And she still has a favorite destination—we had to ask.
There are milestones, and then there are moments that make you stop and say: wow, look how far we’ve come together.
This year, UnTours turns 50. Half a century of helping curious, independent travelers unpack once, settle in and discover what it truly means to live like a local. Fifty years of UnGuides, handpicked apartments, fridge-stocked welcomes and the kind of connections that can last a lifetime.
And right in the middle of that story, for exactly half of it, is Cathrin. Program Director at UnTours.
Twenty-five years. That’s not just tenure, that’s dedication. That’s thousands of conversations with travelers, countless trips planned with care and a whole lot of love poured into making sure every UnTourist feels at home before they even land. Cathrin has been a quiet, steady force behind some of our most meaningful journeys, and we simply could not let this milestone pass without properly celebrating her.
So we did what any self-respecting purpose-driven travel company would do: we sat her down and asked her all the good questions. About what keeps her inspired after 25 years. About the travelers who’ve stayed with her long after their trips ended. About that one unforgettable Swiss adventure that could have gone sideways and somehow became a masterclass in human kindness.
And naturally, we asked her to name her favorite UnTours destination. Her pick? Nafplio, Greece. And once you read why, you’ll want to start packing. Cathrin just returned from Oaxaca, Mexico, too—which you can read about here.
Looking back on 25+ years with UnTours, what continues to inspire you to do this work?
When I considered applying for the job, I found UnTours’ website. It showed a photo of our founder, Hal Taussig, next to Paul Newman and John F. Kennedy Jr. as he received an award as ‘the most generous company in America’. I was instantly drawn to Hal’s generosity, the company’s values, and the UnTours Foundation’s work.
I’ve worn different hats over the years, but I have always enjoyed bringing people from different cultures together. I see it as a way to learn from one another and build understanding—hopefully adding a little more peace to the world.
In my daily work, I get to speak to many interesting and kind clients, some of whom have been loyal to UnTours for decades. I’m personally not drawn to material things, which is why it feels so rewarding to help plan trips that create lasting memories — especially for multi-generational groups.
And as a bonus, I get to travel! I just returned from our Oaxaca UnTour and had the best time, but that would be another story…
Why do you think long-term relationships — with places, people and UnTourists — matter so much?
Long-lasting relationships have had a deep impact on my life and have shaped it in many meaningful ways. I’ve worked with many colleagues, local hosts, UnGuides, partners and clients over the decades. Some have become good friends. Having grown up in Europe and now living in the U.S., I see myself, in a way, as a citizen of the world, and those relationships have added a richness that has shaped my life well beyond work.
It is always great fun to explore new destinations, but there is no better feeling than returning to a familiar place and being greeted by familiar faces.
Over the years, is there a moment that best captures what meaningful travel truly means to you?
In 2008, I vacationed in Hasliberg-Hohfluh with my parents and best friend in an UnTours apartment. On one of the days, I volunteered to accompany our staff and UnTourists on a trip to the capital, Bern. I strolled around town after we said our good-byes and eventually made my way to the train station. There were crowds of people and megaphones. To my great surprise, it was not a protest, but a power outage that affected the whole Swiss rail network (something that will probably never happen again).
In true Swiss fashion, buses were organized quickly, and travelers needing to go to airports got priority. Soon it was my turn to board a very crowded bus. The poor city bus driver had no idea where he was going and fellow passengers directed him to the highway to Thun.
This was before smartphones, and I didn’t even own a simple cell phone. People were surprisingly calm, even jovial, and started passing around water bottles and cell phones in case anyone had to call loved ones. When we reached Thun, I had some time to kill before my next bus. I went for a beer with a small group, chatted and laughed, and one of the people even knew our UnGuide, Franziska, in Kandersteg.
Small world!
When I finally reached Interlaken around 10 pm, I saw the back lights of a bus. I ran after it, and it turned out to be the very last bus to Hasliberg. My parents had followed the situation on TV and were utterly relieved when I walked in the door, with a big smile on my face.
What could have been a disastrous day turned out to be one of the best and most memorable days of my life. I got to see a side of the Swiss people that I had not seen before. We had all been in this together and truly made the best of a tough situation. Everyone was kind and everyone got home safely.
You chose Nafplio as your favorite UnTours destination — what do you love most about it?
First of all, it was a really tough choice!
Nafplio, Greece’s first capital, is among the most enchanting places I have visited and where I felt at home right away. The Old Town is incredibly walkable and charming and has a waterfront, putting you instantly in vacation mode. Combine this with Greek hospitality and food, and you just want to live here and never leave. I love the pretty squares, winding alleyways, cats lounging in the sun, the palm trees and bougainvillea, families gathering at outdoor restaurants and passing a baby around the table so everyone gets a chance to eat their meal, the church bells, the waterfront, and the Palamidi Fortress.
And our UnGuide Christos is the icing on the cake. There are many stories that involve his heroic efforts and my favorite one is ‘Christos Spiderman’. Our clients had locked themselves out of their apartment and Christos scaled the drainpipe to the second floor to enter through the open balcony door. That’s what I call going above and beyond!
How has Nafplio changed over the years, or how has it stayed the same?
Nafplio has retained its wonderfully authentic character since I first visited in 2006. Yes, there are new cafes, stores and restaurants, but in essence it hasn’t changed. It’s especially popular with Greeks for weekend visits, which I think speaks volumes about its beauty and charm.
Cathrin, from everyone at UnTours, thank you. For 25 years of passion, care and the kind of insider knowledge that no guidebook could ever replicate.
Curious about Nafplio? It’s one of our most beloved UnTours destinations. Explore UnTours in Greece, or give Cathrin a call.