You be Goldilocks.

I provide the level of travel advising services that’s just right for you.

an elderly tour guide leads down a blue painted alley in Chefchaouen, Morocco
Breakwater hotel deco facade in Miami Beach, Florida

From free and easy to affordable and comprehensive.

Having me as your travel advisor can take a few different forms. Basic bookings are at no cost to you, and comprehensive services are priced based on your unique needs and effort required.

Either way, you’re leveraging my expertise and my host agency’s relationships to get exclusive perks and VIP treatment. Don’t go it alone — working with an advisor adds real value to your investment in travel.

  • If you’ve already done some of the leg work, I’m happy to book your hotel, tour, or other simple trip elements. When you book online yourself, accommodations still pay a commission but it goes to a big agency that doesn’t offer you much value.

    When I book for you, I can often get you special perks, deals, or upgrades. Get in touch and we’ll make it happen.

  • Maybe you know you want to celebrate a special occasion with friends but aren’t sure the right destination. Or you’re going to the annual family reunion but want to add on a little “me time” when it’s over. If you know what you’re looking to get out of a trip, but need some direction, I can do the digging and advise you accordingly based on your budget (plus still hook you up with exclusive perks). Depending on the complexity, I’ll charge you an affordable planning fee.

    Shoot me a message and we can talk it through.

  • There’s something magical about laying out what you’re looking for, leaving the details to someone else, and showing up to the trip of a lifetime. Just ask my husband.

    With the full-service option, you give me some big-picture guidance, and I research great itinerary suggestions and book it all. You’re in the driver’s seat and I ease the burden of all that legwork, plus connect you with perks you can’t get on your own.

    Drop me a line and I’ll get to work.

Downtown Seattle seen from an airplane window with jet engine visible on the right
A signpost at the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa points to other cities around the world

Experiences

I love most types of travel, but here some of my specialties.

"No Hate" banner on a float at Amsterdam LGBTQ pride parade

LGBTQ+

elephant at Addo Elephant Park in South Africa

Wildlife adventures

Martin Luther King Memorial in foreground with Washington Monument in background

Washington DC

copper pots hang on the wall of a country kitchen in Giverny France

Food experiences

A crowd of US supporters watch the field at the Women's World Cup Final in 2015

Sports trips

Mount Shuksan is reflected in a mountain lake in Washington State

National parks

Washington state

a frothy virgin cocktail

Sober travelers

Lit sign for Paramount Theater in Seattle

Theater trips

Approach

I love mixing tourist sites (could one ever tire of the Eiffel Tower?) with experiencing slices of life (seeing a soccer match with locals is always on my list) with the spontaneous (like the impromptu 3:00am kayak tour in the bioilluminescent bay to catch a lunar eclipse). No matter if it’s your first time in a destination or you’re a repeat visitor, I’ll make sure you have the chance to see the “can’t miss” sights, plus set you up for the quirky, “when in Rome” experiences.

My motto is “just enough planning” so that trips flow without headache but also offer enough flexibility to wander through that curious market or say yes to the cool hike you heard people talking about. Just like in my career as a strategic communication professional, I know how to plan for the unexpected.

But the more important question is, how do you like to travel?

My services are designed to give you the kind of travel experience that you’re seeking. Maybe you want a luxury resort with impeccable service so you can just unwind. Or maybe you’re looking for a great hotel with tons of perks as a launchpad for adventures on your own. I’ll ask a lot of questions, seeking to create truly tailored solutions. While the devil may be in the details, the joy can be too, so I’m highly attentive to the little things.

Let’s talk about it.

burlap bags of paint pigment in a market stall in Chefchaouen, Morocco
multicolored dusk sky over Lake Osoyoos, Washington state
a balcony overflowing with flowers in Mexico City

“Michael elevated our trip from wonderful to perfect

-Curtis, Honolulu group trip

Satisfy your wanderlust.