How does your cultural heritage and personal travel experiences help when planning travel for your clients?

I was born and raised in Australia. During my life, I have traveled extensively throughout Australia. I took an entire gap year to explore the country and since then I have lived, studied, and worked in various Australian cities and explored their surrounds. 

I have had the privilege of experiencing much that Australian tourism offers. I have snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef, ridden camels in Alice Springs, witnessed the changing hues of Uluru, experienced Aboriginal life, and swam in waterholes you would never expect to find in the Outback. I found a platypus in the wild, sat where the oldest rainforest in the world meets the ocean, saw dingoes on the beach, and wrestled a crocodile (kidding, I haven’t wrestled a crocodile...yet). Chances are if there is a place you want to see in Australia, I have been there or, even better, lived there. 

I have also traveled throughout New Zealand. I have enjoyed the city of Auckland, experienced Māori culture and been impressed by the hot springs of Rotorua. I based myself in Queenstown to experience the stunning fiords of Milford Sound and traveled across the south island to appreciate the breathtaking scenery and the unique heritage of Christchurch.

Having traveled extensively throughout Australia and New Zealand 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 in Australia. 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, including Australia and New Zealand.

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.

As Australia and NZ are my niche, I am very committed to staying up-to-date on products including new and exciting experiences for my clients. I continuously train with Tourism Australia and Tourism NZ. I am qualified as an "Aussie Specialist" and a "100% Pure New Zealand Silver Specialist". I also attend trade shows and other events where I continue learn from the best in the business.  

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?

Having traveled to more than 30 countries myself, 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 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 were magnificent. These days there are so many images of amazing destinations, but I truly believe there is nothing better than experiencing travel. The sights, sounds, tastes, people met, feelings generated, and memories created are what makes travel so special.