Meet Kara Brooks | Luxury Travel Advisor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kara Brooks and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kara, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’m a luxury travel advisor with a background that blends journalism, diplomacy, and a deep love of exploration. Before launching my travel business, See the World with Kara, I worked as a TV journalist, and later at the White House–a role that took me around the world and gave me a front-row seat to a different kind of travel. I witnessed how access, intention, and storytelling could transform a trip into something unforgettable. Whether it was a private museum visit or a perfectly choregraphed diplomatic visit, I saw how every detail mattered, and how travel could be both meaningful and magical.

That experience inspired me to become a certified travel advisor and build a business focused on curating tailored, high-touch itineraries. I bring a storyteller’s eye to every journey I design, crafting trips that reflect each client’s unique narrative. From milestone celebrations to once-in-a-lifetime escapes, I specialize in creating VIP experiences and special moments that linger long after the bags are unpacked. My goal is to create trips that feel cinematic–experiences people will relive and share for years to come. Because to me, the best travel doesn’t just take you somewhere new–it leaves you with a story worth telling.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
As a luxury travel advisor, my mission is to craft experiences that go far beyond what they could plan on their own. I want my clients to feel the difference the moment they arrive–to stay in hotels where the service is intuitive and exceptional, where they’re welcomed like VIPs, and where every detail feels tailored just for them. I love opening doors to experiences that feel out of reach to most–private excursions, exclusive access, and curated moments that make them feel like the world is unfolding just for them. It’s about more than luxury. It’s about showing people what’s possible when travel is done with intention, insider knowledge, and personal touch.

One of experiences that shaped my approach to travel planning happened while I was working at the White House. I had the extraordinary opportunity to tour the Amazon rainforest during a visit to South America with the Vice President of the United States and the Second Lady of the United States, aboard an U.S. Black Hawk helicopter, soaring above the dense canopy and witnessing the raw beauty of the rainforest from a perspective that few ever see. That moment sparked something in me: a deep curiosity and desire to help others to experience the world in ways that surprise and inspire them. It taught me that travel can be transformative when it’s approached with creativity and access.

Of course, creating that kind of magic isn’t easy. Every itinerary is a challenge I take seriously. I analyze what worked, what could be better, and how to push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Starting a business from scratch is one of the most challenging and humbling journeys I’ve ever taken. From building a client base to creating systems, refining my brand, and managing the details behind the scenes, it’s a constant hustle. There are days when the to-do list feels endless and the progress feels slow. But what keeps me grounded is my deep love for travel planning. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about knowing I’m helping people step away from their daily routines, celebrate life’s milestones, and make memories they’ll treasure forever. Travel has a way of reminding us of what really matters, and being part of that for someone else is a privilege I don’t take lightly. That sense of purpose is what drives me through the hard days and helps me face every challenge with resilience and hope, knowing that the foundation I’m building now will lead to something truly meaningful.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in the Washington, DC area, and it has become one my favorite places in the United States.

Day 1:
Spa day at the Salamander Hotel in DC
Eat dinner at Dogon Restaurant, vibrant Afro-Caribbean cuisine
Drinks at VUE Rooftop, offering views of the White House and Washington Monument

Day 2

Tour the Library of Congress
Photo shoot at the Library of Congress
Lunch at Cafe Riggs
Tour the National Portrait Gallery
Dinner at Dirty Habit Restaurant

Day 3
Breakfast at Founding Farmers Fishers and Bakers
Shop in Georgetown
Lunch at Fiona Mare

Drinks and dinner at Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown
Evening at JoJo Restaurant and Bar to listen to jazz music

Day 4
Breakfast at Good Company Doughnuts & Cafe
Hike through Rock Creek Park with a park ranger for a brief history lesson
Have a picnic in the park

Dinner at Cafe Milano
Watch a performance at the Kennedy Center

Day 5
Explore Old Town Alexandria–visit the Alexandria Black History Museum, check out the Torpedo Factory Art Center
Eat lunch at Hen Quarter
Take water taxi to the Wharf in DC
Drinks at Mi Vida
Dinner at Limani Restaurant

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I carry my parents’ love and encouragement with me every day. My mom championed my creativity from the start–never treating my imagination as “too much”, but as something to be celebrated. She nurtured my dreams, empowered my voice, and made me believe my words held weight. My dad passed down his love for travel, filling our childhood with unforgettable adventures to places like Toronto and San Francisco. Together, they gave me the courage to dream boldly and the desire to explore widely. Though they’re no longer here, their spirit lives in everything I pursue.

Website: https://www.seetheworldwithkara.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seetheworldwithkara/

Image Credits
The two photos with me wearing a black jumpsuit, the photo credit is Patrick Orr.