profile

Hola! I'm Stephanie

"I don't do group tours"

Published about 1 month ago • 1 min read

I hear you, Reader—I don’t do group tours either.

Not to knock them; in fact, I started my career in the travel industry leading groups around Spain and Europe.

They’re an efficient way to explore a destination; they provide access to expert guides and activities you probably couldn’t arrange on your own; shared costs mean a lower price point; and they’re a great way to meet like-minded travelers!

But when I was developing the itinerary for my upcoming Insider Oaxaca trip, I knew I wanted something different.

For starters, I wanted it to be small. Not “small” like the tours I used to lead, which were capped at 25 participants. While this is indeed small by industry standards, it doesn’t feel small when you’re limited to hotels and restaurants that accept large groups, or when you’re trying to stay together in a crowded city street or museum gallery, or when getting on and off a giant bus (even if it is only half full).

And not small like more boutique companies that boast groups of “only” 12-14. While that’s certainly better, it still doesn’t solve many of the above problems. I want direct access to guides, intimate interactions with locals, stays at truly great hotels, and lively conversations over delicious meals.

In other words, I want the same kind of incredible travel experience I would have if I were traveling independently!

This is why I designed the Insider Oaxaca itinerary for just 6-8 people: I really want you to feel like you’re traveling with a small group of friends. But instead of having to arrange and manage the trip yourself, I’ve done it for you!

Traveling with a group of this size means you can stay at a luxury hotel, enjoy insider travel experiences, and dine in the city’s top restaurants—including conversation with everyone, not just the few people at your end of the table.

In other words, exactly the kind of trip you want to take… and I’d love to see you there.

Ciao for now!

P.S. Sign up now for my incredible Insider Oaxaca trip! Spots are limited and doors close on March 22nd—you don’t want to miss out!

If you still want to receive emails from me but don't want to hear more about Oaxaca, just click here.

Hola! I'm Stephanie

theViatrix

I'm an award-winning travel expert who's using over 15 years of industry experience to help you get MORE out of your travels. Sign up to get weekly travel inspo delivered straight to your inbox.

Read more from Hola! I'm Stephanie

Have you ever had one of those transcendent food moments, Reader? Like at the end of Ratatouille, where the food critic takes a bite and is instantly transported to his childhood? I’ve had a few, and of course they’ve all been while traveling. Like the best peach I’ve ever eaten. My mom and I were on a cross-country road trip from Seattle, where I grew up, to Middlebury, VT, where I was about to start college. Yes, my mom and I are identical Somewhere in upstate New York, near Lake Ontario,...

about 1 month ago • 2 min read

Reader- I wanted to make sure you knew: tomorrow’s the last day to join my Insider Oaxaca trip. If you’re still on the fence, let me share this spot-on IG post from my friend Janessa (@janessajstorlie on Instagram) about why travel is so important: Now, Janessa is an incredibly supportive friend, and she’s also completely right. Travel IS important for our mental and emotional health—in fact, that’s one of the core beliefs of my business. For me, travel is all about connection (something...

about 1 month ago • 1 min read

The most expensive trip I ever took was to London and Scotland. I had been given some free hotel nights at a luxury hotel in London, and used that as an excuse to plan a trip for me and Iñigo that just got more and more expensive (the exchange with the pound didn’t help at all). We stayed at some iconic hotels, took in spectacular scenery, and did fun activities like touring castles and whisky distilleries. But every time the bill came, we gulped a little. At some point, we just started...

about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Share this post