Hi! I’m Eleanor, author and owner of Elevate Your Escapes.

As a travel enthusiast, I find joy in learning about cultures, meeting new people, and immersing myself in the richness of each destination that I visit. From bustling city streets to tranquil seaside escapes, I’ve had the privilege of being able to curate new experiences in various corners of the world. I’ve been to 60+ countries and many varied locales within those countries.

Whether I’m savoring delectable street food in local markets, embarking on a day-long cultural tour of famous sites, or simply gazing at awe-inspiring sunsets, I believe that every experience has the power to enrich our lives and broaden our perspectives. I’m here to share that with you.

I strive to be a responsible traveler, promoting sustainable tourism and enriching the lives of locals in the neighborhoods we visit. So, if you’re looking to uncover the world’s hidden gems, you’ve come to the right place.

On this site, you’ll find itineraries, practical tips, trusted resources, and vetted recommendations that will inspire your own trips.

I have 12+ years experience working in the travel industry. I am an IATA and CLIA-certified travel agent, and am part of the very strong Outside Agents host agency with Travel Leaders Network support – the largest travel consortia in North America. I’m also a part of the exclusive Opulence luxury travel group. And, I am a member of ASTA – the American Society of Travel Agents.

Elevate Your Escapes ranked as a top 30 first mate and top 30 travel advisor with Virgin Voyages in both 2024 and 2025. Elevate Your Escapes is the #1 top selling first mate / travel advisor in the state of NJ.

Bon voyage!

Eleanor

Contact Me: el@elevateyourescapes.com

Get to Know Me:

  • Where I’m from: Brooklyn, New York City
  • Where I’ve been: 60-something countries with many cities + towns within those countries
  • Favorite Places: Greece, Bimini, Paris
  • Top Travel Memory: Standing under the Eiffel Tower for the first time
  • Best meal I’ve had while traveling: Central tasting menu in Lima – #1 restaurant in the world at the time (have also been to Maido, which ranked #1 in 2025!)
  • What I’m most proud of: Growing Elevate Your Escapes to the Top 30 ranking level of Virgin Voyages First Mates in my first full-year as an independent travel advisor. Then, earning that Top 30 title again in year two.

Expert In

Young adult travel, solo travel, luxury travel, foodie travel, honeymoons

Where I’ve Traveled

I’ve spent months living and traveling in various locations throughout the world. My expertise lies in the following destinations:

Australia & the South Pacific / Oceania

πŸ“Australia: Hobart + Burnie – Stanley / Tasmania | Melbourne | Sydney

πŸ“ New Zealand: Auckland | Bay of Islands / Paihia | Napier | Picton | Rotorua | Tauranga

Africa

πŸ“Morocco: Ait Bennhadou, Casablanca, Chefchaoen, Fes, High Atlas Mountains, Marrakech, Merzouga, Rabat, Tangier

πŸ“Egypt: Aswan, Cairo, Hurghada, Luxor

Asia

πŸ“Singapore

πŸ“Thailand: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Kho Lanta, Krabi, Kho Phi Phi, Railay Beach and neighboring islands

πŸ“United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai

Europe

πŸ“Austria: Linz, Salzburg, Vienna, Ybbs

πŸ“Bosnia and Herzegovina: Mostar

πŸ“Belgium: Antwerp, Bruge, Brussels, Ghent, Leuven

πŸ“Croatia: Dubrovnik, Hvar, Korcula, Krka National Park, Plitvice National Park, Ε ibenik, Split, Ston, Zadar, Zagreb

πŸ“Czech Republic: Cesky Krumlov, Prague

πŸ“Denmark: Copenhagen

πŸ“Finland: Lapland

πŸ“France: Annecy, Antibes, Cannes, Colmar, Eze, Giverny, Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Paris, Villefranche-Sur-Mer, Versailles, Sanary-Sur-Mer, St. Paul de Vence, St. Tropez, Strasbourg, Toulon (+Monaco)

πŸ“Germany: Munich, Neuschwanstein (Fussen), Passau, Vilshofen

πŸ“Greece: Aegnia, Athens, Hydra, Milos, Naxos, Paros, Santorini (favorite country!)

