Our Story
When we first met nearly a decade ago we clicked instantly. In our first conversation we discovered we had both lived in Australia, and the travel stories and dreams flowed from there. As our friendship grew and we began exploring the globe together, we always talked about how travel helped us understand the world and nudged us to be better humans along the way.
While we both grew a lot through solo travel when we were younger, we also agreed that the joy of discovering a new place was that much sweeter when shared with someone else. And there’s just something different about bonding while traveling- people are more present, more engaged, more real. Friendships are forged faster and solidified instantly over a new experience.
Legit Trips was born out of this understanding that the world is better when we’re connected to it, and to each other. We’re in business to help people discover the world, together.
We all can make the world a better place by taking time out to connect with ourselves, the planet and other humans. Experiencing different people and places, and different ways of life, has led us to see unlimited possibilities in our own lives. We strive to help people feel curious, alive, and free to try or do new things. We want to see our guests live their best life so they can share their own awesomeness with the world.
The Dream Team of travel experts
Kristen Bates
Owner + Caribbean Island Expert
Travel for Good
“People become who they are through a collection of memorable experiences. I love seeing travel memories make people’s lives better. An interaction with a local, an underwater adventure, overcoming a fear, a rekindled love for a passion or hobby. We become our best while we travel, and we get to take that home and carry it with us forever.”
Megan Lundquist
Owner + Safari & SE Asia Expert
The Power of Travel
“Ever since I stepped foot in Spain to study abroad, I knew that experiencing other cultures was what I’d been missing in my life. I believe that travel opens your heart and mind to things you could never imagine. It connects people in a way that nothing else can. For me, walking around a new city, talking to locals is what makes me feel most alive .”
Lacia Sommars
Trip leader
“Growing up traveling gave me a natural state of curiosity, need for exploration, & desire to connect with & learn from cultures & communities unfamiliar to me. I love the surprises you can find around any corner & the moments that stay with you for years to come”
Valerie Gilbert
Trip Leader
“Growth! I love meeting people I never would otherwise — fellow travelers, locals, everyone. Each connection stretches me. The more people I meet from different cultures, the more open-minded and unassuming I become. Travel reminds me there’s always more to learn and more ways to grow.”
Lauren Dahlke
Trip Leader
“There’s something magical about waking up and not knowing what the day will bring or who you’ll cross paths with. That unpredictability is half the thrill. I love discovering beautiful places, meeting interesting people, and letting the adventure of travel shape my days — and honestly, my life.”
Ana G. P. Hawayek
Trip leader
“I love the way travel connects us all. Different countries, languages, cultures, you name it! I love immersing myself in new cuisines, getting to feel like a local in a new city, not knowing what comes next and most importantly, the people I meet along the way.”
Mandy Holland
Trip leader
“To wake up in a unknown town is one of the most exhilarating sensations in the world, surrounded by adventure, new perspectives, and the promise of connection. I love the power of travel in itself – stripping away prejudice and revealing the beauty of our differences and unique cultures.”