Escape To Beyond

08/11/2024

A win!

City councilmembers in Mobile, Alabama have removed a barrier to passenger rail’s return in the Coastal South.

07/06/2024

I close my eyes as the hot wind hits my cheeks on a white sand beach; my mind is transported back to the stillness of Cierva Cove in the morning sun.

You can’t simply go to Antarctica and return as you once were. It changes you. You come back home and realize how insignificant and fragile life really is.

We stand at a critical moment in history where humanity must choose its future (I actually came to this realization while taking the last photo—no joke, eeep). A penguin at my feet was looking around, searching for the perfect rock for its nest. In its innocence, I was taken aback. The simplicity of the moment is one I will remember forever; it was nature in its rawest, purest form reenacting at my feet. Do we sit back or do we help in some slightest minute way in hope for waves of change?

Years go by, and I still grapple with the right words to describe this ethereal land. If I were to pick one word—is it more pristine? Is it dazzling? Untouched? I guess if I were to choose one, it is incredible. All of it. The knowing that is empowering as much as it is humbling. And taking these memories back home with you into the messy mix of it all—emotions, hardships, joy, politics, beauty, life.

I’ve been doing some deep research for clients looking to offset Antarctica journeys and have to say, .desert.antarctica it’s doing the most.

What holiday you choose to save up for matters, choose wisely.

06/12/2024

UPDATE: All appointment slots have been filled.

✅TSA Precheck is coming to Pensacola International Airport July 8-12!

✈️ If you've been thinking about getting TSA Precheck, now is your chance! Book an appointment for the next pop-up event at Pensacola International Airport at tsa.gov/precheck. Read the press release below for more information.

Press Release: https://cvcpl.us/C2hwhNQ

(P.S. There are less than 40 slots left!)

06/09/2024

04/26/2024

04/22/2024

03/29/2024

Hi peeps! Happy Good Friday.

Haven’t done a in a while so wanted to hop in here to tell you a bit about me and share this awesome photo by

A little bit about me:
I’m Kara! I’m 32 and currently live in Florida but have worked and traveled all around the globe to 50 countries.

I have so many parts of me to meet still.

I eat some form of a quesadilla every other day. LOL.

I graduated from one of the top 5 hospitality colleges in the world (2014), and also have a certificate in Sustainable Tourism Destination Management (2017).

My dream destination (well today, it changes everyday!) is Borneo.

I have never met a stranger.

I promote traveling responsibly the best that I can. It’s often times the hard thing to do (picking out the companies around the world that are going GOOD for our world) but it is the RIGHT thing to do. I’ve already done all the research and I have people on the ground in every country that act as extensions to my services.

I read a quote the other day that resonates with my biz motto. “No one will protect what they don’t care about, and no one will care about what they have never experienced.”
– David Attenborough

I’m a full service travel designer with and can get you on the map… sustainably. Let’s go somewhere!!

03/28/2024

So like what do you do? - literally everyone

03/26/2024

Back in January I was a little apprehensive to plan a trip for my clients wanting to travel to Jamaica. First, because I had never been there before and second Jamaica is still under a ‘Reconsider Travel Advisory.’ So naturally my only choice was to scope it out myself. 🤙🏼🤙🏼

Jamaica has been at the Level 3 Travel Advisory for a few months now but what they are dealing with isn’t anything new. Earlier today I was talking with a hotel guest/ Jamaican local and he said “Even if we’re at an advisor these are problems that are ongoing and somewhat manageable”

As always I feel quite safe. It mostly comes down to how you choose to spend your time. While in country the Jamaican community has opened its arms up to me.. directions from a stranger, an ice cold Red Stripe extended to me at my guides family shop, a hand to help me up in a rocky river bed. Maybe I’ve been lucky or maybe it’s because kindness follows me wherever I go.

It’s perfectly natural to feel uneasy when planning a trip to a foreign country, especially with your family.

