TO DREAM OF LANDS FARAWAY

I’m an Idaho native, who as a child, traveled vicariously through reading National Geographic Magazines, books written in far away lands, and a student of world maps, geography, and cultures. I wildly imagined my great-aunt's experience of living her adult life and raising her beautiful children in Calcutta and Darjeeling, India, eventually dedicating her life to educating young girls from the streets.

Because of my love of the mysteries of the world, it lead me to marry into a wonderfully internationally diverse family with incredible world stories, and multiple languages.

My wanderlust has taken me to six continents that now centers my art around designing tailor-made, off-the-beaten path adventures, languages, cultures, food, peoples, and their stories.  

I hope this website inspires you to explore new places with me!

Please follow me on Instagram at @merrytraveldesigner


Private Travel Designer

Travel is a journey away from home involving a truly memorable and powerful experience whether it be Active, Cultural, Natural, Social or Spiritual that will enrich your life and improve the way you connect with the world.

As a Private Travel Designer, I specialize in my clients so that I may meticulously cultivate genuine, transformational, pure life experiences, and tantalizing experiential itineraries tailored to inspiring destinations around the world. I catalog feedback my clients acquire from their travels and refine that knowledge to enhance their next discovery, all the while protecting our planet and communities, culminating in a comprehensive and unparalleled personal travel experience.

I consistently look for the “next” destination, and search for inspirational discovery opportunities whether it be to travel along your family’s DNA migration, to reconnect with loved ones and the world, or to adventure out of your comfort level.

I look forward to connecting with you, and designing a unique adventure truly connected to you and your heart.
— Mary Montgomery Nielson, STE, CTA, STES

Awards & Certificates:

  • Harmon Travel Redefined Platinum Level Winner | 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022

  • Top Travel Designer of the Year | 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024

  • Nominated for Travel + Leisure A List for 2023

  • Finalist for Signature Travel Network’s Michelle Morgan Leadership Award 2017

  • A Word with Mary Nielson” | Idaho Business Review Interview October 2, 2017 | Travelwire News October 2, 2017

  • “Sales Superstars:  Increasing Expedition Sales by More than 50%”  |   Travel Market Report  May 28, 2019 

  • New Zealand Signature Travel Network Expert Select | https://signaturetravelexperts.com/destination-specialties/new-zealand/

  • Expert Classifications: Luxury | China | New Zealand | Australia | East and South Africa | Peru | British Isles | Italy | Japan


Instagram: @merrytraveldesigner