Olivia here, the voice behind Urban and Beyond

From a young age, travel has been woven into the fabric of my soul. Born into the richness of two cultures, American and British, I had the privilege of dipping my feet into different parts of the world from the start. Growing up, my childhood home became my imagined airplane, transporting me to destinations that only existed in my dreams. Travel was never just a concept, it was a feeling, a calling.

As I grew older, my passions deepened and evolved into a love for the nuances of travel and culture. I became bewitched by food and cooking, drawn to the flavours of international cuisine, enchanted by time spent in nature, and forever curious about the lesser-travelled paths of different cultures. While my high school classmates prepared for university ventures, I had only one answer when asked about my future: I was going to travel the world.

The rest is history. At 19, I moved to Rome as an au pair, immersing myself in Italian life and beginning a journey that led me to travel extensively across Europe. Today, I live in Greece with my Greek partner, Maria. Together, we share our adventures through our YouTube channel, creating content that dives into what makes a destination truly special—beyond the surface-level attractions.

For me, travel isn’t about ticking landmarks off a list or posing in front of Instagram-famous spots. It’s about embracing the philosophy of slow travel—skipping the chains and predictable itineraries in favour of authentic experiences that reveal the heart of a place. I believe in living as a local, savouring the rhythm of daily life, and always approaching each place with deep respect as a visitor. I seek the stories that whisper in quiet corners, the traditions carried in food and conversation, and the humanity that bridges cultures.

On this blog, my goal is to share everything I’ve learned along the way, from discovering incredible food to finding connections that transcend borders, always with a good dose of humanity, authenticity, and soul.

MARIA AND OLIVIA

We’re Maria and Olivia, a couple united by our love for travel, food, nature, and the quiet thrill of city escapes. Our shared adventures began with a love for exploring the world from two different perspectives—Olivia’s journey started at 19 when she moved to Rome as an au pair, sparking a lifelong passion for discovering new places. Maria, a Greek-American raised in Greece, brings her love for filmmaking to every trip, capturing the essence of each place we visit.

Through our blog and YouTube channel, we invite you to explore with us—whether we’re seeking quiet escapes or urban discoveries, we hope our stories inspire you to see the world through our eyes.