First and foremost, it’s important to emphasize that the decision to travel is ultimately yours. Your comfort and safety are our top priority. There are several countries popular with tourists under a Level 3 Travel Advisory, including Egypt, Colombia, Baja California (where Cabos San Lucas is located), and Guatemala, just as there are advisories from other countries regarding travel to the United States. And while I do not take these warnings lightly sometimes it requires a bit of research or in my case a little hands-on cultural immersion.

Travel is always a personal choice, depending on one’s comfort with various situations. We believe first hand Jamaica is beautiful and welcoming, and while advisories are in place, many travelers still enjoy their visits without incident. Assessing and determining what you’re comfortable with regarding your holiday is essential for me to understand.

I want to assure you that we are here to provide you with all the necessary information so that you can make an informed decision regarding your travel plans.
Be well!
On island time:

03/13/2024

Every once in a while you see something in nature so ludicrously beautiful that all you can do is laugh.

The first time I laid eyes on the Llareta plant in the high altiplano desert of Chile I did just that.

I am continually inspired by the adversity flora and fauna face to survive in some of the harshest climates of our world. How have they adapted over time?

These plants grow a centimeter a year. At that rate, plants rising to shoulder height (covering yards of ground, lump after lump) are really old. In fact, some of them are older than the Giant Sequoias of California, older than towering coast redwoods. In Chile, many of them go back 3,000 years — well before the Golden Age of Greece.

I remember once I had a peaceful lunch on top of a sea of lime sorbet, an alien-like blob of green.

My friends at , are doing the most in conserving plants and protecting communities in Chile most vulnerable areas. Check back this week in my stories for their commitment to preservation through exploration.

03/13/2024

03/03/2024

A few shots from the Maison de la Luz the other week in New Orleans.

Exclusive partnership created. Let’s escape.

02/27/2024

Trade winter blues for tropical hues

Photo courtesy of:

02/23/2024

Exclusive partnership through Elysian Escapes for the Hotel Peter & Paul. Contact me to book your getaway.

02/21/2024

On location, all checked in - site visit in the big easy.

Hotel Peter & Paul

02/20/2024

Something is beautiful to me when it’s unexpected.

Over time I’ve learned that many different cultures have surprised me with their hospitality. How often have I come across strangers who have welcomed me into their home for a masala chai or a dry place to sit? How many times have I been helped without asking it? The world has shown its love to me in many forms… a smile, a hand reaching out to help me into a Bangka boat, a child’s innocent laugh while playing with a simple wooden toy.

My love for destinations is love for its people - the encounters that happen unplanned and suddenly when you open your mind and heart. It’s called humanity.

A walk in someone else shoes is to build a bridge where a battleground once was. To share a perspective, an unmet need, a delight. To break through the isolated nature of each persons framework of perception and to know it as our own. Imagine what would happen. Instead of seeing someone as a foreigner, we would recognize that person as a friend.. we would recognize our shared humanity.

Come with me to a meeting point where existence is simply enough.

Journal on humanity.
Photo by
Location: Mongolia

02/20/2024

I could write a novel about the trees of Japan.

Travelers from around the world flock to 🇯🇵 in spring for the chance to glimpse the perfect cherry blossom. Contact me to start planning your sakura adventure March - April.

02/14/2024

Romance is inherent to travel - that feeling of endless opportunity on account of nobody knowing who you are, the mystery of a new place, the beauty pleasantly surrounding you like a soft sigh.

The captivating allure of a seductive design that seamlessly incorporates a system of sustainability.

02/14/2024

Nestled in the old quarter of Barrio Alfalfa, Seville is the gorgeous

Just 5 minutes from the city’s cathedral the hotel is a perfect combination of chic and comfort offering beautiful rooms and a relaxed rooftop bar.

The owners have sympathetically restored the original 17th century casa Palacio to reflect the architectural highlights of the building: Roman marble columns, Tarifa stone floors, an atrium patio and original wood carved detailing. The hotel is a real oasis in the bustle of Seville which offers many Moorish cultural and historical highlights as well as a warm welcome and great food.

