This interview is with Christina Gales, Certified Pro Travel Advisor, Founder at Christina Gales Travel.
Christina Gales, Certified Pro Travel Advisor, Founder, Christina Gales Travel
Can you tell us about yourself and what drew you to specialize in luxury travel planning and bespoke journeys? What makes your approach to curating travel experiences unique?
I’ve always believed that travel is one of the most powerful ways to grow—whether it’s expanding your perspective, appreciating different cultures, or simply reconnecting with yourself. That love for discovery started early and stayed with me throughout my career. I began in public relations, which gave me incredible opportunities to travel and experience the world through a professional lens. It also taught me how to tell stories that connect with people—something I now bring into every itinerary I design.
What drew me to specialize in luxury and bespoke travel was the desire to create something more meaningful and personal than a standard vacation. I believe travel should reflect who you are, where you are in life, and what you’re craving in that moment. My approach is part travel curator, part memory-maker, and entirely centered around personalization. Each journey is custom-designed for the individual client—no templates, no pre-set paths—because their travel experience should be as unique and unforgettable as they are. That’s why I founded Christina Gales Travel.
What pivotal moment or experience in your career helped shape your philosophy about what true luxury travel means? How did you transition from seeing luxury as simply premium amenities to creating deeply intentional, personalized journeys?
A turning point for me came during a trip to Tuscany—not at a five-star resort, but in the countryside, during a private cooking class with a local chef. We cooked, shared stories over wine, and I remember thinking: this is luxury. Not because it was extravagant, but because it was intimate, intentional, and deeply personal.
Earlier in my career, especially with my PR background, I saw luxury through the lens of premium amenities and polished service. But that moment shifted everything. I realized true luxury isn’t about excess—it’s about meaning. Today, that’s the heart of my work. I design every journey to feel personal and purposeful, with thoughtful details and space for connection. It’s not just about where you stay—it’s about how the experience makes you feel.
When designing a bespoke luxury journey for a client, what’s the discovery process like? How do you uncover what they truly want from their travel experience beyond what they initially tell you they’re looking for?
The discovery process is where the magic really begins. Most clients come to me with an idea—maybe a destination or a special occasion—but my role is to look deeper. I’m not just listening for what they say they want; I’m tuning into how they want to feel on this journey.
We start with a conversation—not a checklist—where I ask thoughtful, sometimes unexpected questions: What’s a moment from past travel that you still think about? What pace feels right for this season of your life? Are you craving inspiration, rest, reconnection? It’s about reading between the lines and getting to the emotional core of why they want to travel now.
From there, I start crafting. Every detail is intentional—from the experiences I suggest to the partners I work with—because the trip should feel like an extension of who they are. That’s what makes it luxury: not just the elegance or access, but the sense that every moment was designed just for them.
Can you share an example of a luxury destination or experience that completely surprised one of your clients—somewhere they might not have considered on their own? What made you recommend it, and what was their reaction?
One that stands out is a client who initially came to me wanting a classic Mediterranean escape—something like the Amalfi Coast or the South of France. Beautiful options, of course, but as we talked more, I realized they were craving something a bit slower, more soulful, and less expected. So I suggested Puglia, in the heel of Italy’s boot—charming coastal villages, olive groves, centuries-old masserie turned boutique stays, and some of the best food in the country.
It wasn’t on their radar at all. But once I painted the picture—sunset dinners in quiet piazzas, private tastings at family-run vineyards, a slower rhythm that allowed for real presence—they were all in. By the end of the trip, they told me it was the most connected and refreshed they had felt in years. It was exactly what they didn’t know they needed.
That’s the beauty of bespoke travel—sometimes the most luxurious thing is simply being guided toward the right experience at the right time.
What’s the biggest mistake you see travelers make when planning luxury trips themselves, and how does working with a specialist help avoid that pitfall? What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone booking their first truly high-end travel experience?
The biggest mistake I see travelers make is underestimating the value of working with a travel professional. With endless information available on Google and now AI tools, it’s easy to think you can plan a luxury trip on your own. But what often happens is overwhelm—sifting through hundreds of options, reading conflicting reviews, trying to decipher what’s truly worth it. What these tools lack is nuance. They can’t understand your personal travel style, anticipate your unspoken needs, or tap into trusted relationships and first-hand experiences that make all the difference.
Luxury travel isn’t just about picking the most expensive hotel or top-rated tour. It’s about flow, fit, and finesse. As a specialist, I know which details elevate a journey from great to unforgettable—and I know how to craft them in a way that feels seamless and stress-free.
For someone booking their first truly high-end experience, my advice is simple: don’t just search—strategize. Partner with someone who understands how to translate your vision into something extraordinary. Luxury isn’t just about where you go—it’s how thoughtfully it’s done.
In your experience curating bespoke journeys, how do you balance exclusivity and authentic cultural immersion? Can you share a specific example where you successfully brought these two elements together for a client?
