Michael Cole-Schwartz
He/Him
Based in Seattle (less rainy than you think)
Speaks English, enough French to get by
Michael Cole-Schwartz
Ask me about
My Story
With a 20+ year career in nonprofit strategic communications, I know a thing or two about planning. And messaging (but that’s less relevant to you). What I bring to my work in travel advising is curiosity (about the world and about you), fastidiousness (detail-oriented is an understatement) and a belief in the power of strong relationships (that are marked by clear communication, rigorous honesty and trust).
I’ve seen my share of the world (40 countries and 49 US states)—but more importantly, I get just as excited helping my clients journey hither and yon as I do in creating my own trips. Let’s plan something fantastic together.
My Travel Style
I love mixing tourist sites (could one ever tire of the Eiffel Tower?) with experiencing slices of life (seeing a soccer match with locals is always on my list) with the spontaneous (like the impromptu 3:00am kayak tour we did to catch a lunar eclipse). No matter if it’s your first time in a destination or you’re a repeat visitor, I’ll make sure you have the chance to see the “can’t miss” sights, plus set you up for the quirky, “when in Rome” experiences.
My motto is “just enough planning” so that trips flow without headaches but also offer enough flexibility to wander through that curious market or say yes to the cool hike you heard people talking about. Just like in my career as a strategic communication professional, I know how to plan for the unexpected.
But the more important question is, how do you like to travel?
Stay connected
My reviews (74)
Mary B.
19 days ago
Michael was very responsive and gave us some good ideas in terms of filling out our open days with some fun activities.
Mary B.
25 days ago
Nancy A.
2 months ago
Michael made sure that I knew everything. He asked questions and answered mine, made sure I had my itinerary up to date. I felt completely safe and well taken care of. I am extremely happy with his advising.
Susan M.
2 months ago
Melissa B.
2 months ago
Michael was a gift to work with. My first time working with a travel agent and it was a fantastic experience. He found us so many good places to stay on our two week adventure. He helped us with food tours, itineraries, adventures, parking garages, routes, flights, rental cars, logistics, and on and on. Michael is responsive and a great listener. He has contacts and colleagues around the world and his expertise and connections made our trip so much better. I highly recommend working with Michael for your future travel needs!
Mary B.
19 days ago
Michael was very responsive and gave us some good ideas in terms of filling out our open days with some fun activities.
Mary B.
25 days ago
Nancy A.
2 months ago
Michael made sure that I knew everything. He asked questions and answered mine, made sure I had my itinerary up to date. I felt completely safe and well taken care of. I am extremely happy with his advising.
Susan M.
2 months ago
My travel ideas (3)
Is a Virgin Voyages Repositioning Cruise Right for Me?
Virgin Voyages had already turned me from a hardened cruise skeptic to an enthusiastic cruise booster. But how would I feel about two weeks aboard a repositioning cruise — in our case the Transatlantic Miami to Med voyage on Scarlet Lady in late-April 2024 — with nothing but thousands of miles of ocean ahead of me? Spoiler alert: I booked my next transatlantic crossing before I was done with the first one.
Is a Virgin Voyages Repositioning Cruise Right for Me?
Virgin Voyages had already turned me from a hardened cruise skeptic to an enthusiastic cruise booster. But how would I feel about two weeks aboard a repositioning cruise — in our case the Transatlantic Miami to Med voyage on Scarlet Lady in late-April 2024 — with nothing but thousands of miles of ocean ahead of me? Spoiler alert: I booked my next transatlantic crossing before I was done with the first one.
9 Ways to See D.C. Like a Local
I lived in Washington, D.C., for more than 20 years. It’s where I met my husband Steven, got married and built a life together. The city will always be one of my favorite places in the world. While it’s known for incredible museums and as the seat of government (speaking as a former Congressional intern who gave tours of the Capitol), there’s so much more to experience beyond the mall. Here are my tips to enjoy the nation’s capital the way I did as a local.
