My Story

By Sofa Ibrahim

From Fairy Tales to France 

and Finding My Calling in Travel

My dream of becoming a travel planner didn’t begin with a boarding pass.

It started with the pages of fairy tales and English classics.

As a child, I was enchanted by the worlds of Snow White, Cinderella, Jane Eyre, and Macbeth. But more than the characters, I fell in love with the places — the castles, the costumes, the mystery and romance. I longed for a life that felt bigger, more beautiful, more magical than the city skyline outside my window.

So while I wanted to see famous landmarks, what I truly craved was something deeper:

To walk where knights once rode.

To stand in castles that once housed dukes and queens.

To live inside the stories that sparked my imagination.

Where Fantasy Met Reality

I traveled through Disneyland, Switzerland, Germany, Scotland, and Denmark. But it was France that truly cast its spell on me.

Not just Paris and the Eiffel Tower, or the wine and cheese (though I love those too!) — I found something quieter and more soulful in:

  • The cobbled lanes of medieval villages

  • The silent grace of ancient abbeys

  • The grandeur of tucked-away châteaux

  • The haunting beauty of mountain fortresses and sunlit valleys

It was there that my childhood dreams met real-life wonder.
And they felt even better than I imagined.

The Big Lesson: Go Slow

Here’s something travel taught me early: Less is more.

Trying to pack too much into one day, one itinerary, one country — it kills the magic. I learned to travel differently.

More like a writer telling a good story: slower, deeper, more connected.

Books like The Da Vinci Code and films like Under the Tuscan Sun inspired me to feel my way through places, not just “see” them.

Every trip became its own story — rich, layered, and memorable.

What That Means for You

Now, I help others create these kinds of journeys too.

Not rushed, surface-level vacations — but thoughtfully designed adventures with:

  • Realistic pacing

  • Space to connect, reflect, and breathe

  • Hidden gems, special touches, and storybook settings

  • Smooth logistics that feel effortless

Confession: I’m a Bit of a Control Freak


I used to think my detail-oriented personality was a flaw.

But now? It’s my superpower.

I love designing travel from scratch — planning all the little things most people overlook. I make sure every transfer makes sense, every experience has flow, and there’s always a Plan B if life gets messy.

This doesn’t just help me.
It helps the families, couples, solo travelers, and neurodivergent parents I now serve.

If you're looking for someone who will truly think through the journey from every angle — I’m your person.

💫 Travel, to me, is more than a trip.

It’s a story. A feeling. A chance to step into a different world — and write a new chapter of your own.

If that resonates with you, I’d be honored to help bring your next journey to life.

Ready to plan your own European adventure that combines work and wonder? 

The Grand Voyage is my signature travel planning service, designed to help you discover France’s hidden gems, romance, and cultural treasures—stress-free and tailored just for you. Let me plan your dream vacation. Start planning your Grand Voyage — book a free 10-minute call with me today!

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