A Luxury Travel Advisor with Global Expertise, Built on Precision and Heart
GNAW Adventure LLC is a specialty travel curation firm founded by Stephanie Jaros, a Northwest Ohio-based professional whose decades in global supply chain management and strategic sourcing shaped a new kind of travel service. Every journey is designed with the same rigor applied to complex international logistics, paired with the warmth of the American Midwest and the cultural depth of a Shanghai upbringing. If you are tired of endless scrolling, AI-generated uncertainty, and the exhausting work of validating every recommendation you find online, you have found the right place. GNAW is a luxury travel advisor with global expertise that turns your vision into a story worth telling.
Founder Expertise and Story
From Shanghai to the Midwest: The Making of a Travel Curator
Stephanie Jaros did not come to travel planning through a brochure. She came through decades of high-stakes corporate work in global supply chain management and strategic sourcing, where anticipating disruptions, coordinating multi-city logistics, and vetting international partners were daily responsibilities. That professional precision is the foundation of GNAW Adventure. Raised in Shanghai and rooted in the American Midwest, Stephanie brings a rare combination of cultural intelligence travel planning and community-first warmth to every itinerary she designs. Her Shanghai roots give her a native fluency in diverse cultural perspectives and international tradition. Her Midwest values mean every client relationship is built on trust, empathy, and a genuine commitment to helping you travel with confidence and ease. This is not a background you find at a standard booking desk. It is the kind of founder travel expertise that makes the difference between a trip that goes according to plan and one that exceeds every expectation you had going in.
20+
YEARS IN BUSINESS
Our Approach and Affiliations
A Virtuoso Travel Agency Affiliation Backed by Story-Driven Planning
GNAW Adventure LLC is a member of Virtuoso and an affiliate of Fora Travel, Inc., a Virtuoso agency. That affiliation is not a footnote; it is a direct benefit to you. Through these partnerships, clients gain access to exclusive perks, resort credits, room upgrades, and insider connections that are simply not available on consumer-facing booking platforms. But the Virtuoso travel agency relationship is only one part of what sets GNAW apart. The deeper difference is in how Stephanie approaches the planning process itself. Rather than handing you a checklist, she listens carefully to your vision, your pace, your values, and the kind of story you want your trip to tell. From there, she applies the same predictive care and professional-grade vetting she used in corporate logistics to design an itinerary that holds together from the first flight to the final dinner reservation. Whether you are planning a honeymoon, a multi-generational family journey, a solo adventure, or a corporate incentive retreat, the process is the same: your journey should feel effortless because someone with real expertise is working carefully behind the scenes. That is the promise of cultural intelligence travel planning at GNAW Adventure.
Common Questions
What Visitors Ask Us Most
What makes GNAW Adventure different from a regular travel agent?
GNAW Adventure operates as a travel curation firm, not a standard booking service. Founder Stephanie Jaros applies decades of global supply chain and strategic sourcing experience to travel planning, which means she anticipates logistics challenges before they happen and vets every recommendation with professional-grade rigor. Combined with her Virtuoso affiliation and cultural intelligence shaped by her Shanghai upbringing, the result is a deeply personalized, story-driven experience that a transactional agency simply cannot offer.What is Virtuoso and why does it matter for my trip?
Virtuoso is an elite global travel network. As a member and affiliate of Fora Travel, a Virtuoso agency, GNAW Adventure has access to exclusive perks that are not available when booking directly or through consumer platforms. These can include room upgrades, resort credits, early check-in, late checkout, and other insider benefits at participating hotels and resorts worldwide.What types of travelers does GNAW Adventure work with?
GNAW Adventure works with a wide range of travelers, including honeymooners and couples celebrating anniversaries, families looking for age-appropriate and stress-free itineraries, solo explorers seeking safe and welcoming destinations, groups coordinating shared getaways, and businesses planning executive retreats or incentive travel programs.Does Stephanie plan trips only within the United States?
No. While GNAW Adventure is based in Northwest Ohio, Stephanie plans trips across the globe. Confirmed destination experience includes Europe (Italy, France, Portugal, Greece, Switzerland, the UK, and Ireland), North America (Nashville, New Orleans, the Pacific Coast, Mexico, and Canada), and international destinations such as Rwanda, the UAE, Singapore, and Bali.How does the planning process work from start to finish?
GNAW Adventure follows a five-step process. It begins when you share your inspiration via an inquiry form or a scheduled call. Stephanie then develops a curated trip proposal with up to two rounds of revisions. Once you approve the plan, she handles all bookings and delivers your travel documentation. Before your departure, she checks in to make sure you feel fully prepared. After you return, she follows up to hear about your experience.What are the planning fee options and how are they structured?
There are three service tiers. Tier 1, Destination Exploration, is a one-time $300 fee that delivers three destination recommendations with accommodation options. Tier 2, Curated Travel Planning, is priced at $60 per travel day and includes a full itinerary, airfare recommendations, tours, transfers, and more. Tier 3, Premium White-Glove Planning, is priced individually based on trip complexity and includes 24/7 support and full-cycle management. Sample itineraries for cities like Nashville, New Orleans, and the Pacific Coast are also available starting at $29.99, and the purchase price is credited toward a custom planning fee if you decide to upgrade.Does GNAW Adventure book economy class flights?
No. GNAW Adventure's flight policy covers all-inclusive packages, Premium Economy, Business Class, and First Class tickets only. This policy is in place to protect the quality of the overall travel experience and ensure the service remains consistent with the white-glove standard the firm is built on.Are planning fees refundable if I change my mind?
No. All planning fees and sample itinerary purchases are non-refundable. This policy reflects the significant professional time and expertise invested in each client's plan from the moment the process begins.