Just booked for Sevilles Feria de Abril - it will certainly be a delight to dance and drink among the stylish sevillanos.

02/12/2024

Canvas tents harken back to times of remote exploration

01/28/2024

Featuring Jamtara Wilderness Camp, located in central India for our next luxury glamping feature around the world.

The 12 luxury tents offer a taste of colonial elegance, each featuring ensuite bathrooms, hardwood flooring, and stylish wooden furnishings. But what sets them apart is their dedication to eco-friendly practices, minimizing their carbon footprint without compromising on comfort. During rainy season the lodge packs up and allows the natural course of the season to flow.

Jamtara goes the extra mile in conservation efforts by engaging local communities. The camp supports nearby villages with employment opportunities, philanthropy efforts, education, and healthcare, nurturing a symbiotic relationship with those who share the land with the wild residents. 🐅

Guided walks and bicycle rides let guests explore the wilderness responsibly, under expert supervision to ensure minimal impact on the environment.

Curl up with book while sipping an afternoon masala chai and appreciating our ecosystems in the breezy open air lounge.

At Jamtara, there are no barriers separating guests from the wildlife. Woah! The camp’s unique no-fencing approach allows animals to roam freely, creating an awe-inspiring connection with nature. The owner and friend, Amit Shankala, follows in his father’s footsteps, Pradeep Sankhala a pioneer of the ecotourism movement, as a dedicated conservationist, ensuring that the delicate ecosystem of the forest remains undisturbed.

01/23/2024

There's a reason it's the best.. Cayuga Collection

Sustainability is crucial at Cayuga hotels. But you don’t have to worry about that. Here, you get the finest jungle luxury experiences whether you care about the future or not. Editor's note: you should definitely care.

01/21/2024

Glamping series -
This week I’m highlighting my favorite glamping accommodations around the world. You won’t be saying bye to modern day amenities with these escapes. This type of room selection immerses you completely in nature, some of the properties follow the ‘pack it in, pack it out’ philosophy to stay in tune with the flow of rainy vs dry season. You’ll probably witness the brightest stars you will ever see, and most definitely be surrounded by untouched beauty of the wild. Stay tuned this week for more luxury glamping!

Featuring Namibia:
Best time to visit Namibia: June - October (dry season)

Zannier Hotels Sonop seamlessly embodies the timeless 1920s British colonial aesthetic, nestled amidst the Namibian desert. Where the harmony of nature meets opulence in every detail. The 10 spacious roll-up tents are tucked away between boulders, a cozy retreat to curl up after a day of adventure while also reflecting the life of yesteryear’s explorers. Modern day luxuries are not amiss, each room is furnished with antiques, colorful carpets and precious wood, these lavish accommodations capture the look and feel of a bygone era. Panoramic views look out onto otherworldly desert landscapes on this impressive 13,800 acres of private land, while in-tent telescopes invite dreamy stargazing moments (as seen above).

01/16/2024

Think beyond the norm for your honeymoon! See y’all at this extravagant event Feb 18th, Pensacola, Florida :)

01/16/2024

Just got off a sales call with the president of Nomadic Expeditions, a company I have admired since the very beginning of my sustainability journey. Highlighting companies/ destinations that protect their culture and heritage at its core is my highest mission. Come escape with me alongside Elysian Escapes.

01/12/2024

What could possibly go wrong when booking a hotel?

Here are some common problems that can happen:

📅 Accidentally picking the wrong dates.

📍 Forgetting to double-check the location.

🏨 Misled by pictures online.

❌ Overpaying by booking on a third-party travel website.

Don’t make the same mistakes! Instead, come plan your next getaway with us.

✅ We make sure your dates all line-up.

✅ We make sure it’s in an optimal location for the things you want to do.

✅ We give you insights into what that hotel or resort is actually like.

Do you have any questions about travel planning in 2024? Ask away!

01/12/2024