Episode 116- Riya Kurian

In this episode, Sara has a heartfelt conversation with Riya Kurian, founder of Next Horizon, about what it really means to step off the beaten path—both in travel and in life. Riya shares her journey from the traditional career expectations placed on her as a first-generation Indian-American to finding freedom, clarity, and joy through solo travel and building her own business. Together, they explore how travel can be an act of self-discovery, why intentionality matters when curating experiences, and the courage it takes to choose yourself even when it defies convention.

Riya Kurian is the founder of Next Horizon, a boutique travel company that designs personalized, intentional European trips for clients ranging from honeymooners and first-time travelers to solo adventurers and luxury seekers. A former attorney and first-generation Indian-American, Riya left behind a career that looked successful on paper but never felt aligned, choosing instead to follow the clarity she found through solo travel and living abroad. Today, she draws on her cultural knowledge, lived experiences, and gift for thoughtful curation to create one-of-a-kind itineraries that go beyond surface-level sightseeing, inspiring others to choose themselves, trust their gut, and embrace the unknown.