Plan your California, England or Normandy trip with Jackie
Jackie was born in LA and is a lifelong history buff who knows California from years of road trips, England from a childhood obsession she's chased back across the Atlantic many times, and Normandy from both its medieval past and her own family roots there.
“I'm a third-generation Angeleno, and my family spent my childhood on the road, all up and down the California coast and inland. I know the Paso Robles wineries well enough to point you to the right varietals, and the off-radar places you won't find on Instagram, like the Russian-inspired hotel in tiny Gualala where my parents stopped on their honeymoon.
My love of British history started young, reading about Elizabeth I and the Tudors. I studied abroad in England and have gone back many times, so the English sites I recommend are ones I've stood in myself.
That same period is what draws me to Normandy. In the 1400s it belonged to the English crown, and you can still read that history in the medieval architecture, which often looks more English than French. I've been many times, both for the medieval side and for the WWII sites and museums around Sainte-Mère-Église, one of the famous landing towns. It's personal, too: my grandfather's family stayed in the port town of Cherbourg as children before sailing to New York, and his sister was born there. I finally took my parents back in 2024.”
Book with Jackie to start planning your next trip
Destination Deep Dive — 30 minutes, $60
Get personalized travel advice for California, England and Normandy, including the best local food spots, logistical planning support, and the download on different neighborhoods. Perfect for solo travelers, couples, families and other travelers who want to plan a trip that gets at the best of the region.
Custom Trip Planning — 60 minutes, $120
Build your bespoke California, England or Normandy trip with deep planning on things to do, itinerary support, travel logistics, and day trips to make it all happen. Perfect for travelers who want more hands-on guidance; multi-destination trips around California, England or Normandy; and deep-dives into niche historical sites.
100% authentic local advice with every consultation
✔ Local knowledge
Candid, current advice on what to do, skip, and expect
✔ Tailored advice
Based on your style, pace, and interests
✔ Save time & stress
So you get just what you need — fast
Jackie helped us plan a wonderful trip to France and Spain with our adult daughters! It had been decades since I was in Europe, and my husband had never been. We went to Paris, Normandy, Avignon, and Granada. As my husband and I are used to American-style hospitality standards, we really appreciated how she tailored her recommendations for our preferences. She also gave great advice for accommodating our age-related mobility issues: for those over 50 going to Granada, there is only one place in the old city you can access via a steady incline instead of staircases built into the terraced hillside. The Airbnb we booked in that area was absolutely perfect! I still dream about the view of the Alhambra palace!
— Diane, multi-generational trip to France & Spain
