Ann Coleman– Travel Consultant

THE PLACES I’VE VISITED

Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Belize, Canada, the Caribbean, Croatia, England, France, Guatemala, Hawaii, India, Indonesia, Italy, Nepal, Netherlands, Mexico, Peru, Singapore, Spain

THE YEAR I STARTED IN THE BUSINESS

2005

THE YEAR I STARTED WITH TRAVEL BEYOND

2011

THE THINGS I ENJOY MOST ABOUT CONSULTING

Helping clients complete the puzzle that is their trip; most of the time they have an idea of where they want to go and what they want to do, but they don’t necessarily know how to make it work. I love being able to come in and use my experience and knowledge to put the pieces together to create a fantastic adventure!

MY MOST MEMORABLE TRAVEL MOMENT

It’s cheesy but still one of my most memorable moments is when my husband proposed at Machu Picchu with a ring pop. I love candy and he didn’t want to travel with the real ring. I thought that was absolutely perfect!

MY FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION

My favorite place that is near:
Luchon, France: Luchon is a little mountain town tucked away in the Pyrenees about 20KM from the Spanish boarder in the southwest corner of France. It’s a great area for hiking, biking, rafting, canyoning and just exploring the area in general. The people who live there are all like–minded and love to get out and do, no matter what the doing is. It doesn’t hurt that the scenery is gorgeous and the food and wine are fabulous.

My favorite place that is far:
Nepal: I spent a month trekking to Everest Base Camp in 2010 and loved every single minute and every single step. The beauty of the Himalaya region is mind–blowing and seriously unbelievable. The people we encountered couldn’t have been more accepting and gracious. The culture is truly one of a kind and it was so unique to be in a place so revered by its inhabitants.

MY MOST EMBARRASSING TRAVEL MOMENT

I don’t get embarrassed very easily, so I don’t really have any good ones, but I am notoriously clumsy while hiking for some reason and constantly trip and fall. Luckily I have never seriously hurt myself (knock on wood)! A few years ago I was hiking with my husband in the Pyrenees, it was one of our first trips together in a region that I was familiar with so I was feeling pretty cool and confident that day, if not a little cocky. We were hiking along and of course I tripped. I fell sort of upside down. While it wouldn’t have been that big of deal, the top of my pack wasn’t cinched shut so half of our food and water went tumbling down the hill. To make matters worse, our 5–hour hike turned into a 9–hour hike due to my subpar navigational skills. By the time we got back to the car we were famished due of course to our diet that day of an apple. Needless to say, I treated for dinner that night.

MY FAVORITE MEAL WHILE TRAVELING

Chicken Rice from a Hawker Center in Singapore. Hands down the best thing I have ever eaten. It looks so blah and boring, just white skinless chicken on top of white rice and a side dish of soy sauce, but it is the most amazing thing EVER! I’m not sure how they make it (not sure I want to know), but it’s so flavorful and so good; the chicken melts just in your mouth. I was in Singapore for three days and ate it like 6 times. Secretly I think about it all the time. I wish I could have it every day. I want some now!