Hello!
My name is Christina Ostner and I am that one friend on your feed who is always boarding a plane, roadtripping, or in some faraway country.
I’ve researched in the UK, I’ve toured with Disney on Ice all over Europe, Japan, and North America, and I’ve traveled solo, with family, and with friends over the past twelve years—always the planner, of course.
My background is in design and technical theatre: there is no better inspiration than traveling abroad, experiencing art and architecture, breathtaking landscapes, and meeting amazing new friends all over the globe. On my first solo trip in London in 2012, I met an Australian boy who perfectly said, “how can you be lonely when there are so many beautiful people in the world?” He wasn’t wrong! I’ve been fending off loneliness ever since ;).
I currently work remotely for Enchant Christmas, which has been such a game-changer for feeding my travel bug. I have the pleasure of visiting all of our event sites to support the local teams: in November last year alone, I flew on 13 planes all over the US! Most recently I have worked remotely from Madrid, Marrakech, and New York City. What’s the craziest place I’ve ever called in to a meeting from? The back of a camel in the Agafay Desert, Morocco!
I’m 33 years young and originally hail from New England in the US. After graduating from the University of Connecticut, I headed south to Florida, and have been in Louisiana for the last year. In my 10+ years working in the entertainment industry, I have worn a plethora of hats. From working in the Orlando theme parks, to touring with Disney on Ice as an ice technician, to working in Sarasota, FL as an assistant technical director and event coordinator, to teaching stagecraft for three years in Palmetto, FL, I have kept my passion for travel at the core!
My goal is to prove to you that you don’t need to quit your 9 to 5 to go on that trip you’ve been dreaming of (I know you have those videos saved, and it’s about time you do something with them!). The truth is, designing the perfect travel itinerary isn’t far off from designing something physical:
- Research: for both travel and design, you have to start with the research phase! Where do you want to go? What experiences are available there? What’s the exchange rate like? And of course, how expensive (or cheap?!) are the flights?
- Assessment: it’s one thing to research, it’s another to figure out what to do with the information. Prioritize and outline your goals for the trip. Start to map out how much time you will need for each activity (this is something I have mastered, and probably my favorite step outside traveling itself!).
- Design: crafting the perfect itinerary takes practice, but once you figure out the formula, it becomes second nature!
- Execution: the thrill of seeing a design come to fruition is certainly matched by the thrill of getting dropped off at Departures at the airport and marching up to the TSA PreCheck line (if you aren’t already, I will convince you, just wait).
If you’ve made it this far, I can already tell you have what it takes to be an Adventurer by Design. So take my virtual hand, and let me help you design the perfect itinerary!
Happy planning! Happy travels!
xx Christina
4
Continents Visited
I am based in North America, but I have spent just as much time exploring Europe as I have the United States! I have also left pieces of my heart in Asia and Africa.
10+
Years of Experience
I have been traveling on my own since 2012 when I received a research grant to study female tailoring in London and at the Arts University Bournemouth, UK.
24+
Countries Visited
I traveled all over Europe while touring with Disney on Ice. My favorite tour brought me all the way to Japan for three months in 2016!
Favorite Cities
Take a look at my favorite cities all over the globe and perhaps they will inspire your next trip!
01
London, England
Can you blame me? This was my first city that I ever visited abroad on my own, and it will always be a second home to me! Plus, the theatre nerd in me loves the accessibility of shows in the West End!
02
Hiroshima, Japan
Rife with history, all my favorite Japanese cuisine, and proximity to Miyajima and Rabbit Island make this one stand out for me!
03
Heidelberg, Germany
A little bit of everything that you think of when you think of Germany: castle, mountains, and pretzels! A living, breathing fairytale of a city, only a train ride from Frankfurt.
04
Oslo, Norway
A fusion of history and modernity, nestled in the scenic fjord. Floating saunas, sledding, and happy hour cruises make this a happy place for me!
05
Edinburgh, Scotland
This city has its own source of magic, I swear! Cozy coffee shops and pubs line the twisting alleys of this city that truly makes you feel like you are somewhere special.
06
New Orleans, USA
This city has SOUL. Art, music, and soul food have kept me coming back time and time again! Or maybe it’s the pralines… yes, those too!