Traveling—and especially planning a trip—can feel overwhelming, even for the most seasoned explorers. But a well-planned journey should ultimately become a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that leaves you with cherished memories for years to come.
My approach to creating these unforgettable experiences is rooted in my own travels: camping in the Outback of Australia, hiking glaciers in Iceland, exploring Italy with family, cruising the Caribbean, honeymooning in the Greek Islands, and embarking on multiple month-long trips across the U.S. and Europe. Each of these adventures has shaped my passion and expertise, enabling me to design rewarding, tailored itineraries for those eager to savor every moment life has to offer.
My approach to creating these unforgettable experiences is rooted in my own travels: camping in the Outback of Australia, hiking glaciers in Iceland, exploring Italy with family, cruising the Caribbean, honeymooning in the Greek Islands, and embarking on multiple month-long trips across the U.S. and Europe. Each of these adventures has shaped my passion and expertise, enabling me to design rewarding, tailored itineraries for those eager to savor every moment life has to offer.
About Me
Welcome to Travel by 83° West!
My name is Laura, owner and custom travel advisor. As a proud native Michigander, my passion for travel began early, inspired by my parents’ dedication to exploring every corner of our great state. After graduating from Michigan State University and spending some time in Chicago—where I met my husband—we returned to the Mitten State to start our family. Today, we live at the coordinates 42° N and 83° W, a meaningful number that inspired the name of my business and reflects my lifelong love of travel.
My love for travel truly blossomed in high school when I joined the People to People Student Ambassador Group for a three-week adventure to Australia and New Zealand. What began as a journey with strangers quickly turned into a bonding experience with friends who shared my passion for exploration. Since then, I’ve seized every opportunity to travel, accumulating extensive experience across the continental U.S., Europe (including Iceland, Ireland, Scotland, England, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Greece, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Poland), Canada, Mexico, Central America, and many of the Caribbean islands.
Traveling to me is much more than taking a trip to escape the daily grind. It is getting the opportunity to immerse yourself into the life of another culture. While I do enjoy a good few days at the beach, I have a strong Type A Personality which means I have a difficult time sitting on a beach for a weeks vacation, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't relax under the sun! For me, personally having a restless soul, I want to Explore the land outside the beach, Hear the sounds of the city, Understand the people living there, or Discover the best coffee, wine, gelato, or extreme adventure. As much as I love the city, I love a good hike in the mountains even more. Some of my favorite moments in life have been spent with my family on a long trail, the mountains surrounding the four of us, excitedly anticipating what is around the next turn exploring the land less traveled.
In 2018, I began planning what we called our "Great American Road Trip"—a 24-day journey that took our family through 16 states, 8 state capitals, and 6 national parks. Spanning over 5,000 miles and 100 hours in the car, it was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that left us with incredible memories. While this type of trip isn’t for everyone, it was perfect for us—a whirlwind of exploration and discovery that we’ll never forget.
Although I’ve planned countless trips across the globe, this road trip required an unprecedented level of organization. From coordinating logistics to fine-tuning daily details, the process was both time-consuming and rewarding. Knowing exactly what adventures awaited us each day made the effort worthwhile. Not a single moment went unfulfilled, and no opportunity for exploration was missed. This trip not only reinforced my passion for travel but also made me realize how much I love the art of planning and sharing those experiences with others. It was the moment I knew this passion could be more than a hobby—it could be a way to help others create their own unforgettable adventures.
From meticulously researching adventures to staying current with the latest travel trends, hotels, restaurants, and deals, my goal is to create an experience tailored to your needs. If you’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or overworked and want to make the most of your valuable vacation time, my 25 years of international travel expertise can help.
While technology makes it easy to book flights and hotels, how much time are you spending researching to ensure your trip is unforgettable? How confident are you that your efforts will lead to the best experiences? Do you have premier access to uncover hidden deals and exclusive opportunities?
If you’re uncertain about any of these questions, allow me to eliminate the guesswork. I’ll handle the time-consuming details, guiding you through every step of the process. With your budget, vision, and goals at the center of my planning, Travel by 83° West is here to help you craft the trip of a lifetime!
My name is Laura, owner and custom travel advisor. As a proud native Michigander, my passion for travel began early, inspired by my parents’ dedication to exploring every corner of our great state. After graduating from Michigan State University and spending some time in Chicago—where I met my husband—we returned to the Mitten State to start our family. Today, we live at the coordinates 42° N and 83° W, a meaningful number that inspired the name of my business and reflects my lifelong love of travel.
My love for travel truly blossomed in high school when I joined the People to People Student Ambassador Group for a three-week adventure to Australia and New Zealand. What began as a journey with strangers quickly turned into a bonding experience with friends who shared my passion for exploration. Since then, I’ve seized every opportunity to travel, accumulating extensive experience across the continental U.S., Europe (including Iceland, Ireland, Scotland, England, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Greece, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Poland), Canada, Mexico, Central America, and many of the Caribbean islands.
Traveling to me is much more than taking a trip to escape the daily grind. It is getting the opportunity to immerse yourself into the life of another culture. While I do enjoy a good few days at the beach, I have a strong Type A Personality which means I have a difficult time sitting on a beach for a weeks vacation, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't relax under the sun! For me, personally having a restless soul, I want to Explore the land outside the beach, Hear the sounds of the city, Understand the people living there, or Discover the best coffee, wine, gelato, or extreme adventure. As much as I love the city, I love a good hike in the mountains even more. Some of my favorite moments in life have been spent with my family on a long trail, the mountains surrounding the four of us, excitedly anticipating what is around the next turn exploring the land less traveled.
In 2018, I began planning what we called our "Great American Road Trip"—a 24-day journey that took our family through 16 states, 8 state capitals, and 6 national parks. Spanning over 5,000 miles and 100 hours in the car, it was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that left us with incredible memories. While this type of trip isn’t for everyone, it was perfect for us—a whirlwind of exploration and discovery that we’ll never forget.
Although I’ve planned countless trips across the globe, this road trip required an unprecedented level of organization. From coordinating logistics to fine-tuning daily details, the process was both time-consuming and rewarding. Knowing exactly what adventures awaited us each day made the effort worthwhile. Not a single moment went unfulfilled, and no opportunity for exploration was missed. This trip not only reinforced my passion for travel but also made me realize how much I love the art of planning and sharing those experiences with others. It was the moment I knew this passion could be more than a hobby—it could be a way to help others create their own unforgettable adventures.
From meticulously researching adventures to staying current with the latest travel trends, hotels, restaurants, and deals, my goal is to create an experience tailored to your needs. If you’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or overworked and want to make the most of your valuable vacation time, my 25 years of international travel expertise can help.
While technology makes it easy to book flights and hotels, how much time are you spending researching to ensure your trip is unforgettable? How confident are you that your efforts will lead to the best experiences? Do you have premier access to uncover hidden deals and exclusive opportunities?
If you’re uncertain about any of these questions, allow me to eliminate the guesswork. I’ll handle the time-consuming details, guiding you through every step of the process. With your budget, vision, and goals at the center of my planning, Travel by 83° West is here to help you craft the trip of a lifetime!
