Caren Strauss
Based in Northeast USA
Native English, Fluent French, Conversational Spanish & Italian
Caren Strauss
Ask me about
My Story
Curated attention to detail with the goal of making travel spectacular. Learning about the world through exploration and experience is one of my life's greatest joys.
Travel Style
I never miss a must-see and I make it my mission to find that memorable travel "WOW!" I appreciate finer hotels and restaurants (I'm all about the F&B and a good night's sleep) but always look to discover that special local favorite.
Stay connected
Reviews (29)
Liza H.
3 months ago
Our family dreamed of going to Japan for years and when we finally had the chance, I knew Caren had to plan it. It was the third trip we worked on together, and once again, she knocked it out of the park. She was able to create an itinerary that checked off all of our varied wish lists. We did it all - from the must-sees to the off the beaten path, from city to country, from rustic to refined. Caren arranged incredible cultural experiences - cooking lessons, pottery classes, knife making, fabric dying, even dinner with local farmers. We spent time with wonderful guides through temples, shrines, fish markets, waterfalls and onsens. She arranged a ski trip where every detail was handled from passes to rentals to ski gear. Somehow she even made the clouds part and the sun come out over Mt. Fuji! We are so grateful to Caren for planning the trip of a lifetime and we hope that we get to plan another adventure soon!
Sheelyn M.
5 months ago
Once again, Caren’s partnership in planning this trip made this trip what it was. Caren not only listens to the ideas and requests of her clients, she incorporates them into further recommendations. Of great help (especially for busy clients) is that she is able to make suggestions that are helpful—she isn’t just presenting options, she’s actively working with you to curate the trip you are envisioning. And she has an infinite amount of patience and interest in ensuring her clients have a seamless experience. One small example—our overnight flight—on a Saturday night no less—was delayed leaving, which was impacting our connecting flight and airport transfer at our ultimate destination. By the time we received all of the notifications—at the airport!—she had already called ahead to ensure that the local travel partners were tracking our flights and that pick ups would be adjusted accordingly. I highly recommend working with Caren!
Melissa K.
5 months ago
Caren Strauss is incredible! This is my third time working with her and she always exceeds expectations. She planned our itinerary perfectly — scheduling workshops, activities, transportation, and dinner reservations. Every suggestion was amazing!
Even when I needed help during the trip, Caren jumped in right away with the best advice. She truly goes above and beyond and makes travel completely stress-free. Highly recommend! I will never plan an vacation without her.. Beyond Exceptional!!!
Lauren M.
5 months ago
Caren was absolutely wonderful to work with and I cannot recommend her enough. She’s very thoughtful and took the time to speak with me on the phone for extended periods of time to talk through all of my options and really help me plan the most wonderful honeymoon! Her recommendations were perfect and she booked everything which was extremely helpful. Caren made this trip of a lifetime such a seamless stress-free experience!
Lynne S.
5 months ago
Caren saved our vacation when the hotel used an expired credit card to make the final payments, and of course the payment was denied. The hotel was ready to cancel all three room reservations, but Caren came to the rescue!! And in the end, all was well. Thank you Caren!!
Liza H.
3 months ago
Our family dreamed of going to Japan for years and when we finally had the chance, I knew Caren had to plan it. It was the third trip we worked on together, and once again, she knocked it out of the park. She was able to create an itinerary that checked off all of our varied wish lists. We did it all - from the must-sees to the off the beaten path, from city to country, from rustic to refined. Caren arranged incredible cultural experiences - cooking lessons, pottery classes, knife making, fabric dying, even dinner with local farmers. We spent time with wonderful guides through temples, shrines, fish markets, waterfalls and onsens. She arranged a ski trip where every detail was handled from passes to rentals to ski gear. Somehow she even made the clouds part and the sun come out over Mt. Fuji! We are so grateful to Caren for planning the trip of a lifetime and we hope that we get to plan another adventure soon!
Sheelyn M.
5 months ago
Once again, Caren’s partnership in planning this trip made this trip what it was. Caren not only listens to the ideas and requests of her clients, she incorporates them into further recommendations. Of great help (especially for busy clients) is that she is able to make suggestions that are helpful—she isn’t just presenting options, she’s actively working with you to curate the trip you are envisioning. And she has an infinite amount of patience and interest in ensuring her clients have a seamless experience. One small example—our overnight flight—on a Saturday night no less—was delayed leaving, which was impacting our connecting flight and airport transfer at our ultimate destination. By the time we received all of the notifications—at the airport!—she had already called ahead to ensure that the local travel partners were tracking our flights and that pick ups would be adjusted accordingly. I highly recommend working with Caren!
Melissa K.
5 months ago
Caren Strauss is incredible! This is my third time working with her and she always exceeds expectations. She planned our itinerary perfectly — scheduling workshops, activities, transportation, and dinner reservations. Every suggestion was amazing!
Even when I needed help during the trip, Caren jumped in right away with the best advice. She truly goes above and beyond and makes travel completely stress-free. Highly recommend! I will never plan an vacation without her.. Beyond Exceptional!!!
Lauren M.
5 months ago
Caren was absolutely wonderful to work with and I cannot recommend her enough. She’s very thoughtful and took the time to speak with me on the phone for extended periods of time to talk through all of my options and really help me plan the most wonderful honeymoon! Her recommendations were perfect and she booked everything which was extremely helpful. Caren made this trip of a lifetime such a seamless stress-free experience!
