I’m Julie, world wanderer and founder of My Native Travel
“Ever since I can remember, the thrill of exploring new places has been a part of me.”
I definitely have my Dad to thank for that: on family holidays, he’d be up at the crack of dawn to go on a walk and explore. He was always curious, and I remember the route planning and sense of adventure that came every time he opened up a map.
When his work took us all to Singapore, I was initially thrown by the vast cultural differences, but then fell in love with the warmth of hospitality and the richness of diverse cultures. At just 14 years old, it opened my eyes to the vastness of our world.
Throughout my uni years, I immersed myself in languages and delved into the intricacies of cultures.
The travel bug well and truly caught, I found myself in the bustling streets of China, then living in Paris, and then Milan. I found I could find a sense of home anywhere – so long as I immersed myself in the culture of a place.
Student years over, I found myself in the corporate world of consulting. But something was missing. With no room for creativity, I felt like a fish out of water.
So I landed a job at an innovative small travel brand, before working at Abercrombie & Kent for a decade. It was here that I realised travel could be more than just a vacation; it could be a fulfilling career. The experience was eye-opening, showing me the immense potential in the travel industry.
A decade later, My Native was born out of a desire for more balance.
Being a mum is my top priority, and I believe that seeing the world is one of the best gifts I can give my children. Every journey I curate is crafted with care, ensuring that families like mine can step out of their bubbles, embrace diverse cultures, share adventures and create lifelong memories.
My values
Adventure & Innovation
I’m an explorer, inspired by the world around me, just like you are.
My Native thrives on community-driven tourism, innovative approaches to exploring destinations and a deep respect for the partners in each destination – some of whom I’ve known for decades. I believe a great holiday is all about the connection to a place and its people, so my immersive trips go far beyond just scratching the surface.
Honesty
I’m always transparent and honest in everything I do, and I’m an excellent listener.
From flexible and fair pricing with no hidden fees to the way I listen to your holiday goals, everything I do is done with integrity, respect and honesty.
Accessible luxury
My journeys are for those seeking something a little different and truly authentic.
A price tag doesn’t determine the quality of the experience, nor does its marketing. Seeing beyond the brand is important when deciding who to entrust your holiday to. Luxury, to me, is about impeccable service levels, excellence in customer care & constantly striving to delight & surprise. And this is the My Native difference, without the exorbitant price tag.
Conscious Travel Foundation
My Native is a proud member of The Conscious Travel Foundation. This is a community of sustainably-minded travel businesses, from lodges & hotels to ground agents and travel designers, helping to shape a more positive future for tourism.
My Native also supports SevenCleanSeas, an organisation whose purpose is to clean the oceans and generate fairly paid, formal jobs. For each My Native booking, a contribution to the charity enables 50kg of plastic to be physically removed from the oceans and repurposed.
