Monique Owen
Born and raised in Melbourne, travel is in Monique’s antipodean blood. After receiving a Bachelor of Science and Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management, followed by a six-month backpacking trip around Europe, Monique spent the next decade working for a global firm in Human Resources. Monique’s work brought her to the US in 2003.
In 2007, Monique left the corporate world to attend Le Cordon Bleu culinary school and graduated with honors. She has since married her passion for food and travel, and considers food one of the most important aspects of travel. Exploring local markets and restaurants is most often top of her list, especially after spending several summers in the European countryside.
With three young children, Monique has a particular interest and expertise in vacation planning for families… and luxurious and romantic getaways without children.
Favorite Hotels & Resorts
Amangiri Utah, La Reserve Ramatuelle, Amankila Bali, Hotel du Cap Eden Roc, Tiberio Palace Capri, Hotel Splendido, Borgo Egnazia, Saffire Freycinet, Ett Hem, The Ranch at Rock Creek.
Lizzie Semmer
Lizzie was raised in both Chicago and Los Angeles. She went to the University of Vermont to receive a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and later onto receive her Masters in Education from DePaul University. After receiving her Masters she taught Kindergarten in Manhattan Beach for ten years. Lizzie believes that traveling is the world’s greatest teacher. Putting yourself in a new country, experiencing new cultures, tasting new foods, and exploring unknown territory provide life’s greatest lessons. And in today’s information age, when everyone has access to thousands of options of things to do and eat, Lizzie understands luxury travelers need the best itineraries to never return home having missed something.
Lizzie’s love for traveling started in high school when she embarked on a teen summer adventure camp to Australia. On that first trip she became a PADI Open Water Diver and took her first certified dive in The Great Barrier Reef. Lizzie continued her adventures the following summer swimming with penguins and seals in the Galapagos Islands while trekking to spot Blue Footed Boobies in their natural habitat. Lizzie further explored the world through Semester at Sea which introduced her to twelve countries, many of which she later returned to explore.
Lizzie is excited to help your family build memories that will last for a lifetime. She believes experiences are the greatest gift you can give to your children.
Favorite Hotels & Resorts
Hotel Tugu Bali, The Ritz London, Lilianfels in the Blue Mountains, The Peninsula Chicago