What Our Clients Are Saying
Travel Testimonials
“Karen was the consummate professional during my company’s recent leadership retreat in the Caribbean.
Her assistance during the planning, execution, and follow-up was exceptional.
Karen’s drive and energy ensured my team had the best trip ever and made me look like a real travel planner with my peers.
I could not have managed this trip on my own, and I appreciate everything Karen did in the planning and on-location to make this trip memorable for all involved.”
-Rose Cole,
Executive Assistant
Venture Capital Firm
Corporate Retreat at Sugar Beach Resort
ST. LUCIA
“With an ever-present camera in tow, a quick smile, an easy laugh, and razor-sharp wit, along with immeasurable worldly travel knowledge and invaluable travel tips, our fearless leader, Karen Loftus, is the consummate travel coordinator and guide focused on empowering women through travel experiences while supporting women-owned businesses.
Spanning the globe like a rock star journalist, comedian, and fashionista since the early 1990s, Karen navigates cities and countries fiercely adventurous and spiritually grounded”
-Suzanne Bong Scharff,
Editor in Chief
Southern Bride Magazine
Women's Wellness Trip
Wymara Resort - TURKS & CAICOS
“My husband and I envisioned a luxurious, indulgent trip to Italy and Switzerland to eat everything, see everything and love every minute of it. So that’s what I asked Karen to plan for us.
She not only booked us in the most exquisite hotels—which we never would have found without her guidance—she made reservations at restaurants we learned upon arrival were the hottest places in Rome and Florence. On top of THAT, she also organized our cut-the-line excursions to maximize our time and ensure we experienced the best each city had to offer.
To travel between cities, Karen secured us train tickets, navigating the Italian and Swiss rail systems, which is not so easy. At each new destination, my husband and I would check into our new hotel, eyes wide, jaws dropping, take in our incredible views, and say to each other, “Karen did it again.”
Thanks to the perks she negotiated for us, we were granted a triple upgrade into a suite at the Chedi Andermatt, Switzerland. It simply blew us away. Karen is a miracle worker, and our trip was magical, start to finish.”
-Valerie Frankel
Author/Ghostwriter of 60+ books
Seven NYT Bestsellers - Two #1 NYT Bestsellers
"It was our best vacation ever."
-Stephen Quint
ITALY & SWITZERLAND
Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, Lake Maggiore, St. Moritz, Andermatt & Zurich
“Working with Karen is the easiest and best way we’ve travelled. She worked with us on our family trip to Turks and Caicos – me, my wife, our two adult girls (22 and 24), and my mother-in-law. From our airfare, to the Villa, to so many amazing excursions and restaurant reservations- it was the most fantastic family vacation we’ve ever had!
Karen’s connections made it possible for us to do more than we ever imagined. We went on a private sailing excursion, which we would never have known about or been able to navigate. There were questions about our reservation, and we called Karen from the boat; she took care of everything in a matter of minutes.
We ate at Coco Bistro, the hardest reservation on the island, and they treated us like royalty! The manager came over to check on us a few times to make sure we were well taken care of.
She pointed us to a small, local restaurant on the beach, and we mentioned Karen’s name, and the manager beamed from ear to ear, saying how much he liked Karen. We took a selfie and sent it to her.
We will use Karen for all our vacations. We get so much more out of travelling when we work with her.
We highly recommend Karen!"
-Peter West
CFO at Signature Custom Cabinetry, Inc
TURKS & CAICOS
"Coordinating a trip of a lifetime for 10 of us was a feat of nature and Karen did it!
We had a seamless experience, and the fact that we could fully relax was a dream come true because every little detail had been thought of.
The attention to every single detail and her knowledge of all things related to travel to any place! She’s the best!"
-Carrie Scranton Johnson
Carrie Johnson & Associates
"Thank you so much, Karen, for making our Italy adventure a trip we will remember for the rest of our lives.
W loved your attention to detail and follow-up!"
-David Scranton
Stoner Solutions
Multi-Generational Family Travel
Rome, Tuscany & Sorrento - ITALY
"Karen is an absolute rockstar!
She made our Luthercare Executive Team Retreat to the Lodge at Woodloch not only seamless, but truly special.
Her passion for crafting a memorable experience shined through in every detail—from juggling wild schedules to last-minute changes, to handling coordination with the property with the utmost grace and professionalism.
She was always available when we needed her, quick to respond, and full of positive energy that put our minds completely at ease and allowed us to fully be present in the moment.