πŸ“Hungary: Budapest

πŸ“Ireland: Blarney, Cobh, Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny, Kinsale, Ring of Kerry, Trim

πŸ“Italy: Almalfi Coast (Sorrento, Capri), Bagnoregio, Cinque Terre (Corniglia, Manarola, Monterosso, Vernazza, Riomaggiore), Civitavecchia, Florence, Lucca, Montepulciano, Orvieto, Pisa, Rome, Sardinia (Cagliari, Cala Gonone, Alghero), Siena, Tuscany, Venice

πŸ“Lichtenstein: Vaduz

πŸ“Luxembourg: Luxembourg, Vianden

πŸ“Malta:Blue Lagoon/Comino, Gozo / Victoria, Mdina, Silema, St. Julien, Rabat, Valletta

πŸ“Monaco

πŸ“Montenegro: Kotor, Perast

πŸ“Netherlands: Amsterdam (ask me about Kings Day…), Lisse, Utrecht

πŸ“Norway: Bergen | Flam Railway | Lyngen North | Oslo | Tromso

πŸ“Portugal: Cascais, Duoro Valley, Faro + the Algave, Lisbon, PortimΓ£o, Porto, Sintra

πŸ“Slovakia: Bratislava

πŸ“Slovenia: Lake Bled, Ljubliana, Postonja

πŸ“Spain: Barcelona, Cadiz, Costa Brava, Cordoba, Girona, Granada, Ibiza, Jerez de la Frontera, Madrid, Malaga, Motril, Palma/ Mallorca, Ronda, Seville, Sitges

πŸ“Sweden: Stockholm

πŸ“Switzerland: Geneva, Grindenwald, Interlaken, Lucerne, Montreux, Vevey, Zurich

πŸ“United Kingdom: Belfast, Edinburgh, London

πŸ“Vatican City

Central America

πŸ“Belize: Caye Caulker, San Ignacio

πŸ“Costa Rica: Manuel Antonio/Quepos, Tamarindo (my first solo trip!)

πŸ“Honduras: Roatan (a favorite escape!)

πŸ“Panama: Panama City, Mamey Island, San Blas Islands

North America

πŸ“Canada: Vancouver

πŸ“Mexico: Bacalar, Campeche, Cancun, Costa Maya/ Mahahual, Isla Mujeres, Merida, Mexico City (let’s talk about the tacos!), Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, Tijuana, Tulum

πŸ“USA: Alaska, Arkansas, California (including San Diego), Colorado, Delaware, Florida (Miami!), Georgia, Hawaii – Maui, Oahu and Hawaii Island, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico (including Santa Fe), New York, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Washington DC, Washington

Caribbean

πŸ“Antigua

πŸ“Aruba

πŸ“Bahamas: Bimini (8x!), Nassau

πŸ“Barbados

πŸ“Bermuda

πŸ“Cayman Islands / Grand Cayman

πŸ“Cuba

πŸ“Curacao

πŸ“Dominican Republic: Puerto Plata, Punta Cana

πŸ“Dominica

πŸ“Guadeloupe

πŸ“Jamaica

πŸ“Martinique

πŸ“Puerto Rico, US (8x!)

πŸ“St. Lucia

πŸ“St. Kitts

πŸ“St. Maarten

πŸ“St. Thomas, USVI

πŸ“Tortola (BVI)

South America

πŸ“Colombia: Cartagena

πŸ“Ecuador: Galapagos

πŸ“Peru: Aguas Calientes + Macchu Picchu, Amazon (via Puerto Maldonado), Arequipa, Cusco, Lima (including two of the #1 ranked restaurants in the world – Central + Maido)

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πŸ“On the docket for 2026: Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines, Japan, Grand Canaria, Madeira, Corsica, Tanzania, and more!

Want to learn more about luxury cruising? Check out our feature on Explora Journeys restaurants here.