Cofounder of MAYAMAYA
Tell us about you and your company.
I have lived my entire life in NYC, but I am often happiest skiing, hiking, on a beach, or even at an outdoor restaurant. Anything with sun shining on my face. I love NYC—the people, the energy, the food, the fashion—it all runs through my blood, but my heart is in nature. These two parts that seem to be in direct contrast to each other do not have to be exclusive. Fine dining and street food, five-star luxury and camping, open solitude and a packed sidewalk. I have found how to have both, I have learned how to balance these loves within me, and the balance is what I bring to my own personal travels. Food always drives me, and many of my strongest memories all revolve around meals—every place I have ever been can be paired with what I ate and where. I work hard to find each client’s personal passions, and thread that into their trips.
Alongside my two partners with whom I work closely to curate each itinerary, we have a boutique travel planning company called MAYAMAYA, specializing in comprehensive trips—comprehensive meaning specialty guides, drivers, private transfers, hotels, unique experiences. We capture everything you want or don’t know you want, not just what you think you need.
Tell us about how you work.
We start with a conversation—discussing past trip likes and dislikes—and as we get to know each individual, we build an understanding of their needs. Many of our clients have worked with us for over a decade and new clients often come as referrals. It’s all about the personal relationship that gets built over time, and one of our favorite parts of the process is getting to know our clients and helping them to create a trip where they don’t have to worry about anything. It’s about building trust in each other and understanding exactly what is most important to each individual. What is worth splurging on and where is it worth saving a bit? Just because someone has a big budget doesn’t mean they need the top suite or a private plane; it may mean spending on a certain guide or special access, sometimes even a behind-the-scenes fixer to do things like hold a table at a restaurant that doesn’t take reservations, or pre-ordering the perfect snacks to bring aboard a boat. I am a mom of two young kids, and to me, luxury right now is not having to think! I just got back from Tanzania and the most luxurious part was just being told where I had to be and when, what was for dinner, and the only question I got each day was, “What time would you like your coffee delivered to your room?”
What’s the entry level to talk to you?
It typically starts with a $500 non-refundable planning fee to get started, and most of our trips average $1,000 per person, per day, depending on how much is included.
What is the sweet spot of your expertise?
I would say South America. I have planned countless trips to Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay…. I love trips centered around families and food, and I love properties that have a real sense of place. Brooke is our Africa and Antarctica specialist, and Matt covers a wide swath of destinations from Asia through the Mideast and up to Iceland. We all know Australia and New Zealand (and can’t wait to go back!). Together we collaborate, and always share our knowledge from both client feedback and from our personal travel research.
A trip you’ve done/organized that you feel represents you and your philosophy the best…
I like to think of a travel planner as an interior designer: my clients trust my taste and connections, they have a vision, but they don’t have the time to make it a reality. That is where I come in. A trip is like designing a home—everyone lives there, but each has different needs.
One trip that has stood out is a multigenerational group—it was grandparents, parents and grandchildren, each coming with their own expectations, needs and desires. We started with Buenos Aires (shopping, history, food), then headed to the mountains and rivers of Patagonia (outdoor asados surrounded by mountains drinking Argentine wine, glacial hikes, fly fishing, horseback riding), and then spent time in the Atacama Desert (throwing in a day of hiking, where they ended at a tent to sleep under the stars with a private astrologer), and finished on the beach in Jose Ignacio, where the days were just centered around a big family meal each afternoon and feet in the sand.
A “why it’s all worth it” moment…
As busy people, it can be hard to slow down. To me, luxury is getting that chance, and so being able to provide that moment where a family can slow down and just concentrate on being together is what makes it all worth it. Again, it’s all about the connections—connecting with each other, your guides, the locals you meet, the hotel staff. As I juggle being a business partner, a travel planner, a friend, mother, wife and finding time to myself, the luxury of relying on someone to help is a feeling I truly understand. When I know I have helped someone plan that trip they will remember forever, when a client comes back happy, reliving moments of joy from their travels, telling me about experiences together, it all feels worth it. Especially when they come back ready to plan their next adventure.
What is something you wished we all knew or were better at? How do we become better travelers/clients?
I hope we can all be better to ourselves and better as travelers, clients and citizens of the world by slowing down and taking in each moment, celebrating each sunrise and sunset. By not trying to get everything in, not trying to tick off every box, focusing on fewer places and going at a slower pace. I hope we can all take a deep breath at times and get better at going with the flow.
What is a place we should consider traveling to that could really use our dollars, and what is a place we should put on pause because, even though we love it, it sees too many tourists?
Over the last few years, we’ve become more conscious of the effects that tourism can have on the environment and the issues that can arise with overtourism, as well as how travel can directly benefit local communities through employment, anti-poaching initiatives and giving back to the community itself. For me, it’s not about where you go but how you go—as a traveler, it is important to prioritize leaving a positive impact on the destinations.
Many of the hotels we work with are so much more than a beautiful place to rest your head at night—entire ecosystems and communities depend on these properties for survival. Some have weathered the pandemic impressively, closing their doors through this time and still promoting conservation over commerce. The Congo Conservation Company, for example, has 4 different lodges and camps in the Republic of Congo and Central African Republic. They have pioneered these regions, making significant contributions to the long-term conservation and sustainability of the area. Sarara in Northern Kenya has a foundation working to protect the 850,000-acre Mathews Forest Range and provide career support to the Samburu community. There are countless others to mention in Africa who all give back—Ol Jogi, Ol Donyo, Singita Grumeti, Singita Pamushana, Chem Chem, are just some of the few our team has visited over the past year. Sol y Luna, a property located in the Sacred Valley of Peru, uses their proceeds to help local schools, improving infrastructure and organizing sports and cultural activities. The lodge supports educational projects and creates jobs for the nearby community. Arkaba Station in Australia has changed the lives of over 5 million native animals with their conservation projects and a percentage of all guest fees go towards protecting Australia’s biodiversity. I visited the Nihi Sumba foundation in Sumba, Indonesia, in 2019 and I was so impressed by the village projects created to help the local communities access clean water, create educational programs, and reduce the effects of Malaria. There are so many stunning lodges around the world that offer a luxury experience, incredible service, and wonderful food—and also allow you to make an impact for future generations.
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