Justine Lopez

Middle East Travel Expert: Heritage & Skylines

The Middle East is a highly captivating, majestic region of the world where deep ancient history, breathtaking desert landscapes, and spectacular, ultra-futuristic modern luxury come together to create an unforgettable travel experience. From the glistening, architecturally boundary-pushing skylines and high-end shopping capitals of Dubai and Doha to the timeless, rose-red sandstone temples of Petra and the serene, mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea, this region is a true crossroads of civilizations. It is a land defined by its deeply rooted heritage, warm and legendary hospitality, striking geographic contrasts, and groundbreaking modern developments, offering travelers a highly immersive, sensory journey that bridges the ancient world and the high-tech future in spectacular style.During my extensive and deeply fascinating travels across this spellbinding region, I have loved exploring the unique cultural landscapes of Dubai, Jordan, and Israel. In Jordan, I’ve spent completely spellbinding hours wandering through the ancient, rose-red canyon narrow passages of Petra and floating in the tranquil, salt-rich waters of the Dead Sea. In Dubai, I have loved marveling at the soaring heights of the Burj Khalifa and exploring the traditional spice and gold souqs along the historic creek. In Tel Aviv, my absolute favorite memory is walking along the bustling, modern beach boardwalks and exploring the historic, artistic alleyways of old Jaffa. Given my deep background in the performing arts, I am always fascinated by local cultural spaces, from the spectacular architectural marvel of the Dubai Opera to the lively, historic theatrical streets of Amman. On the culinary front, the Middle East is an absolute paradise of flavors, whether it is sharing traditional, slow-cooked Mansaf with Bedouin hosts, tasting fresh, warm falafel and creamy hummus in Tel Aviv, or enjoying an unforgettable, high-end fine dining experience overlooking the Arabian Gulf.Here are a few of my absolute favorite, highly verified recommendations for your next visit:Burj Al Arab Jumeirah (Dubai, UAE): Widely considered the world's most luxurious, iconic five-star hotel, this sail-shaped architectural masterpiece stands majestically on its own private, man-made island off the coast of Dubai. Boasting a soaring, gold-leaf-trimmed atrium, private helipad, and spectacular, light-filled interiors, the property offers an unparalleled level of opulence, service, and prestige.Sufra Restaurant (Amman, Jordan): Located on the historic, tree-lined Rainbow Street in the heart of Amman, this stunning, highly acclaimed restaurant is a gorgeous sanctuary of traditional Jordanian culinary heritage, hospitality, and design. Set inside a beautifully restored, historic 20th-century villa, Sufra features elegant archways, traditional tiled floors, and a charming, peaceful courtyard garden filled with aromatic herbs and jasmine.Burj Al Arab Jumeirah (Dubai, UAE): Widely considered the world's most luxurious, iconic five-star hotel, this sail-shaped architectural masterpiece stands majestically on its own private, man-made island off the coast of Dubai. Boasting a soaring, gold-leaf-trimmed atrium, private helipad, and spectacular, light-filled interiors, the property offers an unparalleled level of opulence, service, and prestige.Sufra Restaurant (Amman, Jordan): Located on the historic, tree-lined Rainbow Street in the heart of Amman, this stunning, highly acclaimed restaurant is a gorgeous sanctuary of traditional Jordanian culinary heritage, hospitality, and design. Set inside a beautifully restored, historic 20th-century villa, Sufra features elegant archways, traditional tiled floors, and a charming, peaceful courtyard garden filled with aromatic herbs and jasmine.Exploring Petra and Petra Marriott Hotel (Jordan): Visiting the ancient, rose-red Nabataean city of Petra—a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World—is an absolutely awe-inspiring, bucket-list experience that leaves every traveler spellbound. Walk through the Siq, a narrow, winding sandstone canyon, to witness the sudden reveal of the magnificent Treasury facade hand-carved directly into the cliff.

Ireland Travel Expert: Emerald Hills & Legends

Picture this: a wool scarf tossed just so, a glass of something local raised at golden hour, and a story about the person who poured it. That's the Ireland I plan for you — equal parts soulful and stylish, where every day feels like a scene worth savoring and every meal comes with a bit of history on the side.

