A Luster Talent Brand

Your Next Great Trip Starts Here

Austin-Based Group Travel Planning, Custom Itineraries & Curated Experiences

Travel, Designed

We handle the details so you can focus on the experience. From the first conversation to the final boarding pass, we've got it.

Group Travel

Family reunions, friend getaways, corporate retreats, and milestone celebrations. We coordinate every detail so the group stays together and stress-free.

Custom Itineraries

Handcrafted trip plans built around your preferences, pace, and budget. Every restaurant, excursion, and hidden gem — researched and ready.

Events & Experiences

Destination events, cultural immersions, and curated local experiences. We turn travel into moments you'll talk about for years.

Trips Ready to Plan

Curated departures with everything handled. Reserve your spot, then add the experiences that make it yours.

Coffee + Canal Boats moored off a forested island in Panama

Couples Panama Canal & Coffee — 6-Day / 5-Night Getaway

Oct 22–27, 2026 Small group Panama City

Timed to World of Coffee Panama at the Panama Convention Center — the first World of Coffee event in Latin America, hosted in the homeland of the renowned Panama Geisha coffee. Five nights ocean-view at the Radisson Hotel Panama Canal.

  • Round-trip flights from Austin on United, breakfast daily, transfers, and travel protection
  • Miraflores Locks, Casco Viejo, and a Boquete coffee-region day trip
  • Optional add-ons: convention access, guided excursions, and rooftop dining
Fixed October 2026 departure · limited spots

Pricing is subject to change based on availability, supplier rates, and travel dates until booked and deposited. All quotes are confirmed at the time of booking.

Three Steps. Zero Stress.

We built our process to be as relaxing as the trip itself.

01

Start a Conversation

Tell us where you want to go, who's coming, and what matters most. A quick form or call is all it takes.

02

We Design Your Trip

We research, plan, and build a custom itinerary with preferred pricing. You review, adjust, and approve.

03

You Travel

Everything is booked, confirmed, and coordinated. You pack your bags — we handle the rest.

DeWayne Luster, founder of The Travel Starter, on the dock after a Panama Canal excursion

Travel With Someone in Your Corner

The Travel Starter was built on a simple idea: planning travel should feel as good as taking the trip. We're a concierge-level travel service based in Austin, Texas — backed by industry-leading booking tools and preferred partner rates that most travelers can't access on their own.

Led by a 24-year Air Force retiree who spent decades coordinating logistics under pressure, we bring structure, precision, and a genuine love for great experiences to every trip we design. Whether it's a family reunion across the Caribbean or a corporate retreat in the mountains, you get a dedicated partner who treats your trip like their own.

Part of the Luster Talent ecosystem

Frequently Asked Questions

A few things travelers often ask before we start planning.

Do you charge a planning fee?

For custom itineraries, a modest planning fee may apply — it covers the research, coordination, and personal attention that go into building a trip around you. We're always upfront about any fees before we begin, and many group departures have no separate planning fee at all.

How far in advance should I book?

The earlier the better — especially for group travel and popular destinations. Three to six months ahead gives us the most flexibility on flights, hotels, and pricing. That said, we love a good last-minute challenge, so reach out anytime.

Do you work with solo travelers, or only groups?

Both. While we specialize in group travel — reunions, retreats, and celebrations — we also design custom trips for couples and solo travelers who want the details handled by someone they trust.

Why book with you instead of a travel website?

Booking sites give you a search bar. We give you a partner. You get preferred rates most travelers can't access on their own, a custom plan built around your preferences, and one person who handles every detail — and has your back if anything changes mid-trip.

How does pricing work?

Every trip is priced to your dates, group size, and the experiences you choose to add — so we confirm your final price at the time of booking, when it can be locked in. Featured trips show a starting point, and we build from there based on what you want.

What destinations do you cover?

Anywhere you want to go. From Caribbean beaches and Panama coffee country to European cities and beyond — if it's on your list, we can plan it.

Two Ways to Start

Whether you're ready to plan a custom trip or just want to talk it through — pick the door that fits.

Plan a Custom Trip

Tell us about your dream trip — destination, dates, who's coming. We'll take it from there and build something just for you.

Start Your Trip Inquiry

Book a Free Consult

Prefer to talk first? Grab a time on the calendar for a complimentary consultation. No pressure, no commitment.

Schedule a Consult

Planned by a retired Air Force logistics-minded advisor and powered through professional travel booking systems.

Location

Austin, Texas