About Us
We Are a Full Service Travel Agency
Avant-Garde Travel advisors are jetsetters with firsthand knowledge and experience to elevate your travel to the next level.
With our headquarters located in beautiful San Diego, CA, Avant-Garde Travel is a collective of travel advisors who are experts in their field. For each trip, we start with establishing a vision and designing a concept based on our clients’ individual needs and interests.
Then, our team of experienced advisors cover everything for your upcoming journey – from the initial reservation down to the minuscule details you haven’t yet thought of such as luggage shipment and restaurant reservations. From small group experiences, to private and personalized tours, our design lies in the thoughtful intersection between service and value.
Meet Our Travel Advisors
AIMEE LEON
Unique Experiences + Luxury Properties
Aimee Leon has over 15 years in the travel industry, has visited over 30 countries and worked with the top cruise lines, tour operators and luxury hotels in the business. She spent the past several years of her career at a leading luxury Virtuoso agency overseeing the leisure division, handling all independent contractor business development and agency sales and marketing efforts.
She started Avant-Garde Travel to cater to fellow travelers who, like her, look for unique experiences, off the beaten path and upcoming destinations. She enjoys staying at luxury properties with a modern design as well as hotels that encompass their surrounding heritage. When she is not working she enjoys traveling (of course), photography, going to live music venues and spending time with her hubby and two adorable miniature dachshunds.
EFFIE PATRIANAKOS
Cruise Expert
Effie Patrianakos has been helping clients realize their travel dreams since 1992. Effie is our resident cruise expert, as she has intimate knowledge of all cruise lines, having personally experienced each one during her tenure in the industry. She has had the opportunity to work with and learn from the leading players in the industry.
Luxury cruising is her premier specialty and her clients trust her exclusively when it comes to choosing their next voyage. She has well established relationships with the representatives from every cruise line, allowing her to ensure that her clients are getting the very best deals available!
Effie is always in her office, based in Canada, working hard to ensure that her clients receive the time and attention they need.
BETTY ROTH HELLSTROM
SMALL GROUPS + CRUISES + CUSTOMIZED TRAVEL
With over 40 years of experience and journeys across more than 100 countries, Betty Roth Hellstrom is a true authority in travel. She’s sailed on nearly every premium, luxury, and expedition cruise line—as well as a few of the not-so-fancy ones—and has turned her passion for exploring the world into a lifelong career of creating unforgettable experiences for others.
Betty specializes in leisure group travel, tailor-made itineraries for individuals and couples, and meaningful milestone moments like family reunions, destination weddings, and honeymoons. Her loyal clients return year after year, joining her on expertly curated group trips to destinations around the globe.
Known for her deep destination knowledge, personal touches, and seamless planning, Betty is committed to crafting journeys that are not only exciting—but truly once-in-a-lifetime. Whether you’re dreaming of an exotic expedition cruise, a bespoke cultural adventure, or a celebration trip with loved ones, Betty is here to make it effortless, enriching, and extraordinary.
ERIN PHILP
CUSTOM ITINERARIES WORLDWIDE + CRUISES + ADVENTURE TRAVEL
Raised in California, Erin Philp was working in the restaurant management field and decided she wanted a different career path. She started working with a large Virtuoso agency in 2005 as an administrative assistant while learning about the world and travel industry. Erin quickly realized she had a passion for travel and assisting people arrange their perfect trip that she decided to stay in the industry. 13 years later she opened her own storefront travel agency office located in Rancho Bernardo called Grand Journeys.
Now with over 15 years’ experience in the travel industry, Erin is here to assist in arranging the perfect journey for her clients. She specializes in custom 4-star and 5-star worldwide itineraries, adventure travel, land journeys, cruises, and air travel. Erin can assist with everything from the time you leave your home till you return – making your entire journey memorable and seamless.
