Adventure, Luxury and Leisure Travel Specialist

Traditional Boat in Phuket

 Hello, I’m Matt Dawson, founder of Adventures by Matt — a boutique travel agency based in Orlando, Florida, built on one simple belief: the best travel experiences come from someone who has actually been there.

I started Adventures by Matt because I believe travel is one of the most meaningful things a person can invest in and that people deserve an advisor who treats it that way. What began as a lifelong obsession with exploring the world has grown into a business built on firsthand experience, genuine passion, and a commitment to getting the details right. Today, I’ve visited 54 countries across all seven continents, and every destination I sell is one I’ve personally vetted. When I recommend a safari camp in Kenya, a river cruise in Vietnam, or an expedition ship in Antarctica, I’m drawing from real experience, not a brochure.

My specialty is the kind of travel that changes you. I work with clients who are chasing the extraordinary: polar expeditions to Antarctica and the Arctic, African safaris across Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa, European river cruises, and immersive journeys through Southeast Asia including Vietnam, Bali, and Thailand. These aren’t trips you piece together with a quick Google search — they’re carefully constructed experiences that require the right partnerships, deep destination knowledge, and someone who genuinely cares how the trip turns out.

To stay at the forefront of this industry, I’ve pursued ongoing education and professional development, including participating in the Future Leaders in Travel (FLIT) program and earning both my Adventure Travel Specialist and Leisure Travel Specialist certifications through Travel Leaders Network. I’m an active member of ASTA and Travel Leaders Network, and I regularly pursue FAM travel and supplier relationships to ensure my recommendations are current and credible.

At Adventures by Matt, I’m not a booking engine — I’m your travel partner. My clients get direct access to me, thoughtful planning from the first conversation to the final day of travel, and the confidence that comes from working with someone who takes this personally. I believe the right trip at the right time can be genuinely life-changing, and I take that seriously.

If you’re ready to stop dreaming about that bucket-list trip and actually take it, I’d love to help you make it happen. Reach out and let’s start planning.

Adventures by Matt | Do more than just exist.