These Are Not Your Parents’ Tour Guides

Written by Tyler Anneliese Moselle

Natalie and Andrew Tyree are on a mission. The dynamic couple delivers personalized travel experiences from a local’s-eye-view, with an emphasis on taking deep dives into regional cuisine. When Natalie and Andrew started Coast to Costa in 2012, travel had long been a part of their lives. Andrew has now led over 15 trips to Cuba, 5 Spain adventures, and countless experiences throughout Mexico’s coastal hideaways, wine regions, and culturally rich pueblos mágicos.

What got Coast to Costa started? Here’s the story behind the “live like a local” life:

Natalie: Where did you grow up?
Andrew: I grew up near L.A. but moved to Northern California and Spain for years before coming back.

 Andrew: Before we knew each other, what cultures most impacted you growing up?

Natalie: Mexican ...definitely!  Both of my parents were born and raised in Mexico. They came here when they were young. I grew up in areas of Los Angeles that are heavily Latino, so it is what I identify with and something that has completely impacted my life.
Andrew: I have to have the same answer ...only my family isn’t Mexican. I have just always been very drawn to Mexican culture, people and the Spanish language.  

Natalie: When did you know you wanted to show people the world?
Andrew: I lived in Spain for almost four years and Italy for a year. When I was younger I hadn’t traveled very much and I feel that travel COMPLETELY changed my life. It made me a more open, brave, and curious person. If I can pass that on to people, that is very fulfilling for me.

Andrew: When did you know you wanted to work with me?
Natalie: When we both realized that we have very complementary strengths that has helped propel Coast to Costa to the next level.

Andrew: I came up with the idea almost five years ago and we have been working on it together ever since!

 Andrew: How long have you been doing what you do?
Natalie: I spent 10 years in the fashion industry and two years in travel.
Andrew: I’ve worked in food and restaurants FOREVER! I’ve been on and off for about 8 years and have been in travel for five.

 

Andrew: What matters most when you’re traveling in a new place?

Natalie: Thinking outside of your bubble, seeing the world through someone else’s eyes and taking it all in to the fullest.
Andrew: I’d say taking a place for what it is, allowing places to move and feel differently. Enjoying a place for its true form is very helpful in traveling.

Natalie: What makes for a great group to travel with?
Andrew: I love when people will have an afternoon drink and can laugh with each other.

Natalie: When people are easy going, open minded, and hungry for culture.  

Andrew: When it comes to food, what do you seek out?
Natalie: Everything! You?
Andrew: All of it!

 Natalie: So why do people want to travel with us?

Andrew: We bring people to places where we have local friends and contacts that bring us into places to make you feel like a local.  

Natalie: I’d add that it’s fun, hassle free, comes with a personal translator, and it feels like you're traveling with friends showing you around.