As the facilitator for this retreat, I'm beyond grateful for her steady presence, expert coordination, and all-around magic.
We couldn’t have done it without her!"
-Dr. Katie Sandoe,
Light Echo Co / Retreat Leader
Executive Team Retreat for Luthercare
THE LODGE AT WOODLOCH (PA)
"I literally started to cry when we walked into our room in Sorrento.
You told me this trip would be life changing. You are correct. My heart has exploded. I am certain you bring much joy to all of your clientele.
I can feel your passion for your company and what you do for others.
We walked into our (upgraded) room to a bottle of wine and your beautiful card. Thank you for your lovely details and showering us with love. You're just wonderful; you make sure every little detail is perfect.
We are truly blessed to have found you.
Thank you, Karen, for giving me the courage to step out of my comfort zone. I have no words - THIS IS LIFE CHANGING!"
-Patricia Anderson (with Mark Anderson)
Owner at The Windows Place Exteriors
Cultural & Ancestry Trip
Rome, Lamezia Terme, Sorrento, Capri - ITALY
"A huge thank you to Karen and her team for delivering exceptional service and an impeccable travel planning experience.
Our family enjoyed a stress-free vacation in Aruba, all thanks to Karen's meticulous research and dedication to detail.
She curated the perfect all-inclusive accommodations suitable for four adults and an 8-month-old baby, ensuring a family-friendly environment throughout our stay.
The resort exceeded our expectations with its proximity to the beach, pool, and restaurants, all of which were conveniently located near our accommodation.
The culinary experience was outstanding, offering fantastic food that delighted us all, making our trip truly unforgettable. Karen's efforts made this vacation possible, and we are immensely grateful for her expertise and hard work.
Thank you for making our time in Aruba so memorable!"
-Joanne Burt
HR - China Telecom - Americas
Multigenerational Family Travel
ARUBA
“Thank you for doing an incredible job organizing The Capital Group Leadership Summit in St. Lucia.
Everything was smooth sailing and hassle-free, with your coordinating over 60 guests coming in from all over the United States to arrive simultaneously, get through customs, and have a stress-free journey to the hotel.
It was precisely that throughout the stay.
Your hard work and attention to detail made this trip to paradise even more heavenly for everyone.
I Iook forward to our next big adventure!!"
-David Prill
Chief Financial Officer / Glorious Cannabis Company
Corporate Retreat
ST. LUCIA
“We needed one more day in every place we visited in Italy! Some highlights of our trip... cooking class in Florence, horseback riding in the vineyards of Tuscany, swimming in the grottos of Capri, boating around the Amalfi coast.
We loved the culture, the people, the wine, and the food.
We cannot thank Karen Loftus enough for organizing our trip and dreaming up all the special extras to celebrate Cal's graduation.
Amazing!"
-Dana Herr
Wealth Management Advisor - Merrill Lynch
Family Travel/Graduation Trip
Florence, Tuscany & Amalfi - ITALY
"The best ever. This was the first time I took a vacation with my family.
It was so much fun from beginning to end.
From the excursions (parasailing, kayak adventure, sunset cruise) to the luxury villa we stayed in, the fish taco lunches on the beach and dinners at Infiniti Restaurant and Raw Bar and dinner at the highly coveted Coco Bistro were perfect, all places we would have never found on our own.
I also loved watching my granddaughters enjoying themselves.
There isn’t anything I would change.
Karen did a fabulous job putting this itinerary together.
She comes highly recommended."
-Jill Simeral
(Retired - F&M)
Multi-Generational Family Travel
TURKS & CAICOS
“Karen, I have to be honest; I didn't think you were the real deal. Boy, was I wrong? Donna and I were blown away by what you arranged for us in Tokyo.
On any trip, we have never been treated the way we were while in Tokyo. We felt like celebrities or royalty. By the end of the trip, we were convinced of it.
We had hoped to get one of the three Michelin-star restaurants we requested.
We never imagined you could arrange nine of the top Michelin-starred restaurants for us while we were there and, especially,
on such short notice.
We will continue to travel with you. You did a wonderful job. Thanks again for everything."
-Thomas Ponessa
TW Ponessa & Associates
Epicurean and Cultural Adventure
Tokyo - JAPAN
"Karen most recently helped us to plan a two-week cruise to Tahiti/French Polynesia on Windstar Cruises followed by an extensive two-week trip throughout New Zealand’s north and south islands.
She is passionate about finding places and experiences that match your travel priorities.
Her recommendations for several “worth the splurge” places to stay were spot-on.
