Welcome to Pathways! I'm Lauren Gleeson, your dedicated travel advisor and passionate wanderluster. As a mom of three energetic boys and wife to a football coach, my life is a constant adventure. I've turned my love for travel and my knack for planning into a mission: to create luxurious, stress-free travel experiences that bring joy and connection to your life.

My fascination with travel began in high school when I was awarded a scholarship to study in Mexico for a summer, living with a host family. That transformative experience ignited my passion, making travel an essential part of my educational journey. When deciding where to go to college, I chose the University of Delaware for its extensive study abroad programs and robust language department. While there, I majored in Three Languages: Spanish, French, and Japanese, and lived in Spain and Martinique during my undergraduate studies. Later, as a graduate student, I spent a semester in Granada, Spain, ultimately earning my Master's Degree in Spanish Literature and Pedagogy.

Before founding Pathways, I spent over a decade in the classroom teaching Spanish and French. My love for language and culture led me to plan and chaperone numerous student trips, fostering a deep appreciation for immersive travel experiences. These adventures, later followed by my role as a Global Studies Coordinator, laid the foundation for my expertise in creating enriching journeys. I always told my students that the most impactful way to learn a language is by traveling, and that their experiences encountering other cultures would fundamentally change them and their perspective of the world.

Motherhood brought its own set of challenges and joys. After years of focusing on raising my boys and being cooped up together during the pandemic, a much-needed trip to Bermuda reignited my passion for travel. Shortly after returning home, I got my kids their passports and couldn’t wait to take them on their first big journey to Costa Rica! These experiences made me realize how vital travel is to feeling alive and connected. With a newfound purpose, I created Pathways to help others find that same spark through thoughtfully curated travel experiences.