I believe the best itineraries are built the way the best meals are made: slowly, with care, and led by the people who actually live there. I want to know the fishmonger in Kinsale, the fourth-generation publican in Dingle, the chef in Cork who still forages the same coastline his grandmother did. Ireland rewards travelers who slow down enough to taste it — a bowl of chowder that tells you everything about the sea it came from, a whiskey poured by someone who wants to talk for twenty minutes about peat and rain. I'll find you that table, that pour, that conversation.

But I also believe travel should feel a little glamorous — like you dressed for the moment before you knew what the moment would be. Think a tweed blazer against emerald cliffs, a candlelit dinner in a converted castle, a spontaneous detour because the light on the Wild Atlantic Way looked too good to drive past. Dublin's Georgian squares deserve a proper outfit and an even better playlist. A session in a Galway pub deserves you leaning in, phone down, fully present for the fiddle player who's about to make your whole trip.

So here's how I build your Ireland: we start with what feeds your soul — literary Dublin, ancient stone circles, a chef's tasting menu rooted entirely in place — and we layer in the romance of it all — a countryside estate for two nights, a scenic rail journey with a window seat reserved just for you, a coastal town where the only plan is a long walk and a longer dinner. History with heart. Luxury that still feels authentic. A little bit of swoon in every itinerary.

Whether you want twelve days tracing castles and coastlines or a tightly curated week built around food, whiskey, and a few unforgettable views, I'll design it stitch by stitch — the way you'd plan a wardrobe for a trip you never want to end. Every recommendation comes from firsthand experience: I've stood on those cliffs, eaten at those tables, and listened to those musicians play until closing. Let's make your Ireland the kind of story you tell for years — equal parts feast, folklore, and a little bit of fabulous.

Argentina Travel Specialist

Argentina is a land of intoxicating rhythm, dramatic landscapes, world-class wines, and deep culinary passion that will capture your heart and leave you longing to return. From the elegant, historic avenues of Buenos Aires to the sun-drenched vineyards of Mendoza, the thundering spray of Iguazu Falls, and the wild glaciers of Patagonia, this diverse country offers a spectacular tapestry of experiences.On my regular travels through Argentina, I have been completely captivated by the country's immense diversity and the unmatched warmth of its people. I love starting my journeys in Buenos Aires, strolling past the historic, French-style mansions of Recoleta and catching a world-class opera performance at the legendary, neoclassical Teatro Colón. Traveling west to Mendoza, bicycling past beautiful, snow-capped peaks of the Andes while tasting complex, bold Malbecs straight from the barrel is a sensory experience I will never forget. Standing in the misty, subtropical jungle of Iguazu Falls, feeling the raw, thundering power of Devil's Throat as millions of gallons of water plunge into the canyon, is a moment of pure magic. I always recommend dining at historic, family-run parrillas, where the smoky aroma of slow-grilled grass-fed steaks fills the air, and where every meal is treated as a joyous celebration of life.To help you make the absolute most of your journeys across this gorgeous destination, here are my personal, highly verified recommendations for where to stay, eat, and explore:Palacio Duhau - Park Hyatt Buenos Aires: A magnificent, 5-star palace located in the highly prestigious Recoleta neighborhood, seamlessly blending 1930s neoclassical grandeur with contemporary design. The hotel features spacious, beautifully designed rooms with plush linens, high ceilings, and large marble bathrooms with deep soaking tubs. Guests can explore the hotel's private art gallery, stroll through the gorgeous, terraced gardens, or indulge in the world-class wellness spa featuring a large indoor pool.Cavas Wine Lodge: An exclusive, ultra-luxury boutique resort nestled within a 55-acre working vineyard in Mendoza, offering spectacular, panoramic views of the snow-capped Andes. The lodge features individual, Adobe-style villas with private plunge pools, outdoor fireplaces, and rooftop terraces that are perfect for stargazing with a glass of wine. The resort boasts an open-air spa offering organic grape-seed treatments, a beautiful swimming pool, and an acclaimed restaurant serving farm-to-table dishes paired with boutique wines. I highly recommend booking one of their premium villas to experience the ultimate wine-country escape.Don Julio: Located in the fashionable Palermo Soho neighborhood, this world-renowned, historic parrilla is a legendary steakhouse that has been celebrated as one of the best restaurants in the world. Housed in a charming, two-story brick building lined with signed wine bottles, the restaurant offers an incredibly warm and lively atmosphere. The kitchen celebrates the art of traditional Argentine barbecue, serving masterfully grilled, grass-fed cuts of beef like bife de cuadril and bife de chorizo, accompanied by fresh, house-made chimichurri and grilled vegetables.La Gran Aventura: An extraordinary, high-adrenaline boat tour that takes guests on an unforgettable journey directly under the thundering spray of Iguazu Falls. The tour begins with a specialized, guided 4x4 vehicle drive through the lush, subtropical jungle of the national park, spotting exotic birds and wildlife, followed by a boarding of a high-powered speedboat along the lower Iguazu River. The boat navigates the rapids and takes you directly to the base of the massive waterfalls, providing a spectacular, soaking wet look at the sheer power of nature.The best times to explore Argentina are during the gorgeous spring months of October and November or the beautiful autumn months of March and April, when the weather is pleasantly mild. Argentina is a massive country, so coordinating domestic flights is essential; let me manage all your flight ticketing and private transfers to ensure a fluid transition between regions.This diverse nation is perfect for passionate food and wine lovers looking to explore world-class vineyards and steakhouses, nature and adventure enthusiasts eager to explore spectacular waterfalls and glaciers, and romantic couples seeking a passionate, cultural escape.Let me craft your perfect Argentina itinerary — reach out today and let's start planning your dream trip.