9 Ways to See D.C. Like a Local
I lived in Washington, D.C., for more than 20 years. It’s where I met my husband Steven, got married and built a life together. The city will always be one of my favorite places in the world. While it’s known for incredible museums and as the seat of government (speaking as a former Congressional intern who gave tours of the Capitol), there’s so much more to experience beyond the mall. Here are my tips to enjoy the nation’s capital the way I did as a local.
4 Gays with 8 Days in Morocco
Morocco had long been a bucket-list destination for my husband and I (the food, the landscapes, the markets, the history and culture). So when we had a friend’s 40th birthday celebration in Paris — and with our ever-present itch for exploring — we knew exactly where we were going after the French fête. We cajoled two of our favorite travel companions into joining, so then the question was: how were four gay men going to navigate this vacation in a conservative country where homosexuality is actually illegal. The answer: good planning. Here’s what we did…
4 Gays with 8 Days in Morocco
Morocco had long been a bucket-list destination for my husband and I (the food, the landscapes, the markets, the history and culture). So when we had a friend’s 40th birthday celebration in Paris — and with our ever-present itch for exploring — we knew exactly where we were going after the French fête. We cajoled two of our favorite travel companions into joining, so then the question was: how were four gay men going to navigate this vacation in a conservative country where homosexuality is actually illegal. The answer: good planning. Here’s what we did…
Is a Virgin Voyages Repositioning Cruise Right for Me?
Virgin Voyages had already turned me from a hardened cruise skeptic to an enthusiastic cruise booster. But how would I feel about two weeks aboard a repositioning cruise — in our case the Transatlantic Miami to Med voyage on Scarlet Lady in late-April 2024 — with nothing but thousands of miles of ocean ahead of me? Spoiler alert: I booked my next transatlantic crossing before I was done with the first one.
Is a Virgin Voyages Repositioning Cruise Right for Me?
Virgin Voyages had already turned me from a hardened cruise skeptic to an enthusiastic cruise booster. But how would I feel about two weeks aboard a repositioning cruise — in our case the Transatlantic Miami to Med voyage on Scarlet Lady in late-April 2024 — with nothing but thousands of miles of ocean ahead of me? Spoiler alert: I booked my next transatlantic crossing before I was done with the first one.
9 Ways to See D.C. Like a Local
I lived in Washington, D.C., for more than 20 years. It’s where I met my husband Steven, got married and built a life together. The city will always be one of my favorite places in the world. While it’s known for incredible museums and as the seat of government (speaking as a former Congressional intern who gave tours of the Capitol), there’s so much more to experience beyond the mall. Here are my tips to enjoy the nation’s capital the way I did as a local.
9 Ways to See D.C. Like a Local
I lived in Washington, D.C., for more than 20 years. It’s where I met my husband Steven, got married and built a life together. The city will always be one of my favorite places in the world. While it’s known for incredible museums and as the seat of government (speaking as a former Congressional intern who gave tours of the Capitol), there’s so much more to experience beyond the mall. Here are my tips to enjoy the nation’s capital the way I did as a local.
4 Gays with 8 Days in Morocco
Morocco had long been a bucket-list destination for my husband and I (the food, the landscapes, the markets, the history and culture). So when we had a friend’s 40th birthday celebration in Paris — and with our ever-present itch for exploring — we knew exactly where we were going after the French fête. We cajoled two of our favorite travel companions into joining, so then the question was: how were four gay men going to navigate this vacation in a conservative country where homosexuality is actually illegal. The answer: good planning. Here’s what we did…
4 Gays with 8 Days in Morocco
Morocco had long been a bucket-list destination for my husband and I (the food, the landscapes, the markets, the history and culture). So when we had a friend’s 40th birthday celebration in Paris — and with our ever-present itch for exploring — we knew exactly where we were going after the French fête. We cajoled two of our favorite travel companions into joining, so then the question was: how were four gay men going to navigate this vacation in a conservative country where homosexuality is actually illegal. The answer: good planning. Here’s what we did…
My travel photos
