Grand Tetons National Park in Wyoming

I grew up in a small town in West Virginia in a valley surrounded by mountains. I remember so vividly the colors of fall, the beauty of fresh-fallen snow, and the simple joys of nature year-round. I didn’t have to go far to find peacefulness on country roads and in rocky streams and waterfalls. I guess that’s where my love for natural beauty started.

Fast forward to my life today. I have been an international exchange student, spending a year with a host family in Venezuela through AFS Intercultural Programs. I have been spent 12 years in the journalism field, writing and editing for both a newspaper and a national trade publication. I was a Spanish teacher for 12 years in my local school district, sharing my experiences in the hopes of inspiring young people. And I have worked to support and help volunteers and families build relationships with students from other countries through the same organization I traveled with years before. When I look back, it is clear to see that travel, intercultural education, and helping others has always been a part of who I am.

I am an empty-nester with my husband and two older daughters, all of whom are more than willing to participate in my travel adventures! Take, for example, in 2016, when we traveled to Grand Tetons National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming, for a week-long adventure out West. Because of that experience, my youngest and I also spent a week last August exploring Sedona, Ariz., the Grand Canyon, and several of the National Parks in Utah, before finishing up in Las Vegas. We even rode the Grand Canyon Railway!

My oldest daughter and I have traveled through Ireland and much of Europe together and even went on a Lindblad/National Geographic expedition cruise in Costa Rica in late 2019. She and I also traveled to Ireland on an escorted group tour and extended our stay in Dublin to experience all we could. 

One of my favorite destinations, however, has always been Western Canada. My husband and I traveled to Vancouver, Banff, and Lake Louise on an anniversary trip in 2010 aboard the Rocky Mountaineer. I think that experience is what has attracted me so much to Alaska, which is also one of my specialties. I have sailed on both Holland America and Princess as well as spent some time in Anchorage.

Since then, I have traveled on most all of the mainstream ocean cruise lines, and seen many Caribbean ports, the Panama Canal, several Sandals properties, and even spent a week in Antigua exploring different resorts. My goal has always been to educate myself so that I can educate my clients!

Learning more about the river cruises in Europe has also become a top priority for me and to that end, I attended the 1st Annual ASTA River Cruise Expo in 2022 in Budapest where I got to see and learn about the different characteristics of each cruise line... what an awesome experience! I have also sailed on both Ama Waterways and Avalon Waterways. 

My ideal clients are those leisure travelers who share this same stage in life, looking to go and see, experience something new, and learn more about the places they visit. I love to help with bucket-list destinations that feature spectacular scenery!

In addition to seeing the natural beauty throughout the world, I want my clients to experience something unique and special when they go on a trip that I have planned for them. And I want them to come back home feeling like this vacation was everything they hoped it would be… and more.

I have always been the planner in the family! I strive to find those unique experiences that really make a vacation special. I work hard to get to know my clients because “special” can mean different things to different people. And I’m a firm believer that quality is in the details, and that is something I bring to each trip I plan. I walk through every step of every itinerary in my mind to ensure that my clients experience a smooth and stress-free vacation.

I am a strong believer that education is key to making that happen and, to that end, I have completed training to become an ASTA Verified Travel Advisor (VTA) as well as a Certified Travel Associate (CTA) from The Travel Institute. I stay current by attending trade shows, have participated in a weekend training on Alaska, and done several familiarization trips.

I partner with companies that I feel confident will deliver the experiences that align with my personal approach to travel. 

It is my hope that you will give me the opportunity to show you what I can do! Whether it's a special vacation, a bucket-list destination, or a group getaway, I will provide that personal touch you can't find on the Internet. Areas of specialization include Alaska; Hawaii; Western U.S.; Canada; Ireland; European River Cruises, Land and Rail Tours; and Australia/New Zealand. I am also open to finding the best values on vacation packages and cruises in the Caribbean and other parts of the world.