I’m Steve, Founder of Chosen Atlas based in Manchester, UK
Chosen Atlas is a travel design studio for LGBTQ couples and small groups who want their trips to reflect how they actually live.
People with full, busy lives who care about where they stay, what they eat, and how a place feels.
They don’t want to be rushed, managed, or folded into someone else’s idea of what a “great trip” looks like but for those LGBTQ travellers whose time is limited and standards are high.
That means thoughtful pacing, cultural depth, and experiences that feel natural rather than forced.
Why I do this
Before Chosen Atlas, I spent 10 years working as a flight attendant, travelling extensively and seeing first-hand how different destinations feel on the ground, not just how they’re marketed.
Alongside that, my background in project management means I approach travel differently. I think in terms of structure, flow, and experience, how a trip actually works in real life, not just on paper.
Over time, I realised most travel advice wasn’t designed for people like me or the people I now work with. It was either too generic, too low end, rushed, or ridiculously elitist.
Chosen Atlas came from that gap.
My approach to travel design
Most travel planning focuses on logistics, I focus on experience.
A well-designed journey doesn’t rush you from place to place. It gives you time to settle into a destination, to notice it, and to enjoy it properly whilst considering things many planners overlook:
• where conversations happen naturally
• where the best meals actually are
• how a place feels at different times of day
• whether you’ll feel comfortable there as an LGBTQ traveller
Because the right journey isn’t just about where you go, it’s about how it feels to be there.
Who I work with
Most of the people I work with are used to making considered decisions in their day-to-day lives, especially in their work, their homes, and how they spend their time.
They approach travel in the same way. They want good hotels, interesting neighbourhoods, and places where they can relax into the experience rather than rush through it.
They’re looking for depth, atmosphere, and a trip that feels aligned with their lifestyle. They love coming back with stories that feel personal, considered, and worth sharing. Not the same trip everyone else has taken, but one that reflects their taste, their curiosity, and the way they experience the world.
And often, their trips open doors to new places, and new business or career connections. My clients don’t just visit a city, but begin to feel part of it, with people and places they return to again and again.
Chosen Atlas isn’t about ticking off destinations
It’s about creating space for connection and curiosity. You get those experiences that stay with you long after you’ve returned home.
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