Mission-First Planning
Every itinerary starts with the objective: what do you actually want this trip to feel like? We work backward from there, the way the Navy works backward from a mission brief — not forward from a brochure.
Our Story
About Lifetime Getaways
Meet the Founder
Michael Podina
Virtuoso Travel Advisor • Navy Veteran
Travel has always been at the heart of everything Michael does. His journey began during military service in Italy, where he discovered an unshakable passion for exploration and cultural immersion. Following his Navy career, he transformed that passion into a profession — founding Lifetime Getaways in 2008 as a dedicated luxury travel advisory.
As a Virtuoso Travel Advisor, Michael leverages worldwide connections and partnerships to craft custom itineraries tailored to each client's unique preferences. From your favorite pillow to your preferred room location, no detail is too small.
His philosophy is simple: "Life is short. Find the true value in making memories at every opportunity." That guiding principle drives every consultation, every itinerary, and every journey he plans.
Proudly Veteran-Owned
Service. Discipline. Trust.
Lifetime Getaways was founded by Michael Podina, a United States Navy veteran. The discipline, attention to detail, and commitment to service excellence Michael learned during his military career are the same principles he brings to every client itinerary — from the first discovery call to the moment you return home.
Veteran-owned isn’t a marketing line for us. It’s a worldview. When you hand us your trip, you’re trusting a team that takes ownership of the mission, sweats the operational details no one else thinks about, and never bails when the weather changes.
Since 2008, that’s how we’ve built a client base of travelers who book with us once and never go back to doing it alone.
Operational Discipline
Transfers timed to the minute. Reservations confirmed twice. Backup options ready before you ever ask. The reason your trip feels effortless is that the planning behind it isn’t.
Integrity, Always
We tell you when a property is overrated, when a date is wrong for a destination, and when an upgrade isn’t worth the spend. Straight talk is part of the service — not the exception to it.
The Virtuoso Difference
Access You Can't Get Anywhere Else
Lifetime Getaways is a member of Virtuoso, the leading global network of travel experts and agencies specializing in luxury travel. That membership unlocks an entire layer of the travel industry that public booking sites simply do not see — rates, suites, perks, and relationships built over decades.
Virtuoso-affiliated advisors are among the most well-traveled professionals on the planet, and we draw on personal contacts at 1,000+ airlines, cruise lines, hotels, resorts, and premier destinations worldwide when shaping every itinerary — from a long weekend to the trip of a lifetime.
Lifetime Getaways is also a Forbes Travel Guide–endorsed agency through our affiliation with Travel Experts — a distinction reserved for advisors who meet the standards of the organization behind the world’s original Five-Star hospitality ratings.
Exclusive Member Perks
- Complimentary breakfast for two daily
- Room or suite upgrades subject to availability
- Food, beverage & spa credits at premier properties
- Early check-in and late check-out when available
- Personalized welcome amenities at participating hotels
- VIP recognition with hotel and cruise partners
These benefits add up to hundreds of dollars in real value from day one of your trip — and they cannot be found anywhere else.
What Sets Us Apart
The Lifetime Getaways Difference
Veteran-Owned
Founded by a Navy veteran who brings military discipline, attention to detail, and commitment to service excellence to every trip.
Virtuoso Network
Access to 1,700+ luxury properties worldwide with exclusive perks: complimentary breakfast, resort credits, room upgrades, and more.
Personal Touch
We build lasting relationships with every traveler. Your advisor knows your preferences, anticipates your needs, and crafts experiences just for you.
24/7 Support
From departure to return, your advisor is on call. Flight cancelled? Hotel issue? We handle it instantly so you can keep enjoying your trip.
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Schedule a complimentary consultation and discover what personalized luxury travel planning can do for you.
Get in Touch