Susie McMahon of Luxe Lowcountry Travel
Shares her Love of Beaufort and Beyond
story by KAREN SNYDER photo by CHARLOTTE BERKELEY
Since she was a little girl, Susie McMahon, owner of Luxe Lowcountry Travel, has been drawn to the Lowcountry, relishing its natural beauty, its rich culture, and the relaxed lifestyle of coastal, small-town living. Like many others, her love affair with the Lowcountry life began with a visit — or in her case, many visits, summer vacations, and holidays spent with her grandparents at their seaside home.
Since the late 1960s, Susie says she spent year after year capturing memories along the coast, enjoying every aspect of southern living. Raised in the Southeast and graduating from the University of Georgia, Susie built a career in both the hospitality and travel industries that eventually took her to Denver, CO, where she resides part-time.
Yet, the lure of the Lowcountry led Susie back. After starting her leisure travel business in 2016, Susie purchased land on Lady’s Island in 2018 and moved into her newly built home last year. Happy to put down local roots, Susie uses her more than 18 years of travel experience to help clients plan customized travel experiences both to and from the Lowcountry.
“My soul has always belonged to the Lowcountry,” she admits. “I have history here through my family and have always felt connected to it. Now, I get to use that knowledge to help those who want a truly immersive experience when visiting Beaufort or want to arrange similar experiences elsewhere.”
Having traveled all over the United States and internationally, Susie’s goal is to help her clients enjoy what she calls a “slow travel” experience. “Slow travel is when you take the time to fully enjoy your destination in as many aspects as possible — from the natural environment to the culture, to the cuisine, and most of all, its people.
“It’s what the future of travel is becoming. I want you to fully embrace and immerse yourself in what surrounds you, interact with people, and truly experience everything the town or place has to offer,” she explains.
This travel philosophy has led Susie to become a sought-after advisor by her clients who enjoy her customized travel experiences. Whether putting together Lowcountry weekend getaways, discovery visits for area realtors, or in-depth, longer stays in Beaufort and the Sea Islands, Susie takes care of each and every detail. This may involve nature excursions, including charter boat rides, kayaking, and beach trips, to reserving accommodations at local inns and B&Bs, to arranging top-notch dining accommodations, history tours, and more.
Whether traveling to Beaufort or wanting to book a trip elsewhere, Susie says her work always begins with a client interview. “I want to know what my clients’ interests are and the types of things they want to do during their trip. I’ll put together a customized travel experience that’s just right for you,” she assures.
Luxe Lowcountry Travel offers free 15-minute consultations during which Susie is happy to provide destination information, travel tips, or answer questions. Beyond that, she explains, “My role is really to serve as your travel advisor. During today’s travel environment, this is particularly important, especially if you’re visiting an international destination.” According to Susie, though some countries have opened their borders to travelers, requirements change daily. Luxe Lowcountry Travel is a “true time-saver,” says Susie. “Let me handle the complexities of your domestic and international travel experience, including flights, accommodations, and a seamless itinerary for a fun and unforgettable trip.”