Travel ideas (2)
What to Do, See and Eat in Costa Ballena
Costa Rica’s captivating beauty is certainly no secret. The Blue Zone country’s mass appeal seems to grow exponentially with each passing year. On my last trip to Costa Rica, I headed south to Costa Ballena, and experienced such extraordinary biodiversity and spectacular beauty, it was as if I had discovered Costa Rica for the first time all over again. Translated to “Whale Coast,” the area spans the South Pacific coast, from Dominical to Ojochal, and is so named for its location as a humpback whale migratory route and mating area. To my diehard nature (particularly marine) and beach-lovers out there, I cannot recommend a trip to Costa Ballena highly enough.
What to Do, See and Eat in Costa Ballena
Costa Rica’s captivating beauty is certainly no secret. The Blue Zone country’s mass appeal seems to grow exponentially with each passing year. On my last trip to Costa Rica, I headed south to Costa Ballena, and experienced such extraordinary biodiversity and spectacular beauty, it was as if I had discovered Costa Rica for the first time all over again. Translated to “Whale Coast,” the area spans the South Pacific coast, from Dominical to Ojochal, and is so named for its location as a humpback whale migratory route and mating area. To my diehard nature (particularly marine) and beach-lovers out there, I cannot recommend a trip to Costa Ballena highly enough.
Free Drinks from La Regina dell'Acqua (aka Rome)
Rome is known, and loved, for its history, food and wine. But did you know that it is also known as La Regina dell'Acqua, "The Queen of Water?" The city's "nasoni," drinking fountains, number over 2,500, and are all over the streets of Rome, providing clear, ice-cold water as good (if not better) than bottled. Shout out to sustainable traveling! While some fountains are a traditional standpipe design, many more are decorative, meaning there's work before you get that free drink. If your kids, yes, even teens, are anything like mine, finding these fountains and figuring out the physics of water pressure, gravity and spouts, becomes great fun and adds excitement in between endless gelato tasting and attempts at history lessons.
Free Drinks from La Regina dell'Acqua (aka Rome)
Rome is known, and loved, for its history, food and wine. But did you know that it is also known as La Regina dell'Acqua, "The Queen of Water?" The city's "nasoni," drinking fountains, number over 2,500, and are all over the streets of Rome, providing clear, ice-cold water as good (if not better) than bottled. Shout out to sustainable traveling! While some fountains are a traditional standpipe design, many more are decorative, meaning there's work before you get that free drink. If your kids, yes, even teens, are anything like mine, finding these fountains and figuring out the physics of water pressure, gravity and spouts, becomes great fun and adds excitement in between endless gelato tasting and attempts at history lessons.
What to Do, See and Eat in Costa Ballena
Costa Rica’s captivating beauty is certainly no secret. The Blue Zone country’s mass appeal seems to grow exponentially with each passing year. On my last trip to Costa Rica, I headed south to Costa Ballena, and experienced such extraordinary biodiversity and spectacular beauty, it was as if I had discovered Costa Rica for the first time all over again. Translated to “Whale Coast,” the area spans the South Pacific coast, from Dominical to Ojochal, and is so named for its location as a humpback whale migratory route and mating area. To my diehard nature (particularly marine) and beach-lovers out there, I cannot recommend a trip to Costa Ballena highly enough.
What to Do, See and Eat in Costa Ballena
Costa Rica’s captivating beauty is certainly no secret. The Blue Zone country’s mass appeal seems to grow exponentially with each passing year. On my last trip to Costa Rica, I headed south to Costa Ballena, and experienced such extraordinary biodiversity and spectacular beauty, it was as if I had discovered Costa Rica for the first time all over again. Translated to “Whale Coast,” the area spans the South Pacific coast, from Dominical to Ojochal, and is so named for its location as a humpback whale migratory route and mating area. To my diehard nature (particularly marine) and beach-lovers out there, I cannot recommend a trip to Costa Ballena highly enough.
Free Drinks from La Regina dell'Acqua (aka Rome)
Rome is known, and loved, for its history, food and wine. But did you know that it is also known as La Regina dell'Acqua, "The Queen of Water?" The city's "nasoni," drinking fountains, number over 2,500, and are all over the streets of Rome, providing clear, ice-cold water as good (if not better) than bottled. Shout out to sustainable traveling! While some fountains are a traditional standpipe design, many more are decorative, meaning there's work before you get that free drink. If your kids, yes, even teens, are anything like mine, finding these fountains and figuring out the physics of water pressure, gravity and spouts, becomes great fun and adds excitement in between endless gelato tasting and attempts at history lessons.
Free Drinks from La Regina dell'Acqua (aka Rome)
Rome is known, and loved, for its history, food and wine. But did you know that it is also known as La Regina dell'Acqua, "The Queen of Water?" The city's "nasoni," drinking fountains, number over 2,500, and are all over the streets of Rome, providing clear, ice-cold water as good (if not better) than bottled. Shout out to sustainable traveling! While some fountains are a traditional standpipe design, many more are decorative, meaning there's work before you get that free drink. If your kids, yes, even teens, are anything like mine, finding these fountains and figuring out the physics of water pressure, gravity and spouts, becomes great fun and adds excitement in between endless gelato tasting and attempts at history lessons.
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