Take Your Own Trip

Home
United States
West Orange, NJ
Take Your Own Trip

Call Directions Website Contact the business

At Take Your Own Trip, we offer customized travel planning designed just for you. We tailor travel experiences to fit who you are and what you’re celebrating.

Whether it’s Family Travel, Multi-Generational Travel or a Honeymoon / Milestone trip. Take Your Own Trip comes from the idea that you should maximize experiences and not wait to take your dream vacation. I want to help other families get out there and find new favorite destinations. Vacation planning can be overwhelming and I offer a personalized approach that you won't find on the internet. There are 1000's of websites that promise you the best trip, but I take the time to understand exactly what type of trip and expectations you have to create a vacation that fits you. As a travel professional, I have access to resources around the world to ensure your trip goes smoothly from start to finish. This is not about the trip everyone else is taking, it is about what YOUR ideal trip is and how I can help you achieve it.

10/16/2026

I have had the privilege of meeting with multiple vendors the last 2 weeks - and got introduced to several new London Hotels and experiences. Which reminds me how much London, like all good global cities, is ever changing.

I was last there in April 2024 for a girls weekend - and to run the London Marathon - and was reminded that I had waited too long between visits. London is such an easy and classic city to visit that I think it sometimes gets overlooked when you’re planning a European itinerary. But it is well worth the visit and is a great long weekend from the east coast. It can also easily be combined with other parts of the UK, Paris by Eurostar or other European stops.

10/07/2026

Thailand is a great introduction to Asia. It is a special destination for many reasons - Incredible food, bustling cities, mountains, islands, culture. But there is one thing that takes it from being a beautiful destination to a place you want to keep going back to.

THE PEOPLE.
Thai people are some of the most genuinely welcoming and kind people I’ve met. It’s called the land of smiles, but what really struck me on my second visit is how genuine it is. The warm hospitality is not an act, but a product of the general culture and buddhist influence.

Suggested Itineraries

* Start in Bangkok for the food, temples and bustling city life
* Head north to Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai for elephants , markets and the mountains.
* End in the South near Phuket, or experience the quieter beaches of Krabi and surrounding islands.
* Make Thailand part of a bigger Southeast Asia itinerary with stops in Vietnam, Cambodia or Singapore.

If Asia feels far away or overwhelming to plan, Thailand is a great place to start. Once you get there, you realize the long flight is absolutely worth it. You can get a 5* vacation here for much less than Europe. Stunning resorts, private drivers and unique experiences for a much lower price than most destinations. And did I mention how special the people are?

is Thailand on Your bucket list?

takeyourowntrip

10/02/2026

Some days you just have to take off work and do crazy things with equally crazy friends. Like attempt to run the 30+ mile perimeter of Manhattan on a Wednesday.. 🏃‍♀️🗽

This is something I’ve wanted to do for years. We originally had a big group and planned to tackle it last Sunday, but the Nor’easter had other ideas. So we pivoted to Wednesday—with a smaller crew, some time constraints, and a perfect fall day to see Manhattan from all its angles.

There were plenty of detours, piers under construction, bodega stops, and finally a chance to see the Little Red Lighthouse up close. I didn’t quite have the fitness to run the entire thing, and eventually had to cut it short to make it back for soccer pickup. 😂 Many thanks to Gina Zimmerman for being my wingman and sticking with me. It was a great reminder of just how walkable (and runnable!) NYC is, and how incredibly different Manhattan feels from one neighborhood to the next.

Top it off with some of my favorite people, some birthdays to celebrate, and Wiz Khalifa poses to keep us entertained. It was a pretty perfect Wednesday for those of us who like a challenge.

28 miles complete. I’ll have to come back to finish the map. 🗺️🏃‍♀️

09/25/2026

Golf trips aren’t just for golfers! ⛳️
I’ve been deep in golf travel research this past week, specifically Scotland, for some lucky clients planning trips next spring. Bucket-list rounds at St Andrews, wild Highland courses and epic scenery along the way.

For golfers these are dream trips. Teeing off on a legendary course in Scotland, playing on the dramatic coastline of Ireland, or enjoying a round in Portugal or Spain with the Atlantic Ocean as your backdrop. And I have the connections to make those trips happen.

But what about the rest of us?

I don’t personally golf, but I’m married to someone who does. This year alone, I’ve stayed at three resorts with golf courses, 2 of which were specifically highlighting golf. I even got a lesson in Germany last spring - and enjoyed it! If they have a golf course, you can bet they also have a beautiful hotel, fantastic spa, racquet sports and lots of green space outside the putting green to explore.

