About us: Meet the Hidden Gemologists
Who are the Hidden Gemologists?
The Hidden Gemologists are Marilee and Paul Kostadimas, award-winning travel experts and slow travel storytellers.
We’re a married couple and travel partners in life, through life, for life.
Before Paul and I (Marilee) began this full-time travel life, we’d been strategic consultants by trade. As well as historians and archaeologists by education and training, specifically in Classics and Classical Archaeology.
To clarify, that's Ancient Greek and Roman archaeology, history, language, arts, and culture.
As a result, our intrinsic love of the ancient world connects to our vision and mission for Spotlight Sojourns: Slow travel stories and hidden gems.
A client once commented on this unique, deep connection from university days to nowadays. Well, I replied,
"You can take the girl out of grad school, but you can't take grad school out of the girl."
With a chuckle, she gave us the catchy nickname.
Ever since then, we've been known as the Hidden Gemologists.
What's the Hidden Gemologists' story?
Meaningful travel is part of our own story from the very beginning.
We met as graduate students on an archaeological dig in the Greek Islands.
He's a skilled photographer; I (Marilee), a writer. So I said to Paul then:
“Your pictures. My words. Our travels.”
Life later took those plans and tossed them like a Greek salad.
In other words: We went corporate.
But in truth, life has a way of coming full circle, doesn’t it?
Fast forward many years later. When a transformational travel moment in Lisbon, Portugal, suddenly changed everything.
That handwriting-on-the-wall moment* straightaway led us back to our long-ago promise and purpose.
Today, Spotlight Sojourns is literally:
“His pictures. Her words. Our travels.”
(*PS: If you'd like the story, please subscribe; we'll send it pronto).
What’s the Hidden Gemologists' WHY?
The WHY underscores everything, as we always say. So here's our WHY:
At the pinnacle of corporate success, we suddenly and unexpectedly left it all behind in California to care for our last parent in Canada 3,000 miles away.
During Mamma's two-year final journey, we came to understand the profound connection between meaningful travel memories and personal storytelling.
Because Mamma’s daily stories of her epic life and travels in Africa, Asia, and Europe became part of her legacy.
Then a transformational moment in Lisbon, Portugal, subsequently led to our mission to:
- Inspire and connect slow travelers with wonderful places, delightful hotels, cultural experiences, and local communities.
~ and ~ - Inspire and motivate others to tell their own stories.
Why slow travel?
Because slow travel is meaningful travel.
Meaningful travel is part of a meaningful life.
And stories enrich the meaning.
So what’s next for the Hidden Gemologists?
In truth, it’s more about what’s next for you as a traveler and travel dreamer.
Because what's next for the Hidden Gemologists is your journey and your travel story.
If you're seeking beautiful destinations and wanderlust inspirations... bucket-list road trips such as the ultimate US Route 66 or the unexpected Erie Canal ... or need-to-know vacation planning info…
Then we're here to help with original travel guides and original photography exploring the culture, history, and backroads of Greece, Europe, and North America.
If you're craving good coffee, perhaps an artisanal cuppa served in a Third Wave Coffee house or a charming bookish cafe...
Then we've got you covered there, too. Coffee fuels our journey, both figuratively and literally. So we love visiting local coffee shops at home or abroad. It's a bonus when coffee shops share space with independent bookstores!
We support your slow travel inspirations and experiences in the Spotlight blog, social media, and YouTube.
Plus, new articles and videos are in the pipeline and coming soon. So, stay tuned for hot-off-the-press travel guides, coffee guides, and videos.
Oh yes, and there’s also our popular weekly newsletter! Sent every Tuesday, this quick 1-2 minute read features, for example:
- Slow travel stories and hidden gems
- Behind the scenes insights and travel tips
- Candid recommendations and conversations
- 100% sincerity and 0% spam
We invite you to subscribe, join our global community, and get travel inspo in your inbox.
See you in the Spotlight community!
Here's the Hidden Gemologists' promise.
Lastly, and most importantly, here's our promise to you:
Everything you read and see is, and always will be, original, created with attentive care and artisanal craft by yours truly, Marilee and Paul, from our lived experience and firsthand perspective.
In other words, it's all wholeheartedly human at Spotlight Sojourns. All by us two wholehearted humans, the Hidden Gemologists.
Marilee Kostadimas
Chief Storyteller and Writer
Paul Kostadimas
Visual Storyteller and Photographer
