About Me: Let’s get personal.
Hi, I’m Joana.
I notice the little things. It’s just who I am.
The pretty doors. The little neighborhood cafés. The music floating through a piazza. The conversations that happen when you slow down long enough to say hola. Those tiny moments that most people walk right past… but somehow end up being the ones we remember most.
I’m a traveler, storyteller, teacher at heart, and Wonder Seeker. I totally geek out over culture, language, history, the arts, good food, fashion… y también, beautiful doors. (Seriously. It’s a thing.)
Back in 2017, I started Traveling in Spanglish because I wanted a place to share the stories behind the places I was falling in love with. Not just where to go, but why a place matters. What began as a little travel blog has grown into something so much bigger—a community of people who love to explore, connect, and notice more together.
These days, you’ll find me leading small-group tours through Italy, welcoming guests to Casa Querencia, hosting Luz Sessions, filming adventures for YouTube, and probably stopping every five minutes because I spotted a gorgeous doorway or a bakery I have to peek into.
When I’m not traveling, I’m back home in Florida with my wonderful husband, Aaron, and our two amazing kids, Noah and Juliana. They’ve been part of this adventure from the very beginning, and honestly, I wouldn’t want it any other way.
So whether you’re here because you’re planning a trip, dreaming about Italy, joining a Luz Session, or you just stumbled across this little corner of the internet… bienvenido. I’m really glad you’re here.
Grab a cafecito, stay awhile, and let’s go notice the little things together.
Why, Spanglish?
Growing up, I felt like I bounced around between two worlds (mainstream America and Latin society). I put a lot of energy into learning about the cultural communities all around me so that I could figure out where I fit; where “home” was.
As I’ve aged, I’ve realized that “fitting in” isn’t necessary for me anymore. I’m a beautiful American hybrid, a colorful combination of the cultures around me—the very personification of Spanglish!
Hence, the name of this site.
The love for exploring different cultures has remained, and that’s why travel has become such an important part of my life.
“Spanglish” is my travel language!
A little more about what I do…
As much as I love wandering down a charming side street or lingering over an extra cappuccino, I’m also a planner. 😊
For more than a decade, I’ve been traveling the world, sharing stories through Traveling in Spanglish, blogging, and YouTube. Along the way, I’ve built communities, led homeschool groups, welcomed guests to Casa Querencia, hosted cultural experiences, and now have the joy of leading small-group tours and Luz Sessions.
Before any tour, blog post, or Luz Session comes to life, there’s a lot happening behind the scenes. I spend countless hours researching, planning, and building relationships with local guides, artisans, hosts, and small businesses to create experiences that feel authentic, and anything but ordinary.
I’m also a teacher at heart. I earned my degree in education because I’ve always loved helping people learn and see the world a little differently. Looking back, it’s funny how every chapter of my life has led to the next. Teaching, building communities, leading tours, and now hosting Luz Sessions have all been different ways of doing the same thing: bringing people together.
These days, I wear a lot of hats. I’m a licensed Florida Seller of Travel, writer, educator, Airbnb Superhost, tour host, and community builder. I also speak English, Español, and conversational Italiano, which has helped me build meaningful relationships wherever my travels have taken me.
After more than a decade of sharing my travels, I’ve realized something: the best part has never been simply showing people a destination. It’s experiencing it together.
My Promise to You
Whether we’re exploring somewhere new, gathered around a table, or diving into a great conversation, my hope is always the same: to create space for genuine connection, meaningful conversations, and the kind of moments you’ll still be talking about years later.
In other words… I’ve got you.
From corazón to destino.
xoxo,
Joana