BRIANNA GLENN
Customized Vacation Experiences
Brianna Glenn considers herself a tastemaker of customized vacation experiences, and runs her boutique travel agency, Milk and Honey Travels, from her home in sunny Newport Beach, CA, or anywhere around the globe that has decent WiFi.
Her wanderlust spirit was born during her career as a professional athlete. It was a career that not only allowed her to pursue her purpose and passion as a track and field athlete for over 10 years, but gave her the opportunity to fall deeply in love with the world and all the incredible places available to explore and experience.
More than anything, Brianna loves helping people have better travel experiences. Her sweet spot in travel is where luxury meets authentic, and she is incredibly passionate about creating the right space for people to travel in a way that speaks to exactly who they are and what they desire to experience on vacation. Follow her adventures on Instagram!
ELIZABETH MCEACHRON
CUSTOM LUXURY + MINDFULNESS + CULINARY ADVENTURES + FAMILY & mULTI-GENERATIONAL TRAVEL + AIRLINE TICKETING + PRIVATE JET CHARTERS
With over 20 years of experience in luxury hospitality and tourism, Elizabeth brings a rich blend of creativity, operational expertise, and global insight to her travel design practice. A graduate of culinary school, she began her career in 2002 as a concierge at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, where she advanced to roles in Leisure Sales and Revenue Management over the course of eight years.
In 2010, Elizabeth transitioned into luxury travel advising, blending her professional evolution with the joys of starting a family. She deepened her expertise in air travel, managing corporate travel programs and mastering airline ticketing logistics—including private aviation.
Today, Elizabeth specializes in crafting bespoke luxury itineraries centered around intentional travel—mindfulness retreats, immersive culinary journeys, milestone celebrations, cruising, honeymoons, and Disney experiences for all ages. Whether coordinating a multigenerational villa escape or arranging a last-minute jet charter, she brings precision, passion, and a personal touch to every trip
APril Cheng
CUSTOMIZED Unique Experiences + HONEYMOONS + FAMILY TRIPS AND CRUISES
Born and raised in Honolulu, April’s passion for travel began early—exploring the world with her family and falling in love with culture through food, history, and unforgettable experiences.
Since 2017, she’s been crafting once-in-a-lifetime journeys filled with unique excursions and thoughtful details. With a strong background in sales and client care, April is known for her personalized, stress-free service and dedication to making each trip truly special.
Lisa fisher
AFRICAN TRAVEL + CRUISING + ADVENTURE TRAVEL
Lisa’s love affair with travel began as a teenager on a mission trip to Haiti—a single journey that sparked a lifelong passion for exploring the world. After a summer studying in Europe and years spent as a traveling nurse across the U.S., including idyllic stretches in Hawaii, Lisa’s sense of adventure became inseparable from her professional path.
With over 50 countries stamped in her passport, Lisa doesn’t just visit places she dives into experiences. Picture camel rides across the golden dunes of the Sahara, locking eyes with gorillas in the misty forests of Uganda, dancing through India’s kaleidoscopic Holi Festival, mushing a dog sled through Alaska’s wild backcountry, and soaking in the wonder of multiple African safaris.
Her work as a pediatric hospice nurse gave her a deep appreciation for life’s fleeting beauty—and a mission to help others embrace it fully. Today, Lisa brings that same heart, insight, and passion to her role as a travel advisor. She crafts personalized, soul-stirring journeys that go far beyond bucket lists because she knows firsthand: the best stories begin when you say yes to the adventure.
Leonora Di Mauro
CUSTOMIZED TRAVEL EXPERIENCES + MULTI-GENERATIONAL TRAVEL + cRUISES + ItalY Travel
Leonora Di Mauro is an Italian native and expert travel designer with over 35 years of experience designing transformative travel experiences. Her career began in Italy with top European tour operators and evolved into senior roles, including executive positions for the Athens and Turin Olympic Games. For more than two decades, Leonora has channeled her passion into her boutique brands—Italy in Style and Departures in Style—creating unique, personalized travel experiences with care and creativity.
