When did you start traveling and where have you been?

I was born and raised in Australia. At age 20, I took my first self-planned overseas trip to Bali and from that point onwards was compelled to use all my vacation time to see as much of the world as I could. I have traveled most of Australia, trekked through Southeast Asia, and visited New Zealand. I have explored many European countries as well as England, Turkey, Cyprus, Mexico, much of the Carribean, Costa Rica, and Papua New Guinea. 

Having traveled extensively is undoubtedly helpful when planning my clients' trips or giving recommendations. However, the real value that I give my clients is treating their trip as unique and personal and investing the time into researching and curating travel components specifically tailored for them.

How did travel become your career?

With a Masters in Psychology, my professional career began as a counselor. While I loved working with and helping people, I longed to share my love and experience of travel with others, so I pivoted and completed certification in Travel and Tourism. Shortly thereafter, I landed a job as Director of Group Travel for an agency in Chicago, where I spent many years planning travel around the world.

After taking a hiatus from the industry to raise a family, Travitect grew from a desire to blend my life’s experience of travel with my travel industry experience to create a travel planning service that specifically caters to busy people who are looking for extraordinary travel experiences.

What do you love about travel planning?

Travel offers infinite opportunities for enrichment, personal growth, celebration, bonding with loved ones, and making new friends. I love to work with my clients to create travel experiences that are meaningful to them. I enjoy getting know my clients, understanding their travel goals, and adding value to their trip by making suggestions that they may have never thought of. 

I take pride in a level of service that is responsive and streamlined. I always enjoy a challenge and am obsessed with the details of each trip I plan. Travel is such a part of who I am and what I do so I am thrilled to help others get out and experience the world.

What is your travel philosophy?

I understand what it is like to be a visitor in a foreign country and what makes for an incredible journey. While I love to see the icons of a country, city, or state, I most enjoy an authentic and immersive experience where I really get to understand the culture through the people, food, and local attractions. 

It is a real connection to the destination that I strive for when planning itineraries for my clients. I want my clients to come home having not only having had an extraordinary vacation but with wonderful visceral memories that last a lifetime.

What is your favorite place to visit?

I get asked this question a lot and I always struggle to answer because each place I have visited has, in one way or another, enriched my life. I love variety in experience so when I have visited one destination, I often choose a completely different one next.

So, to answer the question, my favorite place to visit is anywhere that takes me out of my comfort zone, that challenges me to experience new things, and ignites my senses. 

What is the most breathtaking travel experience you have had?

Seeing Uluru in the Outback of Australia for the first time literally took my breath away. I had seen so many photos of it and thought I would be mildly impressed but seeing Uluru in person, witnessing its magnitude, feeling the sacredness of the site, and enjoying its changing hues throughout the day was magnificent. 

What was the most unique property you have ever stayed at?

Staying in a cave hotel in Cappadocia, Turkey was quite unique. Other than the peculiar experience of sleeping in a cave, learning the history of cave dwelling over centuries in the region was fascinating.  

List three trips you would like to do but haven’t yet?

1. An African safari has always been a dream of mine. Wildlife safaris where you see animals in their natural environment is so interesting and exhilarating and what better place to do that than in Africa?  

2. Morocco has always intrigued me. I am dying to visit the blue-washed old city of Chefchaouen and the colorful markets of Marrakech.  

3. More recently, I have become interested in doing a Danube River Cruise, visiting the parts of Europe I have not been to yet such as Hungary, Czech Republic, Romania, and Slovakia. The ease of doing a small ship cruise sounds like a relaxing way to see the beauty of the region.