hi i’m jessie, your travel bestie
about me
Born & raised in Columbus, Ohio, USA I’m a Midwestern girl who has always been determined to go far & wide. I earned my B.A. at The Ohio State University with majors in German & Communication and minors in Linguistics & Western European History. Becoming a German speaker has opened so many doors to the world for me and I am forever grateful of this pursuit.
As a recipient of a Fulbright grant (combined study & teaching award), I moved to Vienna, Austria in 2013 where I lived as a full-time resident for two years. During this time I got my first gig as a tour director in student group travel — which I still do to this day. My typical tour is 23 days from London to Athens with 40 college students - I know it’s crazy, but also it’s the most amazing, rewarding, incredible thing I have ever done.
I have held additional travel-centric roles within the boarding school/education sector as both a coordinator of global initiatives and international recruitment coordinator. During the pandemic my artsy & creative side led me to a big agency role as a social media manager, but when the world opened I knew I needed to roam once again. In between I’ve earned my yoga teacher license, spent some years in Southern California, and started working with brands on the side as a content creator, which I’m really excited to see grow in the time ahead!
I’m now a Jersey girl and reside in the metro NYC area & live my most incredibly supportive (and now avid traveler) partner. I currently work with both US and European travel operators as a freelance tour director sharing my favorite pieces of the world with my travelers - now I want to share with you too!
my why
For me, there’s no better feeling than receiving that text from a traveling friend who is enjoying one of your favorite corners of a far away place - it creates a bond between us to have traveled to same destination, eaten the same dish, or sat on the same bench. I believe there’s no better way to pay it forward than sharing those unique memories that leave a special place in your heart with others.
I’m lucky enough to have pursued careers that have sent me running around the world and I now feel more confident than ever in my research, advice, and recommendations I share with you. I want every activity, every meal, every glass of wine to be a memory to last a lifetime - I care with all my heart how your relationship with a new city unfolds.
I understand there are a million ways to seek out travel advice (so if you’re here, wow thank you so much I mean it!). This page is truly for every traveler on any budget. From hostels to 5-star hotels, couch-surfing to overnight ships, I’ve done it all and want to use my experiences (good & bad) to make your next trip the best it can be. I am passionate about history, art, languages, local cuisine but also my oat milk flat whites, organic cold-pressed juices, natural wine, curated cafes, shopping, and styling aesthetic photo moments. I think if you found yourself here, you know the vibe xx.