The People Behind Your Journey
We're Jay and Elizabeth Nichols — two passionate travelers turned trusted advisors, dedicated to crafting experiences that change the way you see the world.
Born from a love of exploration
Destinara Travel was founded by Jay and Elizabeth Nichols with a simple belief: travel should be transformative, not transactional. After decades of exploring the world and working in the travel industry, we created Destinara to offer our clients something rare — deeply personal, expertly curated journeys backed by real relationships with the world's finest hotels, cruise lines, and tour operators.
Based in Greensboro, North Carolina, we serve clients across the United States and beyond. Whether you're dreaming of a luxury Mediterranean cruise, a Maldives honeymoon, an African safari, or a multi-generational family adventure, we bring insider access, exclusive perks, and concierge-level care to every single trip.
We're not a booking engine. We're your advocates, your planners, and your partners in exploration — before, during, and long after your journey ends.
The advisors behind your adventure
With decades of combined experience and a genuine passion for travel, Jay and Elizabeth bring unmatched expertise and personal care to every client relationship.
Elizabeth Nichols
With decades of travel industry experience, Elizabeth brings unmatched expertise in luxury cruises, resort vacations, and destination planning. Her meticulous attention to detail ensures every itinerary is crafted to perfection — from the hotel breakfast to the sunset excursion.
Elizabeth specializes in honeymoons and family vacations, with a particular passion for the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and South Pacific.
Jay Nichols
Jay's passion for exploration and deep industry connections ensure every client receives insider access and extraordinary experiences. His expertise spans ocean and river cruises, adventure travel, and safari planning across Africa and beyond.
Jay has personally visited over 40 countries and brings that firsthand knowledge to every trip he designs — from a luxury tented safari in Kenya to a Viking river cruise through Europe.
What makes Destinara different
We're not a booking website. We're a boutique travel agency built on relationships, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to your experience.
Truly Personalized
Every itinerary is built from scratch around you — your style, your pace, your budget, your dreams. No templates. No one-size-fits-all packages.
Exclusive Access
As preferred partners with top cruise lines and hotel groups, we unlock complimentary upgrades, resort credits, priority boarding, and VIP perks you simply can't get online.
Your Advocate
When something goes wrong — flight delays, hotel issues, unexpected changes — you have a real person in your corner fighting to make it right. Not a chatbot. Not a call center.
24/7 Support
We don't clock out when you board your plane. Our clients have direct access to us throughout their journey, wherever in the world they may be.
Luxury Expertise
We specialize in the premium end of travel — Regent Seven Seas, Ritz-Carlton Yacht, Silversea, Four Seasons, Aman, and more. We know these products inside and out.
Real Experience
We've been there. Our recommendations come from personal visits, not brochures. When we suggest a hotel or excursion, it's because we've experienced it firsthand.
Trusted. Certified. Connected.
Destinara Travel maintains active memberships and certifications with leading travel industry organizations, ensuring our clients benefit from the highest professional standards and exclusive supplier relationships.
Let's plan your perfect journey
Tell us where you dream of going. We'll handle every detail and make sure you arrive with exclusive perks that make the experience truly extraordinary.