Wanderlust Travel

Founded in a small apartment with just two employees, our company began with a simple mission: to create authentic travel experiences that connect people with cultures. Our first offerings were walking tours in Paris and Rome, designed by our founder who had spent years as a local guide.

We faced numerous challenges in those early days - from securing partnerships with local vendors to convincing travelers that our approach was different. But our commitment to quality and authenticity quickly earned us a loyal following among discerning travelers.

By 2010, we had expanded to 12 destinations across Europe and Asia. This was the year we introduced our signature "Cultural Immersion" trips, which combined hands-on activities with meaningful local interactions.

We also established our sustainability policy, becoming one of the first travel companies to offset carbon emissions for all our trips. This commitment to responsible tourism became a cornerstone of our brand identity.

• Launched first Asian destinations (Japan, Thailand)
• Introduced carbon offset program
• Grew to 25 full-time employees

Our innovative approach earned us the "Best Ethical Travel Company" award from National Geographic. This recognition validated our philosophy and introduced us to a global audience.

We used this momentum to launch our Community Partnership Program, directing 5% of profits to local initiatives in our destination countries. This included language education, cultural preservation, and environmental projects.

This period also saw us expand our offerings to include family-focused itineraries and adventure travel options, while maintaining our commitment to authentic experiences.

The global pandemic presented unprecedented challenges, but also opportunities for innovation. We pivoted to create virtual travel experiences and deepened our relationships with local partners during the tourism downturn.

When travel resumed, we introduced new health and safety protocols while maintaining the personal touch we're known for. Our "Slow Travel" initiative encouraged longer stays with deeper cultural engagement.

Despite the difficulties, we emerged stronger, with a renewed appreciation for the resilience of the travel community and the importance of human connection.

As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we operate in 35 countries with a team of 150 passionate travel experts. But our core values remain unchanged - we still personally vet every experience and maintain direct relationships with local guides.

Looking ahead, we're focused on:

• Expanding our sustainable travel initiatives
• Developing more accessible travel options
• Creating intergenerational travel experiences
• Using technology to enhance (not replace) human connection

What began as a small passion project has become a leader in meaningful travel, but we still approach each journey with the same curiosity and respect that inspired us from the beginning.