About Beyond
Beyond Travel is a boutique, luxury travel agency focusing on high end, leisure travel all over the world. Founded by Diane Sherer, Beyond boasts a team of 11 professional travel consultants who each specialize in planning perfectly curated trips for their clients based on their first-hand travel experiences, their long-standing relationships with preferred suppliers around the world, and continuing dialogue with leading experts in the travel industry.
About Diane Sherer, Owner & Founder, Beyond
Diane Sherer founded Beyond in April 2016. A graduate of the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, Sherer was a divorce attorney and television writer before ultimately finding her true passion in the world of travel.
Her enthusiasm for design, art, food, fashion, and architecture, allows her to see and evaluate properties and destinations in a unique way, and her greatest joy is matching her clients with their perfect destinations and experiences. The personal attention she gives to her clients and the personal relationships she’s nurtured with suppliers all over the world have allowed her to attract the most discerning of clients — celebrities, CEOs, and well-known creators of content for TV and film.
Diane is based in Los Angeles and lives with her screenwriter husband, David Weissman, her 2 teenage boys (Ike and Oren), and her dog, Barry Norman Goldberg.
Beyond a Dream Team
+ Meet Diane
Sherer
If you could only go one place in the world for the rest of your life, where would it be?
Italy. Other than the obvious - pasta, burrata, wine, negronis, the art, the people – there are so many different destinations within the country to explore – beaches, lakes, cities, villages, mountains -- I feel like I need a lifetime to experience them all.
What item can you not live without when traveling?
My Trtl travel pillow. I look like a Shar Pei when I have it on, but it is so comfortable and you can sleep anywhere with it!
Street food or Michelin-starred restaurant?
Street food
City or beach?
City
Boutique hotel or 5-star resort?
Boutique hotel
Fantasy trip with your significant other?
Ireland and Scotland. I’d take the Belmond Royal Scotsman through the Scottish Highlands, then head to Ireland where I’d drink a Guinness in every village pub, stay at Ashford Castle, and recite Yeats on a cliff overlooking a field of sheep (ok, maybe that’s a little much, but it’s a fantasy trip, right?!).
What is the first travel experience you remember as a child?
Road tripping from Pittsburgh to Florida to visit my grandparents in the family station wagon. I loved the feeling of freedom, being on the open road, stopping in little towns along the way, and just feeling that excitement of adventure. I’ve never lost that feeling.
What are your favorite kinds of trips to plan?
Family travel and off the beaten path destinations and properties. I love introducing places to my clients that they (and their friends!) have never heard of before.
+ Meet Sara
Ghazizadeh
If you could only go one place in the world for the rest of your life, where would it be?
Mexico. I love everything about the country – the beautiful beaches and small villages, the people and culture, the shopping, the food, and most importantly – the margaritas!
What item can you not live without when traveling?
My cell phone. I love using the maps to navigate around new countries and the translator app so I can speak the local language.
Street food or Michelin-starred restaurant?
Michelin-starred restaurant
City or beach?
Beach
Boutique hotel or 5-star resort?
5-star resort
Fantasy trip with your significant other?
On a beach somewhere (Bora Bora or the Maldives) in an overwater bungalow with a butler! I wouldn’t do anything except relax in the sun, swim in the crystal clear blue water, and sip cocktails all day long. Cliché answer, I know, but as a mom it sounds heavenly!
What is the first travel experience you remember as a child?
Disneyworld with my family when I was about 4 or 5. I remember flying on the airplane, getting my wing pin from the pilot, and checking into the hotel with a huge lobby. I don’t actually remember much about Disneyworld itself, but remember all of the other aspects of the travel experience – including the souvenirs.
What are your favorite kinds of trips to plan?
I love planning trips for clients who are going to a new destination that they’ve never been to before – especially clients with kids. It’s so fun for me to talk through their likes and dislikes and then come up with customized tours and experiences that I know they will love.
+ Meet Caroline
Chang
If you could only go one place in the world for the rest of your life, where would it be?
Southeast Asia. This part of the world has the most beautiful landscapes (beach, mountains, jungle), the best food (Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian), and the nicest people you could ever find! But what I love the most is that each country has its own unique culture, cuisine, and history that I could spend forever learning about.