She works closely with each client to understand their preferences, offering vetted recommendations, elevated guidance, and concierge-level support at every step. Her hallmark is a high-touch, intuitive approach, turning travel into something deeply personal and unforgettable especially for multi-generational families and travelers seeking authenticity, comfort, and meaning. A passionate foodie, wine lover, and art enthusiast, Leonora finds inspiration through her extensive travels across six continents. She’s also the proud mom of a filmmaker, and her love for storytelling often shapes the way she curates each journey bringing narrative, culture, and passion into every itinerary.
JENNIFER SMITH
Adventure + Safari + aSIA + sOUTH AMERICA + Cruises + Family, Food & Wine, Ski, Wellness, Disney
Jennifer Smith’s extensive travel experiences spanning nearly 50 countries equips her with a deep understanding of global destinations and cultural nuances. Armed with firsthand experiences and a deep appreciation for different lifestyles, Jennifer enjoys inspiring others to venture beyond borders and embrace the beauty of our diverse planet.
Jennifer works with clients to understand their unique preferences and then offers vetted travel suggestions and guidance to meet their expectations. Her clients appreciate the way she customizes their adventures, always providing thorough follow-through and assistance, so they can simply enjoy their journey without the hassle.
GWEN FOX
CRUISES Connoisseur + luxury travel expert
With over three decades in the travel industry and more than 300 cruises under her belt, Gwen is your ultimate go-to for unforgettable, seamless journeys—especially at sea. Since 1993, she’s been transforming travel dreams into tailored, high-touch experiences for clients who crave adventure, comfort, and curated discovery.
Her passport tells the story: from the sun-soaked coastlines of Italy and the cultural treasures of Egypt to the fjords of Norway and the far reaches of New Zealand. She’s explored nearly every corner of the globe—Europe, Australia, Tahiti, the Panama Canal, and all 50 U.S. states—gathering insight, connections, and memorable stories along the way.
Gwen is passionate about getting to know her clients on a personal level. She listens, learns what excites you, and brings destinations to life through thoughtfully crafted itineraries. Whether you’re dreaming of a Mediterranean cruise, a river journey through Europe, or a bespoke luxury adventure, she’s here to handle every detail—so you can relax, explore, and savor every moment.
BILL STOKES
CUSTOM ITINERARIES TO ITALY + CRUISES + pACKAGE TOURS TO MEXICO & hAWAII
With over 30 years of exploring the world—both on land and across the open sea Bill has collected a lifetime of unforgettable moments, meaningful connections, and stories worth sharing. From sun-drenched coastlines to hidden gems in charming cities, Bill knows the power of a well-planned journey to inspire, rejuvenate, and transform.
Now, he’s here to help you experience it too. Whether you’re craving the freedom of sailing or the thrill of discovering a new destination, Bill will work closely with you to create a personalized adventure that fits your style, pace, and dreams.
Sherry Fox
luxury travel expert
With over 40 countries visited (and always another trip on the horizon), Sherry Hall lives and breathes travel. Her passion began early, studying abroad in Moscow, London, and Greece, and later sailing the world through Semester at Sea, visiting 13 countries in one life-changing journey.
Sherry’s career has taken her behind the scenes of international hospitality, serving as Executive Personal Assistant to the CEO of Park Plaza Worldwide—where she managed global travel logistics and played a role in launching hotels across Europe.
From personal adventures through Asia, North Africa, Australia, Europe, and the Americas to professional excellence in high-level planning, Sherry brings a rich, global perspective and unmatched attention to detail to every itinerary she designs.
She’s thrilled to bring her expertise and love for discovery to the world of luxury travel, helping others experience the joy, growth, and magic that comes from exploring the world
Our team is incredibly passionate about discovering your perfect trip! To get started, set up a consultation with us.
Learn More About Our Services
HEAR FROM OUR HAPPY TRAVELERS
We’d love to start planning your trip—personalized to you. Let’s talk!
or call us 619-446-6400