Explore With Spike

"As an experienced solo female traveler traveling with Spike was a breath of fresh air. I have been solo traveling for 10+ years. I have tried travel agents, solo booking & group tours. At work, I have to make a thousand decisions a day and at the end of the day I didn’t want to make a choice or over think how to relax. His team was able to do all of the extensive research that I didn’t have time to take on, safe areas in the each country to stay, pick amazing and unique hotels, find the sights and cool restaurants. That alone was such a stress reliever & before I have even left I could relax. He customize the whole trip on things that I love to do on vacation. I was going from San Diego to Scandinavian. Unlike planning the alone where I have all of the decisions to make or with a travel agent that charges a sole fee & they slot you into a trip they have already planned. He took the time to talk on the phone get an idea of how I like to travel (plans, trains & boats), comfort level with hotels (hostels or four/five star hotels). Day actives (biking, museums, exploring & food tours) and good food spots along the way for day & night. I don’t think that I could have come up with a more detailed itinerary. Something that you don’t typically get is a person that is willing to go that extra mile when something unexpected happens. On this trip that was my phone being lost. He was able to resend information for me, talk to concierges to help make arrangements, anything that I could have thought to asked for he was already doing. I have never had a travel agent do that for me. I am already starting to plan my next trip with him for Scotland and the following year for an African Safari."

"Thanks Spike for planning our recent Jackson Hole ski trip this past march. You delivered on every single thing that was important to us. Appreciate your recommendations for lodging and all restaurants too. Look forward to having you plan 2024 ski trip."

"Explore with Spike is my go-to for custom travel planning. Spike, and his team have done an outstanding job planning several trips for my husband and me. Travel planning is not one of my strengths, and I previously would end up being very stressed and/or pay a huge premium simply due to planning process that I would put off until last minute bc I dreaded it. Thanks to Spike and his team, I do not have to endure the stress of planning / time it takes / figure out details, etc. I just hire Spike's team to handle my stress! Seamless process, and allows me to actually look forward to travel bc I'm not all stressed about the planning. Spike is an expert on all levels with travel, from flight, to lodging, to secret gems on the trip, and additional details right down to exact spot and time for best sunset, or how to save money by using a specific form of transportation that is unique to city you are in (ex. Freebee is free transportation in St. Pete Beach, thanks to Spike for noting that in travel package), or grocery delivery services in advance. But it is not just Spike's travel expertise, it is also his genuine kindness and sincerity he puts into planning a trip. I will always remember a trip I hired him to quickly put together for me and a best friend of mine right after my brother passed. I quickly sent him an email with my total budget, dates, objective of trip, key points important to me for that trip. Boom, done! Spike had it all ready to go in three days for me. I did not even specify a place in my request to his team, they thoughtfully took the notes I had sent them and then recommended the perfect spot, St. Pete Beach - I am forever grateful to Spike and team for that one, and I would have never in a million years been able to find the ocean front gorgeous spot that did not break the bank bc Spike did the backend work to accommodate my budget to a tee (he actually was under my budget, thank you Spike:-). Spike's team is currently in the process of putting together a custom travel plan for Hawaii for my husband and me - and I love that all I have to do it is look forward to it!!! Not a stress at all thanks to Spike and his team. Thank you for making travel easy, and a vacation actually a true wonderful break. Spike and his team have my highest recommendation. Sincerely, Katie"

"I attended the photography workshop in Chicago. Before this workshop I had only taken pictures in the auto mode. There were photography experts to answer your questions and assist you, a local guide, even camera equipment if you so needed some. I learned about photography and some architectural history about Chicago as well. A great way to get started in photography."

"Went on Spike's inaugural trip to Chicago. Well organized. Great group of people. Lots of shooting opportunities compressed into the weekend."