Living and traveling overseas has given me a very different perspective and I would not trade that experience for anything. I find cultural differences fascinating and have seen that knowing even a few words and niceties goes a long way in creating connections when you are abroad.  

When I plan your trip, I make sure you are in the know about basics such as how and when to tip, and I can suggest fun ways to engage with locals around your shared interests. As a veteran traveler, I also know the value of paying attention to every detail, from how to get from the airport to your hotel to the type of insurance you need to rent a car as well as driving times and suggested stops for each day’s outings. Even before becoming a professional travel advisor, I was the go-to person when my friends and family were planning their trips. 

My first travel agent job was at a small travel agency, but I realized that I was unable to offer my clients all they deserved. Being a Protravel advisor gives me access to amazing advantages for my clients. Through Protravel and its membership in Virtuoso, I can provide you with value-added amenities such as free breakfasts and Wi-Fi and spa or food credits at most of the top hotels and cruise lines. 

Additionally, Protravel’s reputation and clout give me a leg-up in sorting things out when your flights are canceled or delayed or you are looking for hard-to-obtain reservations for a show or in-demand restaurant. 

Protravel does a great job of keeping its agents up to the minute on the latest trends in hotels, airlines, resorts, and opportunities for new activities and experiences. Plus, top vendors often come to the office so we have the chance to personally meet with representatives of hotels, cruise lines, and tour operators that we book. That means that as my client, you will be treated much differently than someone who comes through an online booking or a small, unaffiliated agency. With some hotels, I can even arrange for upgraded accommodations at no added cost.  

Most importantly, I can help you avoid the mistakes many travelers make when booking on their own. For example, looking at a four-star hotel listing, you often cannot tell from the words or the pictures that the hotel should really be rated as a two-star or that the employees are rude and uncaring. Plus, if you are traveling overseas and have a problem, I am there for you, whether it is sorting out what to do about your lost passport, or figuring out what to do if there are weather-related issues.   

I first got hooked on travel when I started traveling to Asia with my husband for business. Our first trip was to Japan, where I came to appreciate how thoughtful and considerate many of the customs are. You do not just flip your business to people sitting around a table; in most of Asia, you hold your card in two hands and present it as you would a gift, and you treat the cards you receive with equal respect. It is also customary to bring a small gift if you are meeting with someone in their office or home.  

I especially love discovering the differences in everyday life when I visit a new part of the world. I like to visit the markets and grocery stores and see how people live. Often their version of fast food is much healthier than ours, and the smells, flavors, and foods and the way they are set out is different reflects their culture. A great way to experience this is to take a cooking class with a local that starts with shopping at the market and ends with a family meal in their home. I can set you up with someone who speaks English and can provide insights into their history as well as the cuisine. 

Whether you are going to Vancouver in Canada or Vanuatu in the South Pacific, I would love to be your travel advisor and create a trip that suits your budget and fulfills your dreams.

Making travel stress free

"I will never do a trip like this again without using you as our travel agent. Having the airport service was wonderful, especially when we landed in Jakarta. It would have been stressful trying to figure out how to get to the correct terminal and our hotel."