Hi, I’m Alexis Rich Chami. The Founder of Palomar Travel.
I’m a Southern California native who caught the travel bug at the age of 7 on a flight to San Francisco. And I’ve been chasing adventure ever since. My desire to travel took me out of California and to the University of Texas at Austin for college, where I earned a degree in Foreign Policy with a minor in Spanish. During a 6-month study abroad program in Spain, my love of travel only blossomed further and after graduating, I moved to Buenos Aires where I worked, traveled, and fell in love with my future husband. (Whoever says
Paris is the City of Love has never been to Buenos Aires…)
From New York City to Mexico. From Israel to Belize. From Hawaii
to Paris. Over the years, I continued to explore the world through self-guided trips, but it wasn’t until I took a getaway planned by a travel agent friend that I realized how expert guidance can profoundly impact the travel experience. After journeying to many more destinations, conducting countless hours of research, and building a network of on-the-ground experts, I founded Palomar Travel in 2019 and am currently living my dream job—connecting with people through a shared love of travel, advocating and educating around traveling with kids, and creating personalized adventures clients of all ages will never forget.
Current home base: Philadelphia. With my husband Juan, and our two daughters, Margot and Paloma.
Favorite trip ever: It’s tough to pick just one, but exploring both coasts of Costa Rica with my family was not only
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What traveling taught me about myself: To try anything at least
once and always be open minded.
I never fly without: Excedrin, an oversize cozy scarf (which I use as a blanket or pillow on the plane,) moisturizer and hand sanitizer, my own headphones, and a fully charged kindle or physical book.
Currently dreaming of visiting: Portugal, Slovenia and Puglia, Italy.
France
Lauren Longdon
Senior Travel Advisor
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Growing up in the south of England, I spent my childhood traveling around Europe with my family and later exploring farther afield with my equally travel-obsessed sister—Morocco, Egypt, and a long backpacking trip through South America. Those early adventures sparked my love of discovering new cultures and seeking out places that feel completely different from home.
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After earning a degree in Media and Culture, my husband and I lived in Italy for three years between Rome and Naples, where I taught English to elementary students and deepened my appreciation for living abroad and truly getting to know a place.
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Now settled in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, I’m enjoying exploring the States with my husband and our 9‑year‑old son. We’re always thinking about where we can go next and how each destination fits our family’s rhythm. Every family travels differently, finding their own balance of adventure, education, and relaxation—adventure is always high on my list.
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Designing stress‑free, meaningful family travel is something I love, and I draw on both my own experiences and my clients’ preferences to create itineraries that feel personal and memorable.
Favorite trip ever: a three‑week adventure through Vietnam with my husband, with a detour to Cambodia to explore Siem Reap and a 24‑hour stop in Moscow on the way home.
As a family, our top trip so far has been a recent getaway to Mexico—beach time, Mayan history, and great food all in one.
What traveling taught me about myself: To enjoy being out of my comfort zone and to be open to new things. It usually ends up being the most rewarding and with the most stories!
I never fly without: A book.
Currently dreaming of visiting: It’s constantly changing, but at the moment Japan and Switzerland.
Italy
Maria Rich
Travel Advisor
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I’m based in Los Angeles now, but my story includes a few scenic detours—having lived in New York City, Paris, and Florida along the way. While living in NYC, I developed a personal survival strategy for long, gray winters: every January, I planned a warm‑weather escape. Having a trip on the calendar wasn’t just a mood booster—it was the beginning of a lifelong passion for finding great destinations.
Long before travel became my career, it was already my favorite pastime. In my downtime, you could find me Googling hotels, comparing flight prices, and building hypothetical itineraries just for fun. Travel planning has always been my way to unwind—it’s where I dream and get inspired.
These days, I’m a mom to two little boys, and it seems the travel bug has already been passed down. My oldest is currently lobbying hard to spend his birthday in Paris, which makes me fairly certain that being a Francophile is, in fact, genetic.
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I love discovering new places, planning memorable trips, and bringing a sense of fun, curiosity, and thoughtfulness into everything I do.
Favorite trip ever: My favorite trip was to the Philippines with my husband and his family to see where his mom grew up. We traveled with a group of Filipino friends and relatives, which made it such a fun and meaningful way to fully immerse ourselves in the culture.
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What traveling taught me about myself: Traveling has taught me to go with the flow. I love having a plan, but some of the best moments happen when you pivot—whether it’s from a local tip or a recommendation from a fellow traveler.
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I never fly without: I have kids, so I never board a flight without plenty of snacks!
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Currently dreaming of visiting:
An African safari—what an unforgettable experience that would be for my kids!
