Am I the Right Travel Advisor for You?

Most people ask me "can you plan my trip?" And yes — technically, I can plan almost anything. But the better question is whether we're actually the right fit to work together. Because good travel planning isn't just logistics. It's trust. It's someone who gets how you travel and what actually matters to you.

So let me tell you who I am, who I work best with, and — honestly — who might be better off somewhere else.

Who I am

I'm Kat. Pittsburgh native, former ice hockey goalie, mom of two, and someone who would genuinely rather save for a trip than buy a new sofa. My parents were a veterinarian and a history teacher — which explains why I'm equal parts curious, caring, and full of random facts nobody asked for.

I've lived in Rome, Nashville, Miami, Philly, Atlanta, and Basel. Each place shaped how I see the world and how I plan trips. I started Adventure Smarter because I believe your trip should feel like you — not like a template someone pulled off a shelf.

You're a great fit if

You want your trip to feel personal. You're busy and don't want to DIY every detail. You like being involved in the fun parts but want someone to handle the stressful stuff. You want honest guidance — not someone who just tells you what you want to hear.

You also appreciate the details that most people don't think to offer. Before your trip I'll send you a custom food map for every city — not a generic top ten list, an actually curated one based on how you eat. A few months out I'll send you a Wanderlust Note: shows, movies, and books tied to your destination so you arrive already connected to the place. And throughout the trip you'll have trusted local partners on the ground plus me in the background for whatever comes up.

And when you get home I follow up on every part we planned together. I want to know what felt magical, what surprised you, and what we'd do differently next time. I don't book and disappear. That's not how I work.

We might not be a fit if

You want the absolute cheapest option regardless of quality. You love booking every detail yourself and have a hard time letting go of the process. You want a cookie-cutter itinerary with no back and forth. Or you just don't want to share preferences — which makes it really hard for me to do my job well.

None of that is a judgment. It just means someone else is probably a better match.

The short version

I'm direct, I've been to most of the places I recommend, I will tell you what's actually worth your money and what isn't, and I genuinely care whether your trip was everything you hoped it would be. If that sounds like what you're looking for — let's talk.

Think we might be a good fit?

Start with a discovery call. No pressure, no pitch — just an honest conversation about what you're planning and whether I'm the right person to help.