What item can you not live without when traveling?
My Longchamp Le Pliage Expandable Tote - it folds up so you can pack it and then take it out when needed!
Street food or Michelin-starred restaurant?
Street food
City or beach?
City
Boutique hotel or 5-star resort?
Boutique hotel
Fantasy trip with your significant other?
South Africa! It’s the perfect blend of city, nature, and adventure and has some of the most romantic hotels in the world.
What is the first travel experience you remember as a child?
My first international trip was to Japan and China when I was in 5th grade. I remember feeling so amazed that in one flight I could be on the other side of the world, experiencing a completely different culture. It’s when I fell in love with travel!
What are your favorite kinds of trips to plan?
I love planning all kinds of trips, but my passion is purposeful, experiential travel that helps make the places we visit better. Whether it’s supporting a local business, employing the local community, or funding a sustainable project, I think it’s important for us to travel responsibly! That's why I've partnered with One Tree Planted- each trip I plan plants trees around the world.
+ Meet Stephanie
Conchuratt
If you could only go one place in the world for the rest of your life, where would it be?
Turkey. This was a surprising destination for me and I never thought I would love it so much. Istanbul, the city where east meets west, with so many beautiful and historical sites all along the Bosphorus. And then, just a few hours away you have gorgeous sandy beaches where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean. To top it off, the food is delicious, people are lovely, and the shopping is fantastic! I cannot wait to go back.
What item can you not live without when traveling?
My large pashmina wrap that I picked up at Hotel Bel-Air about 15 years ago. It’s been on every trip with me since then. It’s a perfect blanket for the plane or a wrap when it’s chilly. Plus it always looks fashionable.
Street food or Michelin-starred restaurant?
Street food
City or beach?
Ideally I like to do both, but if I had to pick one, it would be beach!
Boutique hotel or 5-star resort?
Boutique hotel
Fantasy trip with your significant other?
I’m dying to take my husband to the island of Pantellaria, which is just off the coast of Sicily and not too far from Tunisia. While the island is Italian, the landscape feels more like being lost in Africa. The most luxurious resort on the island is Sikelia and ever since I met the owner at a travel show last year, I cannot get this property off my mind!
What is the first travel experience you remember as a child?
When I was 14, my mom took me to Morocco and I will never forget all the vibrant colors. The shopping (and haggling) at the souks was incredible and like nothing I had ever seen. We came home with so many things - pottery, jewelry, spices, and even a couple of rugs.
What are your favorite kinds of trips to plan?
While I enjoy planning all sorts of trips, I really enjoy family travel as I can relate with two kids of my own. Having this special insight certainly helps in choosing the right destination and also the right hotel and activities for the whole family to enjoy.
+ Meet Sharon
Hendeles
If you could only go one place in the world for the rest of your life, where would it be?
Israel. My dad was born in Israel and most of my family still lives there. I spent every summer growing up in Israel. It is my second home. It has so much history, culture, beauty, and of course the BEST food in the world! Anyone who visits Israel feels the immediate connection to the land and it is really a special place.
What item can you not live without when traveling?
A camera and chapstick!
Street food or Michelin-starred restaurant?
Street food
City or beach?
Beach
Boutique hotel or 5-star resort?
5-star resort
Fantasy trip with your significant other?
A week in the Maldives with massages booked every day.
What is the first travel experience you remember as a child?
Traveling with my family across the country in 1996 on a camping style road trip to Washington, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. I met Bill Clinton (who was President at the time) at a rodeo in Jackson Hole!
What are your favorite kinds of trips to plan?
Multigenerational travel, family travel, honeymoons, and adventure/unique experience type of trips. I love planning ALL trips!
+ Meet Juliana
Shallcross
If you could only go one place in the world for the rest of your life, where would it be?
This is a tough question! But it would have to be an island in the Caribbean somewhere.
What item can you not live without when traveling?
My iPhone!
Street food or Michelin-starred restaurant?
Street food
City or beach?
Beach
Boutique hotel or 5-star resort?
Boutique hotel that's close to the action.
Fantasy trip with your significant other?
