Today we’d like to introduce you to Sonia Rectenwald.
Hi Sonia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My path into travel did not start as a business plan. It started as a life lived abroad.
I spent over a decade living in Germany and have been traveling throughout Europe for more than 35 years. Over time, Europe stopped feeling like a destination and started feeling like a second home. I experienced how people truly travel there, slower and more intentionally, centered around food, culture, history, and meaningful experiences rather than rushing from place to place.
In 2017, I officially launched my travel business after purchasing a franchise with Dream Vacations. Like many entrepreneurs in the travel industry, I initially thought I needed to be everything to everyone. It did not take long to realize that approach was not sustainable or fulfilling.
The turning point came when I leaned fully into what I knew best and loved most, Europe. I made the decision to specialize exclusively in European travel, with a strong focus on river cruises, curated land tours, small ship cruising, and fully hosted group experiences. That shift changed everything. By narrowing my focus, I was able to serve my clients at a much higher level, with deeper destination knowledge, stronger partnerships, and a more thoughtful and personalized approach.
Today, Bryson Travel Group is built around helping travelers experience Europe confidently and intentionally. We host fully curated and fully hosted group trips throughout Europe, designed to remove the stress and guesswork so guests can simply enjoy the experience. I personally travel to Europe multiple times a year to stay connected, vet experiences firsthand, and keep a real time pulse on what is changing on the ground.
That commitment to education and clarity also led me to launch my podcast, Europe Unveiled, where I help travelers cut through the noise, understand their options, and feel more confident planning European travel, especially river cruising and group travel.
I am also proud to be part of Dream Vacations, which was recently ranked the number one travel franchise of 2026 by Entrepreneur Franchise 500 for the fifth year in a row and is consistently recognized as the top franchise for veterans, a distinction that aligns closely with our values as a veteran owned agency.
Looking back, I have learned that success did not come from doing more. It came from doing less, better. By trusting my experience, honoring my expertise, and building a business around focus and connection, I have been able to create a career that feels aligned, sustainable, and deeply rewarding.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. Like most small business owners, I have faced plenty of challenges, but the most significant by far was the pandemic. Practically overnight, the travel industry came to a complete standstill. Trips were canceled, borders closed, and uncertainty became the norm for an extended period of time.
That moment forced me to shift from selling and planning travel to supporting clients through disruptions, refunds, and constant changes. It was emotionally and financially challenging, and it required a great deal of patience, communication, and resilience. At the same time, it became an opportunity to step back and reassess my business more intentionally.
During that period, I focused heavily on education, refining my niche, strengthening relationships with trusted travel partners, and rethinking how I wanted to serve clients when travel returned. Rather than trying to rebuild the same business as before, I used that time to clarify my focus on Europe and lean into expert led, experience driven travel.
When travel resumed, my business came back stronger and more aligned. Clients were looking for reassurance, expertise, and someone who could confidently navigate a much more complex travel landscape. That period reinforced the importance of specialization, trusted partnerships, and clear communication, lessons that continue to shape how I operate today.
We’ve been impressed with Bryson Travel Group, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Bryson Travel Group is a Europe-focused travel agency specializing in thoughtfully planned, experience-driven travel. We work exclusively with clients who want to experience Europe in a deeper, more intentional way, whether that is through river cruises, curated land tours, small ship cruising, or fully hosted group travel.
What sets us apart is focus. Rather than trying to plan every type of trip to every destination, we specialize in Europe and do it exceptionally well. Having lived in Germany for over a decade and traveled throughout Europe for more than 35 years, I bring firsthand knowledge to every itinerary we design. I also travel to Europe multiple times a year to stay connected, personally vet experiences, and maintain strong relationships with highly trusted travel partners across the continent.
We are especially known for our fully hosted group trips throughout Europe. These trips are carefully curated from start to finish and are designed to remove the stress and guesswork from travel. Our guests know that every detail has been thoughtfully handled, allowing them to relax and fully enjoy the experience. We have hosted military reunion groups, groups of friends, and like-minded travelers who want to explore Europe with someone who truly understands the destination.
Education is a core part of our brand. I host the podcast Europe Unveiled, where I help travelers cut through online noise and misinformation and feel more confident understanding their options, particularly when it comes to European travel, river cruising, and group experiences. Many clients discover us through the podcast and feel informed and prepared long before they ever book a trip.
I also host a private VIP travel community where travelers can ask questions, access trusted resources, and learn more about European travel and river cruising in a supportive, expert led environment.
Brand wise, I am most proud of the clarity and trust we have built. Bryson Travel Group is a proud veteran-owned agency, and we are part of Dream Vacations, which was recently ranked the number one travel franchise of 2026 by Entrepreneur Franchise 500 for the fifth year in a row and is consistently recognized as the top franchise for veterans.
What I want readers to know most is that we are not about rushing through destinations or checking boxes. We are about helping travelers experience Europe confidently, thoughtfully, and meaningfully, guided by real expertise and genuine passion for the destination.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
If there’s one thing I would want readers to take away, it’s that travel does not have to feel overwhelming or rushed to be meaningful. Some of the most memorable experiences come from slowing down, traveling with intention, and having the right guidance along the way.
Europe, in particular, rewards curiosity, patience, and thoughtful planning. When travel is approached this way, it becomes less about checking off places and more about truly experiencing them. That philosophy shapes everything I do, from how trips are designed to how guests are supported throughout the journey.
Helping people experience Europe with confidence, ease, and a deeper sense of connection is what makes this work so rewarding for me, and it is what I hope travelers carry with them long after they return home.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://srectenwald.dreamvacations.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brysontravelgroup
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brysontravelgroup
- Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/europe-unveiled/id1826770012
