Follow My Lead Travel
New York, New York
At Follow My Lead Travel, we believe that creating the most memorable journeys starts with really knowing the people taking them. Ours is a high-touch, experience-led approach. We spend real time with each client to understand their travel style and priorities for each trip, then build the itinerary around what works best — even when that means adjusting plans and expectations based on our own firsthand experience.
Leading that approach is Tracy Stromberg, who founded Follow My Lead Travel and whose tasteful eye and firsthand knowledge of luxury travel set the standard for how our team plans. She and every member of the team share a commitment to cultivating firsthand experience and building strong relationships with partners across the industry who meet the same high standards we hold ourselves to when planning seamless trips for our clients.
From short weekend getaways to private villa retreats and complex multi-stop journeys, we approach every trip with the same level of care and consideration — with the goal of earning our clients' trust that we will deliver a seamless, truly luxurious travel experience every time. We are not simply booking travel — we're a dedicated partner, thoughtful about every detail and committed to excellence in every journey we plan.
TRACY STROMBERG
Owner
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I N D U S T R Y R E C O G N I T I O N
Tracy’s passion for travel began at age 13 during her first trip to Europe and has shaped both her personal and professional journey ever since. After earning a degree in International Relations and traveling extensively around the world, she built my career across luxury lifestyle management, hospitality, entertainment, and media.
She began creating bespoke experiences and high-end travel for discerning clients before moving into roles with Sony Music and Hearst Corporation, where she further developed an expertise in client service, marketing, and relationship management. These experiences, combined with extensive firsthand travel and a strong global network, allow Tracy to design highly personalized journeys tailored to each client's unique interests and travel style.
Today, as an Independent Contractor with Local Foreigner, she works alongside a trusted network of luxury travel partners and local experts around the world to create seamless, unforgettable experiences. Whether planning a milestone celebration, a family adventure, or a once-in-a-lifetime journey, Tracy’s goal is to make every trip effortless, meaningful, and perfectly customized from start to finish.
TOP DESTINATIONS
Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Caribbean, Mexico, Thailand, Morocco
FAVORITE HOTELS
Ritz Paris, Airelles Val d'Isere, Belmond Cipriani, Hotel il Pellicano, Nihi Sumba, Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle
BUCKET LIST
Gorilla Treking, Vientnam, more time in Indonesia, Dolomites, Belmond Train
WHITNEY PATAPOFF
Partner | Chicago, Illinois
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Growing up in Southern California, Whitney enjoyed family trips across the West Coast, to Mexico, and all over the country throughout her childhood. That passion deepened while studying abroad in Oxford, England, where she explored much of Europe and discovered firsthand the transformative power of travel done well.
After years balancing a career in administration and management with raising a family, Whitney turned that passion into a profession - joining her sister, Tracy Stromberg, at Follow My Lead Travel in 2022. Since then, she has specialized in creating seamless, personalized journeys tailored to each client's unique vision. She especially loves the details: crafting thoughtful itineraries, solving complex logistics, and adding the special touches that make every trip unforgettable.
Whitney lives in Chicago with her husband and two sons and is always planning their next family adventure.
TOP DESTINATIONS
France, England, Portugal, Italy, Mexico, the Caribbean
FAVORITE HOTELS
The Largo, Estelle Manor, and Il Pellicano
BUCKET LIST
Rwanda, Iceland, Thailand
TEAM FOLLOW MY LEAD TRAVEL
MADDIE SAIONTZ
Travel Coordinator | Los Angeles, California
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Maddie grew up in Baltimore, where she developed a love for travel through family vacations, specifically to St. John USVI, France, and Italy, which are still some of her favorite destinations. These experiences sparked her passion for hospitality and exploring the world. She got her start in the industry with an internship at Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore, which inspired her to pursue a degree at NYU's Tisch Center of Hospitality.
Maddie began her career as a Luxury Travel Advisor in January 2020, and in 2025, she joined the Follow My Lead team. She loves working with clients to create one-of-a-kind travel experiences around the globe, with a particular passion for honeymoons and other milestone trips. One of her favorite requests is finding exceptional dog-friendly escapes, inspired by the adventures she plans for herself and her dog, Cashew.
FAVORITE HOTELS
Four Seasons Firenze, Cheval Blanc St. Barths, Rosewood Hong Kong Mandapa, Heckfield Place
BUCKET LIST
Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda, Galápagos Expedition, Hiking in Patagonia, The Brando, Skiing in Niseko
STELLA STYSLINGER
Travel Coordinator | Los Angeles, California
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Originally from Alabama, Stella developed a love for travel early on while competing as an equestrian and traveling across the US nearly every weekend. Her passion deepened during high school, when she spent summers in Arles and Paris, immersing herself in French culture, photography, and journalism.
She went on to attend the University of Virginia, where she continued to cultivate her passion for travel. She studied abroad at the London School of Economics and later spent a semester in Florence. During this time, she explored some of her favorite destinations, including Croatia, Greece, Barcelona, Germany and Tuscany.
After graduating, she began her career in PR but always knew she wanted to pursue her passion for travel more directly. She is currently based in Los Angeles and joined Local Foreigner in February 2026. She looks forward to continuing to explore the world's most exceptional destinations and creating unforgettable travel experiences for her clients.
FAVORITE HOTELS
Santa Caterina, Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Singita Grumeti & Singita Kwitonda, Eden-Rock St. Barths, Round Hill, Amangiri
BUCKET LIST
Japan, Dolomites, Thailand, Morocco, New Zealand, Maldives, Iceland (Northern Lights), India
ON THE BLOG
Meet Tracy Stromberg
Meet Whitney Patapoff
Local Foreigner in Indonesia
