MICHELLE MASTER ORR
Founder & CEO
Michelle was raised in a family of travel planners and based in Greenwich, Connecticut, she’s been exploring the world from a young age. As a teen, she studied abroad in Spain—an experience that sparked her lifelong belief that travel not only connects us to the world, but also brings us closer to ourselves.
Since then, Michelle has built a life shaped by adventure, curiosity, and meaningful connection. That passion led her to found Master Travel, where she now helps clients create extraordinary, tailor-made journeys. With a talent for understanding what makes each traveler tick, she ensures every itinerary reflects her clients' unique interests, travel styles, and dreams.
Michelle has a deep love for adventure travel and feels most at home immersed in nature—whether tracking wildlife on safari in East Africa or standing at the edge of the Earth in the Arctic. While those wild, remote destinations hold a special place in her heart, Michelle is proudly a travel planning generalist. Her extensive world travels allow her to speak from personal experience across a wide range of destinations and styles. She especially loves planning travel to Africa (including Egypt, Morocco, and safari regions), Europe (with a soft spot for Italy, France, and the UK), the Caribbean, and South America.
She brings warmth, expertise, and intentionality to every trip she plans. She loves getting to know her clients and designing seamless, thoughtful experiences they’ll remember forever. She also nurtures her relationships with her travel providers which translates to an elevated experience for her clients.
Michelle is a graduate of Choate Rosemary Hall & Tufts University, where she earned a B.A. in Economics and English, and began her career as a buyer for Macy’s. She is a Virtuoso Certified Travel Advisor, a top producer in the Virtuoso Family Travel and Adventure Travel communities, and has been recognized by Condé Nast Traveler as a Top Travel Specialist in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
She now lives in Vermont with her husband, Shawn, and their three sons.
Favorite Destination: (do I have to pick?) Italy- I'm always amazed that for such a small country, you can visit twenty times and never have the same experience twice—it’s incredibly diverse in its food, culture, and scenery. East Africa is tied!
Hotels: I love a luxury 5* boutique with a sense of place and personalized service!
Travel Pet Peeve: People in airports and planes who do not use headphones for their calls, music, tiktok, or games!
KATHERINE ONG
Independent Director of Operations & Concierge Services
Katherine is an avid traveler renowned amongst her friends and family for her trip-planning skills, she’s excited to turn her love for travel and her gift of gab into a career in the travel industry.
Katherine’s passion for well-planned adventure began in childhood thanks to annual family vacations that spanned everything from the U.S. national parks, to Europe and Mexico, where her family has a second home. In her teens, she also spent time living in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico with a host family. Katherine continues to explore the globe with her own children and with friends. These experiences will help her tailor a trip to perfectly suit your needs, whether you are traveling with your family, friends, or spouse.
Katherine is a graduate of Texas A&M University where she earned a B.A. in Speech Communications and Psychology, and was a former Human Resource Executive with J.P. Morgan Chase. Although she hails from the great state of Texas, she and her husband live in Connecticut with their Covid puppy, Fred.
Favorite Destination: (It's nearly impossible to choose just one!) Mexico holds a special place in my heart thanks to deep family ties and lifelong friends. I love the vibrant culture, the warmth of the people, the delicious food, and the stunning variety—from sun-kissed beaches to dramatic mountain landscapes. Europe is another favorite, with Italy and Spain topping the list for their history, food, art, and charm.
Hotel Style: I love a small boutique hotels that offer personalized touches and thoughtful design.
Travel Pet Peeve: People who bring smelly food on board and bare feet in the airplane bathroom (why??).
KATIE STEIN
Independent Client Experience Specialist
Katie Stein’s love for travel began early, inspired by parents with a deep curiosity for the world and a passion for exploration. That spirit led her to spend two summers living in France during high school, fully immersed in the language, culture, and daily rhythm of French life. Years later, she and her family lived in London for two years—a chapter they filled with weekend adventures across Europe, creating lasting memories from the Alps to the Amalfi Coast.
Known for her meticulous attention to detail, Katie brings a rare blend of precision, discernment, and creativity to the planning process. She’s deeply attuned to what makes a trip feel elevated and personal, and loves crafting thoughtful, well-edited itineraries that reflect her clients’ unique style and interests.
When she’s not designing travel, you’ll find Katie researching new destinations, scouting standout restaurants, shops, and galleries, and staying ahead of emerging travel trends to ensure every Master Travel itinerary feels fresh and inspired.
Katie is a graduate of Dartmouth College, where she earned a B.S. in Psychology with double minors in French and Italian. She holds a J.D. from Fordham Law School, where she was a Public Interest Scholar. Before joining the travel world, Katie worked as a staff attorney at Sanctuary for Families in New York City, served nine years on the Darien Board of Education, and owned a children’s lifestyle boutique in Greenwich.
She now lives in Darien, Connecticut with her husband and their three children.
Favorite Destination: To date, my favorite trip was our African Safari. Nothing beats the level of hospitality, the time alone with family without distractions, and the incredible scenery.
Hotel Style: It’s hard to pick just one! I do love a warm, modern and organic aesthetic in a hotel. Neutral color palettes and thoughtful amenities in the rooms. However, I also love a glamping type experience where you sleep in a luxury tent or cabin.
Travel Pet Peeve: People who are in front of me at security and are ill-prepared to go through the screening machines. They forget to take off their belts, or heavy jewelry or have 5 layers of clothing still on and unnecessarily hold up the entire line. Wasting time at the airport drives me crazy!