About

GOOD TRIPS

We curate experiences that help busy entrepreneurs, executives, Parents, and multiple-role-jugglers disconnect from the hectic day-to-day and immerse themselves in the colorful world around them.

WHAT IS A GOOD TRIP

A Good Trip is about intent. While we’re a fan of pretty words and pictures, it’s about more than that. It's about QUALITY. It's about SERVICE. It's about DESIGN. It's about inherent RESPONSIBILITY.

GOOD TRIPS was born out of a desire to make a positive impact on the tourism industry by simplifying conscious travel for culture lovers –– curating and showcasing high-quality, responsible businesses in the travel sector.

If you’re anything like us, you look for unique places that prioritize customer service, are highly intentional in their design process, and that are sustainable in their practices. You want rich experiences that sink you into the local scene, and you avoid tourist traps whenever possible.

We feel you, and we know it’s tough to peel through the noise to find hotels and experiences with true integrity and authenticity. But we love it, and we love supporting the business owners that put their hearts and souls into creating something good for local communities and the environment.

We love what we do

The company was female-founded in Spain and is now based in The Netherlands. The small team spans Europe and North America and is built of seasoned travelers with professional backgrounds in eco-tourism and sustainable travel, design, hospitality, marketing, and wellness. They wake up everyday excited to bring their knowledge of the best hotels and immersive experiences to you.

Our compass

We Believe in *travel*

We believe travel makes people better and is an essential part of our nature. It’s about connecting to people, places, yourself, and getting fresh perspectives on life. It’s about the good, the bad, the joy, and the heartbreak of the journey. It’s about seeing the world through a different lens. It’s about growing those compassion and empathy muscles.
Whether it’s a different neighborhood in your city or a destination seas away, we believe in the transformative power of leaving your day-to-day every once in a while, being bold, and experiencing all the world has to offer.

We Stand for *people/planet*.

Giving back is a big part of why we’re in this business. We donate 1% of our proceeds to The WILD Foundation, an organization working in over 40 countries to mobilize international coalitions for the protection of wilderness. We purchase carbon offsets and plant trees for all Good Trips travel members through Ecologi. We feel passionate about minimizing the negative impacts that tourism has so we can continue to experience the substantial benefits that travel provides.

We support *hotels*

Most of the big hotel booking sites take 15-30% booking commissions. Travelers pay many of these same booking fees as well when going through OTA's. **We charge minimal commissions from hotels and a planning fee from travelers to keep things balanced where service is offered.** All hotels we endorse on our website and through our content have been selected and vetted by our team and trusted peers so that we can ensure quality recommendations for our travelers.

Our Team

Katy Hoogerwerf

Katy is the founder and Managing Director of Good Trips. She has a unique combination of expertise in sustainable travel, HR, event planning, design, and healthy lifestyles. She employs a holistic approach, extensive research, and a network of peers and connections to curate trips unique as each of her clients. Katy aims to inspire people to travel better by showing them how beautiful and experiential, responsible travel can be. She is US-born but has lived in the EU since 2016 and currently resides in Holland with her family.

Claire Kennedy

Since birth, Claire's life has been travel-filled, road-tripping across the US throughout her formidable years, studying abroad in France as a teenager, and relocating to Central America at the age of 22. A graduate of art history and studio art, she has an eye for beautiful details and finds them in all of her explorations. She hand-picks exceptional travel experiences and hospitality establishments for Good Trips in Central America, with a focus on Guatemala—the place where she has resided for over a decade. She’s passionate about meeting locals—especially artisans—and learning their stories to share them with the world.
Alizée Thibaud

Alìzee's journey began in her native country of France before she ventured to the United States and lived there for 5 years. Afterward, Alizee returned to Bordeaux and subsequently moved on to Amsterdam where she resided for an additional 5 years. During this time, Alizee earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Hospitality Management with a specialization in professional development. She's currently traveling the world and curating for Good Trips while she's at it, capturing picturesque scenes, savoring local cuisines, and meeting locals and travelers from all walks of life.
Lucia Rigazio

An Argentinian living in the south of Spain with ten years of experience in the travel industry, Lu has been passionate about sustainability in the sector since day one. A "slow experience" maker, she loves seeking out unique boutique hotels, vineyards, organic farms, restaurants, and experiences and telling the stories and philosophies behind them. With an infectious warm energy, a degree in Tourism Business Management, and hands-on experience in all stages of the travel journey, she serves our clients enthusiastically and effortlessly.
Maria Pisasale

Maria is a savvy Sicilian with over 15 years in the travel industry. She adores exploring destinations through art and nature and has some seriously difficult-to-acquire tour guide credentials in Italy. Maria has a passion for slow travel and sustainable tourism, having studied the philosophies of each in-depth. Maria is an expert at unearthing the special finds that make a place truly unique and that create unforgettable memories for travelers. No one we know can match her knowledge and admiration of Italy's culture like she does. Meet your Italian insider.
Jennison Grigsby

Jennison has been handpicking hotels and eco-friendly hospitality businesses for Good Trips since its inception. As a writer, a Master of Science in Psychology, a seasoned yoga instructor, and with a passion for knowledge and well-being, she specializes in organizing soul-nourishing experiences locally in Spain as well as international retreats around Europe, Morrocco, and her native California. Jennison has a unique capacity to unite people from all walks of life and create an atmosphere of community in any environment.