My Story
Bali first found me in 1993, and it has held an important place in my life ever since. It wasn’t only the beauty of the island—it was the feeling of being welcomed into a world where spirituality, art, family, and daily life flow together. Ceremonies at sunset, the scent of frangipani in the air, the sound of gamelan drifting across the rice fields, the warmth of people who quickly became dear friends… I wanted to share this experience with others.
For more than 25 years, I’ve been guiding travelers into the real Bali and Southeast Asia—beyond the surface and into the places where culture is lived, as part of everyday life. As the founder of Journeys Off the Tourist Track, my travel business in Marin County, CA, and Bali Journeys, I have been creating trips that are personal, meaningful, and bring travelers into local cultures for a deeper level view.
Over the decades, I’ve led my own groups in Bali, San Miguel de Allende, Peru, and the American Southwest, and I’ve also produced and managed group journeys for other leaders in Bali, Italy, Fiji, Thailand, and Peru. I’ve designed many hundreds of customized itineraries for travelers across the U.S.
I’ve had the privilege of working with well-known authors and teachers, including Caroline Myss, Ph.D., and Marcia Wieder; and with Ron Baker; and with the late Robert Baker, trance channel, co-founders of the wellness center Children of Light. For their groups in Bali, I created the cultural and spiritual framework of the journeys—selecting sacred sites, collaborating with local artists and healers, arranging for attending and participating in ceremonies, and weaving together experiences that aligned with the inner work that their teachings inspired.
Before I devoted myself fully to travel, I spent seven years as an International Montessori teacher, trained in Bergamo, Italy. That foundation in experiential, hands-on learning continues to shape how I design journeys. My own spiritual path later led me to study with Sufi master Pir Vilayat Khan, spend a transformative year in India, and meet H.H. the Dalai Lama—experiences that deepened my understanding of travel as a catalyst for awakening and transformation.
Bali has been a second home to me for decades now. My long-standing friendships with local families, healers, guides, and artists allow me to share a side of the island that most visitors never encounter—a Bali that is intimate, soulful, layered, and filled with quiet magic. Today, I continue to craft customized itineraries: honeymoons, anniversary trips, family trips, wedding or vow renewals, and other once-in-a-lifetime adventures.
For the future I will be returning to producing and leading group journeys including Bali, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia my own groups and groups for other leaders and teachers. If you’re longing for a journey that feels meaningful, authentic, and thoughtfully tailored to you, I’d be honored to help create it with you.
Your journey begins with a personal conversation where I learn about your interests, passions, pace of travel, special requests, and desired budget. From there, I create an itinerary that reflects your style—creative, thoughtful, well-paced, and filled with moments of discovery.
Having traveled to Bali more than 20 times, and having led groups into hands-on experiences with artists, healers, and local ceremonies, I’ve built an outstanding network of trusted local agents and excellent guides. You’ll have their contact information during your travels, and they will coordinate everything on the ground to ensure your trip flows well.
I design every journey with the natural rhythm of your days in mind. Some travelers love slow mornings; others want to be out exploring early. Some enjoy a balance of culture, nature, and adventure; others prefer spa time, wellness rituals, or leisurely wandering.Whatever your travel style, the itinerary evolves with you—full of meaningful experiences yet always with room to breathe, rest, and enjoy spontaneous discoveries.You’ll also have your on-the-ground contacts with you throughout the trip, so you’re never alone in navigating logistics, if you need assistance. Some of the most special village and temple events can only be known closer to your travel dates. My team stays in touch, so you can experience meaningful moments that are rarely accessible to typical tourists—ceremonies, processions, festivals, or opportunities to witness daily life in a more intimate way.