My love of travel began when I was 17. I had never been away from home before when my French teacher, Monsieur Chatelain, gave me and a group of French students the opportunity to spend three weeks in Europe. That experience sparked a lifelong curiosity about the world and showed me firsthand how meaningful travel can shape us in ways we never expect.

Since then, travel has become deeply personal to me - not simply about checking destinations off a list, but about connection, perspective, memory-making, and discovering the places that stay with us long after we return home.

One of those places for me is Scotland.

In 2000, I met dear friends, Jim & Susan, while traveling on a Caribbean Cruise. Their friendship eventually led me to Scotland for the first time. Over the last 25 years I’ve returned again and again, staying with them in their home and experiencing the country not simply as a tourist, but through genuine connection, local insight, and personal relationships.

Scotland reminded me that travel can do far more than help us see new places; it can help us feel connected, inspired, grounded, and sometimes even a little more like ourselves.

That belief is at the heart of Crafted Compass, and it’s why I believe every trip should feel like the trip of a lifetime.

And that doesn’t require a lifetime budget. Whether it’s a weekend escape, a long-awaited bucket list journey, or meaningful time away with the people you love (or a long awaited solo trip!), I believe thoughtful planning and intentional experiences can turn travel into something unforgettable.

Crafted Compass was created to help travelers feel supported, inspired, and excited about their journeys without the stress and overwhelm that often come with planning alone.

I specialize in creating personalized travel experiences grounded in places I’ve explored, experienced, and truly connected with, so clients can feel confident in thoughtful, experience-based recommendations. If your dream destination falls outside my personal experience, I’m happy to research it carefully or connect you with a trusted travel professional in my network.

Whether you’re planning a meaningful celebration, a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, or simply time to reconnect and recharge, I’d be honored to help you create a journey that feels entirely your own.

Michele Schaefer

Founder, Crafted Compass