Lainie Norstrud– Travel Manager

The places I’ve visited

South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Canada, Mexico, China, Bahamas, Nevis Island, United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Spain, Hungary, Ireland, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Italy, Turkey, Greece, Various parts of the USA including Hawaii.

The year I started in the business

2004

The year I started at Travel Beyond

2011

MY FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION:

Santorini, Greece– The first day I was there, I sat on the deck by the pool of my hotel and stared at the sea water below almost the entire first day. It was an amazing realization to know I was in a city on the top of a volcano rather than at the base or eye level as we are used to. I was amazed by the beauty of the white buildings and blue rooftops, and how simply romantic I felt it to be.

MY MOST MEMORABLE TRAVEL MOMENT:

Attending the closing ceremonies at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. It was so exciting to be a part of such a world-wide event where there were so many countries represented in one place at one time. It made me realize just how big the world is!

MY MOST EMBARRASSING TRAVEL MOMENT:

A co-worker and I were leading a group of wave runners with a tour group in Cabo and when we had slowed down the waves crashed our jet skis into each other. When we separated we noticed that my co-workers jet ski had left a big hole in mine. We had to report the news back to our trip lead, and although accidents happen, it was still embarrassing.

MY FAVORITE MEAL WHILE TRAVELING:

It’s difficult to choose just one food: the greek salads in Greece and the tropical fruit in Hawaii are at the top, but my favorite meal, ironically enough was at a pub I worked at called the Sun & 13 Cantons in London… the restaurant upstairs had great Thai food and the pad thai was the best I’ve ever had!