Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Beilin.
Hi Lauren, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Travel and learning about other cultures have always been a part of my life. Growing up in Philadelphia my family always hosted international exchange students. I distinctly remember we had an exchange student from Buenos Aires and he used to put chocolate milk in his cereal. I always wondered if that was an Argentine thing, or a him thing.
That moment, and many others, sparked a curiosity in me to get to know other cultures, people, and what they love. I’ve spent time living in college towns like Madison, Wisconsin, fast-paced cities like Washington, DC, and on top of a mountain in rural Vermont. Abroad I have found myself studying on rooftops in southern Spain and dancing in underground garages in Santiago, Chile.
In Oakland, California I currently find myself living in my most ideal neighborhood and in the most welcoming community for my family. I’m surrounded by neighbors who are artists, entrepreneurs, musicians, chefs, and teachers. We have potlucks, spontaneous backyard BBQs, and support local businesses.
Finding that perfect spot is what I do best. And that is why I started Travel Bucket. To help others find their perfect spots, wherever they happen to be.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have a full-time job working at UC Berkeley and I am a mom to two kids age 3 and 6, so my biggest challenge is finding the time and space to dedicate to Travel Bucket. When a client requests a Travel Bucket it usually takes me 2 weeks to complete. Even if their trip is only 3-days, there is so much research and time needed to dig deep and deliver the best itinerary possible. So, I would say the biggest challenge is finding the time to carve out for Travel Bucket.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
You tell me what type of travel experience you are looking for and I create a customized travel bucket list for your ideal vacation that includes accommodation, food, and activity recommendations. My recommendations are not your typical touristy stuff, but more authentic, hole in the wall, and off-the-beaten-path type places. From your final Travel Bucket, you pick and choose whatever sounds good to you without having to do any of the research. All you have to do is book it. Think of it like your own personalized Lonely Planet for wherever you are traveling to (domestic or international).
Travel Bucket is really for anyone but my main audiences tend to be families traveling with young children who are looking for specific family-friendly recommendations. I also cater to travelers with special needs. For example, travelers in wheelchairs that need accessible accommodations. I will build an entire itinerary that ensures each activity, restaurant, and hotel is truly accessible. My mom is in a wheelchair, so I am especially aware of what to ask to ensure that spaces are truly accessible.
Let’s say you are gluten-free for example. I would only include restaurants that meet your dietary needs. Or let’s say you are on a pretty tight budget. I would only include activities that are free or within your budget.
Essentially, I take the work out of all of the trip planning to ensure that no matter what your specific needs are, they are getting met AND I give you plenty of options to choose from.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
COVID has completely upended the travel industry. For a minute it came to complete halt. Countries shut down their borders. People were afraid to fly. Restaurants closed. Many people that worked in the Travel Industry lost their jobs. It has been rough. But now that vaccines are here and more and more people are getting vaccinated, travel is starting to pick back up again. But it is happening slowly – and differently. We still have a subset of the population that are not yet vaccinated (i.e., children under 12).
Because of COVID, many travelers started exploring options of how to travel in a bubble if you will. For example, camping instead of a resort. An Airbnb instead of a hotel. An RV instead of a train. People avoided indoor spaces. Beaches instead of museums. National Parks instead of movie theaters. COVID encouraged more travelers to explore the outdoors and fostered a greater appreciation for nature. COVID also forced more travelers to vacation closer to home than ever before.
Travel has changed but it is not going away. In fact, people are more eager than ever to get back out there and explore. We have been cooped up and are ready to fly, but things will still look and feel different. Some countries are still waiting for vaccines, some countries still have quarantine rules upon arrival, some restaurants require proof of vaccine and some don’t, some large venues require proof of vaccine and some don’t. People will have to make decisions on where to go based on their own comfort levels.
Pricing:
- The average fee for a 1-5 day Travel Bucket is $45.
Contact Info:
- Email: hellotravelbucket@gmail.com
- Website: www.hellotravelbucket.com
- Instagram: @hellotravelbucket
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hellotravelbucket
