Art & Culture

Local makers & crafts, TK, TK

Meet your travel co-pilot, Julie

Book a 1:1 personal travel consultation with travel advisor Julie to download everything you need to know.

Hi, I’m Julie! I’m an arts and culture writer, editor and journalist covering all aspects of art, design, culture and travel. As a native of Manhattan who's spent almost 15 years trawling these streets, as well as the museums, interiors, and creative spaces countless countries, I’ve reported on most areas of culture from hidden estates of Europe to treetop hotels in Africa to the insider art scenes of Asia.

✔️ Written for Bloomberg, Cultured, Financial Times, New York Magazine, the New York Times, Wall Street Journal + more.

✔️ Traveled to 50+ countries for art & culture.

✔️ Will travel for TK.

📍 Amsterdam, Netherlands & NYC, but can advise on: West Africa & Senegal, New Orleans, Seoul, Cusco, Paris.

Book with Julie

Get to know Julie

  • Truth is about 30% of the flights I book are within 48hrs of departure, 50% within about 10 days. YOLO bebe. That said, I’ve accepted the spontaneous invitations of strangers whilst on the road that led to the experiences I cherish most—and the fabled stories in my arsenal now (that aren't fit for the internet)! Don’t ever sleep in a Venetian gondola, that’s one spontaneous adventure I wouldn’t repeat ;)

  • Holistic, (though you’d never find me at a sound bath, ha!). I really love to dive into the history, economics and culture of a place—catch me at archives, ruins and city museums, but then have a decadent 3-course lunch al fresco in a fabulous outfit or walk through an entire city with no map or plan just following the facades of buildings I like the most.

  • People. A place is defined by the folks who inhabit and shape their physical world around them, right?

    Ok yeah fine, I love a great remote hike or road trip into the bush, but at night, you will find me in the lean-tus chatting with Sherpas or hanging in the Bantu roadhouses. Similarly I will always get on a plane for family or friends.

★★★★★

  • "My session with Mercy was great. To have a local contact who was able to weigh in on recos quickly was amazing. She had many helpful tips: shopping recommendations, neighbourhood recommendations, things to do, museum tips, and a personalised POV with hyper-local intel!"

    — Julia, October 2024

  • Because no guidebook or travel blog can match real, honest, and up-to-date advice from someone who knows the destination intimately and puts your interests first. Just one consultation will save you hours of pre-trip angst and research time and give you all the confidence you need to hit the ground running.

  • Our Advisors are savvy, knowledgeable women with unique perspectives on their destinations. From sommeliers and pastry chefs to art insiders and modern historians to sun-seekers and nature lovers, they bring deep local expertise to every trip. And, as women, they inherently understand the importance of safety, authenticity, and connection while traveling

  • Every Advisor in our network is carefully vetted through a multi-step verification process to ensure she’s knowledgeable, trustworthy, reliable, and uniquely equipped to help independent travelers plan their dream trip.

    Want to become one? Book a 15-minute 1:1 call with our Community Manager to get started.

  • Advisor consultations happen in a private 1:1 WhatsApp chat, facilitated by SoloTrvlr. You’ll be added to a chat by our SoloTrvlr number (+44 7457 411378) up to five days before your scheduled consultation. Your Local Advisor will join the chat at the scheduled time, ready to help.

    From there, it’s all about you—ask questions, get advice, and discuss whatever you need for your trip. There’s no set structure; the session is completely collaborative and tailored to your travel plans and interests.

    Once your hour is up, the chat will close. Within 48 hours, you’ll receive a personalized Field Guide + Map featuring all the intel and recommendations from your session, plus a few extra tips from your Local Advisor.

    Have more questions afterward? Just DM us on WhatsApp and we’ll help you book additional time.

    If your privacy settings block group chat invites from unknown numbers, you'll need to save our number (+44 7457 411378) to your contacts or receive our invite via WhatsApp DM.

  • You can ask anything travel-related, from whether (and where) it’s safe to walk alone at night to practicalities like where to buy tampons (and how to ask for them!) Need dining advice? Your Local Advisor will share her go-to neighborhood spots and steer you to a hyper-local Italian cooking class taught by a beloved nonna. She’ll also be quick to jump in and let you know if something you’re considering doing is overrated—and tell you what to do instead.

  • No problem! If you need more time with your Local Advisor, just contact us via WhatsApp or by email and we’ll help you book a follow-up session. 

  • Our Advisors do their best to keep their calendars up to date, however, if you would like to book further in advance (i.e. upcoming months where an Advisor hasn't added her availability yet) or none of the listed times work for you, please email us at support@solotrvlr.com and we’ll work with you to find an alternate time.

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