‬My mission is to help you realize the full potential—and‬‭ power—of travel. ‭

Hi, I’m Ali Benedict Ruhl‬
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‬I founded my own travel agency because I’ve discovered that I’m my‬‭ best self‬‭ on my own‬ travels. My most engaged self, most curious self, most open and caring self. Today, through‬ Authentic Travel Design, I help my clients find their best selves, too, through custom-crafted‬ travel experiences.

My Story

No two trips I’ve taken have ever quite looked the same—from renting a truck in Costa Rica and‬ driving over 950 miles throughout the country, to lying beneath the stars of the Serengeti on a‬ Masaii Mara safari. But no matter how or where I travel, I always come home a little more in‬ love with the world around me—and changed for the better in some way.‬

‭It happened on my first big travel experience, studying abroad in Qingdao, China. Navigating a‬ new country in another language—not to mention tackling the 20-hour flight!—was‬‭ way‬‭ out of‬ my comfort zone. But tackling that time abroad showed me how resilient I could be. It happened‬ again during my first safari trip to Kenya, Africa. I visited a friend during a particularly hard time in my‬ life; scouting after wildlife in the bush and watching a thunderstorm roll in over the vast Serengti‬ was‬‭ exactly‬‭ the medicine I needed.‬
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Embracing Wonder

Today, I continue to explore the world—often with my husband, Robert, by my side. Each new‬ destination we check off together has brought us closer, and has brought‬‭ me‬‭ closer to my inner‬ child. Travel reminds us what it’s like to be a kid again, as we’re delighted by new sights,‬ senses, places, and people.‬

‭I’m here to help you tap into that childlike sense of joy, wonder, and curiosity on your next‬ escape. My deeply personal, empathetic planning approach allows me to build in the‬‭ exact‬ medicine you’ve been craving. So you don’t just take another trip—you take a‬‭ big‬‭ step toward‬ being your best, most authentic self.‬
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