Monique Owen
Born and raised in Melbourne, travel is in Monique’s antipodean blood. After receiving a Bachelor of Science and Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management, followed by a six-month backpacking trip around Europe, Monique spent the next decade working for a global firm in Human Resources. Monique’s work brought her to the US in 2003.
In 2007, Monique left the corporate world to attend Le Cordon Bleu culinary school and graduated with honors. She has since married her passion for food and travel, and considers food one of the most important aspects of travel. Exploring local markets and restaurants is most often top of her list, especially after spending several summers in the European countryside.
With three young children, Monique has a particular interest and expertise in vacation planning for families… and luxurious and romantic getaways without children.
Favorite Hotels & Resorts
Amangiri Utah, La Reserve Ramatuelle, Amankila Bali, Hotel du Cap Eden Roc, Tiberio Palace Capri, Hotel Splendido, Borgo Egnazia, Saffire Freycinet, Ett Hem, The Ranch at Rock Creek.
Chrissy Stephens
Chrissy believes in the power of travel—how it can both energize and relax us, expand our horizons and boost our overall wellbeing. Thoughtfully planned trips not only create lasting memories but also provide the opportunity to return to our daily lives with a fresh perspective. During college, Chrissy spent a semester studying at The University of St. Andrews in Scotland, during which she fell in love with exploring new places and cultures. After graduating from Vanderbilt with a double major in English and Communication Studies, Chrissy moved to Tanzania for a year, living at a safari camp and homeschooling the owner of the camp’s children. Her extensive travels that year throughout Kenya and Tanzania deepened her passion for travel. After a brief stint in corporate America as a consultant, Chrissy pursued more creative interests as an actor, model and writer. She is overjoyed that her dream to be in the travel industry has become a reality.
Chrissy has always been the trusted source her friends reach out to for hotel, restaurant, and activity recommendations before exploring a new destination. She loves conducting research and, coupled with her practical experience, meticulously designs each itinerary to suit her client’s unique preferences. Chrissy lives in Manhattan Beach, California with her husband, three children and two dogs, Pancakes and Frank. In her free time she likes to play tennis, explore California, read, write and puzzle.
Best adventures:
Kayaking in Prince William Sound underneath a crashing glacier, sleeping in a tent she pitched herself at a campsite in the Serengeti for four nights, summitting Mount Rainier at sunrise, biking down Haleakala in Maui, dancing on tables in Ibiza, feeding a baby rhino at Lewa Downs in Kenya, hiking to a church to see a photo of her great-great grandfather in Dubrovnik, cycling along the rim of Crater Lake, paddling in a canoe on a moose safari in Maine, enjoying a long rose lunch at Le Club 55. She firmly believes that no matter how cold the water is, you should always jump in.
Recently Visited:
The Abacos, Kauai, Telluride, Amsterdam, Croatia, Nantucket, Zihautenejo, Vermont, Vail, Napa, Antibes, Nashville, San Miguel de Allende, New Orleans, Maui, Miami, London, Copenhagen, Cabo.
Bucket List:
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda, Wimbledon, Japan, Milford Sound, New Zealand, Bali, Switzerland, Patagonia, Big Sur, Blackberry Farm, San Sebastian, Botswana, Namibia, The Galapagos Islands
Xena Fernandez
Xena was born and raised in the Philippines. Her wanderlust began at the age of 12 when she started actively traveling with her parents for work and fun. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree and latin honors, Xena spent two years traveling the globe. Xena has visited 33 countries and counting and now combines her vast destination experience with a passion for planning and client service. Aside from traveling, Xena enjoys floristry and going to concerts.
Recently Visited
Kyoto, Taipei, New York, Toronto, Osaka, Shanghai, Barcelona, Madrid, Granada, London, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Bath, Sydney, Melbourne, Budapest, Prague, Salzburg, Vienna, Hallstatt, Dubrovnik, Zagreb, Tokyo, Hokkaido, Dubai, Da Nang, Hanoi, and Switzerland