Brenna Girardi’s love affair with travel began on a childhood family trip to London — before she’d even visited another major U.S. city. Growing up in Southern California with a British stepfather meant frequent overseas adventures, and that coastal upbringing and early exposure to international travel inspired a deep curiosity.
“It shaped my love for travel and beautiful destinations — and how I see the world,” she says. “I remember being completely mesmerized during that first trip. It was Christmastime, and it felt magical.
“But it also showed me how different the world could be, and that sense of wonder never left,” she says.
After earning a business degree from Northern Arizona University, her unrelenting travel bug inspired Girardi to become a flight attendant. Based in Minneapolis, she served first-class passengers while having the time of her life traveling the world — it’s also how she met her husband, Bryan, a commercial airline pilot (and Michigan native). “That role deepened my appreciation for service at a high level,” she says.
When COVID hit, Girardi pivoted. After much research, she realized that while traditional agencies had evolved, the luxury travel advisory world was thriving. She joined a local luxury travel agency, learning the intricacies of high-touch planning, preferred partnerships and global coordination. But the entrepreneur in her was ready for more. Nearly five years into the luxury travel industry, she teamed up with Jenny Barto to create Olivette Travel Design (olivettetraveldesign.com) — a decision she calls one of the most rewarding of her life.
While in college, Girardi worked at a luxury hotel in Southern California — her first experience in hospitality. “I loved the rhythm of service and the satisfaction of exceeding guest expectations,” she says. “Over time, I’ve worked in luxury hotels, served first-class passengers and now design luxury vacations.”
Now based in Metro Detroit (though still a beach girl at heart), Girardi brings that same sense of wonder and meticulous service to every journey she designs. “Looking back, it feels like a very natural progression,” she says. “The direction of my career and business feels aligned with both my personality and my passion.”
Here, Girardi gives us the scoop on why luxury travel is worth investing in.
BIRMINGHAM CITY LIFESTYLE: What exactly do you do for clients?
BRENNA GIRARDI: I focus on designing luxury trips for couples, families and small private groups. My specialty is the five-star market and highly customized, thoughtfully paced experiences. Most of my clients are founders, executives, investors and business owners. They’re disciplined with their finances and strategic with their time, but what they often don’t have is extra mental bandwidth. Travel, which should feel restorative, can easily become another project. That’s the problem I solve.
Luxury travel isn’t simply booking hotels. It’s the intentional design of an experience, from the moment a client leaves their driveway to the moment they return home. We begin with intention — is this a milestone birthday? A multi-generational gathering? A celebration after a professional achievement? From there, I curate properties aligned with their lifestyle and desires, collaborate with personally vetted partners on the ground, manage global logistics and layer in thoughtful details that make the trip feel deeply personal. My role is to stay ahead of everything. If flights are delayed or plans shift, I am the one resolving it behind the scenes, so my clients can show up and be fully present.
BCL: What sets you apart from other travel advisors?
BG: My tenacity. I do not accept the first no. A client once came to me two months before Snow Polo in St. Moritz — everything was sold out. Hotels were full and VIP tickets were unavailable. I made call after call across Switzerland, heard ‘no’ from many and kept going until I secured a suite at one of the top hotels, along with VIP access to the event. Luxury often comes down to access, and access requires relationships and persistence. I’m relentless on behalf of my clients.
BCL: What are some memorable trips you've planned?
BG: Beyond that St. Moritz win, I planned a trip to Albania for a client who wanted to trace his ancestral roots. We secured a local priest from his family’s remote village to accompany him and his guide as they explored their history. It was deeply personal and something he’ll never forget.
I also love planning girlfriend trips to France filled with vineyards, beautiful hotels, spa time and incredible dining. I genuinely have so much fun designing those, as if I’m the one traveling.
Multi-generational trips are especially meaningful — bringing together grandparents, children and grandchildren for shared experiences is powerful. Time together is fleeting, and I approach those trips with an even greater sense of care.
BCL: What are your personal favorite destinations?
BG: I’m a beach girl through and through, and I’m drawn to destinations that feel beautiful but also soulful — places where you can exhale, eat well and feel inspired.
My all-time favorite destination is French Polynesia. It’s the most stunning and peaceful place I’ve ever experienced. The water is impossibly clear, the pace of life slows immediately and there’s a sense of calm that’s hard to describe until you feel it yourself. Bora Bora is breathtaking, and The Brando in particular feels private, thoughtful and restorative — it’s where you go to reset and reconnect.
I am also really loving Croatia beyond Dubrovnik. The scenery is dramatic, the wine and food scene are exceptional and it still feels authentic and less saturated than other parts of Europe, giving it a sense of discovery. Pairing it with the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro is a combination I love.
For something closer to home, St. Barth’s has this chic, understated energy — it truly feels like someone placed the French Riviera in the Caribbean.
BCL: How many countries have you visited?
BG: This is very non-travel-advisor of me, but I genuinely don’t track the number. I’ve never been focused on collecting passport stamps. I care much more about depth of experience than quantity. There are still many destinations on my list — Waiheke Island outside Auckland is high on my radar for its food and wine culture paired with local scenery. It feels refined yet relaxed, which is always appealing to me. I’d also love to explore the winelands of South Africa — the landscape, architecture and depth of wine heritage there fascinate me. Any emerging or lesser-known wine region will always capture my attention.
BCL: How does compensation work?
BG: Because this is a fully customized service, I charge a professional planning fee that ensures I can dedicate the time, research, vetting and global coordination required. In addition, I’m compensated by hotel and destination partners through standard industry commissions. Hotel pricing through me is the same as booking directly, and clients often receive additional value such as daily breakfast, property credits, upgrades and VIP recognition through my preferred partnerships.
BCL: What are your travel essentials?
JC: A travel blanket, noise-cancelling headphones, a portable power bank, electrolyte packets for hydration and a cryo roller for reducing swelling.
BCL: Any advice for maximizing value?
Consider traveling in shoulder season — April, May, September or October. The weather is often still excellent, crowds are lighter and pricing is typically more favorable. Be strategic about where you splurge. In major cities, a well-located boutique four-star property can be a strong value while allocating more budget to true leisure destinations where you’ll spend meaningful time on property. First-class train travel in Europe can also be an efficient and comfortable alternative to private drivers. And don’t forget VAT refunds in the EU for designer purchases — savings can be significant.
BCL: What would you want readers to know about your approach to travel?
BG: I truly believe travel is one of the most meaningful investments someone can make. When thoughtfully designed, it restores, reconnects and creates memories that shape families for generations. Being trusted with that responsibility is something I never take lightly.