Thoughtfully hosted journeys • Personal planning • Meaningful travel
Sunlit Mediterranean coastal village framed by mountains, greenery, and pink flowers

Custom Group Journeys • Specializing in Women’s Group Travel • River Cruises

Travel that feels like coming home to yourself.

Join La Semilla Travel for thoughtfully hosted group journeys designed for travelers who are ready to explore the world, meet like-minded travelers, and experience something meaningful along the way.

Who we are

A boutique travel agency in Carlsbad, California

La Semilla Travel is a boutique travel agency based in Carlsbad, California, creating thoughtfully planned custom group journeys and specializing in women’s group travel, river cruises, Bali and Vietnam. We design meaningful travel experiences for couples, families, friends, private groups and women traveling solo or together—combining personal planning, cultural connection and ease from start to finish.

Founded by Mary Plousha, La Semilla Travel serves travelers throughout Carlsbad, San Diego County and beyond.

The La Semilla Experience

Travelers Say It Best

Beautiful destinations are only part of the story. Our travelers often tell us it’s the thoughtful details, meaningful experiences, friendships and feeling of being cared for that they remember most.

When you travel with La Semilla Travel, you truly don’t have to worry about a thing—just show up and enjoy the experience because every detail is taken care of.

When you travel with La Semilla Travel, you truly don’t have to worry about a thing—just show up and enjoy the experience because every detail is taken care of!

As the person who usually plans everything for my family, I genuinely appreciate the time, care, and thoughtful planning that goes into creating such a seamless group trip.

I’ve already traveled to Bali and Thailand with Mary, and I’m looking forward to joining her upcoming Vietnam group trip.

I wouldn’t hesitate to travel with Mary again, and I look forward to many more adventures with La Semilla Travel!

Luey H.Repeat La Semilla Traveler

Coordinating travel for a group can easily become overwhelming, but Mary made the entire process feel organized, manageable, and enjoyable. She communicated directly with my guests, answered their individual questions, and took a tremendous amount of responsibility off my shoulders so I could enjoy the experience, too.

Booking a group trip through Mary was such a positive experience. Coordinating travel for a group can easily become overwhelming, but she made the entire process feel organized, manageable, and enjoyable.

Mary communicated important information in a timely manner, providing everyone with the details they needed to manage their individual travel arrangements. I especially appreciated the personalized website she created for my group. My guests were able to reference it whenever they needed information, which made things much easier for everyone.

She was extremely responsive. Whenever one of my guests or I had a question, Mary was quick to respond with an answer, solution, or helpful advice. She was knowledgeable and well-versed in everything we needed to know, which gave me confidence throughout the entire process.

One of the things I appreciated most was how she helped me rein in and manage my group. Everything didn’t have to come through me. Mary communicated directly with my guests and made herself available to answer their individual questions. As the person organizing the trip, that took a tremendous amount of responsibility off my shoulders and allowed me to enjoy the experience, too.

I also loved the personal touches. The special gift boxes she sent to me and each of my guests were thoughtful and unexpected, and they made everyone feel special.

Something else that really impressed me was that, after our trip, Mary actually asked for my feedback. That says a lot about her commitment not only to her current clients but to her future clients as well. She genuinely wants to know what worked, what didn’t, and where there may be opportunities to improve. To me, that’s the sign of someone who takes great pride in what she does.

But my appreciation for Mary goes beyond this particular trip.

I originally met Mary through a friend during a very emotional time in my life. My friend and I had both lost our parents at different times, and we were both still navigating grief. We decided that we needed to get away and have our own little Eat, Pray, Love moment, so we began planning a trip to Bali.

At the last minute, my friend backed out of the trip. I was absolutely devastated and heartbroken. Mary didn’t treat it as simply a canceled trip or a lost booking. She tuned in to what I was going through. She expressed her condolences, empathized with my disappointment and grief, and was incredibly gentle and kind with me. She understood that there was much more attached to that trip than simply a destination.

Since then, she has continued to encourage me and help me move forward by finding other opportunities to travel and create new experiences.

Now that I officially have my first trip under my belt with Mary, I can confidently say that she will always be my travel agent.

She has shown me professionalism and knowledge, but more importantly, she has shown me compassion and a beautiful heart. I genuinely believe she cares about me and about her clients as people, not simply as travelers.

Mary didn’t just help me book a group trip. She made the process easier, cared for my guests, supported me personally, and helped create an experience that I will always remember.

I couldn’t ask for more from a travel agent.

KarynCustom Group Trip Organizer

What began as a group of strangers became a circle of extraordinary women with whom I formed deep and meaningful connections that I know will last a lifetime.

