About Us
About Savant Voyages
Travel That Actually Changes You
I'm Jessica Benesch, and I founded Savant Voyages on a simple belief: the best trips don't just give you a temporary escape. They reshape how you see the world.
You've worked hard to get where you are. You've earned this time off. And you deserve more than generic resort packages or tours that herd you past landmarks while a guide recites memorized facts.
You want to feel something. Learn something. Come home with stories that matter and perspectives you didn't have before you left.
That's exactly what I create.
For People Who Travel With Purpose
My clients are accomplished professionals who approach travel the same way they approach everything else: thoughtfully. You're curious about culture, fascinated by local traditions, and genuinely interested in understanding places beyond their Instagram-famous views.
But here's the thing. You're also incredibly busy. The last thing you want to do with your limited free time is fall down research rabbit holes, compare hundreds of hotel reviews, or stress about logistics that may or may not work out.
You want the depth and authenticity without the exhausting planning that usually comes with it.
I specialize in luxury ocean and river cruises, all-inclusive escapes, and fully custom itineraries. But what really sets me apart isn't what I book. It's how I design it.
I start by actually getting to know you. Not just where you want to go, but why. What fascinates you? What's your ideal pace? Do you want structured days or room to wander? Are you a foodie who plans trips around reservations, or someone who'd rather stumble upon the perfect neighborhood bistro?
Then I build something that feels authentically yours. Not a template with your name on it, but a journey shaped around your specific curiosities and how you actually like to travel.
How I Work Differently
From our first conversation to the moment you're home unpacking (and already daydreaming about the next adventure), I’m managing every detail behind the scenes. Confirmations. Logistics. Contingency plans. Insider connections that turn good trips into extraordinary ones.
You show up. You explore. You soak it all in.
I handle everything else.
Your time is precious. Your experiences should be exceptional.
Your Dedicated Travel Partner
Meet Jessica
From Dance Studios to Dream Itineraries: Why Precision and Heart Matter
Here's what 25 years of teaching dance, adjudicating competitions, and running a studio taught me: the magic is in the details. A performance only looks effortless when every single element has been thoughtfully choreographed, rehearsed, and timed to perfection.
It turns out that's exactly how extraordinary travel works, too.
After spending decades coordinating everything from recitals to research studies (I also worked in clinical psychology and research coordination), I realized my real passion was designing experiences that transform people. So I launched Savant Voyages to bring that same meticulous attention to detail and genuine care to luxury travel.
Why Accessibility Isn't Optional to Me
I'm a mom of three, including a medically fragile son. That changes how I see the world. It makes me deeply aware that travel should be possible for everyone.
That's why I've built relationships with in-destination experts who truly understand accessibility. Not just ramps and elevators, but the full picture: pacing that works for different energy levels, experiences that engage everyone in the family, and contingency plans for when bodies, schedules, or sensory needs require adjustment.
Because here's the truth: when travel is designed inclusively from the start, it's better for everyone. More thoughtful. More human. More real.
The Research Obsession You'll Appreciate
My background means I approach every itinerary like a research project. I dig past the surface-level recommendations everyone else is copying from the same blog posts or ChatGPT. I talk to locals. I test providers. I uncover the hidden gems that make you feel like you've discovered something genuinely special.
Then I map it all out with the precision of someone who's spent decades making sure every person in a 65-dancer production routine knows exactly where to be and when. Except instead of stage choreography, I'm orchestrating seamless transfers, perfectly timed reservations, and insider access most travelers never even know exists.
A True Partnership (In Business and Life)
My husband Jeff is the co-owner of Savant Voyages, handling the technology and financial side of our business, so I get to focus entirely on what I love: understanding what you need and designing journeys that deliver it flawlessly.
Together, we lead with both professional expertise and real-life understanding of what makes travel work for actual humans with complex lives, diverse needs, and high standards.
The bottom line? Your journey gets designed with genuine care, planned with obsessive precision, and executed so smoothly that all you have to do is show up and let the experience unfold exactly as it should.
Our Professional Affiliations
Meet the Rest of the Team
Savant Voyages is truly a family endeavor: Jeff brings his expertise in technology and finance to keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes, while Sam contributes to business development and client relations, ensuring we stay connected to what matters most to the travelers we serve.
-
——————-
TECHNOLOGY & FINANCEJeff ensures Savant Voyages operates with both financial integrity and technological excellence. With 20+ years driving revenue growth and business strategy for mid-market and enterprise companies, from concept through scaled execution, he brings enterprise-level systems thinking to our boutique agency.
His expertise spans go-to-market strategy, operations, and performance management across global field leadership and consulting roles. Jeff's approach: identify high-impact objectives, build mechanisms for sustainable growth, and manage every detail with precision.
Translation: Your travel investment is managed with care, your data is secure, and the technology supporting your experience works flawlessly.
-
——————-
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & CLIENT RELATIONS INTERNSam builds strategic partnerships and identifies growth opportunities that expand Savant Voyages' reach. Sam’s Make-A-Wish on a Disney cruise at age five sparked his passion for travel's transformative power, driving his commitment to connecting more travelers with exceptional experiences.
Currently earning his Master's in Marketing at Texas A&M, Sam combines relationship-building skills with strategic thinking to forge partnerships that align with our values. (Don’t worry: this Texas Longhorn still bleeds burnt orange!)
Translation: Our network grows thoughtfully, our partnerships are purposeful, and every collaboration enhances the experiences we offer.
Fun Facts About Our Family
-
I have traveled across the U.S., Mexico, and Central America, judging dance competitions and teaching tap master classes. I was a dance educator, competition coach, studio director, and choreographer for over 25 years.
-
We started making wine in 2017, and named our label “Hannalea,” in honor of our grandmothers’ nicknames. We work with a winery in Napa Valley to produce one barrel at a time, and have produced five vintages so far.
-
Jeff and I both love to travel, and we do it as much as we can. From work trips to family vacations, we try to visit as many destinations as possible. Our bucket list is long, but we’re diligently crossing our dream destinations off one at a time!
-
Our twins, Sam and Julian, went to the University of Texas and Texas A&M for undergrad. Now, they are both getting their Master’s degrees at A&M. Grace is a Nursing major at the University of Tennessee. The family chat is brutal on Saturdays during football season!
-
I went on my first cruise when I was 14, and Jeff experienced his first when we started dating. My kids’ first cruise celebrated Sam and Julian’s 3rd birthday, and Grace was just 9 months old. We all love to cruise, with our newest family favorite being river cruising!
-
For our family, experiences have always mattered more than things. Instead of cluttering our closets and shelves, we choose adventures that bring us closer together. We think there is no better way to celebrate holidays and milestones than to share uninterrupted time together exploring the world. My mom started this tradition when I was a teenager, and she called it “Give a Memory Instead of a Sweater.”
-
Make-A-Wish granted Sam’s wish in 2008, which impacted our family forever. We learned the power of telling Sam, “Yes, you can!” Over the las17 years, t we’ve done everything we can to make sure Sam’s life is filled with possibility. Now, we volunteer and fundraise for Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas as much as we can. We are passionate about giving other critically ill children (and their families) the opportunity to experience the transformative power of a wish.
Contact us
Thinking about your next vacation? Fill out a few details, and we'll reach out to design an experience tailored just for you.