She worked relentlessly to find the right flights and the right price for the multi-country flight package for our trip.
I can certainly recommend Karen for planning your couple or group travel plans."
-Nelson Longenecker
Vice President - Four Seasons Produce
Windstar Cruise in Tahiti + Extensive Travel - in New Zealand
TAHITI/NEW ZEALAND
“Thank you to Karen for planning and booking the best vacation ever. This milestone trip was to celebrate our daughter’s high school graduation, the first international trip for our girls (18 and 16). I had an itinerary in mind, but wanted expert guidance. Several dear friends (shout out to Girls on the Run) raved about Karen, and they were right—she was fantastic. Most importantly, she was willing to work with my Type A planning personality. Karen was thoughtful, responsive, and made excellent recommendations for hotels, transfers, and tours.
What I loved most, though, was Karen’s reminder to leave space for “Travel Magic.” We truly experienced it: a visit to the Irish church where my husband’s great-great-great-grandparents were married turned into the sweetest vow renewal; locals helped him uncover more about his heritage; and we found his family’s sheep farm—complete with alpacas—at the highest point on the Inishowen Peninsula.
In Paris, not having every meal planned allowed us to follow locals’ advice, leading to the best truffle-infused Béarnaise sauce, wine, and a walk along the Seine to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night. In Menton, our travel magic was a food tour alongside an expat, a UD alum, and Chi Omega—my college and sorority—vacationing from London with her husband and baby. We continued to a restaurant recommended by our guide. An excellent meal, laughs, and a complimentary round of Limoncellos followed, courtesy of our waiter.
Pure travel magic. Something I may not have embraced without Karen’s encouragement. Thank you, Karen, for the meticulous planning, but most of all for teaching us about travel magic."
-Denise Elliott
Member at McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC
Family Travel - Graduation Celebration
IRELAND & FRANCE
Galway, Letterkenny, Dublin, Paris & Menton
"Karen planned a trip for four of us to Italy to visit my niece in Florence and then explore other parts of Tuscany.
Karen made suggestions of hotels in every area that we would have never known about. She made the arrangements for the hotels, transfers, rental car, and was available any time we had questions throughout the trip. Beautiful landscape, great food and great wine!
The pictures don’t do it justice. We had an absolutely amazing time."
-Sue Koger
SOMA
"Karen Loftus planned an unforgettable trip for us!
Every place she booked was unique and special, not something we would have found on our own. She was always just a message away, ready to tweak the itinerary if we needed it. Thanks to Karen, our vacation was smooth, memorable, and full of amazing surprises."
-Nicole Koger
Marketing Manager Girls on the Run - Lancaster Lebanon
Family Travel
Rome, Florence, Tuscany - ITALY
"Working with Karen is the easiest and best way we’ve traveled.
Each time, she meets with us to ask what we want out of the trip- quiet and remote or all-inclusive with tons to do. What food do we like? Who is going, and if it’s for a special occasion?
Karen is mindful of always staying within our price range and provides numerous options to make it our own.
Karen planned a quick getaway for my wife and me to Iceland, and our whole trip was laid out in advance, but nothing was set in stone, so when we got there, we could set our own timeline, which we loved.
We will use Karen for all our vacations. We get so much more out of travelling when we work with her.
Once we get there, we can relax and not worry. Having insider tips and connections through
Karen is a game-changer! We highly recommend her for your next getaway!"
-Peter West
CFO at Signature Custom Cabinetry, Inc
Adventure Travel
ICELAND
“Hey, Karen!
You rocked, and we loved you.
It was great spending time with you, and thanks again for all the planning you did to make it a rockstar week."
-Dennis Ream
Chief Operating Officer
Paramount Management Group
Executive Corporate Retreat
ST. LUCIA
"Massive shout out to Karen Loftus! Our family vacation last month looked a little different than usual. At 3:45 AM the morning we were all meeting in Costa Rica, Peter said that he couldn’t go and was checking himself into the ER. Long story short, Alex, Regan and I ended up going without Peter (he made us go) and thanks to Karen, we were able to do it with confidence.
Women's Adventure Travels is always our travel planner, and boy was I happy to have her and her team with this one! I called her at 4AM (emergency status) the day we were flying and she spent hours on the phone with the airline- cancelling flights, getting new options, booking new flights, travel credits, rebooking all our excursions, rental car, etc. You name it, she did it!!!
Alex, Regan and I could focus on Peter and if we were actually going to still go on the trip without him. Regan was flying from Nashville and meeting us in Costa Rica, which made it even more logistically challenging.
