Grace Strode

Travel Designer
Independent Affiliate of 6 Degrees

LOCATION

Phoenix, AZ

EXPERIENCE

5 Years

Born and raised in Phoenix, AZ, Grace went to The University of Arizona where she met her husband Lloyd.

She caught the travel bug at a very young age, when her parents would pick one new destination a year for them to explore in the summer. Her love for international travel really blossomed after she went on her birthright trip to Israel with her twin brother, and stayed 3 extra weeks to explore Europe.
Grace has visited over 30 countries and counting, but her latest adventure was a West Coast road trip spanning across 10 states.

Grace strives in bringing something unique to the travel industry, finding the secret beach, or hole in the wall restaurant...it helps that her husband Lloyd is Italian.

MEet the advisor

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TRAVEL TIP?

Something that I should learn from myself as well...relax. Especially when you're working with me :)
I have everything handled so you don't have to. Just sit back, relax, and realize why you're going on this vacation in the first place. Don't stress about your outfits...(Like I do), but instead, focus on how much fun you're going to have.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE DESTINATION TO PLAN?

My favorite destination to plan is everywhere! I think my specialty would have to be honeymoons...I'm in that stage of life where all my friends are getting married, so we're all comparing and talking about where we want to go with our loved ones.

WHAT RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD YOU GIVE A COUPLE LOOKING FOR A ROMANTIC GETAWAY?

Find a place that peaks both of your interest.

WHERE IS A GREAT TRAVEL LOCATION THAT NOT MANY PEOPLE GO?

I think a destination that a lot of people overlook is Portugal...when thinking of Europe everyone gravitates towards Spain, France and Italy, especially for a first time trip, but Portugal has everything, from the beach, to the culture, to the beauty!

WHAT’S IN YOUR CARRY-ON?

A light sweater or a wrap...I get cold everywhere, maybe it's being from Phoenix, but I always back an extra sweater or wrap! Coziness is key!

WHICH DESTINATIONS DO YOU GO BACK TO AGAIN AND AGAIN?

I know I just said go to Portugal over Italy...BUT I can't seem to stay away from Italy. Maybe it's my husbands Italian passport that makes traveling into the country so easy, or maybe it's when I fell in love with Hotel Il Pellicano.

WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE?

My most memorable travel experience has to be my honeymoon. My husband and I wanted to find a place that interested the both of us. We both can't sit still for too long, so just a beach would be out of the question...so we decided to combine both adventure and relaxation and go to the Seychelles for our relaxation, and Kenya for an African safari.

It was the best trip I have ever been on (we even had an awesome layover in Dubai). We got to experience the beauty and romantics of the beautiful blue waters of the Seychelles, the unbelievable experience of Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, and the most wild of them all, the safari in the Masai Mara.

WHY SHOULD SOMEONE WORK WITH A TRAVEL DESIGNER?

Because we take all the guess work, all the research, and all the time to plan the most amazing memorable trips so you don't have to lift a finger.

HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR YOUR OWN TRIPS?

Haha - I'm not sure I would call it "prepare". I usually can't focus for a good week before a trip because I get so excited. I'm the kind of person who starts packing a week in advance and laying out everything I want to bring.

WHICH DESTINATIONS ARE YOU PERSONALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO VISITING AND WHY?

I’m looking forward to visiting Australia and New Zealand. I've never been, and it's been a bucket list trip for me for a while now...I'm looking forward to it even more now that I have some friends there. Just waiting until it's time!

WHAT DOES YOUR PERFECT VACATION DAY LOOK LIKE?

Getting up early to get a nice workout in to start the day. Explore my surroundings with my husband before finding a nice place to have lunch and then head to the beach or the mountains to explore and or relax. It ends with tasting all the best wines of whatever location I'm in.