot, so before traveling, I often use Google Maps to get a sense of the area around my hotel. I also research my destination’s culture. Some countries eat dinner very late and the last thing you want to do is make an early dinner reservation and be the only patron in the restaurant! But it’s also nice to head to a city with no agenda. I love to walk all day and talk to the residents to learn about local restaurants, shopping, and activities. These are the small hints that I am able to pass on to my clients after I return.

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

My favorite destination in the world is Italy. La dolce vita is all about soaking up the food, history, and culture of Italy’s varied regions. I usually start out in a city like Rome or Milan and then head to one of the coastal areas like Amalfi, Puglia, or Forte Dei Marmi. My favorite hotel on the Amalfi Coast is the Hotel Il San Pietro di Positano. The hotel has such a rich history and there is nothing better than sitting on the terrace as the sun is setting eating the locally grown almonds and olives while drinking a Bellini with friends. Hotel tip: if you are adventurous enough, you can actually swim to Da Adolfo restaurant for lunch. Just be careful of the jellyfish!

After receiving her MBA from Stern, Samantha started her professional journey working in travel marketing for a Fortune 500 company. She worked with travel partners to develop marketing programs and through that opportunity, developed many relationships across the industry. Her unique role in “mystery shopping” some of the top hotels around the world to make sure they were appropriately servicing clients honed her attention to detail and passion for travel.

But it was after an incredible trip to the Amalfi Coast when she decided it was time to shift gears. Since she was always passionate about helping friends and family plan their trips, it seemed like a natural next step to become a travel agent! Samantha loves creating the perfect trip for her clients and no two trips are the same. She thinks first-hand knowledge of a destination is integral to her success and is continually trying to explore and expand upon her experiences. A fun fact? Samantha is also in a race against her family members to travel to all fifty states!

How do you prepare for your trips?

Before I leave for a trip, I always do my research on the destination’s weather, culture, local restaurants, and activities. And I make any reservations that I definitely want in advance. In addition, I always make a list to make sure I do not forget to pack anything which includes passports, chargers, converters, currency, etc.

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

Italy! I can go back and visit Italy every year. There is so much to see and do and eat! The main cities–Venice, Florence, and Rome–are all so different. Amalfi and Capri are two of my favorite places; staying at Caruso, A Belmond Hotel, in Ravello was one of the most spectacular settings in the world. There are so many other amazing locations in Italy as well like Lake Como, Puglia, Portofino, and Forte Dei Marmi just to name a few! The list is honestly endless.