For Frank and Courtney Adkinson, travel is not just a passion; it’s a way of life.
The husband-and-wife team behind Luxury Outdoor Travel (LOT) says their mission is to help people see the world not just as tourists, but as they both prefer, as educated, inquisitive travelers.
Both share a passion for adventure — their honeymoon took them on safari in Botswana — and both were experienced world explorers before they met.
“We provide authentic and immersive travel experiences,” explained Frank, who recently retired after serving 29 years as a U.S. Army infantry officer. “That can mean anything from adventure travel and cultural experiences to cruises, culinary tours, or family vacations. We do it all, including group trips, solo travelers, even corporate and university travel.”
The couple marked their joining the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce with a ribbon-cutting ceremony last Tuesday evening in front of the chamber office in downtown Eatonton. Afterward, they stressed that Luxury Outdoor Travel exists to facilitate full-service trip planning for destinations worldwide.
Their motto, “You dream it; we’ll do it!” captures the spirit of “luxury outdoor travel” through personalized itineraries built on local connections and authentic experiences.
Courtney, who holds a master’s degree in communications and marketing, handles much of LOT’s client coordination. The Adkinsons lived in Europe for three years, where they began forming many of the relationships that now anchor their travel network.
“We want our clients to feel like they’re part of a place they visit, not just looking at it from a bus window,” she said. “Those personal connections make the experience so much richer.”
Courtney added, too, that LOT’s approach remains high-touch, high-service, regardless of a client’s budget.
“Luxury doesn’t always mean five-star hotels,” she explained. “Luxury can just be peace of mind. Just knowing that if something does go wrong, you’ve got someone back at home working to fix it ASAP. That’s where we really shine.”
Meanwhile, Frank’s military career was defined by leadership and logistics. Multiple overseas assignments helped to shape both his worldview and his approach to planning.
“The Army teaches you to plan for every contingency, and that mindset carries over perfectly to travel,” he explained. “We make sure every detail is covered so clients can relax and just enjoy the journey and the experience.”
Those decades of foreign living also provided Frank with an invaluable network of connections for LOT and its clients.
“I can call friends we’ve made over the years in Croatia, France, Budapest, or several other places and get real, reliable recommendations,” he said. “Travel is not just about booking flights and hotels; it’s about giving people the experiences that locals love — and tourists don’t always find.”
LOT-arranged trips range from a weeklong Croatia group tour featuring oyster harvesting and wine tasting, to a Munich Oktoberfest experience in partnership with Putnam County’s Bruzze Brewing. The Adkinsons can also plan custom adventures, such as photography safaris, hiking tours, or ancestry-based travel.
“We’re small, but we’re full service,” Frank stressed. “If someone wants to go fly fishing in the Dolomites or attend the Grand Prix of Monaco, we can make it happen.”
Courtney agreed, adding that the most rewarding thing for them is seeing and hearing clients’ reactions when they return from an overseas trip.
“Sometimes people are nervous to travel abroad for the first time, but then they come back and say, ‘Well, where am I going next?’ That’s really the best feeling in the world for us,” she said.
Luxury Outdoor Travel operates out of Flowspace, a community workspace near Publix in Greensboro. For more information, contact LOT at 816-277878 or visit luxuryoutdoortravel.com.