One of the most important balances I aim to strike in every itinerary is between exclusivity and authentic cultural immersion. True luxury, in my view, isn’t about being removed from a destination—it’s about being invited in, just with an added layer of access, intention, and ease.
For one client’s milestone birthday trip to Madrid, I curated an experience that brought both elements together beautifully. They stayed in a chic, lesser-known boutique hotel in the Salamanca district—private, elegant, and away from the tourist buzz. Instead of the typical museum tours, I arranged a private after-hours visit to the Prado with an art historian, where they explored Spain’s masterpieces without the crowds. Then, to balance that exclusivity with local flavor, they spent an afternoon in a family-run flamenco studio—not a staged performance, but an intimate class followed by a homemade tapas dinner with the dancers.
What made it so special wasn’t just the luxury—it was the authenticity. They got to see Madrid through the eyes of locals, but with experiences they never could’ve found on Google or a standard itinerary. It was elevated, yes, but also soulful. That’s the kind of travel I love to create.
What’s an emerging luxury destination that you believe will become the next must-visit location for discerning travelers? What makes this destination special, and what should travelers know before they go?
One destination I’m especially excited about right now is Turkey. It’s long been on the map for its rich history and vibrant culture, but in recent years, it’s emerged as a quietly luxurious escape for travelers who want depth, beauty, and something a little unexpected.
What makes Turkey so special is the incredible range of experiences you can have in one journey. You can begin in Istanbul, staying at a historic palace-turned-hotel on the Bosphorus, then head to Cappadocia for a private hot air balloon ride over the fairy chimneys at sunrise, and end with a few slow days along the Turquoise Coast, where you can charter a gulet for a private cruise along hidden coves. It’s that blend of ancient and modern, indulgent and grounded, that makes Turkey unforgettable.
What I always share with clients is that luxury here is as much about authenticity as it is about elegance. Turkey rewards travelers who are curious—those who want to sip tea with a local artisan, shop vibrant markets with a private guide, or explore ruins in the golden hour light without the crowds. It’s an incredibly rich destination that’s finally getting the elevated, personalized travel attention it deserves.
When you’re planning a multi-generational luxury trip or a journey for clients with very different travel styles, how do you ensure everyone feels the experience was designed for them? Can you walk us through a real example of how you’ve navigated this challenge?
Multi-generational and mixed-style trips are some of the most rewarding journeys to plan—because when done thoughtfully, they create shared memories that last for years. But they also require a deeper level of strategy and empathy, because what excites one traveler might overwhelm or bore another. My role is to listen closely, read between the lines, and design a flow that honors everyone’s needs while still feeling cohesive.
One example that stands out is a three-generation family trip I planned to Italy. The grandparents wanted a slower pace with cultural depth—think historic sites, wine tastings, and scenic countryside drives. The parents were foodies and wellness-focused, while the teens wanted fun, freedom, and a bit of adventure.
Instead of trying to force everyone into the same experience at the same time, I built in layers: shared anchor moments, like a private pasta-making class in Tuscany, or a sunset boat ride along the Amalfi Coast—and then optional, tailored experiences throughout. While the teens went e-biking with a local guide, the grandparents toured a nearby vineyard at their own pace. Some afternoons were left unstructured, allowing for spontaneity or rest, which helped the entire group avoid travel fatigue.
The result? Everyone felt seen. No one felt like they were compromising. And when they came together at dinner to share what they’d each experienced that day, that’s when the magic happened.
To me, that’s the art of luxury travel—curating moments that speak to the individual, while still nurturing connection across the group.
Looking ahead at the future of luxury travel, what shift or trend do you think will most impact how you design bespoke journeys for your clients? How are you preparing to adapt your planning approach to meet these evolving expectations?
Looking ahead, one of the biggest shifts I see shaping the future of luxury travel is the growing desire for purpose-driven personalization. Clients aren’t just asking, “Where should I go?”—they’re asking, “What do I want to feel, experience, or reconnect with on this journey?” Luxury is becoming less about status and more about substance: deeper meaning, curated access, emotional resonance, and time well spent.
This evolution is impacting how I design every bespoke itinerary. It’s no longer about simply booking the top hotel or a private tour. It’s about understanding each client’s current season of life—what they’re craving, what they need a break from, or what they’re moving toward—and shaping a journey that meets that with nuance and care.
I’m also seeing more interest in sustainability, slower travel, and experiences that foster connection—whether that’s through wellness, creativity, or culture. In response, I’m continuing to grow my network of local partners who prioritize authenticity and responsible luxury, and investing time into discovering destinations that deliver emotional impact and elegance.
Adapting to this future means staying curious, always listening, and being willing to design with both intuition and innovation. That’s how I ensure my clients aren’t just taking trips—they’re living stories that will stay with them long after they return home.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
If there’s one thing I’d leave readers with, it’s this: Travel well, travel intentionally, and never underestimate the power of a journey that’s truly your own.