Elsewhere by Laura

The best destinations in travel right now are the ones that used to be someone’s backup plan.

Think of them as the B-sides of travel: the places that aren’t at the top of anyone’s must-visit list but that leave travellers wondering why they didn’t go sooner. Fewer crowds, more locals, better availability, and a sense of what travel used to feel like before everyone started going to the same places at the same time.

A few I’m recommending right now:

Bacalar over Tulum. Turquoise lagoon water in seven distinct shades, a fraction of the development, and none of the crowds.

Milos over Mykonos. Same stunning coastline, a fraction of the crowd, and boat-access-only beaches, unlike anything else in the Greek islands.

The Faroe Islands over Iceland. Dramatically remote, dramatically beautiful, and far less visited. The sea cliffs and puffin colonies are the point.

Koh Kood over Phuket. Dense jungle, white sand beaches, and a pace that Phuket hasn’t been able to offer for years.

Franschhoek over Cape Town. World-class wine estates, long lunches, mountain scenery, and a small town that punches well above its weight. (Ask me about my recent stay at the magical 👀)

Let me help you find your escape away from the crowds, 🔗 in bio to get started!

I have the best clients! 🫶

While I am already working on many dream trips for 2027, I still have availability to assist with travels this fall so if you’ve been putting off planning - let’s connect and get you elsewhere soon! 🗺️

The most meaningful trips I plan aren’t always the most obvious ones. Peru’s Lake Titicaca region is one of the best examples of why.

The only luxury property on Lake Titicaca and a two-Michelin-key recipient, Titilaka sits on a private peninsula on the Bolivian border. Eighteen rooms at 12,500 feet, with views across the largest high-altitude lake in the world.

The program here goes well beyond the property. Exclusive community visits with Quechua families, guided trips to the floating Uros islands before the crowds arrive, and navigation to the quieter, less visited reaches of the lake that most tourists never reach.

Insider Tip: Titilaka pairs exceptionally well with the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. The altitude acclimatisation runs in the right direction if you sequence it properly, and a Peru itinerary that covers both tends to be one of the most memorable trips my clients ever take.

If Peru is on your mind, get in touch! Unique experiences await, with memories to last a lifetime. ✨

Christian Louboutin’s first hotel is in a tiny coastal village in Portugal that most people have never heard of. Very on brand.

Vermelho means red in Portuguese, and Louboutin’s signature colour shows up exactly where you’d expect it. Each of the 13 rooms is individually designed with antique furniture, hand-painted frescoes, and artwork from his personal collection.

It’s part of the very special collection and also a property, and the restaurant Xtian, serving Alentejo cuisine on hand-thrown local tableware, is a big part of why.

The village of Melides itself is the quieter, less discovered neighbour of Comporta on the Alentejo coast. The beach is a ten-minute ride away; guests get there in Fiat 500s with red roofs.

This is the kind of property that books up fast. Message me to be among the lucky few checking in! 🛎️

Rio wouldn’t be Rio without this iconic hotel. 🇧🇷

For over a century, Belmond Copacabana Palace has defined beachfront glamour as much a part of the city’s story as Sugarloaf Mountain or Carnival. Step through its Art Deco doors and you’ll feel it: chandeliers glinting, marble floors gleaming, and that easy, sun‑kissed rhythm only Rio can pull off.

By sunset, the rooftop pool is the ideal spot for Caipirinhas and peering out on a skyline that looks painted by hand. Dinner brings Michelin‑starred indulgence at MEE or laid‑back flavours at Pérgula, all set to the city’s signature beat.

Experience Rio from its most storied hotel. I’ll help you make it your next stop!

Grand Hotel Tremezzo is always high on my list when clients want the full Lake Como experience: historic charm, Italian elegance, and world-class comfort.

The hotel looks out over the lake and feels like something out of a classic Italian film. Breakfast on your balcony is a must. When you see the views, you’ll know why. For a truly memorable experience, take a private boat tour from the hotel’s dock to explore charming lakeside villages like Bellagio and Varenna.

Want to see yourself here? Let me start curating your stay in northern Italy!

One of my favourite parts about my career? Growing with my clients and sharing in their milestones! In this case I helped a couple with their first getaway as a family of 3, traveling with their infant son, enjoying a summer roadtrip in the mountains from Vancouver to Whistler.

When I begin planning, I start by identifying how you want to feel. Perhaps that means quiet days by the sea, a touch of city energy, or all of the above? From there, I tailor destinations and experiences based on how far you are comfortable traveling, and at what pace.

I’ll handle all the logistics so you can focus on soaking up this special time together.

I would love to help you create the perfect family getaway, that feels just right for you!

Hi, I’m Laura 👋
I see a lot of new faces here, so I thought I’d re-introduce myself.

I’m a Conde Nast Top Travel Specialist and founder of a boutique travel design company rooted in one belief: travel has the power to transform how we see the world. I love connecting with people and creating meaningful, authentic ways for them to experience it.

I’m also a hotel snob (in the best way), art and film lover, wine enthusiast, and devoted dog mom. When I’m not traveling, you’ll find me at home in Northern Ontario cottage country. 🛶

My approach to travel design is highly personal and hands-on. I travel frequently to experience properties firsthand, explore destinations, and build trusted local relationships—allowing me to design fully customized itineraries that go beyond the expected, with boutique stays, expert guides, and off-the-beaten-path experiences.

My favorite destinations are those that feel layered—rich in culture, landscape, and story. Like visiting a family-owned vineyard in Italy, a design-forward stay in Mexico, a cultural journey through Argentina, or a once-in-a-lifetime safari in South Africa.

My goal is simple: to turn your “someday” trips into unforgettable, seamlessly crafted realities.

So tell me—what’s your dream destination? 🌍✨

When the world feels too crowded, it’s time to go somewhere that reminds you just how vast and wild it really is.

Eleven Experience Lodges hand-pick their locations for their pristine natural surroundings, a collection of just 13 private lodges across 8 countries. Their properties sit in some of the world’s most remarkable settings, from Iceland’s Troll Peninsula to the remote valleys of Chilean Patagonia, each designed for travellers who crave authenticity, adventure, and absolute privacy.

Through partnerships with expert hosts and local guides, I can open doors to experiences most travellers never find on their own, like heli-skiing untouched slopes, fly fishing pristine rivers, or sharing stories over dinner prepared by your private chef in a faraway lodge. Every itinerary is tailored around you, your pace, and your definition of adventure.

Ready to explore the world’s quietest corners the Eleven way? I’ll help you get there!

These winter storms has my inbox full of requests for effortless last minute beach escapes! All-inclusive doesn’t always mean high-end, but Grand Velas Riviera Maya is a standout exception. 👌

Located where the Caribbean Sea meets the Yucatán jungle, it’s one of the few all-inclusives I LOVE recommending! Having personally visited several properties in the Velas collection myself, I know the high standards they are held to and that my travelers will be well taken care of. Clients often tell me how refreshing it felt to fully switch off. No wallet, just sunshine, and impeccable service.

It’s easy to settle into a rhythm of spa treatments, ocean swims, and Michelin-starred dining here, but I’ll also coordinate with the private concierge to arrange exclusive experiences just for you.

Dreaming of an effortless beach escape? 🔗 in bio to get elsewhere!