The Art of Travel Company

The Art of Travel Company Masters in the Art of Luxury Travel
Luxury travel designed with meaning, connection, and care.

A Virtuoso Member | Montecito Village Travel Affiliate
Specialists in custom itineraries across Europe, the USA & the Caribbean. The Art of Travel Company is fueled by the passion to create individualized, unique luxury travel adventures for our clients. If you are traveling with your family, friends, or solo, we want each experience to be selectively crafted. We get to know you personally and understand your travel mood, utilizing our expertise to create your own collection of travel and vacation adventures one masterpiece at a time.

“I don’t care about the hotel. We’re barely going to be in the room.” I hear this from time-to-time.But the hotel is so ...
09/16/2026

“I don’t care about the hotel. We’re barely going to be in the room.” I hear this from time-to-time.

But the hotel is so much more than where you sleep. It's part of the experience.

It’s waking up to that view. The perfect location where you walk out the door and feel part of the destination. A private plunge pool. Beautiful design. A cocktail that makes you laugh. Or those unexpected little touches that make you think, someone really thought about this.

And sometimes, it’s personalized slippers or discovering that the Scrabble board welcoming you to your room is actually made of shortbread. Yes, you can eat it. And yes, I did.

It’s all those little details that become part of how you remember a trip. The right hotel matters.

When I select hotels for my clients, I’m thinking about location, atmosphere, service, amenities—and most importantly, how that hotel fits into the experience we’re creating. Because sometimes the smallest details make the biggest impression.

You do have to sleep somewhere and we might as well make it fabulous.

After spending a week yachting along Croatia's coast, I am convinced: this is how Croatia is meant to be experienced.We ...
08/23/2026

After spending a week yachting along Croatia's coast, I am convinced: this is how Croatia is meant to be experienced.

We boarded My Wish in Šibenik on July 4th and were welcomed with cocktails and an incredible crew. With so many Americans onboard, they even threw us a 4th of July party with live music. Let's just say yacht life got off to a very good—and very late—start.

What I loved most was the pace. Leisurely breakfasts, late-morning swims in beautiful turquoise water, paddleboards and kayaks, lunch and wine onboard, maybe an espresso martini on the sundeck...then into port by mid-afternoon with the rest of the day and evening to explore.

And no massive cruise ships unloading thousands of people into these intimate harbors. We could sail right in, step ashore and experience the islands at a completely different pace. LOVE.

Like the Caribbean, each island has its own personality. Hvar gave us a Croatian winery and a fabulous rooftop overlooking a harbor filled with yachts. Vis charmed me with its tiny streets, waterfront church, locals strolling with cocktails in hand—and some of the best gelato we've ever had, made fresh by the owner's mom.

My experience was aboard an intimate 18-cabin yacht, but Croatia is also made for private yacht charters—families, friends, milestone celebrations or simply experiencing the islands entirely on your own terms.

My only regret? Getting off.



When most people picture Croatia, they picture the coast. I did too. But before we ever reached the Adriatic, Croatia ha...
08/20/2026

When most people picture Croatia, they picture the coast. I did too. But before we ever reached the Adriatic, Croatia had a few surprises waiting for us.

I really enjoyed Zagreb—beautiful architecture, great shopping and a wonderful mix of old and new. We stayed at the historic Esplanade Zagreb Hotel built in 1925 for passengers traveling on the legendary Orient Express. The hotel is a masterpiece from another era, and let's just say those walls have some stories!

Our walking tour also introduced us to the Museum of Broken Relationships. We didn't have time to go inside, but the concept is genius: objects from relationships that didn't survive, along with the stories behind them. I'm thinking it could be a gold mine in the USA. 😂

From Zagreb, we headed into the countryside and Hotel Degenija, where we had the unexpected treat of being among the first guests in their beautiful new building.

And then came Plitvice Lakes National Park.

WOW. Waterfalls everywhere, turquoise and emerald lakes, and scenery so beautiful it almost didn't look real. At one point I thought I had wandered onto the set of The Hobbit. I half expected Frodo to pop out from behind one of the waterfalls.

Croatia had officially surprised me—and we hadn't even reached the coast yet.

Next stop: the Adriatic. And a yacht.

Sometimes a short visit is just enough to make you want to come back.Our first introduction to Slovenia was getting ther...
08/18/2026

Sometimes a short visit is just enough to make you want to come back.

Our first introduction to Slovenia was getting there. We had a private transfer from Venice to Ljubljana, allowing us to sit back, watch the scenery and experience crossing from one European country into another--no stress of driving in a foreign country.

We only had one night in Ljubljana, so our time was brief. It's a beautiful city, but the highlight for us was an incredible farm-to-table dinner at the Landerik Restaurant.

The next morning, we headed to Lake Bled—and WOW. It's one of the most beautiful lakes I've ever seen. The color of the water reminded me of the Caribbean, which was definitely not what I expected to find in Slovenia!

We crossed the lake aboard a traditional pletna boat to Bled Island, where 99 stone steps lead to the church and its famous wishing bell. Tradition says the groom should carry his bride up all 99 steps for good luck. Knowing my Marine, he probably would have done it if I'd asked. 😂

Our time in Slovenia was much too short, but Lake Bled made one thing very clear: I'd go back.

