Welcome to The Bougie Travel Club Newsroom — your official source for company news, press inquiries, founder stories, and brand assets.
We are the friendship and boutique social travel club for Global Citizens 40+. Founded in 2026 by long-time travel lovers and global citizens Luz Vega and Jacqueline Polanco, we set out on a mission to curate 1,000 meaningful connections by 2030 through intimate group travel. We sweat the group dynamic of every trip — bringing together like-minded people over boutique stays, long lunches, and unforgettable escapes.
The duo behind every itinerary, group dynamic, and long lunch.
Co-Founder · Destinations, Business Logistics & Operations
Born in Illinois, USA, Luz grew up in Medellín, Colombia before living in the US for over 40 years. Following her Spanish roots across the ocean, she landed in Valencia, Spain and has called it home ever since.
➤30+ Years Leadership: M.S. in Transportation Engineering (NJIT), 11 years in tech consulting before switching to real estate & property management.
➤Boutique Operations Expert: Owned her brokerage in 2017, CDPE & Home Staging Certified, master negotiator of hotel partnerships and group logistics.
➤Travel Credentials: Master X12 Modern Travel Agency Certified, visited 22 countries, fluent in English & Spanish.
Co-Founder · Investor
Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Jacqueline lived across California, Puerto Rico, and Florida, USA as a military wife before moving to Valencia. She is the friend who turns a random Tuesday into a dinner party.
➤20+ Years Travel & Tech Leader: Ex-Director CRO at hear.com, Senior Paid Media & Product Manager at Celebrity Cruises & Royal Caribbean.
➤Mar-Tech Pioneer: Built the cruise industry's first Facebook Messenger Chatbot, CSPO®, CSM®, PLC® certified, SNHU Magna Cum Laude in Marketing.
➤Community Builder: Master X12 Modern Travel Agency Certified, visited 40 countries, passionate about creating lifelong friendships through travel.
From local expat gatherings to high-altitude wine retreats in Priorat.
Loneliness among 40+ expats is a well-documented challenge in relocation cities. To tackle this, Luz & Jacqueline hosted a series of Sunday long lunches in Valencia's Ruzafa district — bringing 25 solo strangers together over wood-fired paella and local Bobal wine. The result? 100% of attendees made a lasting connection.
A outdoor pop-up activation in Valencia's historic quarter equipped with custom conversation prompts: "What was the moment you knew you'd never move back?" and "Where was the best meal of your life?" Strangers sat down as travelers and left as group chat members.
Featured & Quoted Across Global Media
"The Bougie Travel Club proves that group travel doesn’t have to mean giant tour buses and rigid schedules — it’s about long lunches with instant friends."
"Born in Valencia, this boutique travel club is connecting international expats over private bodega tastings and curated European escapes."
"From private pasta masterclasses in Bologna to high-altitude wine tastings in Priorat, Bougie Travel Club sets a new standard for boutique social travel."
"The magic happens around hour three of a four-hour Spanish lunch when strangers realize they’ve known each other for years in spirit."
"Joining alone but never feeling alone — the new wave of intentional social travel for 40+ expats in Spain."
"A refreshingly mature, warm atmosphere that appeals to stylish, independent Global Citizens in Valencia."
Need founder quotes, travel data on 40+ expat social trips, or high-res photography for your publication? Contact our press desk directly.
Have questions, need travel insights on Mediterranean expat culture, or interested in interviewing founders Luz Vega & Jacqueline Polanco? We'd love to connect!