So while the golfer is golfing, you have time to see the local castles, enjoy a long leisurely lunch or spa break or find your own adventure. There’s no reason everyone can’t have their own dream vacation with the right trip design. And that’s where I come in. Reach out and let’s chat.

GolfResorts TakeYourOwnTrip

09/21/2026

Lake Garda was one of the biggest hits with my clients this summer. Everyone knows Lake Como, but if a northern Italian Lake is on your list, I would consider Lake Garda. It really delivered with all my clients and is just starting to come on the broader American travel radar. Lakeside towns, Mountains, boat rides and w**eries abound.

It is Italy’s largest lake and one of the things I love is how different it feels from one end to the other. In the south, towns like Sirmione have a more Mediterranean feel, with waterfront restaurants, historic streets and easy access to Verona. If you head north toward Malcesine and Riva del Garda, the mountains close in around the lake, with incredible hiking, biking and water sports. It also features Gardaland, Italy’s largest amusement park

Some Favorite Resorts that I’ve personally sent people to:

* Falkensteiner Resort Lake Garda - For that all inclusive family resort
* Du Lac Et Du Parc Grand Resort - Northern Riva Del Garda family gem.
* Bellerive Lifestyle Hotel - A modern resort right in Salo
*Lefay Resorts & Residences - Spa perfection in the middle of the lake

If Northern Italy is on your list, reach out! This is a great region of Italy to explore, but not quite as straightforward as other areas. It can also easily be combined with Switzerland, Austria or other areas in Italy.

08/26/2026

As someone who lives 10 miles from Newark Airport, we are already spoiled for direct flights to Europe. We hate connections! And one of my best areas of expertise is how to combine those direct United flights to give you the best route for your vacation without having to backtrack. A large part of my business is how best to plan your vacation around those flights. And I am super excited for these additions in 2027, although I’m nervous it’s going to expose some of my best known secrets (looking at you Slovenia)

Italy, Spain and France are all familiar, but these flights get you into the lesser known parts of the region and offer great options for 1 way routes.

More nonstop flights aren’t just about convenience. They mean less time connecting and backtracking, and more time actually enjoying your vacation.

Newark already flies nonstop to Palermo, so Catania means you can now travel across Sicily without backtracking. And Sardinia opens up more possibilities for Mediterranean island hopping. Both of these islands are their own trip.
That’s 8 nonstop destinations in Italy from EWR!

Probably my favorite addition. Slovenia is the country to visit before everyone else discovers how special it is—and this makes one of my favorite routes, Venice → Slovenia → Croatia, even easier.

Combined with the existing nonstop to São Miguel, you now have even more flexibility for an Azores island-hopping trip. Did I mention the flight is only 6 hours?

A new nonstop gateway to Provence and the South of France. Think Aix-en-Provence, Cassis, Saint-Rémy and Châteauneuf-du-Pape—and no need to backtrack to Paris to fly home.

Spain will now have up to 9 nonstop options from EWR. Valencia opens up more of the Mediterranean coast, while Ibiza offers gorgeous coves, boutique hotels and a much quieter side beyond the party scene.

Small but strategically interesting—and easy to combine with Belgium, France or Germany.

Contact me now to find your best route!

07/24/2026

With the new Odyssey Movie, our Peloponnese adventure brought those stories to life. I loved revisiting the Greek myths I learned in school while watching the girls discover them in real time. Standing in places that have inspired stories for thousands of years gives you an entirely different perspective.

While Odysseus’ journey was filled with myth and legend, the Peloponnese is one of the places where those stories still feel alive. Ancient ruins, Venetian castles, mountain villages, olive groves that have stood for centuries, and quiet beaches come together to create a destination that feels both timeless and surprisingly uncrowded.

This is a place where you can: • Walk through Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. • Wander the cobbled streets of Nafplio. • Explore the Byzantine city of Mystras. • Taste w**es in Nemea and olive oil from groves that have been producing for generations. • Sail beneath dramatic limestone cliffs and into sea caves.
• Snorkel over ancient cities  • Hike, cycle, kayak, river trek, or simply spend an afternoon on a golden beach with emerald water.

I loved that every day felt completely different, and having a rental car meant we could choose a new adventure each day. One morning we were standing where ancient athletes once competed. That afternoon we were swimming in the Ionian Sea, and by evening we were sharing fresh seafood at a family-run taverna overlooking the water.