France Getaway Expert: Wine, Food & Art

France has been one of the most rewarding countries I've explored, both as a professional figure skater touring through its cities and as a lifelong foodie chasing down its culinary treasures. There's a reason France remains one of the most visited countries in the world, and having spent real time there between performances, I can help you experience it the way locals do rather than just checking landmarks off a list.Paris is where most journeys begin, and it's a city I've come to know well beyond the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. I've wandered the cobblestone streets of Montmartre at sunrise before the crowds arrive, found quiet courtyard cafés in the Marais tucked behind unassuming doors, and discovered neighborhood bakeries in the 7th and 11th arrondissements that locals line up for daily. I know which viewpoints of the Eiffel Tower are worth the walk, which museums deserve a full afternoon versus a quick visit, and where to find a proper glass of natural wine away from the tourist-heavy boulevards. Whether you want the classic Parisian experience or a itinerary built around the city's creative, lesser-known corners, I can design it around what you actually want to feel and see.Beyond the capital, the French Riviera and Provence hold a special place in my heart. The lavender fields of the Luberon in early summer, the pastel harbor towns of Cassis and Villefranche-sur-Mer, and the effortless glamour of Nice's Promenade des Anglais are experiences that photos never quite capture the way standing there does. I've explored the hilltop villages of the Côte d'Azur, sampled socca and pissaladière from local vendors, and spent lazy afternoons at beach clubs that feel worlds away from the more crowded stretches of coastline. If a slower, sun-soaked itinerary is what you're after, this region is where I'd start planning.France's wine country is another passion of mine, and I've spent time across Bordeaux, the Loire Valley, and Champagne, each with its own personality and pace. Touring vineyards, tasting directly from small producers, and understanding the difference between a Left Bank and Right Bank Bordeaux gave me a genuine appreciation I bring into every wine-focused itinerary I build. I love pairing tastings with the right accommodations, whether that's a countryside château stay or a boutique hotel in the heart of a wine village, so the whole trip feels immersive rather than rushed.History runs deep across France, and I've explored it firsthand, from the fairy-tale châteaux of the Loire Valley like Chambord and Chenonceau, to the beaches and memorials of Normandy that tell a very different, more solemn chapter of the country's story, to the opulence of Versailles just outside Paris. These sites are powerful to experience in person, and I help travelers plan the logistics, timing, and pacing so you can take them in without feeling like you're rushing through a checklist.As a foodie and content creator, food is never an afterthought in how I plan a France itinerary, it's central to it. From Michelin-starred tasting menus to unassuming bistros with a market-fresh plat du jour, from Lyon's legendary bouchons to the fresh oysters of Brittany, I build meals into the itinerary the way I experienced them myself: as some of the most memorable parts of the trip. I also know how to navigate France with dietary preferences or restrictions in mind, so you don't have to sacrifice the experience.What sets my approach apart is that every recommendation comes from having been there myself, not from secondhand research. I've navigated the trains, found the neighborhoods worth staying in, and figured out the pacing that makes a France trip feel indulgent rather than exhausting. Whether you're dreaming of a romantic Paris getaway, a Provence and Riviera escape, a wine country tour, or a full multi-region adventure through France, I'll design an itinerary built around real, in-person experience so you can travel smarter and see more. Let's start planning your France trip today.

