At 52, our founder, Debbie Hudzik, reached a crossroads. Life looked fine on paper — but it no longer felt aligned. Rather than settle into certainty that felt numb, she chose movement over comfort.

She downsized her life and set out to travel the world alone for a year — not as an escape, but as a deliberate reset.
“It was terrifying,” Debbie recalls. “But staying put would have been worse.”

That decision changed everything.

What began as a personal experiment quickly became a deeper education — in cultures, pace, resilience, and discernment. Living abroad, moving slowly, and forming real relationships revealed what most travel never shows: how a place feels once the itinerary ends.

As friends began asking for advice, Debbie realized she wasn’t just collecting experiences — she was developing perspective. Perspective that could help others travel more intentionally, with fewer missteps and far more meaning.

That realization became the foundation of Lotus Travel Company.

Debbie’s background is an uncommon mix: years living across New Jersey, Boston, California, Italy, Australia, and Bali — paired with a career grounded in precision, planning, and detail.

Her time studying yoga and meditation in Bali shaped her approach to balance and presence. Her professional experience sharpened her ability to execute flawlessly. Together, they inform a travel planning style that listens carefully, plans thoroughly, and delivers experiences that feel personal — not packaged.

Every trip reflects that balance: thoughtful, immersive, and designed with care.