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Explore The World With Me: A Fun-Loving Chef and Travel Pro Who Knows All The Best Hidden Gems!

Julie Hartigan in front of a blue door in Morocco

Hey fellow wanderer!

If you’re anything like me, you don’t just travel—you curate experiences.
Think: sinking into the plush bed of a boutique hotel so charming it feels like a secret, wandering into that perfect little shop you swear was made just for you, and sipping a cappuccino so good it makes you question every coffee you’ve ever had.

I’m all about the hidden gems—the kind of places that make you feel like you’ve unlocked a local secret. Maybe it’s a hole-in-the-wall joint serving the juiciest burger of your life or a Michelin-starred spot where the sommelier becomes your new best friend. Tourist traps? Not on my watch.
My mission? To track down the absolute best, from street food that slaps to fine dining that makes you want to happy cry—and then make it all happen for you.

I’M JULIE HARTIGAN

Ready for Adventure? Let’s Eat, Explore & Uncover the Best-Kept Secrets Together!

My travel story starts with curiosity—for food, people, and those hidden gems that make a trip unforgettable. I love a mix of pampering and adventure, whether it’s a dreamy boutique hotel, a candlelit Parisian bistro, or a sizzling street food stall in Quito.

For me, the best moments happen over a meal—like rolling pasta with a chef in Italy or sharing wine at a tucked-away trattoria where Nonna insists on one more bite.

Sound like your kind of travel?
Join me on an unforgettable journey—or let me craft your dream trip, no planning stress required.

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My top 10 travel memories

#1

Cliff jumping into the Mediterranean Sea on a surprise trip to Ibiza to stay on a yacht - this from the timid girl who flunked gym class
#2

Spending the night in a kimono-robes-only ryokan at the top of Mt Fuji with open air saunas looking out at the snow capped peak
#3

Staying in a friends 1600’s Swedish farmhouse in the countryside with cold plunge lake and hand built wood sauna
#4

Having a baby sea lion sidle up next to me while snorkeling in the Galapagos! The wildlife there is so curious about humans and unafraid
#5

Seeing one of the 7 wonders of the world in Petra, Jordan at golden hour after a 9 mile hike - without any crowds around me
#6

Doing karaoke with locals in Kyoto Japan as the clock turned midnight for my 50th birthday (Spice Girls if you were wondering!)
#7

Being invited by locals to the most FUN underground reggae club in someone’s home basement in London
#8

Disco dancing with a sheep farmer and cheese maker in Tuscany - he used to trade wheels of cheese for dance lessons and even brought his cheese to Italy’s version of David Bowie -Renato Zero
#9

Getting an impromptu driving tour of Cuba by a sweet old man who reminded me of my late grandpa -in his similar retro blue fishtail cadillac
#10

Drinking proper daiquiris in a tiny bar in Cuba that Hemingway hung out at

Travel Experience Like a VIP

Julie Hartigan attending a cooking class with a chef

Chef Insider Access

As a trained chef and a proud member of global food, wine, and travel networks, I have VIP access to the coolest local chefs and hidden culinary gems. Here’s the thing: there’s a little-known “Hospitality Code” that chefs live by. It’s like a secret handshake—we’re always excited to host and spoil fellow chefs who “get” our craft. We love sharing our world with those who appreciate the magic behind it.

Thanks to my open, curious nature, I get the chance to connect with local talent and share those amazing spots with you! Expect a warm, “family-like” welcome everywhere we go, with insider recommendations you won’t find anywhere else.

My Travel Vibe

My travel vibe? Think of me as a Golden Retriever in human form—always ready to play, chat, and connect with the amazing people around me. I have this special knack for finding the fun and uncovering the best experiences, whether it's through insider tips, hidden gems, or local hangouts that only the most in-the-know people can share. I’ve always been this way, ever since I was a kid, and it’s helped me form incredible connections wherever I travel.

Julie Hartigan with a group trip eating gelato

My Travel Style

Travel should be joyful and full of discovery, but I know it can also be overwhelming. That’s why I love balancing luxury stays in boutique or family-run properties with fun local experiences. For food, I mix it up: street food tours, farmers’ markets, local favorites, and high-end dining, so you get a true taste of the place.

I believe in planning ahead, but leaving room for adventure! A loose plan maximizes your time, but it’s the spontaneous moments and hidden gems that make travel truly magical.

My Travel Preferences

Where you stay is a big part of your travel experience, and I always choose beautiful, unique boutique hotels in charming neighborhoods over chain or business hotels.

I love staying in places with a story—restored monasteries, former palaces, or farm estates turned chic resorts. They add a sense of history and depth to your trip.

And let’s be honest—once we’re past a certain age, a quiet, comfortable bed and a lovely breakfast make all the difference. We’re not backpackers anymore!

Julie Hartigan with moroccan women cooking together

My Travel Values

I believe in leaving a positive footprint by supporting women entrepreneurs and local businesses. On my tours, we shop from local makers, visit family-run farms, and hear the stories behind the chefs, artists, and creators who make each place unique.

The best travel experiences? They’re off the beaten path, where the locals hang out! I love asking your favorite server or wine shop owner where THEY go to eat and shop. Skip the tourist traps and dive into the hidden gems that only the locals know about!

FINALLY IT’S YOUR TURN

Incredible Trips You Can Actually Take

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My life outside travel

#1

I’m a total nerd girl with a BS and MS in Engineering plus a minor in Psychology who loves to geek out and learn new things from being in a co-ed bookclub for over 17 years to podcasts, just for fun classes, you name it. I have a bottomless curiosity.
#2

I “got my start” making toilet paper for a living! Nope - not kidding! Even as a Process Engineer in a Procter & Gamble plant and later as a Tech Consultant I always dreamed of a career in food, wine, travel, and fun
#3

I’ve had so many wild career adventures past age 40! From being invited to vacation on a Yacht in Ibiza to representing Weight Watchers on QVC to being positioned a a celebrity chef on Caribbean Wellness Cruises doing demos in the ship theater for 1000’s, to helping launch a Multi Level Marketing product at a billionaire investors mansion in Lake Tahoe. You NEVER could have told younger-me I’d be having this much fun in my late 40’s and into my 50’s!
#4

Pet Peeves: stepping in water in the kitchen in socks, people who gossip and talk shit about other people for sport, cringy/rude tourists, people who are rude to waitstaff, hotel clerks, and that poor flight attendant at the gate at the airport who did NOT cause your flight to be delayed. Kindness and empathy towards others is so important to me.
#5

Never say never! - after a 12 year tech career and fun stint as a stay at home mom with my two daughters, I enrolled in Culinary School in NYC at age 38, graduated at 40, and had my first live TV segment at 45. So launching a Culinary Travel business in my 50’s? Lets goooo

Julie Hartigan and Women w drinks at il Falcionere

FUN, RELAXATION AND EFFORTLESS PLANNING

Let’s Travel in Good Taste Together!

Travel with me for the perfect blend of FUN, relaxation, and authentic local adventures—all planned for you!
From joining a curated group to share unforgettable culinary and cultural experiences to Private Trip Planning Services for your ultimate custom travel experience, think of me as your Travel Bestie and Culinary Concierge!

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