Globetrotting Storyteller & Packing Pro

I used to introduce myself by explaining what I do. Now I introduce myself by explaining where I've been, because for eighteen years, "where" was the whole job.

I spent nearly two decades as a professional performer touring internationally with Feld Entertainment, one of the largest live entertainment producers in the world. That means I didn't just fly into a city, snap a photo at the main square, and fly out. I moved in. Some engagements lasted a long weekend; others kept me somewhere for six, eight, twelve weeks at a stretch, long enough to find my grocery store, my favorite bench, my go-to order in a language I was only just learning. I've done this across the United States, through Japan, across South America, all over Europe, and into the Middle East, city after city, year after year, suitcase after suitcase.

Here's the thing about living somewhere temporarily instead of just visiting: you stop collecting postcards and start collecting instincts. I know which Tokyo side street hides a ramen counter better than anything with a line around the block. I know the Buenos Aires steakhouse that doesn't need a reservation if you know what time to show up, and the Berlin cafe where the owner remembers your order after the third visit, not the tenth. I know which souks in the Gulf are best explored just after sunset, when the heat breaks and the lanterns come on. This isn't research. It's muscle memory, built one temporary home after another.

Performing for a living also meant packing and unpacking constantly, which turned me into something of a connoisseur of getting it right. Ask me and I'll happily talk your ear off about the carry-on that has survived years of one-night hotel stops, the packing cubes actually worth their weight, the one pair of shoes that works for a flight, a rehearsal, and a night out, and the small kit of things nobody tells you to bring until you're standing in a pharmacy where you don't speak the language. I don't recommend products because they're trending. I recommend them because I've hauled them through airports on four continents.

The other thing eighteen years on the road teaches you is how to travel as every kind of person you'll ever be. I've explored cities completely alone, answering to no one, discovering that solo travel has its own quiet thrill. I've traveled with a partner, learning how to turn one free afternoon between shows into something unforgettably romantic. And I've watched castmates raise kids on tour, turning packed schedules and unfamiliar cities into genuine family adventures. Whichever version of travel you're dreaming about, solo reset, romantic escape, or multigenerational family trip, I've either lived it myself or watched someone I love live it beautifully.

Live performance also teaches you something a typical career never will: how to handle it when the show doesn't go as planned. Flights get cancelled, hotels lose reservations, cities shut down for a festival you'd never heard of. After enough seasons on the road, none of that rattles me. I've learned to adjust in real time, calmly and creatively, and that instinct is exactly what I bring to planning your trip. My job is to make sure you only ever see the magic of a destination, never the logistics happening quietly behind it.

So here's my invitation: let's talk about where you want to go, and who you want to become there, even for just a week, and I'll help you build a trip that feels less like an itinerary and more like a story you can't wait to tell. Eighteen years, six continents, and one very well-packed suitcase later, I'm ready to help you write your next chapter.

