Leslie Swanson

Leslie is an independent contractor of Departure Lounge and founder of Leslie Swanson Travel, LLC, an Austin, Texas based boutique travel consultancy specializing in personalized, one-of-a-kind itineraries and experiences.

Travel has always been an important part of her life. From a very young age, Leslie traveled with her family to some of the world's most remote corners. From surf lodges in Sumba to the backwaters of the Amazon, Leslie's knowledge of unique destinations is extensive. Since joining Departure Lounge in 2016, Leslie has planned trips of all kinds--ranging from simple wine tours through Santa Barbara, to more complex trips like a bucket-list expedition through Patagonia and Chile's Atacama Desert, where clients experienced the sensation of walking on the moon in the world's highest desert before venturing to the southernmost point of Chile and hiking glaciers in one of the most historic lodges in Patagonia.

As a child of travelers herself, Leslie loves active adventures. Her travels have taken her from hiking ruins in Cambodia to the powdery slopes of Switzerland, from surfing in the Maldives to some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. This summer, she pulled taro in traditional "kalo" ponds in Hawaii to earn her certification as an Oahu Master Specialist.

Passionate about the outdoors, education, and experiential travel, Leslie loves to create detailed itineraries for clients that enable them to step beyond well-worn paths to experience unique destinations in authentic ways.