Meet the Founders: Rachel & Luis

Hello Travelers!

We are Rachel and Luis, the husband-and-wife duo who founded Drift Travel Company. We met in New York City and instantly bonded over our love for travel. We have traveled extensively both separately and together. Even our wedding fit the travel theme, as we got married in Puerto Rico while living in New York.

With nearly 30 countries (and counting!) under our belts and countless hours of research and exploration, we are confident that we can customize the perfect trip for any traveler. We value authentic, real experiences. We hope to submerse travelers in new cultures and give a true feel for each destination. Trust us to plan your next adventure; you are in great hands.

Get to Know Us!

One thing is for certain; with each new destination we visit, our love for one another and our passion for travel grows stronger. We’d love to share more about ourselves and our backgrounds to give you a sense of who we truly are.

Rachel

Rachel grew up in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. When she was 18, she moved to New York City to obtain a bachelor's degree at the Fashion Institute of Technology. It was a big jump to move to New York from her very small town. The Big Apple opened her mind to new possibilities, cuisines, and cultures. It is here where her curiosity for travel began to take root. During her junior year of college, she was lucky enough to travel to Italy to study art, fashion, and business. She spent a full year in Florence at the prestigious Polimoda, attending fashion trade shows, studying art history, and exploring Europe. By the time she was 21, she had already been to 13 countries. 

Some of her favorite memories include drinking tea in Istanbul and sharing pizza with her friends in Naples. When she returned, she knew something was ignited in her that would last forever. She continued to travel not just to Europe but to other parts of the globe as well. From sushi in Tokyo to pho in Vietnam, Rachel continued to broaden her horizons every chance she got. 

She stayed in New York working in the fast-paced medical sales industry where she climbed the corporate ladder and learned invaluable people skills. It was fate that she met someone who had the same passions as she did, cue Luis.

Luis

Luis grew up in Wilmington, Delaware. After winning the World Salsa Championship in 2015, his dance career moved him to New York City. He began teaching and choreographing Latin Dance in various studios throughout the city. Two years later, Luis was honored to represent team USA at the 2017 World Games in Poland. He and his dance partner were the first salsa couple from the USA to be entered into the competition. From there, his opportunities to travel opened up as he began teaching and performing internationally. Some of his favorite memories include performing in Calgary, Canada and choreographing in Tokyo, Japan. Check out one of his amazing performances here.

While traveling for work, Luis realized how much he loved exploring new cities. Doing the research on what to see and where to eat were some of his favorite activities. He began to perfect the planning process so he could get the most out of each business trip. Taking a leap of faith and moving to New York City sparked a passion for people and travel that he never expected. The cherry on top was meeting his now wife, Rachel. 

Life Together

Fitting with our travel theme, we naturally planned a destination wedding. We got married in the oldest church in North America in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Church of San Juan Bautista was celebrating its 500 Year Anniversary the year we got married. It was a special experience exploring Puerto Rico together as a married couple. We even planned an action-packed itinerary for our family members to enjoy. This itinerary included staying at a beach house in Rincon, snorkeling, swimming, and visiting a pink salt beach. 

In 2021, we traveled throughout Europe for a 3-month adventure starting in Croatia and ending in Iceland. During this time, we discovered endless hidden gems, local spots, and delicious cuisines. In the end, we made it to 8 countries and 20 cities together. It was during our 3-month trip after the wedding that we realized how much we loved not just traveling, but the whole planning process, from the concept all the way to the flight home. During our adventures we swam off the rocky Italian coast, sipped cherry liqueur in Portugal, dined on tapas in Spain, and even hiked Europe’s largest glacier in Iceland.

Traveling together as a couple has built a strong bond between us. We continue to travel and research new places, priding ourselves on finding unique adventures that are far away from the tourist traps. They say if you can travel together, you will stay together, and we both agree that’s true!

Have questions about what we offer or how to get started planning your dream adventure? Contact us here.