ABOUT ME

I'll let you in on a little secret: I love traveling, but I'm a pretty terrible tourist.

Standing in front of "must-see" attractions, I often feel that familiar daze setting in. The guilt follows quickly—what's wrong with me? Why don't I find this ancient castle as fascinating as everyone else seems to? Why does this famous restaurant feel so sterile? And honestly, if I have to navigate one more sea of selfie sticks, I might lose it entirely.

I know it might sound snobby, but I simply don't love doing what everyone else is doing. Crowds and lines drain my energy, and my general philosophy is: if everyone else is there, I probably don't need to be.

So how do you travel meaningfully in a world obsessed with "top attractions" lists? Can you really visit Paris and skip seeing the Mona Lisa?

Here's the thing—creative travel isn't for everyone. Some people genuinely love those iconic sites, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. They have plenty of travel resources available to them.

The creative travel approach I offer is for people who want something different.

Hi, I'm Monica.

I planned my first trip at age 17—six weeks in Europe with my best friends, armed with a handmade guidebook of ripped pages, printed timetables, and handwritten itineraries. This was before smartphones, Google Maps, or reliable internet. I loved the thrill of adventure, but I discovered an equally deep passion for the art of planning.

That formative trip ignited two lifelong passions: creative exploration and meticulous planning. I learned that the best travel experiences go beyond simply visiting places; they transform how you see, create, and live.

After two decades in advertising and producing international television commercials—work that took me across continents and taught me how to craft compelling narratives on tight budgets and demanding timelines—I realized that I’d rather create joy than 30-second ads. Designing meaningful, creative travel experiences is what I excel at.

Whether you’re a photographer seeking the perfect light, a writer chasing stories, or someone who simply wants to travel with more intention and creativity, I'm here to help. Let me share my years of travel research, planning expertise, and creative insight to guide you on your next great adventure.

While you can't plan for every magical moment, you can create the right circumstances for them to flourish. Together, we can design journeys that are not just profoundly joyful but genuinely inspiring.