I believe every trip should feel like a story worth telling.

After nearly a decade leading product teams in the tech world, I stepped away from the grind and returned to what energizes me most: books, travel, and discovering the true character of a city. I’ve always traveled with a journal in hand — mapping out days around hidden cafes, independent bookstores, and the best local spots you won’t find on a tourist map.

I’m passionate about finding where the locals eat and drink — the tucked-away restaurants, the neighborhood bars, the places where conversations with strangers tell you more about a city than any guidebook could. I do deep research before every one of my own trips, and I bring that same energy, curiosity, and care to every itinerary I design for my clients.

With a background in literature (and a book always in my bag), I see travel as more than a checklist — it’s about connecting with the heart of a place, not just passing through. That’s what inspired me to launch Novel Neighborhoods: to help travelers find those lived-in, unforgettable moments that make a trip truly theirs.