At Boutique Escapes, our dedicated travel advisors bring decades of combined experience and a deep passion for Europe to every journey. From custom honeymoon getaways to immersive cultural tours, our team blends insider knowledge with meticulous planning — ensuring your clients enjoy seamless travel with authentic local experiences.
Whether you’re designing a European adventure for a couple, family, or group, we’re here as your trusted partners, ready to curate extraordinary trips that reflect each traveller’s style and dreams.
Susan Lawrence has been at the heart of Boutique Escapes since its earliest days, shaping the company’s philosophy and reputation as a trusted creator of seamless European travel. Her journey began in 2005 when she led her first group tour to France, and she has since returned to Europe countless times to expand her knowledge and strengthen her network of hotels, guides, and local partners. As a Tour Operator also fluent in French, Susan specializes in designing custom itineraries that reflect each client’s interests, budget, and dreams while ensuring they never miss the experiences that make Europe extraordinary. From Rome to Florence to Paris, Susan brings both expertise and passion to every trip she curates.
Sandy Velikonja co-founded Boutique Escapes with a passion for sharing Europe’s beauty through curated, personalized itineraries that celebrate culture, comfort, and connection. Her love for travel began at nineteen on a trip through the French Riviera and Paris — an experience that shaped her lifelong dedication to meaningful travel design. Since then, she’s returned to Europe countless times, exploring new cities, revisiting familiar favourites, and strengthening relationships with trusted local partners. Today, Sandy blends her deep knowledge of European culture, cuisine, and romance into every itinerary she creates. Whether crafting a honeymoon in Italy, a milestone celebration in France, or a food and wine escape through Spain, she ensures each trip captures the heart of its destination. With meticulous planning and a keen eye for location, Sandy helps clients experience Europe effortlessly, beautifully, and authentically.
Peter Lawrence joined Boutique Escapes in 2018 after a 30-year career in teaching, where his background and fluency in French, physical education, and chemistry gave him strong organizational skills and a love of cultural exchange. His travel story began much earlier, with a honeymoon in Europe in 1986 and nearly a year spent living in Annecy, France. These early experiences shaped his appreciation for how travel can connect people to history, language, and culture. Today, as part of the Boutique Escapes team, Peter designs outstanding custom European packages that bring the same spirit of discovery to every client’s itinerary.
Leah Velikonja grew up surrounded by travel, with her mother Sandy and both aunts Susan and Sharon shaping her early experiences through countless trips and adventures. From her childhood home decorated like a tribute to France, to her three-month exchange in Grenoble, and becoming fluent in French, Leah has always felt at home in Europe. Over the years, she’s joined family trips, explored destinations across the continent, and built her own expertise in designing seamless journeys. Now based in London, UK, Leah carries forward the Boutique Escapes legacy by blending her lifelong passion for travel with her professional role. She takes pride in creating itineraries that capture the spirit of Europe while making every trip feel effortless for clients.
Sharon Assis took the long way into the travel world, beginning with Canada’s first cross-country wine club, The Opimian Society. What started as organizing local wine events grew into escorting and designing tours for groups of 40, and eventually into a full career in custom travel. With her sister Sandy, Sharon co-founded Boutique Escapes and has since devoted herself to planning unique itineraries for clients across the globe. From Europe to South America, Sharon’s expertise blends history, culture, and cuisine, helping clients discover the magic of travel without missing the details that make it unforgettable.
Jake Kment’s passion for travel began during grad school, sparked by a family trip to Nice, France, where fresh seafood and Mediterranean views created memories he never forgot. Since then, he has explored Italy, France, Croatia, Czechia, Norway, Portugal, and Turkiye, developing firsthand knowledge he now shares with clients. After completing his PhD and moving to London, UK, with Leah, Jake embraced travel full-time and joined the Boutique Escapes team. As a Travel Consultant, he carries forward the family legacy with insight, reliability, and a dedication to crafting personalized journeys that blend iconic highlights with authentic local experiences.
Steph McNeil’s journey into travel began with a fascination for history and geography, which led her to study urban sustainability and explore how European cities evolved over time. Before venturing abroad, she spent years discovering North America’s vast landscapes, gaining an appreciation for diversity close to home. Her first trips to Europe revealed a love for blending cultural immersion with natural beauty, from alpine adventures to hidden village escapes. Today, as a Travel Consultant at Boutique Escapes, Steph designs curated itineraries that balance history, culture, and authentic local experiences with comfort and ease. Whether it’s guiding clients through the Alps, planning island-hopping in Greece, or discovering new boutique hotels, Steph ensures every journey feels seamless, enriching, and unforgettable.
Kimberly Peace’s love for travel began as a teenager, journeying solo with a free-spirited approach that embraced spontaneity. Decades later, a chance trip to Paris and London reignited her passion, this time with a newfound appreciation for carefully curated itineraries that bring hidden gems to life. Today, as part of the Boutique Escapes team, Kimberly works behind the scenes to make client experiences seamless. From tagging maps and booking trains to preparing detailed tour vouchers, her “eagle eyes” ensure every package is flawless. With her precision, enthusiasm, and dedication, Kimberly treats each client’s trip as if she were planning it for her own family.
At Boutique Escapes, travel isn’t about checking off landmarks — it’s about creating experiences that stay with your clients long after they have returned home. With our deep knowledge of Europe and our commitment to seamless planning, they’ll enjoy a trip that feels effortless, personalized, and unforgettable. Whether they’re dreaming of France, Italy, Greece, or beyond, our team ensures every detail reflects their pace and passions.
The Boutique Escapes Team Behind Extraordinary European Travel
