Meet Van Wardy: Herbalist & Helper
Van Wardy is a budding herbalist as well as a core team member who wears many hats at both Crafted Path Travel and its sister company, LOOM Imports.
With her background in marketing and social media, along with her endless curiosity and passion for exploration, Van has quickly become an integral part of the Crafted Path Travel team.
A self-identified creative dabbler, Van is always exploring a new craft, hobby, or creative endeavor. Photography is a big love of hers and you can see some of her film photos from Oaxaca sprinkled throughout this interview.
Big question to kick things off: window or aisle seat — and why?
Window seat all the way. And yes, I’m the person who will absolutely have the window shade open the ENTIRE time (unless, of course, the sun is literally blasting us with its brightness). What is the point of the window seat if not to gaze out the window and be amazed and moved?! I simply cannot understand the folks who choose the window seat only to have the window closed the entire time. Chances are you’ll find me on the plane, listening to music, staring out the window, and getting a bit misty-eyed feeling the bigness of the world and the smallness of myself within it.
Do you prefer sunrise travel or late night arrival?
I like to arrive during the daytime if possible. I always feel extra out of sorts when I arrive somewhere new at night - it’s a bit harder to get my bearings. Plus, I typically like to land, settle into wherever I’m staying, then go on a bit of a neighborhood stroll to get a lay of the land, a feel for the place, and see if I can scope out any spots for morning coffee or see if there are any restaurants, shops, galleries, etc that I may want to return to.
Where do you travel to most often or what is your favorite place to visit?
I don’t travel as much as I used to, but far and away my favorite place to visit - at least domestically - is Portland, Oregon. I’ve been traveling there regularly for 15+ years now and for me, it never gets old. It’s my favorite city and maybe one of these days I’ll finally make it my home.
Check out Van’s recent Portland travel guide here.
What were your personal highlights from our trip to Oaxaca?
Oh gosh, every moment was so memorable! I will say that the cooking class at La Cocina de Humo was probably my biggest highlight. Cooking a traditional meal over fire in a small group with our own personal chef was an absolute feast for the senses on all levels. Visiting the Monte Albán ruins was also completely mind-blowing. I wasn’t prepared for just how vast and intact these ruins are and getting to walk amongst them was such a surreal and sacred experience.
Beyond those two standout experiences, a lot of my other personal highlights were the small, personal exchanges I had with the locals. Like the woman whose shop I wandered into and, thanks to her initiating Google translate on her phone, we struck up a conversation and discovered that we’re both plant lovers and spent some time talking about our favorite plants.
There were also lots of beautiful moments of quiet observation - stopping at and taking in the neighborhood altars, watching women hand-weaving straw baskets at the mercado, and pausing to take in the plant life blooming all around.
What are you most looking forward to on our upcoming Morocco trip?
To be honest, I’m excited to experience just about everything. I’ve never been to Morocco before though it’s been on my list for a long time. I’m really looking forward to taking in all the architecture and being immersed in the vibrant, bustling markets. And, being the Taurus that I am, I’m incredibly excited to experience Moroccan cuisine and get my hands dirty making handmade tiles. Lastly, as a plant person, I can’t wait to see what new botanical beings I come across as we travel throughout the country.
Is there one item you always overpack (and refuse to stop)?
This is a funny one, but yes there is and…it’s socks. That’s right, y’all. Socks. I find I am always really active while traveling. Whether it’s walking across city streets or going on a gorgeous hike, I am often in motion and while I might not always be able to bring countless outfit changes - I can almost always pack enough socks to change them throughout the day. It’s a small thing I can do to make myself feel refreshed after a long day of exploration.
Interested in traveling with us? Explore our upcoming trips to Morocco in September 2026 and Taiwan in the spring of 2027. We also curate personal, bespoke travel experiences and would love to work with you on building out the trip of your dreams. Reach out to us anytime at hello@craftedpathtravel.com.
