Creosote Journeys is a boutique luxury travel planning company. What connects you? Hola! Saved my life really. Those are just the words that fit. Like I belonged.
I am Mandy McKaskle, the founder of Creosote Journeys a full-service lifestyle travel planning company and quite simply travel has changed my life. That seems a bit dramatic and well it is, but if you know me you know that say exactly what I mean and how I feel. And in order to accurately describe something that has lifted me from the depths of loss, heartbreak and tragedy and shown light, hope an
d perspective is to say it is life saving. Let me paint the picture for you. The first time travel saved my life was when I was 9 years old and visited New York City for the first time. See, I grew up in very small town. The kind where everybody knows everybody's business and families grow up together for generations. The kind of place that makes you feel small and if you don't like your situation or who you are - can also make you feel like it is the only way that life will ever be. New York City opened my eyes and mind to a whole new world outside of my small town so I always knew there was more to life.➡️ I want to connect you to new or old places with those you love most. Fast forward a few years later to when I was 16 years old and a few months removed from my brother taking his own life. An already planned exchange for me to live in Hermosillo, Mexico continued in spite of this. I have no idea how my parents had the strength to lose and let go of 2 children all at the same time, but I went and am so glad I did. I grew up spending every long weekend, holiday, summer vacation in a beach town in Mexico called Puerto Peñasco so from a very young age felt at home there. Honestly most of my happy memories from childhood are from those carefree times in a place that wasn't the small town I grew up in. It made me feel special and different but I also just felt connected. And living there just solidified my love affair with Mexico and all of Latin America. Speaking spanish is something that just comes back to me no matter how long I go without practicing it daily - and there is something incredibly comforting and exciting about knowing that I could be thrown into any spanish speaking situation and be ok. ➡️ It opens up worlds to my fingertips which is what I want to do for you. The last experience I had was just a few years ago when I visited Croatia for the first time. It was not too long after a series of tragedies and personal losses had just about taken me over and I needed a lifeline. So when my beloved friend from Argentina invited me to travel with her I jumped at the opportunity. This trip opened my mind, healed my heart and gave me hope. I came home with a renewed purpose and knowledge that I would ok along with happy memories of a country that I would return to time and time again. ➡️ I want to help you experience a new place that opens your eyes, your heart and your mind. (with none of the stress of planning)
What does all this mean for you? ➡️ I care that the experience you have while traveling is one that changes your life. That helps you to heal from loss, or spend precious time with those you love most, or seize the moment, or experience your final continent or whatever travel means to you. I care about the details and creating the most memorable journey so that all you have to do is relax and unwind. Even if you love to plan travel, it can get overwhelming and stressful really quickly and especially in light of all the changes with COVID-19, the value of working with a travel advisor has never been more clear. I have had the good fortune of being in the travel industry for over 20 years and want to help open up the world to you. Because travel heals. Travel expands your mind. Travel connects you. I invite you to connect on a free planning call so you can get one step closer to creating your own journey that connects you to what you love most. Contact me via email at [email protected] to get started!
01/14/2025
Client Love! Such a delight to help this family celebrate the holidays together in Switzerland where they enjoyed shopping in the Christmas markets in Luzern and Zurich, playing in the snow, a boat ride on Lake Luzern, excellent food and creating some new family traditions together. Planning multi-generational getaways is a specialty and personal passion of as this time together and the memories created are the greatest gifts. What connects you?
01/07/2025
In our sights: Discover the pristine Elmau Valley, a sanctuary amidst one of the most beautiful and varied landscapes of the Alps, surrounded by majestic mountains, crystal-clear lakes, river beds, wild forests and jaw dropping canyons. Located on the border between Austria and Bavaria, 1 hour from Munich, 40 minutes from Innsbruck or a 2 ½ hour scenic drive to the Dolomites.
This year round resort offers no shortage of outdoor adventure (tennis, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, trail running, skiing, snowshoeing, wild swimming, golf, archery), six different spas, kids and teens clubs, five restaurants, multiple lounges and a concert venue featuring jazz and classical performances.
Clients of Creosote Journeys enjoy exclusive benefits when staying here so reach out today to start planning your spring, summer, fall or winter adventure!
What connects you?
01/05/2025
I forgot that I might see
So many beautiful things
I forgot that I might need
To find out
What life could bring
Beautiful things
- Andain
So many places to experience, so many travel memories to create, so many beautiful things to see. Time is a sieve and the moment to start planning is now. What connects you?
