LITERARY DESTINATIONS EXPLORED
Before I ever held a passport, I traveled the world through books. Growing up shy and introverted, I found refuge in stories that transported me far beyond my small reality.
I'm Kate, the heart behind Lumina Travel Co., and my journey from bookworm to travel expert wasn't planned—it was written in the chapters of my life. After pursuing three degrees searching for fulfillment, it wasn't until my grandmother passed that I finally asked myself what truly made me feel alive: books and travel.
This unique background shapes how I craft your journeys. When planning a trip to the English countryside, I don't just book accommodations—I find the hidden tea shop where a beloved author drafted their masterpiece, or arrange a private tour of a historic home normally closed to the public. Every itinerary I create turns you into the main character of your own adventure.
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FELLOW BOOKWORMS GUIDED
300
YEARS TURNING STORIES INTO JOURNEYS
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[Learn More About My Story →]
You reach out—with a feeling in your chest, an idea scribbled in a journal, or just the words “I need a trip that feels like me.” We’ll start with a complimentary discovery call to talk through your travel dreams, your favorite books, and the kind of magic you're craving.
your story begins
From our first chat to your final chapter abroad, every step of the journey is intentional. Here’s how we craft a trip that feels like it was written just for you.
Once you’re officially booked, I begin crafting your custom literary travel itinerary—a trip that feels like it was lifted from the pages of your favorite novel. Every detail is intentional, from hidden gem accommodations to bookish experiences you didn’t even know existed.
The Dream Draft
From our first chat to your final chapter abroad, every step of the journey is intentional. Here’s how we craft a trip that feels like it was written just for you.
You’ll receive a beautifully organized proposal inside a client portal, complete with optional excursions, personal notes, and thoughtful suggestions. We’ll fine-tune everything until it feels like you.
The Story Comes
to Life
From our first chat to your final chapter abroad, every step of the journey is intentional. Here’s how we craft a trip that feels like it was written just for you.
Before you depart, you’ll get a final, polished travel packet with confirmations, insider tips, and soul-soothing extras. I’ll be just a message away during your journey—and cheering you on every step of the way.
Bon Voyage, Beautiful Soul
From our first chat to your final chapter abroad, every step of the journey is intentional. Here’s how we craft a trip that feels like it was written just for you.
How Custom Literary Travel Planning Works
EXCLUSIVE ACCESS: Private evening reading of Wordsworth's poetry in his garden at Rydal Mount, normally closed to the public after hours.
Wander through the breathtaking landscapes that inspired some of English literature's most beloved poetry. Visit Dove Cottage, where Wordsworth wrote his finest works, explore the peaceful shores of Grasmere, and follow in the footsteps of literary giants through hills and valleys virtually unchanged since the 19th century.
THE ROMANTIC POETS' LAKE DISTRICT
Where Wordsworth and Coleridge Found Their Muse
EXCLUSIVE ACCESS: After-hours visit to Hemingway's preserved apartment with a literary historian and craft cocktails inspired by his work.
Experience the cafés, bars, and bookshops that shaped Hemingway's "A Moveable Feast." Sip coffee at Les Deux Magots where literary legends gathered, browse the original Shakespeare and Company bookshop location, and discover the hidden apartments where masterpieces were written in the magical light of 1920s Paris.
HEMINGWAY'S PARIS
The Lost Generation's
Creative Haven
EXCLUSIVE ACCESS: Attend a private Regency ball with period-appropriate clothing, music, and dance instruction in a historic manor house.
Step into the world that inspired Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Sense and Sensibility. Tour Jane Austen's cottage in Chawton where she wrote her most famous novels, attend a Regency-style tea service, and visit filming locations from beloved adaptations while discovering the real places behind her timeless stories.
AUSTEN'S ENGLISH COUNTRYSIDE
Regency England Beyond the Pages
LITERARY VOYAGES: SAMPLE ITINERARIES
Curated experiences for the discerning literary traveler
Experience the elegant world that inspired Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Sense and Sensibility
$3,200-$4,100 per person | April-October
"It isn't what we say or think that defines us, but what we do." — Sense and Sensibility
HIGHLIGHTS:
Private tour of Jane Austen's House in Chawton where she wrote her most famous novels
EXCLUSIVE: Costumed tea service in Bath's Sydney Gardens where Jane often walked
Walking tour of Bath with a literary historian, following in Austen's footsteps
Visit to Chatsworth House, the inspiration for Mr. Darcy's Pemberley
EXCLUSIVE: Evening reading of Austen's letters in a historic manor house library
Discover the landscapes, castles and history that inspired George R.R. Martin's epic saga
$2,800-$3,600 per person | May-September
"Winter is coming." — A Game of Thrones
HIGHLIGHTS:
Full-day tour of key Northern Ireland filming locations including Winterfell (Castle Ward)
EXCLUSIVE: Private sword-fighting lesson with a choreographer from the series
Visit to the Dark Hedges (the Kingsroad) and Ballintoy Harbour (Iron Islands)
EXCLUSIVE: Behind-the-scenes workshop with craftspeople who created props
Guided tour of ancient castles that inspired the architecture of Westeros
Journey through the landscapes and traditions that shaped Japanese literature
$4,400-$5,400 per person | March-May or October-November
"In the spring rain, a pretty girl yawning." — Matsuo Bashō
HIGHLIGHTS:
Explore Tokyo's Jimbocho book district and Haruki Murakami's favorite jazz clubs
EXCLUSIVE: Private evening of traditional storytelling in a historic Kyoto machiya
Visit to temples and gardens featured in The Tale of Genji
EXCLUSIVE: Calligraphy workshop focusing on haiku and traditional poetry
Guided tour of settings from Nobel Prize-winner Kawabata Yasunari's Snow Country
READY TO TURN THE PAGE TO YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE?
Every great journey begins with a single page, just like every great book begins with a single word.
Let's transform your literary dreams into travel reality. Whether you have a specific author's world you'd like to step into or you're simply seeking a deeper connection to the stories you love, I'll craft a journey that brings your favorite books to life in ways you never imagined possible.
What happens next?
1. We'll have a complimentary 30-minute discovery call to discuss your literary passions
2. Within 3 days, you'll receive a customized journey concept
3. Together, we'll refine your itinerary until it perfectly captures your vision
4. You'll embark on a literary adventure that forever changes how you experience your favorite books
START YOUR LITERARY JOURNEY
A personal note from Kate:
"I remember the first time I stood in a place I'd only visited through pages—that moment when fiction and reality beautifully collided. That feeling is what I want to create for you. Whether you have questions, special requests, or just want to chat about books, I'm here to help your literary travel dreams take shape. The journey begins with a conversation."
Kate Ciullo
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