IN HER OWN WORDS…

MY Y FACTORS: “I love them all, but if I have to narrow it down, here’s my 3 faves! Adventure, Generosity and The Unexpected.”

Y WISDOM: “I always encourage people to push themselves outside their comfort zone and become fully immersed in the travel moment.”

Y WISHLIST: “I’m so excited to visit two new very diverse destinations in the next 12 months, both of which have been on my wishlist for as long as I can remember - hosting a luxury cruise to Antarctica in January 2025, and then our purpose-led, women-only trip to Uganda, with author of ‘I Am Change’,  Suzi Zail where we will be working with local girls and women to work with them to help create real change in their communities. On a more personal travel level, Scotland is one place I have never visited, and would love to explore.“

With over two decades dedicated to transforming wanderlust into reality, Yvonne Verstandig quite literally epitomises Mark Twain's famous quote: “The key to success is to make your vocation your vacation”. Transitioning from a career in pharmacy over 20 years ago, Yvonne now creates alchemy of a different kind with her infectious zest for life, and passionate approach to curating incredible immersive travel experiences for every single client.

As a fervent explorer, Yvonne immerses herself in experiencing destinations across the globe, cultivating vast professional networks, nurturing crucial supplier relations, and staying at the forefront of new industry trends. Yvonne’s tireless pursuit of excellence places her at the forefront of Australia's travel industry, where she influences as a member of the boards of prestige brands such as Belmond and Silversea Cruises. In establishing Y Travel in 2020, after more than three decades in the industry, Yvonne has pioneered a unique approach to luxury travel, introducing the brand's Y Factors — the eight experiential ‘pillars of passion’ that guide the agency’s approach to creating remarkable, bespoke journeys for every single client. 

Beyond her non-stop professional jet-setting schedule, Yvonne also embraces travel for her own enjoyment.  Relishing local and international experiences with loved ones, including her husband (and Y Travel co-Director) Allan, their (now adult) children, and a wider group of extended family and friends, Yvonne uses her wealth of professional knowledge and experience to create the same incredible journeys for her personal travel plans as she does for her extensive list of clients. 

Alongside her brother Daniel - both former ski instructors - Yvonne meticulously plans Y Travel’s annual Ski Buzz tour, blending their childhood love of skiing with a penchant for crafting unforgettable experiences for their fellow ‘ski-bum’ travellers, amidst snow-cloaked landscapes of Europe.

Contact Yvonne: yvonnev@ytravel.world
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