I am a light-hearted, curious traveler who loves animals and enjoys good food and wine! You rarely find me in front of a camera, but I work extremely hard behind the scenes.

Fulfilling a lifelong dream to see gorillas in Africa was a transformational experience—the best trip I had ever taken and my first true encounter with immersive travel.  This journey marked my first experience working with a travel advisor, which meant I was free from the burden of details and decision-making on my trip, allowing me to savor every moment.  It inspired me to reinvent myself and found Mariposa Travel Advisors.

My travel business is rooted in decades of meticulous planning skills, both innate and honed through professional experience, paired with an unwavering commitment to client care and a passion for exploration. I aim to make travel planning effortless for clients, providing peace of mind so they can fully embrace the freedom to explore the world. 

Reflecting my personal interests, I inspire clients with adventure and culinary journeys that promote sustainable travel and immerse them in the heart of diverse cultures. 

My love affair with travel stems from my mother and began with my first European adventure, which led me to live in the French Alps. Now based in Santa Monica, I continue to draw from French culture and travel philosophy, infusing my passion into every journey I curate.

As a proud affiliate of Cadence Travel and a member of Virtuoso, I offer clients unparalleled access to exclusive perks, rare opportunities, and the assurance of working with the world's top travel suppliers.

I am a certified travel advisor and specialist with renowned travel partners such as African Travel, Backroads, AmaWaterways, Tauck, Windstar, and more. Combining my extensive expertise with my travel experiences, I strive to create seamless and enriching journeys for each client.

Tanya Gilbert, CTA, VTA, Founder of Mariposa Travel Advisors