About

We work with travelers on an ultra-personalized basis, offering our creativity, expertise, and connections to create unique and unforgettable adventures.

Our small team of dedicated specialists brings decades of experience planning unique luxury adventures around the world.

It started almost by chance.

As with almost all travel stories, it wasn’t part of the original plan. We specialized in Japan and did not intend to help travelers with adventures to other destinations. Our founder and first two hires came from backgrounds where we arranged trips to countries around the world, but Japan is such an engaging destination that we did not tire of focusing exclusively on it.

We have our wonderful repeat travelers to thank for asking us to take the leap. At first, we resisted. But finally we agreed that they were right: after all, we’re passionate about Japan — yet also love so many other countries, as well (including the ones mentioned in our stories below). While we’re no longer invitation-only, we continue to focus primarily on our gracious and adventurous repeat travelers.

Boutique Explorer Andres Zuleta.jpg

Andres Zuleta, Founder

Recognized as a top travel specialist by Condé Nast Traveler, Andres has spent years living in Japan and enjoyed long-term stays in locations including Medellin, Oaxaca, Chiang Mai, Havana, and Lisbon. Favorite destinations include Mexico, Japan, Australia, India, Vietnam, Colombia, Portugal, and the Galapagos Islands.

Memorable adventures.

  • Winding through the Andes in Colombia and Ecuador, and snorkeling with penguins in Galapagos.

  • The inimitable atmosphere of Varanasi, and breathtakingly majestic trip atop Himalayan mountain roads to Ladakh in northern India.

  • Road trips in Hokkaido and Shikoku, with impromptu stops to swim in lakes and pristine waterfalls along the way.

  • Mouthwatering market tacos in Tijuana, margaritas overlooking the ocean in Ensenada, and wine pairings surrounded by the beautiful scenery of Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe.

Boutique Explorer Sales Director Roni Sivan

Roni Sivan, Lead Trip Designer

Based in Austin, Texas, Roni lives for travel and loves helping adventurous people bring creative trip ideas to life. With extensive experience traveling through over 40 countries across 5 continents, favorite destinations include Italy, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Argentina, and Iceland.

Memorable adventures.

  • Indulging in high tea in the misty hills of Sri Lanka's tea country.

  • Discovering charming cobblestoned villages throughout Italy, from Piedmont in the north to Puglia in the south.

  • Awing at the wildebeest migration and other incredible wildlife on safari in Tanzania.

  • Road-tripping around Iceland taking in majestic sights under the midnight sun and soaking in geothermal pools along the way.

Vanessa Miller Boutique Explorer

Vanessa Miller, Operations Specialist

Vanessa has called both Japan and Singapore home, traveled throughout Asia and North America, and lives for adventures and experiencing new places. She loves diving into details and has helped facilitate amazing and unique experiences for travelers since 2017.

Memorable adventures.

  • A self-drive adventure through the forested inland area of Honshu, Japan, sampling remote hot-springs along the way.

  • A New Year’s Eve spent in the hills of southern Bali, watching the 360 degree fireworks along the horizon.

  • A trek through western Canada’s impossibly emerald lakes and glorious forest waterfalls.

  • Experiencing the chic and culturally rich Mexico City, people watching from cafes and taking in the amazing history of art and culture.

Natalie Watenpaugh, Sales Assistant

Since studying abroad during her senior year of university on Semester at Sea, travel has been Natalie’s passion, and led her to circumnavigate the world twice by age 25. Her favorite destinations include Japan, Cambodia, Iceland, Nepal, and Thailand. 

Memorable adventures.

  • Traveling via camper van throughout Iceland in the quiet shoulder season of October, waking up next to majestic waterfalls with no one around.

  • Watching the alpenglow on Mount Everest from Kala Patthar and witnessing the pure quiet and beauty of this remote part of the world.

  • Traveling through Thailand via motorbike, occasionally getting lost with forced pit stops for coffee during monsoon downpours.

  • Experiencing the pristine and calm waters of the Indian Ocean while in Mauritius, where the mountainous topography and peaceful ocean make for a beautiful contrast.

Winnie King, Executive Assistant

Winnie's passion for travel and wanderlust has been a lifelong companion, sparked by early exposure to diverse destinations. Her adventurous spirit and love for exploration have shaped her into a seasoned traveler, always eager to embrace new cultures and discover the beauty of the world.

Memorable adventures.

  • Exploring the oceanic wonders of Puerto Rico through a mesmerizing snorkeling encounter with the bioluminescent bay.

  • Walking through the quaint towns of the Dominican Republic to immerse beautiful culture, savor delectable cuisine and enjoy the company of welcoming locals.

  • Embarking on annual winter road trips across the states to chase the thrill of snowboarding in the freshest powder at sunrise.

Take the next step.

Get in touch to start planning or brainstorm your next adventure.

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