Why I Chose Travel — and What It Means to Me
I didn’t grow up thinking I’d run a travel business.
I wasn’t the kid with a five-year plan or the dream of being an entrepreneur. But I was always the one who lit up when talking about a trip: sending friends lists of must-try restaurants, mapping out itineraries, and finding joy in the details most people find overwhelming.
Over time, travel became more than a passion. It became the way I saw the world, and it slowly began shaping the course of my life.
There wasn’t a single “aha” moment. Instead, it was a collection of experiences:
Meeting my partner on a cruise, an unexpected connection that changed everything.
Spending time in South Africa and realizing how travel shifts your perspective in lasting, quiet ways.
Discovering, again and again, how food is one of the most powerful ways to connect with a place.
Some of my strongest memories are tied to meals — not because they were fancy, but because they were real. Tapas in a tucked-away Barcelona bar. A roadside braai in South Africa. A bowl of fresh pasta on the Amalfi Coast with views that didn’t feel real. Food tells a story of the land, the culture, and the people. For me, it’s one of the most grounding ways to understand a place.
That’s part of why I care so much about helping people travel thoughtfully. It’s not about checking off sights. It’s about texture, flavor, and connection. It’s about creating space for moments that stay with you.
What I’ve seen time and again is how overwhelming it can be for couples to plan something truly special in the middle of life’s busiest seasons. Whether it’s wedding planning, a demanding career, or just not knowing where to start, there’s so much noise, so many options, and very little real guidance.
That’s where my professional background comes in. Before launching Booked by Alex, I worked in marketing, operations, and client-facing project management at an agency. Organization, detail-orientation, client communication, problem-solving, and vendor management were my everyday world. Now, those same skills are what allow me to run this business with structure and strategy. Owning my own business means I get to wear many hats—content creator, project planner, brand strategist, and trusted advisor—but every piece builds on that foundation.
That’s why I started Booked by Alex.
Not to be a “travel agent” in the traditional sense. I wanted to create something more intentional: a service rooted in curiosity, connection, and love. A business that treats once-in-a-lifetime trips with the care they deserve.
And yes, it was also about choosing myself. Stepping into creativity, building something meaningful, and believing I could make this real.
If you’ve ever had a moment on a trip that you wished you could bottle up and keep forever, then you know what I’m talking about. That’s why I do this. Because travel has the power to change everything.
It changed everything for me.