If someone could handle the kids for a couple of weeks, we'd fly out to Japan, then revisit Australia, pop over to New Zealand, and finally stop in Fiji on the way back home to Los Angeles.
What is the first travel experience you remember as a child?
My parents were very good about taking me and my brothers several places when we were kids. We spent summers on the Jersey shore, did winter breaks in Florida, ski trips in Vermont, and vacations to Puerto Rico and Hawaii. My parents also brought me along on several of their business trips and while they were busy with conferences and meetings, I tended to roam the hotels on my own. I think that's how my obsession with hotels probably began!
What are your favorite kinds of trips to plan?
Having three kids of my own now and knowing the importance of pressing the Easy Button when it comes to vacations, I love helping families find that right balance of fun, relaxation, and exploration, whether it be a luxury resort, a smaller hotel, or a house rental. The goal is to make memories, have fun, and recharge.
+ Meet Melissa
Genet
If you could only go one place in the world for the rest of your life, where would it be?
Hawaii! You can't beat the great weather year round and there are so many different islands to explore. Hawaii is filled with natural beauty, magnificent sunsets, and people that are full of life. Whether you like to be active on your vacation or relax and unwind, Hawaii has it all, including one of my all-time favorite hotels, Four Seasons Hualalai!
What item can you not live without when traveling?
Packing cubes in my Away luggage! Packing cubes keep everything organized and easy to find whether you want to fully unpack or live out of your suitcase.
Street food or Michelin-starred restaurant?
Michelin-starred restaurant
City or beach?
Beach
Boutique hotel or 5-star resort?
5-star resort
Fantasy trip with your significant other?
I've always dreamed of going on an African Safari and creating lifetime memories doing something different and exciting.
What is the first travel experience you remember as a child?
My earliest travel memory is a family trip to London when I was 8. It was my first time flying international and using my passport which was so exciting to me and my siblings. When I look at our family pictures from this trip it brings back memories of us riding a double decker bus and visiting the changing of the guards at Buckingham palace- we tried so hard to get them to change their expressions!
What are your favorite kinds of trips to plan?
My favorite types of trips to plan are both couples and family travel - I love helping envision and plan the perfect getaway whether that be an anniversary staycation or a multi-generational getaway. I believe that every trip you take can be a life-changing experience. Travel is all about taking the time to engage in activities you wouldn't normally do otherwise. It is the time to slow down and unplug from everything back home and connect with those around you. As a mom to young kids, I understand the challenges that come with traveling with kids and my goal is to take care of the whole family, knowing what the family will need and working with the hotels to make sure everything you could need is set up in your room before you arrive which can include everything from full sized cribs to diaper pails, swim diapers, baby amenities, etc. I like to have the kids pampered just as much as the parents!
+ Meet Dani
Paderi
If you could only go one place in the world for the rest of your life, where would it be?
Rio De Janeiro - Sparkling waters, beautiful people, historic neighborhoods, and museums combined with the rich sounds of Samba and a thriving nightlife while sipping caipirinhas – Sign me up, please!
What item can you not live without when traveling?
A camera to capture moments, a digital notebook to memorize them, and AirPods to orchestrate them.
Street food or Michelin-starred restaurant?
Michelin-starred unless street food involves champagne!
City or beach?
Beach
Boutique hotel or 5-star resort?
Boutique hotel
Fantasy trip with your significant other?
Namibia: The wide open spaces, the wildlife, the unbeatable sunrises and sunsets, nights under the stars…shall I keep going?
What is the first travel experience you remember as a child?
The first time I saw the Trevi Fountain in Rome, my mum gave me a coin and told me that if I threw the coin, I would return to Rome. Instead, I secretly wished for a big ice cream which I got right after that. I thought the fountain was magic!
What are your favorite kinds of trips to plan?
Having worked in hospitality my entire career, I enjoy helping families, honeymooners, couples, and multigenerational families find the perfect getaway - that unexpected upgrade, that surprise element, that special extra care that makes a birthday, an anniversary, or a special occasion a truly memorable experience.
+ Meet Shelley
Morales
If you could only go one place in the world for the rest of your life, where would it be?
