The World.
Curated.
Mary Elizabeth and Julian Kaufman
Owners - Lead Travel Designers
Mary Elizabeth and Julian began their marriage with a travel adventure in 1993. Julian, a first generation Italian-American, naturally wanted his new bride to see Italy from north to south, and that is what they did - for 30 days! They have been traveling throughout the world ever since. Mary Elizabeth began working in the travel industry in 2012, crafting distinct and bespoke travel experiences. Julian not only has shared in these travels but he has also acquired expertise through his connections with the industry. They launched Via Curato to help others enjoy these unique and transformative travel experiences around the world.
Regan Fazio
Travel Designer
Regan Fazio started traveling while in high school on a study abroad trip to Dijon, France. This ignited her love of travel. She continued venturing abroad as an au pair in the south of France and then later as a teacher at the Sorbonne in Paris. With her husband, Robin, Regan has continued her love of world travel by visiting spots in the Caribbean, Central America, Canada, the Western US, and Italy. With family in Sicily, the Fazios make it a point to spend at least one month each summer abroad with their children Antonio and Kaden. With her good friends Julian and Mary Elizabeth Kaufman, Regan hopes to share her love of travel experience with others.
Darian Sylvester
Travel Designer
Darian has long been drawn to international experiences. With his mom growing up in Peru, and father engaging with international work projects during his childhood, travel and engaging with different cultures in his hometown of Los Angeles and abroad shaped the bedrock of his adolescence. Darian’s interest in travel resulted in he and his family (wife Kate Sylvester, sons Enzo and Alessio) relocating to Florence, Italy for a year in 2024, which emboldened his desire to expose himself and his family to new experiences. In addition to supporting the travel design work of Via Curato, Darian is also leveraging his experience in the international non-profit sector to support Via Explora, which provides opportunities for under-resourced children to embark on transformative journeys that spark imagination and broaden horizons. Darian can also be contacted for more information on how to get involved in this initiative.
Deborah Watt
Travel Designer
Deborah’s passion for travel began with one foot in America and the other in Italy. With parents of different nationalities, she was born a globetrotter which has since expanded her adventures to over twenty countries. While her traveling has been diverse, her careers have been just as eclectic. First as a professional ballet dancer, and then off stage as a licensed client analyst on the Private Wealth desk at Goldman Sachs in NYC. She returned South and started a consulting business raising awareness for various non profits from city revitalization, the environment and the arts. She resides in Charleston, SC with her husband Bill, who also loves to travel. Deborah is a certified yoga and meditation teacher and a partner in their architectural lumber company. Deborah is thrilled to be on the Via Curato team bringing her wanderlust to her client’s journeys. She is also Julian’s sister!
Gina Hughes
Travel Coordinator
Gina’s love for travel was sparked during our time stationed in Germany from 1992 to 1995. Surrounded by the charm of European architecture, she quickly fell in love with the beauty of new places. The excitement of trying unfamiliar foods, learning about different cultures, and meeting people from all walks of life ignited a lifelong passion. Her goal is to explore as many countries across every continent as possible—and all 50 U.S. states. She is married to Bob, her willing and daring travel companion, and together they’ve embraced the spirit of adventure. They are proud parents to two internationally minded daughters and their families, who share their global curiosity and love for new experiences.
Julia Pierce
Travel Coordinator
Julia has been part of the travel industry since 2017, bringing a sharp eye for detail and a passion for creating seamless experiences for our clients. When she's not managing logistics behind the scenes, you might find her lifting weights at her local gym, playing with her two dogs, hiking the scenic mountains of Eastern Tennessee, playing in a band with her husband, or hunting for treasures while thrift shopping with her kids. While fine-tuning trip itineraries or building streamlined workflow systems and robust data storage solutions, Julia is the ultimate behind-the-scenes powerhouse. She finds real joy in watching new adventures take shape and loves being part of the magic the Via Curato team brings to life.
our global partners
