the detour Difference
“The right way to wholeness is made up of fateful detours and wrong turnings.”
Wonderlust drives our detours. It’s that fierce desire to feel surprise mingled with delight, sparked by something unexpected, unfamiliar, or inexplicably moving. We believe life’s most profound lessons emerge when we step off the beaten path. Through our offbeat learning journeys, we nurture a lifelong sense of wonder—making space for getting lost, being delighted, and feeding your wonderlust.
Who We Are
Hi, Hallo, Ciao! We’re Taunya & Christoph
It began with two teenagers on opposite sides of the world, each dreaming beyond their horizons with no idea their paths would someday merge. Christoph grew up in East Germany imagining life beyond a closed border, while Taunya grew up in Utah imagining life beyond the western horizon. That early wonderlust eventually brought us both to the School for International Training, where global education became our shared compass. From there, Taunya served in the Peace Corps in the Philippines and taught English in Morocco; Christoph worked with USAID in Romania and led exchanges for The Experiment in International Living in Germany. We cut our teeth as Rick Steves tour directors across Europe and later refined our approach to experiential learning in higher education, designing study abroad and alumni travel programs. Every chapter affirmed our belief that meaningful travel should be slow, intimate, and rooted in curiosity and connection. Feed your wonderlust—detour with us!
Our Values
We believe travel should be intentional, immersive, and deeply human. We value experiences that prioritize connection over checklists, depth over speed, and authenticity over spectacle. We prioritize local stays and curated excursions so you can be fully present in the experience. Our itineraries blend meaningful activity with unhurried time to reflect, explore, and rest. Each Detour is rooted in respect, curiosity, and genuine engagement with the places and people we visit.
Intentional Travel
As a boutique, founder-led company, we prioritize travel that leaves a place richer, not poorer—partnering with local guides, family-run stays, and artisans who keep traditions alive. We design every Detour as if we were crafting it for our own friends—and many of our travelers become just that.
small groups
We keep our groups intimate—typically 10 to 16 travelers—so you can move like a local, not a tourist. That means family-run guesthouses, off-the-beaten-path destinations, and conversations with winemakers, artists, and storytellers you’d never meet on a big bus tour.
slow Journeys
We believe in traveling deeply, not quickly. Our itineraries are designed for reflection, dialogue, and insight. We favor longer stays in fewer places, giving you time to settle in, explore with intention, and form real connections—with the culture, the community, and eachother.
expert Led
Each itinerary is a passion project crafted by our seasoned guides and subject-matter experts—from archaeologists and chefs to professors and cultural insiders—who bring history, culture, and place to life in meaningful, memorable ways.
Meet Our Team
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Meet Our Team *
At the heart of every Detour is a passionate expert who brings each destination to life. Our trip leaders are educators, historians, artists, and locals who offer more than just facts—they share lived experience, insider access, and a deep understanding of place. With diverse backgrounds and unique lenses, they guide you beyond the surface into the heart of every story, landscape, and culture.