We can’t say enough good about Karen and highly recommend contacting her for your next vacation.
Whether it’s a weekend in a hotel or a week+ anywhere in the world- she is your girl!! From a long weekend in Iceland for two, to a graduation trip to Europe with extended family, and Turks and Caicos with my mom, this was our 4th vacation using Karen and we will always use her."
-Jennifer West
Executive Director
Girls on the Run Lancaster - Lebanon
Family Travel + Adventure Travel
COSTA RICA
"Deep thanks to Karen Loftus and WAT for planning my perfect mother-son authentic adventure ranch vacation!
Thanks to Karen’s connections and extensive research; Bitterroot Ranch in Wyoming emerged as the top choice and exceeded our expectations.
From the rustic yet comfortable cabins, opportunities to fly-fish, to a range of beautiful and well-cared-for horses, friendly and attentive wranglers, and staff, it was truly a dream getaway.
Attending a Yoga and Riding week was a definite bonus.
Finding a working cattle ranch nestled between the breathtaking Shoshone National Forest and the Wind River Mountain Range was like finding a needle in a haystack out west, and Karen nailed it!
In this world of online planning, having the personalized oversight of someone who understands travel and logistics is priceless.
-Cindy Sawicki
Family Travel - Mother-Son + Wellness & Adventure
WYOMING
“Karen, working with you on our trip to Alaska made it so easy to know we had all our accommodations, flights and expeditions scheduled properly.
The Regent cruise was extraordinary and luxury to the "nines". I am not sure I can cruise with any other cruise line again.
Your assistance was so valuable as a backup and lifeline when Michelle had a cancelled and late flight into Vancouver.
It was wonderful to have your reassurance and follow up for the luggage to the cruise line.
Thank you for your help and coordination of all the paperwork and prompts to fill out and confirm items before the trip.
It is amazing how often it was necessary to get items to the cruise line in a timely manner.
Your follow up and personal attention to detail was very appreciated.”
-Cheryl Williams
Cruise Travel - Regent Seven Seas - ALASKA
"I had the privilege of working with Karen Loftus in planning an aggressive trip to four European countries in 10 days. She met with me to capture my thoughts about hotels, best sights, budget, and mode of travel.
She gave me several hotel choices for each city that were outstanding and difficult for me to choose. We wanted part of our journey done by rail, and she quickly isolated train schedules.
As any Gemini traveler knows, we change our minds. Karen was easy to work with as she adjusted our schedules and hotel stays.
Because she is a Virtuoso agent, we were upgraded to suites, complimentary breakfasts, and resort credits.
She is a world traveler who knows the dos and don’ts.
She was with us every step of the way, ensuring that accommodations met and exceeded our expectations.
I would highly recommend her services."
-Jo Ann Morgano
Financial Advisor - Laurel Oak Wealth Management Group
Cultural Travel
BELGIUM, NETHERLANDS, LUXEMBOURG, GERMANY
“Luxury and experience curated my Italian escape that created a vacation to remember, compliments of Karen Loftus and
Lofty Traveler."
-Rhonda Willingham
Founder & President
MenzFit, Philadelphia
Cultural, Culinary & Wine Adventure
Florence, Tuscany & Amalfi
ITALY
“Karen has been so helpful with planning trips for my family over the years. She helped plan my ten-day graduation trip to Europe and made it so easy to see four cities in two different countries.
In every city, she arranged and booked tours for us and had fabulous recommendations for popular local spots and things you might miss.
She truly made sure everything went off without a hitch!
She also helped plan a trip to Turks and Caicos last winter, which was better than I could have imagined!
She found this stunning Villa on the water and a two-minute walk from the beach.
She booked reservations for amazing restaurants as well as excursions like parasailing and kayaking. If you are looking for a travel agent I would highly recommend Karen!"
-Regan West
LU Women in Business
Family Travel
TURKS & CAICOS
“Karen nailed it. She paid attention to every detail. The flow couldn’t have fit our family better.
Each accommodation was perfect for where we were on the trip and suited our family very well.
She recommended where we stayed and how many rooms to reserve and provided options for the room layout. She booked our flights, rooms, and rental car and recommended “must-see” vacation spots.
Because of Karen’s diligence and knowledge of what to do, our experience was easy.
For example, we had no idea we would need a national park pass to enter Yosemite AND reserve time at Yosemite seven days before we intended to be there. We entered the park with ease.
