Arin Forstadt
Though born and raised in New York, my identity has always reached far beyond street-cart hot dogs and dollar-slice pizza. I studied abroad through Semester at Sea, earning college credits while circumnavigating the globe by ship – docking throughout Asia and Africa. I’ve had snowball fights on the slopes of Mount Fuji, wandered through the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An, and come within arm’s reach of white lions on safari in South Africa.
These kinds of experiences have shaped not just how I see the world – but how I help others see it, too. As a Travel Expert, my role is to design seamless, meaningful, and remarkable journeys. I specialize in the Indian Subcontinent, North Africa and the Middle East, and Europe – regions I know and love deeply. Whether you’re chasing a long-held dream or celebrating a milestone, I’m here to create a trip that goes far beyond the ordinary.
When I’m not traveling, you’ll usually find me planning my next adventure, writing my second novel, or on the mat practicing yoga.
'I was the only person in sight'
A closer look at SloveniaStanding in front of Lake Bled, I looked up to the castle on my right and the lake’s tiny island to my left; realizing I was the only person in sight. It was 10 am on a mid-October morning, and – after some time hiking the Julian Alps in Triglav National Park – I arrived at the lake with a day full of plans. None of them involved having one of Slovenia’s most famous sites to myself.
I walked along the Western perimeter of the lake, taking in the snowy mountaintops and rolling greenery. One private traditional pletna boat ride later and I was heading to the country’s only natural island. The air was crisp, clouds crowded my distant view, and a silence only broken by the island’s wishing bell filled my ears.
The Alps, Lakes & Ljubljana: A Luxurious Introduction to Slovenia
“Using AI To Plan Travel: Black Tomato’s New Tool May Reinvent How You Book”
“The hardest parts of travel planning is getting started. The Feelings Engine makes that feel like a game worth playing”
“Many companies brag about offering once-in-a-lifetime experiences. But with Black Tomato it’s not hyperbole”
“Black Tomato is a super innovative company where the sky is the limit for their clients”
“Black Tomato prides itself on meeting customers every minor need or desires”
“Black Tomato has made it a mission to keep the world of travel fresh, responsible, and exciting”
“Tailor-made travel experiences that truly get under the skin of a country and its people”