Abu Dhabi Travel Agent Expert

The United Arab Emirates is a dazzling fusion of ancient Bedouin desert tradition and futuristic ambition, where record-breaking towers rise beside golden dunes and world-class luxury is simply the standard. Dubai, the UAE's glittering crown jewel, offers an intoxicating mix of ultra-modern architecture, five-star indulgence, and genuine Emirati hospitality. But the UAE is far more than Dubai — Abu Dhabi, the capital, offers a more measured, culturally rich experience with world-class museums and the breathtaking Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.Having explored Dubai extensively during my travels, I was consistently amazed by how effortlessly the city balances scale and soul. From the record-setting Burj Khalifa — the world's tallest building — to the quiet magic of a desert safari at sunset followed by a lantern-lit dinner beneath the stars, Dubai creates experiences that feel both impossible and intimate. The Dubai Mall, with its aquarium and ice rink, the Dubai Fountain's choreographed water shows, and the Palm Jumeirah's resort collection (Atlantis, the Royal, and the new Atlantis The Royal) create a playground for luxury travelers unlike anything else on Earth.For cultural experiences, the Al Fahidi Historic District offers a glimpse of old Dubai with its wind-tower architecture, art galleries, and the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding, where visitors can learn about Emirati customs, dress, and daily life over traditional meals. The Dubai Museum, housed in the 18th-century Al Fahidi Fort, tells the story of Dubai's transformation from pearl-diving village to global metropolis. A traditional abra boat ride across Dubai Creek costs about a dollar and provides one of the city's most authentic experiences.Abu Dhabi, just 90 minutes by car from Dubai, is the UAE's cultural capital. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is one of the world's most beautiful buildings — a masterpiece of white marble, gold, and intricate Islamic artistry that can hold 40,000 worshippers. The Louvre Abu Dhabi, with its stunning silver dome that creates a "rain of light" effect, houses a world-class collection spanning human civilization. The upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum will further cement Abu Dhabi as the Gulf's premier cultural destination.For luxury accommodations, the UAE is unmatched. Dubai's Burj Al Arab (the "seven-star" hotel) remains the ultimate statement of luxury hospitality. Atlantis The Royal, with its sky-high infinity pools and celebrity-chef restaurants, is the newest benchmark. Abu Dhabi's Emirates Palace is a literal palace — with 114 domes, 1,002 chandeliers, and gold leaf covering everything from the ceilings to the cappuccino foam. For more intimate luxury, the Al Maha Desert Resort offers Bedouin-inspired luxury suites in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, where oryx and gazelles roam freely outside your private pool.Dining in the UAE is world-class. Dubai has become a global culinary capital — from Michelin-starred fine dining at Pierchic (overwater) and Ossiano (inside an aquarium) to authentic Emirati cuisine at Al Fanar and local street food at Ravi Restaurant (one of Anthony Bourdain's favorites). Abu Dhabi's restaurant scene, while smaller, is equally impressive, with waterfront dining at the Abu Dhabi Corniche and high-end restaurants at the Galleria Al Maryah.I recommend the UAE as a 5-7 day trip, splitting time between Dubai (3-4 days) and Abu Dhabi (2-3 days). For adventure travelers, add a desert safari day and consider visiting the northern emirates — Ras Al Khaimah for mountain hiking and Fujairah for Gulf of Oman diving. The best time to visit is November through March, when temperatures are ideal for outdoor activities. Summer (June-September) is extremely hot but offers significantly reduced hotel rates and indoor attractions (malls, museums, restaurants) are fully air-conditioned.

