“The mystic chords of memory. . . will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”
About us
Both born in the City of Angels, pursuing parallel paths in theatre and spirituality, Kari and Scott met as Dramatic Art majors at UC Santa Barbara. It was FIRE at first sight and the two kindred spirits have maintained their connection over the miles and years ever since. A second spark was lit when they decided to combine their nearly 30 years experience designing and guiding travel experiences — and this came to fruition as Better Angels Travel. Inspired by the city of their birth and their shared aspiration of being guided by “better angels,” they are launching curated tours of their beloved Southern California. Soon, Better Angels will feature destinations throughout the globe in the hopes of offering “more of the world for more of us.”
In the last eighteen years, Scott and Kari have also built families of their own— Scott with his husband Francesco and their community, and Kari and her husband Sam and their two amazing kids. Kari envisioned travel with her family where she, her kids, and friends’ LGBTQ kids would feel safe and have real fun and come as they are. As for Scott, his first experience leading a Europe tour with a trans kid and their awesome supportive family was enough to ignite a vision for Better Angels Travel— inclusive travel that just like the LGBTQ and allied community itself, crackles and cackles with joy.
Winter Formal, Music Center, 1999
Via Rodeo, Beverly Hills,
2024
Our Family, August 2024
Meet your travel faerie, Scott
Scott was born and raised in the City of Angels. He first began a life in travel with his family, visiting other parts of California and the continental United States. A year abroad studying in Italy convinced him that the planet and its people were what made life interesting. Both of his careers— the first in teaching, and the second over eighteen years leading group travel for a premiere US tour company— have helped bring Better Angels to light. It is Scott’s delight to pioneer group concept travel that bears his zest for life; love for the fabulous, and that distinct California vibe.
Meet your travel godmother, Kari
Born in Hollywood, raised in central LA, Kari caught the travel bug on family vacation as a child. From road trips cross-country to an Alaskan cruise to Australia and New Zealand, summer vacations became formative experiences that nurtured a life-long curiosity and wanderlust. After graduating from UC Santa Barbara, she lived in Provence, France, improving her French and exploring Western Europe. After 10 years working in “travel with a purpose” and visiting over 30 countries, Kari settled back in to life in Los Angeles, to build the family she had dreamed of. Now married and the mother of two, with countless “nieces and nephews,” she is bringing together her passion for travel and love of family to this new venture. She is excited to help curate trips that open minds, facilitate bonds and encourage empathy for all who participate.