For my birthday this year, I decided to finally take a trip I had dreamed about for years… Bali.

I found Mary through a friend who had gone on one of her trips the previous year and could not recommend her highly enough, so I signed up alongside six women I had never met before.

When friends asked me who I was traveling with, I honestly said, “I don’t know! I am traveling with six women I have never met before.”

There was some risk in saying yes to a trip with complete strangers, but it ended up being one of the greatest gifts of the experience.

What began as a group of strangers became a circle of extraordinary women with whom I formed deep and meaningful connections that I know will last a lifetime.

From the very beginning, Mary was extraordinary. She possesses every quality you could hope for in someone planning and guiding such an experience. She tends to every single detail, is incredibly attuned to how everyone is doing, and most importantly, is one of the kindest, most thoughtful human beings I have ever met.

The trip itself was the perfect blend of spiritual adventure, cultural immersion, amazing accommodations, beauty, laughter, and connection.

Experiencing the Balinese people and culture in such an authentic way deeply touched me. This journey exceeded my expectations in every possible way.

What I never anticipated was that although I began the trip with six complete strangers, I would return home with deep and profound connections to women I believe will remain in my life for years to come.

If you are considering traveling with Mary, do it! It was truly one of the most meaningful and memorable experiences of my life.

Lori W.Sacred Bali Journey

We just returned from an AmaWaterways river cruise planned by La Semilla Travel. It was an incredible experience from beginning to end! Mary was incredibly helpful, knowledgeable, and attentive to every detail.

We just returned from an AmaWaterways river cruise planned by La Semilla Travel. It was an incredible experience from beginning to end! It was the perfect combination of beautiful scenery, wonderful destinations, excellent service, and a relaxing way to travel.

The ship was beautiful and comfortable, and the staff went above and beyond to make us feel welcome. The service was outstanding, and the crew was friendly, attentive, and always ready to help. The food was delicious, with plenty of variety.

One of our favorite parts of the cruise was waking up each day to a new destination. The excursions were included, and they were a wonderful way to explore the towns and cities along the route while still having plenty of time to relax and enjoy the ship.

We couldn’t be happier with our experience with La Semilla Travel. From the very beginning, Mary was incredibly helpful, knowledgeable, and attentive to every detail. She took the time to understand what we wanted from our trip and made the entire planning process easy and stress-free.

What really stood out was her personal attention and willingness to go above and beyond to make sure everything was just right. Everything came together beautifully, and we were able to relax and enjoy our trip without worrying about the details.

We would highly recommend Mary and La Semilla Travel to anyone planning a vacation. We can’t wait to plan our next adventure!

Shelly B.AmaWaterways River Cruise Traveler

I didn’t have to worry or bother my parents with the details. Mary just took care of it.

Mary helped my extended family on a River Cruise and when things didn’t go perfectly, she was on the phone making changes with the River Cruise Line. While I went to work out, she had the issue resolved by the time I was done.

I didn’t have to worry, didn’t have to bother my parents with details… Mary just took care of it.

I would highly recommend La Semilla Travel with all our River Cruises.

If a river cruise has been on your bucket list for years, stop waiting! Book with Mary now. I guarantee you’ll be booking your second one soon.

Julie M.Family River Cruise

La Semilla Travel handled everything—from hotels, tours and transportation to visas and entry requirements. You really don’t have to think; you just show up!

A beautiful and wonderful experience in Bali!

Being a seasoned traveler around the world, nothing beats La Semilla Travel. Truly top-notch when traveling with Mary Plousha. Not once did I have to worry.

La Semilla Travel handled everything—from hotels, tours, and transportation to visas and entry requirements.

You really don’t have to think; you just show up!

Mary is always on-site and hands-on to make sure things run smoothly, with beautiful, intentional cultural experiences such as meeting a shaman, Balinese cooking classes, jewelry making, experiencing a water blessing at a holy water temple, hotel transfers, and many more.

I can’t wait for my next trip with her to Vietnam and the Christmas markets!

Kathy M.Sacred Bali Journey

Puerto Vallarta was such a wonderful getaway! Mary took care of all the details, which made it so easy to simply relax and enjoy the trip.

Puerto Vallarta was such a wonderful getaway! Mary took care of all the details, which made it so easy to simply relax and enjoy the trip. I loved being part of a group—there was always someone to explore, laugh, or share a meal with, while still having the freedom to enjoy time on my own. It was the perfect mix of fun, connection, and relaxation. I came home with great memories, feeling relaxed and recharged, and I would absolutely travel with La Semilla Travel again!

Helen W.Puerto Vallarta Group Getaway

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Planning a river cruise? Read Shelly’s full review and explore river cruises.