Margaret Gustafson - founder and principal travel planner. I am self employed as a human resources administrator. Years ago, I started booking custom travel experiences for friends and family and decided to turn my passion into a business. From a bareboat sailing adventure in the Grenadines for 12, a two-week multi-city trek through China with 2 children, a 7 person pilgrimage to Italy visiting historic and holy sites, a small group celebrating Las Fallas Festival in Valencia, and romantic couples trips in Europe, Central America, and French Polynesia, I have coordinated some amazing trips!

I'm a natural organizer and love to resolve all the details that come up as I work my way through an itinerary. My joy is to create a custom experience so that everyone's needs are met (including budget!) and to ensure that each day flows smoothly. 

Finally, I'm not in this alone. My husband Joe provides invaluable resources both to myself and to our clients. Together, we make Signature Sojourns soar.

Joe Gustafson - general business advisor for Signature Sojourns. Joe brings expertise in executive world travel in Europe, China, and Costa Rica plus niche interests in SCUBA and deep sea fishing. 

Fun Facts:

We have 6 children, 3 son-in-laws, and 1 granddaughter.

3 of our daughters were married in 2023, within 5 months of each other. Talk about precision planning!

Questions:

Which itinerary stands out as your favorite?

That's easy. I once planned a solo trip for the grandson of an Army WWII veteran who fought with the Allies in the Ardennes and The Battle of the Bulge, during the winter of 1944-45. The itinerary required a large amount of research and took my client through all of the important museums, monuments, battlefields, and cemeteries in Luxembourg and Bastogne, Belgium. It was truly a moving experience for him, walking in the footsteps of his beloved Grandpa, a true American hero, and I was proud to play a small role in making it happen.

What are some unique aspects of your itineraries?

I'm a visual learner so I love to include maps. You'll find maps scattered throughout my work, wherever I feel they would be useful. I'll provide an interactive map for a walking tour or a train route, including all the stops; the client just needs to access and press Go! on their mobile device. Joe has commented how helpful this is when taking trains in China and figuring out how close he is to his stop.

Also, I'll always check with my client if they would like to attend their house of worship while traveling. This often involves getting in contact with someone local to find out the service times as websites don't always publish that information and then fitting it into the schedule and coordinating transportation. Besides providing an opportunity to authentically practice their faith, it can be a valuable cultural experience for travelers.

Why is Amelia Earhart quoted on your page? 

Margaret lived in Earhart Residence Hall at Purdue University, named after Amelia Earhart, who was a Purdue career counselor and adviser to the Department of Aeronautics from 1935-1937. Earhart was recruited by then-President Edward Elliott, who was impressed by her spirit of adventure and her message to women. Purdue is home to the world's largest compilation of Earhart-related papers, memorabilia and artifacts. Joe and Margaret's 5th daughter just happens to be named Amelia.