Karen
Swanson

Karen Swanson founded Qualia Travel, an affiliate of The Departure Lounge, one of the most respected host agencies with a wealth of knowledge and connections worldwide. She grew up in the greater Boston area and built an award winning interior design firm, New England Design Works. During her fourteen years as a design professional, she excelled at listening to what her clients really hoped to gain, caring deeply about their satisfaction, and striving to find those special elements to make the overall outcome elevated and unique. She brings that same skill set, passion and energy to her second career as a travel advisor. She has explored all over Europe, the Caribbean, Costa Rica, the United States and has a special love for photographing architecture on beautiful tree lined ancient cities, as well as discovering that delectable meal that is simply unforgettable.

Karen, while raising children and building a business, always relished in planning for the next trip, spending countless hours researching every angle and pulling together all the details ... As they say, it's as much about the journey as the destination. She is passionate about the perspective changing nature of travel and loves partnering with clients to curate their time away, whether for a weekend or for a trip of a lifetime.

Qualia are often referred to as the phenomenal properties of experience ... Karen founded Qualia Travel to ensure her client's time and financial investment results in nothing short of phenomenal experiences.

I am in the midst of planning a multi-stop tour through Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos for small group of solo women travelers in their 50's and 60's who enjoy a mix of hiking, food and wine, luxury hotel stays, river cruising, cultural immersion and a combination of loose structure and flexibility. Please reach out if you'd like to join!