The Peloponnese isn’t about checking famous landmarks off a list. Like Odysseus’ journey, it’s about taking the scenic route and discovering that the most memorable moments are often the ones you never planned.

If you’re planning a second (or third!) trip to Greece, don’t overlook the Peloponnese. It just might be the chapter you’ll remember most.

Ancient Olympia

Voidikilia Beach

Kayaking Ionian Sea

Costa Navarino Sunset

All the Greek salad

Clear blue sea

archaeological sites everywhere

Olympia

Peloponnese sunsets

07/15/2026

One of the things I love about travel is that it gives context to stories you’ve heard and makes them unforgettable. History stops being something you read about and becomes something you’ve stood in, walked through, and experienced for yourself. And I’ve found that once you connect one dot, a whole web of unexpected connections starts to appear.

I’ve watched the Olympics since I was a kid, and for our family 2026 became the year of the Olympics. We intentionally planned to attend the 2026 Winter Olympics, but the rest of these moments just seemed to fall into place.

🏔️ In March, we were in Milan for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
🏛️ In Athens, we stood in the Panathenaic Stadium, home of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 and the finish line of today’s Athens Marathon.
🔥 In Olympia, we walked the original Olympic grounds, where the ancient Games began nearly 2,800 years ago and where the Olympic flame is still lit before every Games.
🎈 And in Paris last summer, we watched the Olympic cauldron rise above the Tuileries Gardens, just months after the 2024 Summer Olympics had captivated the world.

It’s one thing to watch the opening ceremony on television. It’s another to stand where those traditions began and realize you’re part of a story that stretches back nearly 3,000 years.

What’s a place you’ve visited that completely changed the way you thought about history?

07/11/2026

One of the coolest hotels I visited in Greece wasn’t on an island at all.

Located on the quiet Ionian coast of the western Peloponnese, Dexamenes Seaside Hotel is a former 1920s w**ery where the original concrete w**e tanks have been transformed into minimalist beachfront suites. You walk out your door and down 4 steps to a full service beach area. It’s modern, understated, and peaceful and encourages you to slow down and just enjoy the scenery.

It is located in an area that most people don’t have on their lists. Endless Olive Trees, winding roads and quiet beaches, small towns that would love to see tourists come and visit. While meant for adults, this hotel is a great example of why you don’t always have to go to kid friendly properties. The girls loved the beach and we had some of our best experiences in Greece here.
 •Tour the ancient ruins of Olympia - the birthplace of the Olympic Games and run the original Olympic Stadion. (200m)
• Tour local w**eries and olive oil farms - both have been operating for centuries
• Kayak and Snorkel through the sunken city of Feia with ancient artifacts
• Spend the afternoon on the long sandy beaches of the Ionian coast
• Start your day with a complimentary yoga class

This isn’t the Greece of whitewashed villages and blue domes. It’s a quieter, slower side of the country—one where history, design, w**e, and nature all come together. If you’re looking for somewhere truly different, this is one I’d happily send you.

07/09/2026

Zakynthos is a favorite among Greeks and European travelers, with direct flights from many cities across Europe and multiple daily flights from Athens. Unlike many of the Cycladic islands, Zakynthos is lush and green, with dramatic limestone cliffs, sea caves, turquoise water, and the iconic Shipwreck Beach.

Here were our highlights: • A private boat trip along the southern coast • Spotting Caretta caretta sea turtles and private cove beaches • Lazy beach days with soft sand and crystal-clear water at Tsilivi Beach  • Tourist mini golf with an impressive frozen drinks selection
• Farm to Table Dinner at  • A sunset progressive dinner—our kid-friendly version of a bar crawl

A few things to know before you go: • Taxis can be difficult to find, so a little advance planning goes a long way. • The island is large with winding, hilly roads, so allow more time than Google Maps suggests.

Zakynthos isn’t usually the first Greek island people think of, but after spending time there, it’s easy to see why so many visitors return year after year. It pairs well with Kefalonia, Ithaca, Lefkades and the Peloponnese peninsula. If you’re considering Greece and want to explore beyond the usual islands, I’d love to help you plan it.

Address

West Orange, NJ
07052

Telephone

+17325952422

Website

http://www.takeyourowntrip.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Take Your Own Trip posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Take Your Own Trip:

Want your business to be the top-listed travel agency in West Orange?