A woman with dark curly hair and red lipstick standing in front of a bookshelf at a bookstore, wearing a white t-shirt with a mermaid graphic and the words 'Village Sea Witch'.

With more than a decade in travel planning and journalism, Alexandra delivers incomparable access to incredible experiences. Her global network of expert guides, stunning properties, and elevated adventures unlocks your trip of a lifetime — again and again.

Alexandra Gillespie

Founder

Bespoke travel design in dream destinations

Our Story

New Atlas was founded by Alexandra Gillespie, a travel journalist whose work has appeared in National Geographic, Outside, NPR, Afar, and Scuba Diving, among others.

Years of reporting from the field — diving remote archipelagos, tracing little-known coastlines, seeking out the people and places that don't make the obvious lists — taught her something that no guidebook captures: What separates a good trip from a remarkable experience is not the place itself. It's the depth of access, the quality of preparation, and the intention behind every decision.

New Atlas is the application of that knowledge. The same rigor that goes into her reporting now goes into every itinerary — the research, the relationships, the insistence on getting it exactly right.

For travelers who want to go beyond the ordinary, this is the difference.

Our Philosophy

New Atlas is a travel design studio for people who take their time seriously. We specialize in two things: intentional sabbaticals and exceptional custom trips. We bring the same depth of care to both.

Our work begins with understanding. Before we make a single recommendation, we listen — to where you are, what you want from this time, and what a successful trip looks like for you specifically.

What follows is an itinerary built entirely around that. Considered and crafted to deliver something that lasts well beyond the trip itself.

Our Clients

Our clients are accomplished people with limited time and high expectations. They have traveled widely, and they know the difference between a good trip and an exceptional one.

Some are planning a sabbatical: A longer, more intentional break that calls for real thought about structure, pace, and purpose. Others want a week-long trip that feels longer: access they couldn't arrange on their own, days that unfold without friction, experiences that stay with them.

In both cases, they come to us because they want travel that is worth the time it takes — and they trust us to make sure it is.

Why Book With New Atlas

There’s no detail too small — that’s the New Atlas Experience. From the first conversation to your return home, every step is handled with care. We anticipate needs before they arise and stay closely attuned to your preferences throughout the journey.
Trips are customized to you. We work closely together to create bespoke itineraries tailored to our travelers’ preferences and desires. Whether it's a private yacht charter, securing access to remote locations, or personalized culinary experiences, every detail is meticulously crafted.
Go beyond what other travelers can reach. We design experiences that are difficult to access and impossible to replicate. Think private guides in places that rarely see visitors, behind-the-scenes entry to cultural landmarks, and moments shaped entirely around you. Each experience is built to stay with you long after the trip ends.

Walk through doors you never knew existed. Benefit from our extensive network of connections to experience the best the world has to offer.
Wake up somewhere incredible. Our network of private islands, historic villas, luxury resorts, yacht charters, and one-of-a-kind stays all deliver for the discerning traveler.
Every detail, handled. We coordinate every moving part behind the scenes. What you experience is simple and smooth. What it takes to get there is managed entirely by us.