Karen is knowledgeable, conscientious, and detail-oriented, and she understands that to have a successful vacation, planning is a must.
She takes the pressure off so you can enjoy your time with your family."
-Doug Herr,
Senior VP, Wealth Management Advisor
Merrill Lynch
Family Travel / Graduation Celebration
San Francisco, Sausalito, Yosemite
CALIFORNIA
“Karen was FANTASTIC to work with!
She made the entire process frictionless.
From aiding in passport support to planning our journey to and
from St. Lucia – she did an excellent job!”
-Matt Smith
President Pro Sportsman
Corporate Retreat
ST. LUCIA
“You are the best travel contact on the planet.
Everything has been so smooth here in Italy.
I really can't compare the places we have stayed because it's almost like traveling to a different world, walking into different places.
This place on the Tuscan Coast is a 10 out of 10.
There are a limited number of rooms and guests. It's a real cliffside paradise for honeymooners. I couldn't be more impressed.
There will be many referrals coming your way.
We appreciate all you do more than this can express."
-Ian Gallagher
Financial Advisor at Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC
Honeymoon
Rome & Tuscany - ITALY
"We had an amazing trip to Costa Rica, thanks to Karen’s knowledge and attention to detail.
She created a vacation for us that had the perfect blend of activity and relaxation.
She found the most amazing villa at a boutique resort that totally exceeded our expectations.
She handled every aspect of the planning from start to finish, including a few last-minute flight changes.
Using Karen as a travel planner was a great experience!"
-Michelle Ayers
Owner - Restore Hyper Wellness
Cultural, Wellness & Adventure Travel
COSTA RICA
“A huge thank you to Karen Loftus and Women Adventure Travels!
Our family vacation to France and Italy was seamless and packed full of great adventures.
After extensive research on Karen’s end, we met, and she presented pages upon pages of information with options of places to see, the best time to see them, and the history of each location we were visiting.
She is incredible!
We highly recommend Karen and Women Adventure Travels; it was a wonderful experience, and her depth and breadth of knowledge seem limitless!”
-Jennifer Middleton West
Executive Director
Girls on the Run Lancaster - Lebanon
Family Travel / Graduation Travel
FRANCE & ITALY
“We enjoyed working with Karen - a great asset to our trip planning and experience.
She listened and incorporated our preferences as we planned.
She was fun to work with and very helpful in giving suggestions along the way.
I also appreciated the detailed trip itinerary, heightening my excitement for a memorable trip!
I’m already anticipating the next great adventure!”
-Nelson Longenecker
Vice President - Four Seasons Produce
Viking - Cruise Travel
ITALY, CROATIA, MONTENEGRO, GREECE
“The cruise was absolutely fabulous... by far my favorite part of our trip!
The food and service were spectacular, and we loved having a larger stateroom.
We're already brainstorming where to visit next (Iceland? Poland? Perhaps Prague??).
We will definitely work with Karen and her team again.”
-Laura Crocker
VIA - Cruise Travel
THE NETHERLANDS, GERMANY, FRANCE, SWITZERLAND
"Karen’s extensive knowledge of places was evident as she listened to our desires and then created a plan that exceeded our expectations.
She even knew when and where to throw in a few surprises! I felt incredibly cared for and heard each step of our travel!
She anticipated our needs, was diligent in all facets of the schedule and transportation/lodging, and created a trip we talk about every time we are together!"
-Carrie Johnson
Carrie Johnson & Associates
Family Travel / Graduation Travel
SWEDEN, DENMARK, NETHERLANDS
"I cannot express my thanks enough to Karen Loftus for helping me curate the Italian trip of a lifetime.
Anyone who knows me knows that I have a strong opinion of what I want and hope to accomplish.
Karen was able to take my wishes and translate them into the perfect mix of properties and experiences, and together, we crafted the perfect plan for us.
The Lofty Traveler also focuses very well on independent female travelers, which made it a better fit for my BFF and me."
-Krista Altok Tassa
President - Tassa Consulting, Inc
Girls Trip
Rome, Amalfi & Sicily (Taormina & Palermo) ITALY
“Karen really listened to what we wanted and found activities that suited our interests.
She made sure that there was something for everyone.
She also found the most beautiful and unique hotels/Villas that made the experience so enjoyable."
-Libby Johnson
"There was a perfect versatility - a mixture of tours/sightseeing, culinary adventures, diverse lodging, and ample free time to explore."
-Hannah Johnson
Family Travel / Graduation Celebration
SWEDEN, DENMARK, NETHERLANDS