Paris Travel Expert: Art, Food & City Light

Paris is the kind of city that changes character every few blocks. One minute you are under the gold and velvet of the Palais Garnier; the next, you are walking beside the Seine with cold air on your face, watching the bridges glow as evening settles over the water. I have returned to Paris through years of international touring, and what keeps pulling me back is not a checklist of monuments. It is the ritual of the city: a warm croissant from a neighborhood boulangerie, a beautifully dressed window on Rue Saint-Honoré, a quiet courtyard you nearly walk past, and that first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower when you were not actually looking for it.My Paris starts with the icons and then gives them breathing room. Yes, see the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame and Montmartre—but do not spend the trip sprinting between them. I want you to have time for Le Marais, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, a long lunch, an exhibition you did not know you needed to see, and an evening when getting dressed for dinner feels like part of the itinerary. My performing-arts background makes the Palais Garnier especially irresistible; Paris understands theatre, fashion and spectacle in a way that makes an ordinary night out feel beautifully staged.Fall and winter bring out another version of the city. Autumn gives Paris golden parks, café weather and a softer pace after summer. By mid-November, the lights begin appearing: Place Vendôme, the grand avenues and department-store windows turn an evening walk into something cinematic. In December, I love the idea of pairing Paris with Alsace or another European holiday stop, while still keeping enough unstructured time to enjoy Paris itself rather than treating it as a connection point.Food should anchor the day without turning your itinerary into a restaurant spreadsheet. Let me build the reservations and neighborhood rhythm around the kind of traveler you are—classic bistro evenings, pâtisserie stops, market mornings, wine, cheese, and the pleasure of sitting somewhere beautiful with nowhere urgent to be. Whether this is your first Paris trip, a honeymoon, a solo reset or your fifth return, I will design it so the city feels personal rather than prepackaged.Paris rewards people who know when to stop sightseeing and start participating. Let me plan the museums, performances, stays, reservations and transfers—and then leave you enough room for the moment that becomes the story you tell when you get home.

Peru Travel Expert: Andes, Flavor & Wonder

Peru begins in contrasts: Pacific mist in Lima, sun-warmed stone in Cusco, green terraces folding into the Sacred Valley, and the first glimpse of Machu Picchu appearing through the mountains like a secret you somehow earned. This is a place that makes you look up, slow down, and pay attention. The altitude changes the way you move; the landscape changes the way you measure distance; and every day seems to shift between something ancient and something startlingly modern.I know Peru is bigger than its most famous photograph. The trip should have rhythm: time to settle into Lima before the Andes, space to acclimatize in Cusco, and enough breathing room in the Sacred Valley that you are not simply moving from train to transfer to landmark. I would pair the big moments with smaller ones—a market bright with corn, chiles, and fruit; a quiet courtyard behind an old stone wall; a pisco sour at sunset; a long table where contemporary Peruvian cooking pulls ideas from the coast, mountains, and Amazon. For travelers who want to explore Lima's celebrated dining scene, restaurants such as Central and Maido can become part of the itinerary without pretending that food is the only reason to come.Then there are the stays that change the temperature of the trip. Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel places you in cloud forest rather than simply near it; Palacio del Inka gives Cusco an elegant historic anchor; and Miraflores Park makes Lima's Pacific edge feel like the beginning of the journey rather than an airport stop. I like Peru when luxury means thoughtful pacing as much as beautiful rooms: the right train, the right guide, a calm arrival, and a day that leaves room to actually feel where you are.I've experienced Peru firsthand, and what makes it memorable is not one monument—it is the succession of worlds. Coastal city, high-altitude capital, fertile valley, mountain sanctuary. You do not need to conquer Peru; you need to let it unfold. Let me design the route so the logistics disappear behind the experience, and you can concentrate on the details that stay with you: cold mountain air, impossible terraces, a plate that tastes completely new, and that quiet second when the Andes make everything else feel very far away.

Brazil Travel Expert: Rhythm, Soul & Spectacle

Brazil isn't a country you visit — it's a country you feel. From the moment the humidity hits your skin in Rio and the sound of samba bleeds out of every open doorway, you understand: this place moves on rhythm, not clocks. I spent two weeks bouncing from Rio's beach culture to Salvador's Afro-Brazilian soul, and what struck me most was how Brazil refuses to be just one thing. You can be on Copacabana at 7am watching old men play chess, then eating acarajé from a baiana in Salvador by lunch, then dancing until 3am in a Lapa samba club.Brazil is for travelers who want to feel something. If you want sterile luxury, go elsewhere. If you want to cry at a sunset over Ipanema and eat the best meal of your life for $12 at a beach kiosk — this is your place.Signature Itineraries: Rio + Salvador Cultural Deep Dive (10 days, Fasano properties) · Amazon & Beach Combo (14 days, jungle lodge then Costa Verde coastline) · Carnival VIP Week (February, with private box access)Why Book With Me: I've walked these streets, eaten at these tables, and danced in these clubs. I know which guides speak English, which beaches tourists never find, and which hotels honor Travel Leaders rates with VIP amenities. My Rolodex is your advantage.