12/14/2024
Maison Albar L’Imperator in Nîmes is part of and the ideal 2 or 3 night stay as part of a South of France itinerary. Just 3 hours by train to Paris and Avignon is just 45 minutes away. Out the front door of the hotel await Roman ruins, beautiful gardens, fountains, running paths, restaurants and shopping. Inside are two swimming pools, a spa, fitness center, 2 Michelin Starred restaurant by Pierre Gagnaire and a kids room. Curious about planning a trip to this part of France? Let’s chat!
11/15/2024
Las ventanas, puertas, espejos y vistas al paraíso…
10/31/2024
Bok Hrvatska loosely translated means Croatia is calling 🇭🇷💛 Whether you want to travel by yacht, cruise or vehicle we have you covered. Let’s connect!
**a
10/25/2024
With guaranteed snowfall and the Urseren Valley as your backdrop, a cozy Swiss escape awaits!
10/17/2024
There is beauty. There is wonder. There is uncertainty. There is pain. There is growth. 6 images to reflect on the 6 years since I started Creosote Journeys and what a roller coaster it has been. I am SO thankful for my family, my travel industry friends and my clients that have encouraged and supported me along the way. It is rarely easy, but always worth it. To many more years of creating travel memories and helping to write chapters in travel stories. Forward, forever…
10/15/2024
What type of travel do you specialize in? I get asked this question often, so sharing just a small sampling of destinations and experiences I have had clients at over the past few months. It highlights just how varied it is; truth is I focus more on the right clients and developing a relationship over many years. Those I can develop a deeper connection with. It goes beyond transactional, where I can anticipate and make recommendations versus just answering the phone. With each journey, I learn more about what they love and what they would do differently. I can hone in on the small details and finer touches that make a trip truly magical. What connects you?
10/04/2024
Looking for a romantic hideaway? This Caribbean destination is under the radar and offers sustainably built villas with private plunge pools and outdoor rain showers. Treehouse style spa offers couples massages to signature facials. Open air restaurant serving inspired island-to-table plates sourced from local fisherman and farmers markets. Benefits available when you reserve through me are: complimentary room upgrade if available at time of arrival, daily breakfast for 2, complimentary lunch or dinner for 2, and a complimentary 50-minute couples massage.
Ready to book your secret getaway?
📧 [email protected] to learn more!
09/22/2024
Hola! I am so glad you are following along, with so many new faces, I wanted to re-introduce myself. My name is Mandy McKaskle and I am founder and Chief Luxury Travel Advisor at Creosote Journeys, a luxury travel planning company based in Tucson, AZ but have clients all over the USA.
About me:
1. I started Creosote Journeys in 2018 after an 18 year career as a luxury hotelier. I am a firm believer that the hotel you stay in DOES matter!
2. I am a native Arizonan but spent 8 years in Washington, D.C.before manifesting my way to Tucson, AZ.
3. I lived in Mexico when I was 16 years old and spent much of my childhood on the beach in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico so speak Spanish bastante bien para un güerita.
4. Movement, especially in nature is my meditation. I am also the person who will always take the stairs and park the farthest away.
5. I love watching wildlife from my back yard. The desert is a wild and beautiful place and the symphony includes sightings of bobcat, javelina, deer, rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks and dozens of types of birds.
6. I am 1 of 8 children so planning multi-generational and family travel is a personal passion of mine.
7. My favorite trip is the one I am packing for. Highlights of the past few years include safaris in Botswana and Zimbabwe, Japan, Paris, Ireland, Iceland and a recent mother / daughter trip to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
Why Creosote Journeys? My core belief is that travel is a way to connect; to the country or culture you are experiencing, with your travel companions and most importantly, with yourself. It is the gift of time; to slow down, to reflect, to create memories with those you love and to open yourself up to all the possibilities that new experiences and destination can facilitate.
