One of the most asked questions I am asked is “how did you get into the travel business”. It is pretty easy to see that travel has always been a part of my life. My first major trip was to the Bahamas when I was three, but only because my parents (mom) did not want to leave me when they were invited by friends to their home. I still remember small snippets of that trip – like holding a baby goat, my dad drinking from a fresh coconut that someone climbed a tree to get (and remember wanting to climb that tree!), and laying in the small wade pools in a t-shirt belonging to my dad.
When I was in 5th grade our family spent a few weeks in England over Christmas. That was the first time I was not in my own bed on Christmas morning. Which has only happened twice in my life. While I love traveling, Christmas is one time I do not want to travel. I enjoy waking up in my own bed that special morning. My goal that trip was find and eat a crumpet. Mainly because of an Alice in Wonderland TV show I would watch every morning before school. I did find and eat one – but was left disappointed at the cold, spongy pancake.
During middle and high school I spent a few of those summers in Europe due to my dad’s job. During those summers, while my dad was working, my mom and I would explore the rest of the continent on our own. The joke is that at 13 and 14 I was planning our daily route around Europe while my mom was checking what all would fall into the budget – and she will still follow any itineraries I plan for our families.
My junior year of high school I took a school trip to Europe. Most of the places we went to I had been before. Which was evident when our bus driver got lost in Barcelona and I started giving him directions on how to get to one of the museums. Have I mentioned I have a phenominal memory with directions? Probably one of my greatest assets, but also I am more than willing to ask strangers for directions when I am completely lost in a new place.
During college I worked the front desk of a hotel. Thanks to having the hotel chain discount I would plan weekend adventures with friends. Fun places to go and being able to stay for a fraction of the price!
So you could say that travel is just part of what built me. It only made sense that I would create a way to work in the travel industry in some way. I love exploring new places, rarely returning to a place again. I cannot wait to take my family to Europe and see how much has progressed since I was there last, but we also have a deal that I get to see at least one new place for every place I return. It is true that you need to find something you love and you will never feel like you are working. That is absolutely the travel business for me.