Travel isn’t about running away from life.
Quite the opposite, actually—it’s all about running straight toward it, arms and mind wide open. It’s about experiencing as much of this big, beautiful world as we can for the limited time we are here. And my, is there a lot of experience out there! The problem, however, often comes in the planning because, as well as being big and beautiful, the world can also be overwhelming—especially for LGBTQ+ people.
Concierge travel goes and takes all that overwhelming busywork off your hands—saving you stress, time, and yes, even money! You get to experience the world on your own terms while giving yourself a safety net when stepping outside of your comfort zone.
Ursula Hosting is an expert in crafting custom travel experiences. Founded by world citizen (not to mention our rather handsome, trusted friend) Nelson, they specialize in turning dream trips—no matter how fantastical they may seem—into a tangible reality. We caught up with Nelson to talk about how his own passion for travel developed after the military, when Ursula Hosting came into being, the benefits of curated travel, and the places and personal moments that continue to fuel his travel planning expertise.
Hey Nelson! First tell us a bit about yourself and how you became interested in travel.
Since I was a kid, getting to explore and watch different cultures, try different food, and live different experiences has tremendously interested me. I was born and grew up in Colombia, as a teenager we moved to the US and I quickly realized I wanted to keep traveling. At 18, I figured joining the Navy would help me with that, and it did. It took me to the Caribbean, then all over Asia, and to the west coast. After the military, I traveled through Europe and even lived for a while in Italy. I then started a career as a management consultant, which kept me traveling throughout the US and the Americas; and working with people from all over the world. I loved that and decided to create a path that could keep me traveling and sharing with others the joy of exploring the world… so I did. I feel very fortunate.
How would you describe your travel company Ursula Hosting to those who know nothing about it? What’s the key philosophy at its heart?
We curate travel for anyone, anywhere, anytime, anyhow. Our goal is to create the trips our clients dream of. We won’t stop until we achieve this and they are truly satisfied.
Helping others explore the world. That was and still is the intent behind Ursula Hosting. Our philosophy is that everyone can and should travel.
What inspired you to create Usual Hosting originally? Why the name and who’s Ursula exactly!?
I wanted to travel and explore the world, and to take as many friends and people I knew with me. Show them a good time and make sure they were comfortable, impressed, and learned something from every place.
Ursula is one of the main characters in 100 Years of Solitude, from the famous Colombian author Gabriel Garcia Marques. She took care of the house for almost 100 years and made sure everyone who arrived felt welcomed and had a place to stay, the best she could. Initially the company had more of a hosting aspect to it, so she represented what we wanted to do.
Can you remember the first trip you planned? Where was it and how did it go?
As a company, It was in Cartagena, Colombia. We rented a colonial house for three months and welcomed guests with itineraries based on the length of their stay. It was a huge success. We tried to create new experiences, and everyone left in love with Cartagena, and our services.
What types of people tend to come on an Ursula Hosting trip? What are your most popular destinations?
All types. Most of our clients are like me, part of the LGBT community, but from the beginning clients recommended us to their neighbors, their families, their friends, etc., so I work with a diverse group of clientele. And since most of our trips are personalized, we cater to their style, needs, and budget.
Popularity varies each year and season, but I would say right now Colombia, Italy, Japan, South Africa, México and Argentina are the most popular.
What do you think are the key benefits of using a travel planning concierge service in general?
Saving time and keeping sanity. We do the research, read the reviews, draft the plans, make the bookings, deal with vendors, collect the money, and put it all together on a beautiful web page… clients just need to tell us what they want, pack, and travel. Big groups, couples, family trips… regardless of the size, what we do is very helpful to stay sane and be able to just enjoy the trip.
How does Ursula Hosting make their trips more inclusive for LGBTQ+ folk?
We are part of and cater to the community. We tailor trips based on what the client wants, so whatever they need or desire, we do. Therefore, I would say our plans are inclusive for everyone by design.
What are the steps to crafting and booking a trip with Ursula Hosting?
Clients should contact us via social media or website to start. First, we collect information about the vision of the trip, and anything that helps us understand how they like to travel. Second, we create a high-level plan with this information. Third, clients review this plan and provide feedback. Fourth, we go back and forth until we have a plan that meets and exceeds expectations. From there, we start booking, and create the trip’s web page with all the details and information they need during the trip (itinerary, links, contacts, locations, tips, recommendations, and more). We can make changes and edit as needed and as possible, up to the date of the trip.
What do you personally enjoy the most about both planning and hosting trips?
I love doing research when I am planning a trip. Many times I am curating travel to places I haven’t been to, so I feel like I am the one traveling and get excited for learning and discovering about the destinations.
When I am hosting, my favorite moment is seeing everyone having a good time. There is always that moment when everyone is in sync and hanging out and sharing the experience. The energy is so positive. I feel proud.
I know it’s hard to pick favorites but if you absolutely had to, what's your favorite destination(s) in the world you hold tours at and why?
For hosting? It is so hard to choose… but if I had to pick, I would say Havana (culture, vibes, experiences), Southern Spain (architecture, history, culture, vibes, food), Mexico City (everything), Tanzania (Nature, Safaris), and Croatia, I still think about all the fun we had hosting a cruise there (food, islands, water, architecture).
For traveling myself, right now, I am infatuated with the Oaxaca coast line’s beauty and Mexico City’s cosmopolitan offerings. Also Sardinia, French Riviera, and Japan: Their beauty, culture, and offerings are very enjoyable.
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