Travel Advisor

Lawren Desai
She/Her
Expertise
- Off-the-Beaten-Path,
- Arts & Culture,
- Europe,
- Mexico,
- India,
- Australia
Based in
North Carolina
Profile details
About
A nomad at heart, my travels have been inspired by family, films, books and an unlimited supply of curiosity.
Travel style
I have adored traveling since my early stroller years. I live for all kinds of adventures, whether it's a road trip across the Southwest United States, a train ride through the fjords in Norway or a transatlantic flight to lawn bowl in Australia. I'm a curious traveler who seeks out the places and spaces where the locals hang, like the thermal pools in Iceland or the izakayas in Japan. In a former life, I was the founder of an art-house cinema. If I haven't visited a part of the world (yet), I've probably seen it in a film. I love researching destinations and planning a well-rounded trip that includes unique lodging, local cuisine and memorable sight-seeing.
Lawren's travel guides & trip reports

How to Spend Three Days in Zürich Off the Map

Nags Head: The Perfect Home Base for an Outer Banks Vacation

A Weekend Getaway to Winston-Salem, NC: The Coolest Hyphenated City in the South

Encountering Art (Everywhere) in Naoshima

Salt Lake City Stopover

The Penny Williamsburg: A Quintessential Brooklyn Stay

7-Days of Charm: Escape to Mérida, Mexico

Winter Weekend in Denver (No Ski’s Required!)
Favorite hotels
Lawren's travel photos





Lawren's reviews
Oh, man, booking with Lawren was fabulous. She made it so easy. We decided to take a long Memorial day weekend trip with our grown up kids just weeks before it was time to go. Lawren offered several destination options, and we chose Iceland. We only had five days/four nights to work with. Lawren helped us pack them with fabulous experiences from waterfalls, hiking glaciers, relaxing in the Blue Lagoon waters, gourmet dining tour, restaurant recommendations, with local tour guides for the excursions. Wow, it was a WONDERFUL trip and perfectly well designed for our needs and wants. Lawren suggested good options to help control the cost, too. She was readily available to answer all our questions in the planning and trip process. We'll be planning lots of future travel with Lawren's guidance.
- Steven F.
Booked travel to Reykjavík
- May 2025
Lawren was helpful every step of the way. This was really nice because I am a busy working mom of four and don't have a lot of time, so Lawren was able to find a great vacation for me and my kids during the time frame I asked for and the rest was taken care of. She is easy to get in touch with and very responsive.
- Heather M.
Booked travel by cruise
- April 2025
Lawren did an exceptional job in helping to plan our trip to Normandy and Paris. She listened to our needs and made all the arrangements for our booking at the Hotel Royal Saint Michel. Communication was efficient and timely. She understood that location and logistics were most important for us and chose the perfect hotel for our needs.
- Doris J.
Booked travel to Paris
- April 2025
I recently had the pleasure of working with Lawren who crafted a truly unforgettable itinerary for my trip to Sydney, Australia. The highlight of my stay was undoubtedly the Shangri-La Sydney, where I enjoyed breathtaking views of the harbor and exceptional dining experiences. The hotel's amenities and perks, such as access to the Horizon Lounge, added a luxurious touch to my stay. Beyond the hotel, the advisor expertly planned a series of unforgettable excursions, including a thrilling visit to Taronga Zoo, a scenic tour of the Blue Mountains, and a picturesque coastal walk to Bondi Beach. Every aspect of the trip was meticulously curated, ensuring that I experienced the best of Sydney's natural beauty and cultural attractions. Lawren's attention to detail and commitment to excellence made this trip truly special, and I highly recommend her services to anyone planning a visit to this incredible city or anywhere else in the world (she's planned other trips for me to Spain (twice), New York City and California!)
- Sarajane K.
Booked travel to Australia
- March 2025

Get in touch with Lawren
Reach out to customize and book your own experience. Or, just to chat about travel in general.
You can expect a response from Lawren within 1–2 business days. You’ll also be subscribed to our traveler newsletter (you can unsubscribe at any time).
Sign up for Lawren's email list
Stay in-the-know with the latest from Lawren, including travel recs, hotel features & exclusive perks.