The intoxicating sights and sounds of a farmers market in London on a Saturday morning. I always encourage clients to leave time in their itineraries to just get out and explore with nothing planned. The spontaneous moments are often some of the most memorable. They allow the freedom to just be with no obligations and enjoy the magic of a new city. It’s as perfect as strawberries and cream! (Or an open-air market on a Saturday morning)
09/12/2024
With Volume 4 of launching today, I am so thankful to be part of this special Tucson community. Would not be here without the collective vision and passion of everyone involved, especially .wittmann - stay tuned for the launch! 🎉🌵
🌵
08/19/2024
Just returned from a few days of networking with luxury travel partners from all over the world at Virtuoso Travel Week. The show is all about enhancing product knowledge, staying on top of trends and deepening personal relationships. My clients reap the rewards in the form of upgrades, insider recommendations and personalized travel planning assistance! A few highlights:
The reimagined train launching in Italy April 2025. A great pre or post add on to Rome or Venice.
is back after being bought by . I am so excited for clients to experience the best of the best including the only Nobu at sea.
is a new hotel in Paris located in one of my favorite districts - The Marais.
A timeless classic on the Amalfi Coast, that never goes out of style.
Families love the swimmable beach and kids club + they added a fun glamping element for more adventure.
Also loved connecting with my Embark Beyond colleagues and friends!
08/14/2024
Discover. Stay. Indulge. Experience. Sustain. Celebrate. So many ways to describe this incredible private island retreat in Fiji. Consider this a sign to book your vacation for Fall, Winter or Spring Break and take advantage of some fantastic offers and generous inclusions. (did they say free nanny services for ages 0-3?!) Fiji is an easy 10 hour flight from LAX for my west coast clients!
As a travel advisor, a creative part of my job is to listen to what a client is saying, get a sense of their vision, pay attention to the ingredients they want on the trip and make recommendations based on this. As many of the more pop**ar destinations have seen an increase in tourism with the prices to match, there has been an uptick in interest for travel during what would normally be considered off peak to experience some of the more pop**ar destinations in a new or different way.
Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to travel to Canada with a few of my Embark Beyond colleagues on a travel advisor educational trip with Fairmont Hotels and stay in Lake Louise, Jasper Park Lodge and Banff. Destinations that can be overrun in the summer. But in the winter? An entirely different and magical experience. There was no shortage of activities from snow-shoeing, cross country skiing, sleigh rides, hiking, polar plunge & sauna, sound bath, spa, star gazing, forest bathing. (And yes skiing!) We were able to visit these beautiful destinations without the crowds, which allowed us to connect on a deeper level with the locals and understand the gem that is off-season travel. I am even more eager to send business there this winter, especially after the recent fires in Jasper Park. I know they will rise up and am excited for clients to experience the awe, wonder, magic & beauty for themselves!
What connects you?
08/07/2024
Christmas Market Fever! For those of you that revel in the magic of lights, shopping and a festive atmosphere - there is no better experience than visiting the Christmasmarkets in Europe. Click https://inspires.to/experiences/europes-christmas-markets-qzwd0 for insightful travel content by Approach Guides. Contact me to learn more about cruise or land options. Perfect for a girls trip or family vacation!
Creosote Journeys
These festive traditions are one of the best reasons to visit Europe in winter
08/06/2024
The hills are alive and beckoning you to come stay at the newly renovated in Austria! Set in a spectacular valley on an amazing lake perfect for early morning swims, Rosewood has taken an old Bavarian palace and made it chic and elegant with lake views. This is the perfect combination with Vienna or Munich and a great option for nature lovers looking for something new and fabulous. My clients receive daily breakfast for two and a EUR100 food and beverage or spa credit + a room upgrade if available.
Recommended activities include musical tours, culinary experiences, hiking, water sports, biking, cultural tours or just enjoying the spa and taking in the scenery. Reach out to learn more!
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The chapters of my 2024 travel story included:
January - Sweden
February - San Miguel de Allende and Mexico City
March - Fairmont Lake Louise, Jasper Park Lodge and Banff
April- London and Ireland
May- Explora Journeys Cruise
June- Sedona
July - Utah
August - Windstar Cruise around Iceland
September - Yosemite National Park
October - Los Cabos and Washington D.C.
November - France
December - Tucson
Looking forward to the new chapters and stories yet to be written in 2025…
#2024 #travelmemories #yearinreview #luxurytraveladvisor #sweden #sanmigueldeallende #luxurycruise #ireland #iceland #france #parisfrance #yosemitenationalpark #loscabos #viajante #worldtraveler #creosotejourneys
@creosotejourneys
The spirit of Christmas is alive and well in France!
