How Espresso Yourself Travel Started

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I'm Allison, and Espresso Yourself Travel is a play on my 2 favorite things: coffee and traveling. Sometimes you just want a hot cup of drip coffee. Other times, you need something  that packs a bigger punch, like a double shot of espresso. I believe travel works the same way. Sometimes you are craving outdoor adventure, and other times you want something low key, laying on the beach with nothing on the itinerary.

 

That’s exactly why I built my travel menu, so you can order the trip that actually fits what you are craving and express yourself through your travel plans.  

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A little back story on who I am: I graduated from the University of Georgia in 2019 with a degree in Exercise and Sport Science, then spent the last 4 years of my career in corporate recruiting. I genuinely loved the “people side” of my job, hearing candidates' stories and helping them find their dream job, but it wasn’t where my passion was. In April 2026, I left the corporate world behind to pursue my passions.

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Solo Travel Changed Everything

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Travel has always been something I have felt a strong pull towards. I was constantly dreaming of new destinations, even from a young age. I was the kid making PowerPoints to pitch our next family vacation: San Diego, California, Disney World, Atlantis Bahamas. I had flights outlined, hotels picked, costs broken down to the dollar, because surely $5,000 was doable for the whole family to go.

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The reality though was different. My parents couldn’t afford the big extravagant trips to Disney or Europe. But we still had fun family trips to Cumberland Island and Wrightsville Beach, with lots of memories made together.

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As I grew older, I wanted to make these “dream” trips my reality. I wanted to experience California, visit another country, do all of it.

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I took my first solo trip in November 2019 to Seattle, WA. Ripping off the “solo travel band-aid” unlocked a world of discovery and opportunity for me. Slowly, I started checking off the destinations from my childhood PowerPoint presentations, right down to the exact hotel I’d picked out as a kid.

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There’s a certain maturity level that comes with getting older, especially as I approach my 30’s. I have a deep appreciation and respect for the trips my parents did take us on. And honestly, having to wait until I could afford it, gave me an even larger appreciation for the memories I’ve been able to make solo traveling. There is something meaningful about paying for these experiences yourself. It gives you a reason to work hard.

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2026 became the year that I turned my passion into my business. While searching for a host travel agency, I stumbled across Professor Melissa who was launching a new host agency: Atlas Coast Travel Group. I knew pretty instantly it would be a perfect fit. 

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Much of my own travel experience has been solo, which has challenged me in a unique way to figure out how do I get from point A to point B in a place I’ve never been. It’s built real confidence both in myself and in my ability to plan a trip to just about anywhere.

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Why Accessibility Matters to Me

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Accessibility has also become a core part of my life, both inside and outside of travel. My dad was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis over 30 years ago, and mobility needs have become a bigger part of our story ever since. Traveling with those needs in mind has been challenging but not impossible. It just takes a little extra creative thinking.

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I have planned many trips for our family while keeping my dads mobility needs at the forefront: knowing where the family bathrooms are at Disney World, adjusting how we navigate a city like New York or evaluating an Airbnb. I have developed a real eye for the little details. I want to help other families with similar needs and know that I will work towards finding a solution that works best for them.

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How I work

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My approach is simple: I listen to your story, understand your specific needs, and then pour my research skills and expertise into creating an itinerary that feels uniquely yours. Whether it's a weekend trip, a European Summer or a Thanksgiving trip to Disney, I'm here to ensure every detail is served just right.

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