Travel Advisor
Michael Cole-Schwartz
He/Him
Expertise
- Europe,
- Washington DC,
- Sober Travel,
- City Travel,
- LGBTQ+ Travel
Based in
Seattle (less rainy than you think)
Languages spoken
English, enough French to get by
Profile details
About
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.
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?
Michael 's travel guides & trip reports
Is a Virgin Voyages Repositioning Cruise Right for Me?
9 Ways to See D.C. Like a Local
4 Gays with 8 Days in Morocco
Favorite hotels
Michael 's travel photos
Michael 's reviews
Michael has been a valuable resource for us, assisting us with several trips. His recommendations and research were instrumental in guiding our decisions. I genuinely appreciate his understanding of our preferences and the experiences we sought as a family. I highly recommend his services to friends, family, and colleagues.
- Edmund S.
Booked travel to Costa Rica
- November 2024
Michael Cole-Schwartz is a gem :-) we met on a prior Virgin Voyages cruise, and I came to him this time knowing the sailing I wanted to embark on. He not only helped me decide between cabins, but also brought to the table inside knowledge as a VV First Mate (travel advisor) that got me access to extra on-board travel credit that I used to purchase spa passes, etc. He was SO giving with his time and efforts, going above and beyond to answer my questions pre-sailing to ensure I was set up exactly how I wanted to be. I ended up booking a second cruise while on the ship, under his auspices :-)
- Andrew B.
Booked travel by cruise
- November 2024
Michael arranged a 10-person cruise for me and my friends. This required so much logistical detail. Michael did a fantastic job getting us organized and made fantastic recommendations, even when we changed course mid-stream. He was incredibly patient and really knew what he was doing. I can’t recommend him highly enough!
- Eve H.
Booked travel by cruise
- November 2024
Michael was an excellent TA. He was patient with the group, and did a great job corralling all of our various wants, questions, and needs to make this trip happen. I would definitely use him again. Great job, Michael!
- Veronica V.
Booked travel by cruise
- November 2024
Get in touch with Michael
Reach out to customize and book your own experience. Or, just to chat about travel in general.
You can normally expect a response from Michael within a business day or so. You’ll also be subscribed to our travel newsletter (you can unsubscribe at any time).