Sometimes a destination deserves a second chance.My first trip to Venice was in 2013, long before I became a travel advi...
08/13/2026

Sometimes a destination deserves a second chance.

My first trip to Venice was in 2013, long before I became a travel advisor—and let's just say Venice and I didn't exactly hit it off. 😂

Fast forward to this summer. We arrived by private water taxi at Londra Palace Venezia and were welcomed with Prosecco while they handled our check-in. From that moment, this Venice felt different.

We loved Londra Palace—the staff, the location near St. Mark's without feeling like we were in the madness, and the rooftop terrace where they surprised us with an anniversary aperitivo. And that bed...we're still talking about those sheets!

True to Paula fashion, I had our onsite combine two private tours into one. Julia, a lifelong Venetian, took us beyond the Venice most visitors see—through its neighborhoods, to a fascinating artisan workshop. We also found a local spot filled with gondoliers at lunchtime--always a good sign. 😉

Two nights weren't enough. We left wanting to come back—and I already know where we'll stay.

Venice, you won me over this time. ❤️

I'm almost reluctant to tell you about Orvieto because part of me wants to keep it secret.I first visited this beautiful...
08/12/2026

I'm almost reluctant to tell you about Orvieto because part of me wants to keep it secret.

I first visited this beautiful Umbrian hilltop town two years ago, and it stole my heart. I had to come back—and this summer, I finally did.

Orvieto is wonderfully unexpected. Wander its medieval streets and you'll catch a sliver of its magnificent Duomo between the buildings. With every step, a little more is revealed until suddenly, there it is—absolutely breathtaking.

This time, I stayed at Palazzo Misciattelli, a family home for 14 generations, where the hospitality is so personal you feel more like family than a guest.

We wandered. We drank wine. We ate very well (I'm still dreaming about the carbonara topped with fresh black truffle). And in the evenings, we'd sit on the rooftop terrace with a bottle of wine overlooking the stillness of the city.

I fell in love with Orvieto all over again. Maybe I shouldn't have told you. 😉

Minneapolis was a wonderful surprise.As a lifelong Prince fan, visiting Paisley Park was the highlight of the weekend. I...
06/09/2026

Minneapolis was a wonderful surprise.

As a lifelong Prince fan, visiting Paisley Park was the highlight of the weekend. I loved that they don’t allow photos inside. It felt respectful to Prince’s legacy and gave everyone the opportunity to simply be present in the moment.

One of my favorite memories was standing in his favorite recording studio while guests shared stories of seeing him perform live. It felt less like a tour and more like a celebration of the impact he had on so many people.

Beyond Paisley Park, I enjoyed discovering some of the city’s history and local favorites. We walked to the Stone Arch Bridge, stopped by Bunker’s, where Prince was known to surprise lucky crowds with impromptu performances, visited the historic Minneapolis Club, and enjoyed dinner at The Monte Carlo, a true Minneapolis institution.

And for anyone heading to Paisley Park from the airport, Ze’s Diner is worth a stop along the way.

A great reminder that some of the most memorable travel experiences can be found closer to home than you might think.

’m honored to once again be a proud sponsor of Salute to Sisters in Service Orlando on June 17 from 5:30–8:00 PM at Dubs...
05/22/2026

’m honored to once again be a proud sponsor of Salute to Sisters in Service Orlando on June 17 from 5:30–8:00 PM at Dubsdread Event Center.

This special evening celebrates the incredible women who have served our country and continue making an impact in business, leadership, and our community. As a fellow veteran, this event holds a special place in my heart, and I’m grateful to support an organization that recognizes and uplifts women veterans in such a meaningful way.

If you’re local to Central Florida, I’d love to see you there for an evening of connection, celebration, and inspiration.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/salute-to-sisters-in-service-orlando-tickets-1987147978095

I’m incredibly honored to share that I’ve been recognized as a member of the Montecito Village Travel President’s Club, ...
03/11/2026

I’m incredibly honored to share that I’ve been recognized as a member of the Montecito Village Travel President’s Club, representing the top 5% of advisors within our global network.

This recognition reflects something that means a great deal to me—the trust my clients place in me to help design meaningful travel experiences around the world.

It also speaks to the incredible relationships we have with our partners and suppliers who help bring these journeys to life.

Thank you to my wonderful clients and the Montecito Village Travel family for your continued support. I truly love what I do and feel very fortunate to help people explore the world.

Savannah is one of those cities that makes you fall in love with the United States all over again.Beautiful historic str...
03/10/2026

Savannah is one of those cities that makes you fall in love with the United States all over again.

Beautiful historic streets, incredible food, charming hotels, and that relaxed Southern pace that makes you slow down and enjoy the moment.

I recently had the chance to stay at the Thompson Savannah, and the view from their rooftop restaurant might just be one of the best in the city. Watching the river and skyline from up there is the perfect reminder that you don’t have to travel halfway around the world to experience somewhere truly special.

I often hear people say they don’t use a travel advisor for trips within the U.S. But some of the most memorable journeys I plan are right here at home—thoughtfully designed road trips, wonderful boutique hotels, and those little local gems most travelers would never find on their own.

One of my clients said something recently that really stuck with me:

“The world is a big blue marble and I’ve traveled all over, but I truly want to spend time seeing the USA. We have 50 choices.”

And he’s absolutely right.

Sometimes the next great adventure is closer than we think.

.I.thompson9

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