Hi, I’m Suz, and the truth is: I’ve been travel-obsessed for as long as I can remember. Lingering in bookstore aisles with Lonely Planet destination guides, binge-watching shows like The Amazing Race and Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations, memorizing airline routes… and even playing ‘travel agent’ with our passports, yes, real passports, which got me in big trouble for drawing in them at age five, long before I knew it could be a real job. I was always that friend who dominated the “geography” category in Trivia, had a running list of dream destinations, and at least one trip on the calendar. Becoming a travel advisor wasn’t something I stumbled into; it was the most natural evolution of who I’ve always been.

When I reflect on my roots, travel feels woven into my story. I was born in the Netherlands, influenced by Dutch-Indonesian heritage, and spent my teenage years and early adulthood in Canada before eventually planting roots in California’s wine country. Each place has added a different chapter; culture, landscape, and meaning, shaping who I am today.

Over the years, I’ve curating my own journeys across nearly thirty countries and five continents, shifting from hostel-hopping backpacker to boutique adventurer, and now, as a wife and mom of two, traveling in a way that blends luxury with ease and convenience. I’ve enjoyed a pint at the world’s oldest pub, once a Nabatean tomb dating back to 2,000 BC; spent a night camping inside the world’s third-largest cave; summited the tallest free-standing mountain in the world (19,341 ft.); swam in the lowest body of water on Earth (1,410 ft. below sea level); and sipped Sauvignon Blanc from the back of a 4x4 safari truck as elephants crossed the African plains. It’s safe to say I feel incredibly fortunate for the otherworldly places my travels have taken me.

The Modern Nomade grew out of a desire to share my passion—curating journeys that go far beyond the basics (and yes, that still includes booking an exceptional hotel stay when that’s all you need). To me, travel is about stepping out of the rhythm of everyday life to reset, explore, and discover, but also about connection, opportunity, and the quiet moments that stay with you long after you return home (and I’m not referring to the vacation blues). It’s about creating meaningful journeys and leaving a positive imprint on the places we visit and the people we meet along the way.

The Modern Nomade is my way of bringing that philosophy to life: designing trips that blend culture, adventure, comfort, and story, so you can experience the world with intention, ease, and a beautifully crafted itinerary that becomes a lifetime of memories.