I studied abroad in Italy for six weeks in 2012 - Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre, Venice, Assisi, Ravenna and Siena - and the part that stuck wasn't just the places. It was the feeling of having someone else's country completely reorganize your priorities for a few weeks. I came home and tried to explain it to people and couldn't, really. Some places you just have to go.
I spent the next decade in art direction, product design, and brand strategy - the kind of work where a hundred details have to feel like one cohesive thing. I didn't know it at the time, but that's exactly what trip design is. Every piece has to fit, or the whole thing feels off.
Every inquiry I respond to, every itinerary I build, every hotel I recommend — that's me, with my actual opinions and judgment behind it.
I'm not a company. I'm a person who has done a lot of site inspections, taken a lot of notes, and spent a genuinely embarrassing amount of time thinking about what makes a trip feel right for a specific family. You're not getting handed off. You get me the whole time.
Autumn
"It was so worth it - the time savings, local expertise, and peace of mind alone made it worth every penny."
I
NO
krista
“The overall experience was amazing. It was easy and simple and that is what was most important to me.”
II
No
Maureen
“It was exactly what we were hoping for. My best recommendation for fellow travelers would be to work with Erin.”
III
No
Stephanie
"Planning my mom's 80th birthday Alaskan cruise for 4 generations and almost 50 people felt impossible - until Erin made it flawless. Flights, excursions, group logistics, all handled. If you're on the fence about using a travel planner: just do it. Let her cover the stressful parts and enjoy getting ready for the trip instead."
VI
No
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Mostly painting flowers or places I've sent clients or places I'm obsessed with. Fun fact: I have a YouTube channel with tutorials!
When I'm not designing trips, you'll find me
in hand
with a paintbrush
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I watch every season. I have opinions and I will share them if asked. I'm also a fan of rewatching Parks & Rec, The Office, and Modern Family.
Survivor
watching
When I'm not designing trips, you'll find me
My closet. My apps. Every pen and marker on my desk, in order. It's not a problem. I don't have a problem. :)
everything
color-coordinating
When I'm not designing trips, you'll find me
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I turn seven and we celebrate by going to walt disney world and eating at cinderella's royal table. the obsession begins.
1994 /
Box seats at In the Heights. Someone handed us an upgrade and I cried. That's when I understood what it means to feel taken care of.
2011 /
Spent Six weeks in Italy on study abroad. Got engaged later that year at Disneyland. The year of falling in love.
2012 /
Googled "how to become a travel agent." Never looked back.
2021 /
Named a Future Leaders in Travel honoree. Still thinking about the Cinque Terre pesto.
probably currently planning someone's dream vacation.
2026 /
I'm Erin Nielson of Travel Design by Erin, a Utah-based travel advisor affiliated with Bright Life Travel Co. I design Disney cruises, Europe trips, and all-inclusive getaways for families and groups.
I started this because I genuinely love building trips - not just researching them. The hotel that already knows your name when you arrive and can't wait to spoil you. The private transfer that's waiting. The morning you wake up in Florence to train strikes and you don't even have to worry about getting new train tickets because it's already handled.
That part doesn't happen by accident. It happens because someone who cared about the details cared about yours.
