When Annie Collins reflects on her journey into the world of travel design, she doesn’t describe it as a calculated career move; it began organically, fueled by curiosity and a passion for creativity. In the early 1990s, while serving as the Executive Director of the Oriental Rug Retailers of America, Annie was tasked with enhancing the value of membership benefits. She put herself in the shoes of the retailers who were purchasing these rugs and imagined what they genuinely wanted: to go beyond the product and explore the people, the process, and the place behind it. This spark of inspiration led her to organize her first group trip abroad. What began as a way to deepen art appreciation soon transformed into a lifelong passion—Freedom Travel was born.
Annie Collins travels with heart. Over the years, Annie’s travel philosophy has remained consistent: she favors a “lightly structured” itinerary that strikes a balance between enriching group experiences and personal freedom. She believes that the most meaningful travel moments often come from spontaneous encounters—the hidden alley, the delightful café, or the impromptu conversation. For Annie, this personal discovery is what transforms a trip into a memory and new folks into friends.
How the Role Has Evolved
Annie has experienced significant changes in the travel industry over the years. In the early 2000s, brick-and-mortar travel agencies were the norm. However, after the Great Recession and the emergence of online booking tools, many of those agencies closed their doors. Despite this, Annie remained dedicated to her work, specializing in custom international travel at a time when the industry was shifting toward mass-market packages. “What sets us apart,” Annie explains, “is that we design with the client, not for them. We co-create.” Unlike the traditional travel agent model, which often focuses on sales and pre-packaged tours, her approach is based on personalization, trust, and intuition.
The Value of Expertise in the Age of AI
As AI-generated itineraries grow in popularity, Annie recognizes their benefits but is also mindful of their limitations. “You can find a house plan online, but that doesn’t make an architect,” she says, with a chuckle. “Just because an itinerary looks appealing doesn’t guarantee it will be effective in reality, and it doesn’t make someone a travel architect.”
With decades of hands-on experience, she knows which ferries are worth avoiding, like the route from Naples to Sicily, where you can’t get a rental car after disembarking.” She also understands which “museums are closed on Tuesdays and how to sidestep pitfalls, such as driving rental cars across on island ferries, or missing out on sold-out tickets, like those for the Anne Frank House. Securing tickets for the Anne Frank House is particularly challenging; you need to wake up in the wee hours of the morning and have your phone on speed dial. If you’re not first, getting tickets easily during your trip to Amsterdam is unlikely.
Complementing Technology with Human Insight
When clients bring AI-generated itineraries to Annie, she doesn’t dismiss them. Instead, she listens carefully and refrains from delving too deeply into the details. “I always ask: ‘Why do you want to go? What draws you there?” From there, she fine-tunes logistics, ensures a smooth flow, and, most importantly, injects joy back into the journey. It’s not about control—it’s about crafting an experience that feels intentional, enticing, and personal.
Constraints as Creative Catalysts
One of Annie’s most compelling examples featured a family of five with three children under the age of eight who were planning a trip to Spain. Their AI-generated itinerary was dense, disjointed, and logistically impossible. Annie restructured it with empathy and precision, taking into consideration the family’s energy levels, stroller access, and the need for downtime. The result was a richer and smoother experience that honored their pace and preferences.
Sometimes, travel architects have to make the difficult decision to decline a client if they believe the client may not be a good fit for their services. When Annie designs an itinerary, she creates one that she would use herself. The flow, logistics, and standards are essential—it must work seamlessly. If clients are rigid in their requests, they may not be a good match for her approach.
Perspectives on Misunderstood Destinations
Annie believes some destinations suffer from overexposure or misrepresentation, where the experience doesn’t always live up to the hype. “Take the Blarney Stone in Ireland,” she says. “You climb hundreds of tight, winding stairs, hang backward over a ledge, and kiss a rock touched by thousands of strangers. It’s not exactly the soulful Irish moment people imagine.” Instead, Annie recommends travelers skip the crowds and head to Kinsale, a colorful harbor town filled with warmth, charm, and authenticity. “It’s walkable, brimming with art and great food, and you’ll find the essence of Ireland there—not in a tourist queue, but in a conversation at a cozy pub or a seaside walk that takes your breath away.” She encourages travelers to look past guidebook “musts” and seek places that resonate with their travel style. “It’s not about avoiding, it is about discovering the ones that feel meaningful to you.
Authentic, Slow Travel
Just as Alba, Piedmont, sparked the slow food movement by prioritizing quality ingredients and the joy of savoring each bite over the rush of fast food, Freedom Travel echoes this philosophy in the realm of exploration. Fast travel often leads to a checklist mentality, where the focus is on ticking off destinations rather than truly experiencing them. In contrast, Freedom Travel champions the idea of slow travel, encouraging travelers to immerse themselves in local cultures, savor their surroundings, and embrace spontaneity. Like a beautifully crafted dish that takes time to prepare, slow travel invites us to linger, appreciate, and let each journey unfold in surprise. This approach transforms travel from a fleeting experience into a meaningful adventure, nurturing a deeper connection with the places we visit.
The Power of Partnership
What truly distinguishes Freedom Travel is Annie’s long-standing partnerships. “Our guides, our boutique hotel owners, our drivers—they’re not vendors. They’re collaborators.” These relationships, built over decades, allow Annie to offer her clients something algorithms can’t: warmth, trust, and continuity.
In Annie’s Words
“We design with the client, not for them. Travel isn’t a product. It’s a process—and a privilege.”
Ready to design your next unforgettable journey?
Connect with Anne Collins, Travel Architect at Freedom Travel LLC, and experience the difference of custom, thoughtfully curated travel. Whether you’re dreaming of Italy, Portugal, or a destination you’ve yet to imagine, she’s here to help you turn intention into itinerary.
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