JLJ Travel

Jillian Gibas isn’t a run-of-the-mill travel agent.

Her travel agency, JLJ Travel, doesn’t book one-size-fits-all trips and cookie-cutter itineraries. Each trip with JLJ Travel is personalized to match the exact desires of the client.

“I listen to every client’s interests, their goals, and craft the trip to match them,” she says.

For example, she booked a getaway for a couple who recently became empty-nesters. They are foodies and wine lovers, and so Gibas designed a second honeymoon of sorts in northern France, where they will be enjoying some of the best food and wine in the world.

Another recent example – a family of four was celebrating both a high school graduation and a wedding anniversary. Gibas prepared a hiking trip to the mountains of Switzerland that matches the interests of the outdoorsy family, while adding a more relaxing few days along the Italian Riviera and Lake Como.

This year and next, she’s aiming to expand her offerings to include custom safaris as well as destination weddings. Gibas handles the necessary legwork for every client, booking flights, finding hotels and more.

“Travel can be overwhelming,” she says. “From the beginning to the end, I’m taking care of the budget, the reservations, the schedule. That way, you can actually have fun and enjoy the trip without all the worry and work.”

She also provides expertise – whether that’s knowing the best season to visit a certain city or adding off-the-beaten-path restaurants and shops to an itinerary. “This isn’t just going to be a trip out of a guidebook or an online search,” she says. “This is a trip that was made for you.”