@ritzparis
@soparishotel
@shangrilaparis
@lareserveparis
@gallerieslafayettefr
@carltoncannes
@creosotejourneys
#christmas #holidays #christmasdecor #holidaylights #christmastree #louisvuitton #dior #paris #cannes #france #holidaytravel #holidayshopping #parisfrance #luxuryhotel
Iceland Cruise with @windstarcruises - I could get used to this small ship life! The 7-day itinerary circumnavigates the island and is a great summer vacation idea for solos, couples or families. The temperatures are a great hot weather escape, loving the private yacht vibe and the food (and wine) have been incredible. Message me for more info and to start making your small ship dream a reality!
📍Haimaey Island, Iceland
#iceland #volcano #horses #golf #elephant #heimaey #island #icelandtravel #windstar #smallshipcruising #summertravel #puffin #volcanicisland #europe #atlanticocean #fjords #embarkbeyond #creosotejourneys #windstarcruises
@creosotejourneys
@embarkbeyond
Take the chance…and the trip! The essence of our @explorajourneys luxury cruise encapsulated in a short video courtesy of @embarkbeyond and the talented @maxschoeber
@creosotejourneys
#luxurycruise #atsea #cruise #pacificocean #vancouver #sonoma #astoriaoregon #sanfrancisco #dancingqueens #elegance #virtuosotravel #duvine #bicycle #nike #hiking #wine #creosotejourneys #explorajourneys #embarkbeyond
Hey you! Yes, you! You the one that wants to travel...
Hola! I am Mandy McKaskle, the founder of Creosote Journeys a full-service lifestyle travel planning company and quite simply travel has changed my life. Saved my life really.
Say what? That seems a bit dramatic and well it is, but if you know me you know that say exactly what I mean and how I feel. And in order to accurately describe something that has lifted me from the depths of loss, heartbreak and tragedy and shown light, hope and perspective is to say it is life saving. Those are just the words that fit.
Let me paint the picture for you. The first time travel saved my life was when I was 9 years old and visited New York City for the first time. See, I grew up in very small town. The kind where everybody knows everybody's business and families grow up together for generations. The kind of place that makes you feel small and if you don't like your situation or who you are - can also make you feel like it is the only way that life will ever be. New York City opened my eyes and mind to a whole new world outside of my small town so I always knew there was more to life.➡️ I want to connect you to new or old places with those you love most.
Fast forward a few years later to when I was 16 years old and a few months removed from my brother taking his own life. An already planned exchange for me to live in Hermosillo, Mexico continued in spite of this. I have no idea how my parents had the strength to lose and let go of 2 children all at the same time, but I went and am so glad I did. See I grew up spending every long weekend, holiday, summer vacation in a beach town in Mexico called Puerto Peñasco so from a very young age felt at home there. Honestly most of my happy memories from childhood are from those carefree times in a place that wasn't the small town I grew up in. It made me feel special and different but I also just felt connected. Like I belonged. And living there just solidified my love affair with Mexico and all of Latin America. Speaking spanish is something that just comes back to me no matter how long I go without practicing it daily - and there is something incredibly comforting and exciting about knowing that I could be thrown into any spanish speaking situation and be ok. ➡️ It opens up worlds to my fingertips which is what I want to do for you.
The last experience I had was just a few years ago when I visited Croatia for the first time. It was not too long after a series of tragedies and personal losses had just about taken me over and I needed a lifeline. So when my beloved friend from Argentina invited me to travel with her I jumped at the opportunity. This trip opened my mind, healed my heart and gave me hope. I came home with a renewed purpose and knowledge that I would ok along with happy memories of a country that I would return to time and time again. ➡️ I want to help you experience a new place that opens your eyes, your heart and your mind. (with none of the stress of planning)
What does all this mean for you? ➡️ I care that the experience you have while traveling is one that changes your life. That helps you to heal from loss, or spend precious time with those you love most, or seize the moment, or experience your final continent or whatever travel means to you. I care about the details and creating the most memorable journey so that all you have to do is relax and unwind. Even if you love to plan travel, it can get overwhelming and stressful really quickly and especially in light of all the changes with COVID-19, the value of working with a travel advisor has never been more clear. I have had the good fortune of being in the travel industry for over 20 years and want to help open up the world to you. Because travel heals. Travel expands your mind. Travel connects you.
I invite you to connect on a free planning call so you can get one step closer to creating your own journey that connects you to what you love most. Contact me today to get started!
