Meeting Csilla Dali: The Story and Soul of Evyssa Vacations

My journey into the travel industry wasn’t planned, it was fate. While waitressing in North Carolina, I served a guest who turned out to be the North American Sales Representative for Lufthansa Airlines. By the end of her meal, she offered me a job at an international travel agency in Miami. That moment changed the course of my life.

In Miami, I immersed myself in the intricacies of the industry, airfare, ticketing, group travel. Two years later, I was sent to Chicago to open a new branch of the agency. By 2009, during the economic downturn, I took the leap and opened my own company. At first, it was a practical business, helping European expats book tickets back home, but my heart knew there was more to give.

For a decade, I grew my first agency, Global Voyages Inc., through referrals and loyalty. I added vacation packages and custom itineraries, visited over 30 countries myself, and built a network of trusted local partners. The business thrived, but I often felt a tug, an urge to create something more personal, more meaningful.

When the pandemic hit in 2020, everything stopped. I worked around the clock to ensure every client was refunded or credited, and then, for the first time in years, I paused. With a newborn baby at home and the gift of reflection, I asked myself what kind of company I wanted to lead.

The answer became Evyssa Vacations: a boutique,founder-led agency dedicated to curating travel that transforms, inspires, and connects.

Evyssa is about more than luxury, it’s about care. We work with a select number of clients because every journey is personal to us. We listen deeply, design creatively, and manage every logistical detail so our travelers can live fully in the moment.

Our workflow is meticulous yet invisible. From discovery calls and custom itineraries to 24/7 support on the ground, our clients know they’re never alone. Fast responses, proactive problem-solving, and a commitment to excellence define how we work.

But what truly sets us apart is the heart we pour into every trip. For us, this isn’t about transactions; it’s about relationships. Many of our clients return year after year, bringing their families and friends, because they know we don’t just plan travel, we craft experiences that feel singular.

One couple who had trusted me for years asked me to surprise them with a completely secret itinerary. With full creative control, I designed a winter mystery trip that unfolded like a storybook: castle stays, glacier helicopter flights, dog sledding, hot springs, and hand-curated culinary adventures.

To make it even more engaging, I created a custom scavenger hunt with daily “missions,” narrated by their beloved travel mascot, a little Minion figurine named Mr. Stuart. Each morning, they received playful instructions that guided them through discoveries, turning their trip into an adventure layered with surprise and delight.

It was a joy to design, but even more meaningful was the trust they placed in me. That trust is at the heart of Evyssa.

Travel has transformed me, from a girl in Transylvania dreaming of distant horizons to a woman who has built a life around helping others see the world. With Evyssa, my hope is simple: to share that transformation. To design journeys that reflect who you are, who you want to become, and how you want to connect with the world.

We do this by keeping our scale intentionally small, by investing in relationships with local partners and communities, and by ensuring that your time is never wasted. The planning is seamless. The experiences are authentic. The memories last for decades.

Our clients return to us not because we sell them the “nicest hotel” or “the fanciest package,” but because they feel seen, heard, and cared for. They know we’ll anticipate their needs, champion their preferences, and always deliver more than what’s on the page of an itinerary.

Many describe working with us as having a trusted friend who just happens to know every detail about how to make travel extraordinary. That’s the relationship I treasure, and the legacy I want Evyssa to build.

Evyssa Vacations is my life’s work, born of resilience, curiosity, and love for this beautiful world. For me, travel is not just about where you go, but how you feel while you’re there, and how those moments stay with you forever.

If you’re ready for journeys designed with heart, precision, and imagination, I’d be honored to welcome you into the Evyssa family.