Greece. Nothing compares to the sunsets in Santorini. The beaches and islands are phenomenal. Each one unique and steeped in history. Of course, there is the food. Who doesn't love fresh feta and honey or octopus straight from the ocean? If I need a dose of city life, I could go to Athens or take a quick flight to Spain or Italy.
What item can you not live without when traveling?
My big Isabel Marant scarf. I never leave the hotel without it. It's the perfect size to keep in my bag all day should I get cold. It's also big enough to wear as a sarong if I have an impromptu visit to the beach!
Street food or Michelin-starred restaurant?
Street or a hole-in-the-wall restaurant that only locals know.
City or beach?
Beach
Boutique hotel or 5-star resort?
5-star resort
Fantasy trip with your significant other?
China. We would go on an expedition to find panda bears in their natural habitat. Then we would go to Beijing to visit the Great Wall, and Xi'an to see the Terracotta warriors.
What is the first travel experience you remember as a child?
Paris when I was 9 years old. I remember shopping and eating lots of pastries. I remember getting lost in the Louvre and not being scared. I was just in awe of all the gorgeous artwork. I always laugh when my mother tells the story of when she found me in front of a big crowd looking up at the Mona Lisa.
What are your favorite kinds of trips to plan?
My favorite trips to plan are multi city trips that are geared towards a specific interest, such as food, art, or shopping. I also love planning customized trips that revolve around an event such as Fashion Week or Formula 1 racing.
+ Meet Lee
Michel
If you could only go one place in the world for the rest of your life, where would it be?
Italy for sure! Coming from an Italian family, I appreciate the food, culture and passion of the people. The geographic variety in Italy is vast and I’ve loved visiting the mountains, lakes, cities, beaches and countryside. I recently started taking Italian language lessons with friends and this has deepened my love of all things Italian.
What item can you not live without when traveling?
I was recently introduced to Polase supplements from Italy for hydration and energy. And of course a large cozy wrap for the plane and beyond.
Street food or Michelin-starred restaurant?
Street food or a restaurant recommended by a local.
City or beach?
City
Boutique hotel or 5-star resort?
Boutique with a 5 star city hotel thrown in from time to time
Fantasy trip with your significant other?
Orient Express
What is the first travel experience you remember as a child?
Does a family trip to Atlantic City count? Before the casinos existed, I fondly remember vacationing with my grandparents in Atlantic City. The Italians from South Philadelphia would all stay at the Roma hotel. I remember the accordion player, rides and games on the boardwalk, leftover breakfast sandwiches on the beach and my gold lame’ bikini with matching shoes. Heaven!
What are your favorite kinds of trips to plan?
Recently I have planned trips for friend groups. I enjoy starting with a simple idea and then brainstorming, planning, and creating memories that will last everyone a lifetime.
+ Meet Mako
Scott
If you could only go one place in the world for the rest of your life, where would it be?
Singapore! The melting pot of Indian, Chinese and Malay people has created a multicultural society that welcomes the west, yet remains true to its eastern roots. Muslim mosques and the Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay. Hainanese Chicken from a hawker stall and fine French cuisine, both Michelin-starred. You cannot help but be in awe of what this city-state has achieved in little more than 50 years. It’s also a perfect jumping off point to all of Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
What item can you not live without when traveling?
My red CoSTUME NATIONAL leather pouch. It carries passports, boarding passes, a pen for documents and all hard copies for the current leg of travel I’m on. When I put it in my bag, I know I’m off on an adventure.
Street food or Michelin-starred restaurant?
Street food
City or beach?
City
Boutique hotel or 5-star resort?
Boutique hotel
Fantasy trip with your significant other?
Africa! I’d love to spend a few days at the Maasai primary school that friends support and maintain. Then, go on safari and finish off in South Africa watching my husband and his college buddy surf the perfect waves in front his house in Cape St. Francis.
What is the first travel experience you remember as a child?
I was an independent child. I remember always insisting on boarding ahead of my family, presenting my boarding pass and pretending I was traveling all by my 10 year old self.
What are your favorite kinds of trips to plan?
Because I have a tween, I enjoy planning trips that are kid-friendly, fun and active while making sure there are pockets of parent-only leisure time. On that theme, I also love planning trips for groups of friends, like golf, dining or spa trips, that allow them to recharge away from their families and work life.