Why Travel Beyond

Growing up in an adventurous family, I had the opportunity to travel during school vacations. These experiences fostered a love of exploration that has manifested in my life in many ways, from choosing to work at a school focused on the idea of a “global student” to pursuing interests in photography and writing. Travel Beyond presented me with the opportunity to turn my passion into my profession, something that seemed too good to be true. I’m excited by the prospect of helping others fall in love with travel as I have and to see firsthand the power it possesses: to shape perspectives, to build bridges, and to ultimately change lives.

Destinations Visited

Africa: Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Kenya, Morocco
Latin America: Ecuador & Galapagos Islands, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay, Panama, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Belize, Mexico, Antarctica
Southeast Asia: Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Indonesia (Bali, Lombok, Flores)
Additional countries: Jordan, India, Japan, Taiwan, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Australia, New Zealand Canada, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ireland, England, France, Germany, Luxemburg, Belgium, Netherlands, Spain, Austria, Germany, Italy, Iceland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Greece, Bosnia, Croatia, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates

Education

BA in US History, with a minor in Education from Bowdoin College

Career History

I spent nine years working in the field of education, as both a primary school teacher and administrator, before deciding to pursue my interest in travel.

Where I’ve Lived Abroad

I spent a summer working in Cusco, Peru and then subsequently studied in Buenos Aires, Argentina for a semester. I also spent a summer working in India.

Most Memorable Travel Experience

While I’ve loved every travel experience, I have ultimately narrowed it down to two.

The first would have to be Antarctica. It had been on my bucket list forever and after years of pestering my parents, they finally agreed. So, following a few days in Buenos Aires, wandering through my old stomping grounds, we set off for the Frozen Continent. Each moment of the trip was everything I’d imagined and more: humpback whales bubble net feeding, their open mouths emerging from below the water’s surface; chinstrap and gentoo penguins cuddling alongside their adorably fluffy chicks; two pods of orcas just off the bow, swimming through water shining gold in the setting sun; boating through a sea of icebergs and alongside jagged peaks coated in snow. All I can say is, ten days wasn’t nearly long enough.

The other took place my final morning at Explora Lodge in Chile’s Patagonia National Park, when I set off on foot and alone to hopefully spot a puma—the elusive feline whose population has steadily increased in the region due to the incredible conservation efforts of Rewilding Chile. After no more than ten minutes walking, not more than half a mile from my room, I heard a group of nearby guanacos (similar to a llama) sounding an alarm. Clearly agitated, I knew there had to be something, somewhere, that was making them nervous. And sure enough, less than 100 yards to my left, out from behind a rustling bush, emerged a solitary puma. I stood absolutely astounded, at both its beauty and my good fortune, when to my utter disbelief a second and then third puma appeared (a mother and two grown cubs, I’d later learn). Here I was, without another human in sight, surrounded by pristine mountains, guanaco alarm bells carrying in the breeze, watching not just one, but three pumas expertly maneuver through the brush. I’ve never been in such awe of the natural world and its ability to rejuvenate itself in my entire life!

My Most Recent Trip

Namibia, March 2023

Namibia had been on my bucket list since college and in March of 2023, I finally made my way to this otherworldly destination. Arriving eager to experience Namibia’s world-renowned sand dunes, I soon found myself in awe of and fully immersed into a country boasting incredible diversity of experience, landscape and, most surprisingly, wildlife. While in Sossusvlei, I hot air ballooned over the Namib Rand Desert, the oldest in the world and hiked up Big Daddy, to take in the surrounding red terrain and then run straight down into Deadvlei. Along the skeleton coast, I quad biked across breathtakingly white and immensely tall dunes and enjoyed a scenic flight over rusted shipwrecks. Venturing to Damaraland, I encountered a herd of desert adapted elephants and took in a spectacular sunset, one that coated the sky in every shade of pink. Etosha and Ongava brought me up close to lion cubs playing and black rhinos fighting each other and a herd of elephants over access to a watering hole. I even encountered an incredibly rare pangolin. Namibia exposed me to so much more than I had expected and I could not have asked for—nor imagined—a more magical adventure!

Chile, November 2022

This past November, I ventured to Chile alongside my coworker Kayla Torgerson, and over the course of twelve days we fully immersed ourselves into the country’s incredible landscapes. Our adventure began at Hotel Mari Mari situated along a stretch of jaw-droppingly beautiful coastline. While here, we set off on treks through dense forest and along pristine beaches and enjoyed a full day fly fishing excursion on the Maullin River. It was then off to Explora Lodge in Patagonia National Park, a region unrivaled in its mountain vistas and untamed wildness. From sighting puma to trekking along an alpine lake to kayaking through turquoise water, it proved impossible to not fall in love with the park and deeply appreciate the conservationists striving to protect its majestic landscapes. Our trip then wound down in the Lakes District, with time in both Puerto Varas and Pucon. The activities available had us seeing and experiencing it all– be it exploring temporal forests on horseback to playing the traditional Mapuche game of palin. And all done with stunning snow-capped volcanoes as a backdrop. I could not have hoped for a better trip!

Favorite Properties

Singita Sweni—South Africa

Singita Sweni is the ideal combination of service, luxury, and activity. Located in its own private concession, you have access to incredible wildlife and the opportunity to explore both in a vehicle and on foot. The landscape is wild and rugged, which pairs perfectly with the comforts of camp. Each room also offers the option to bathe and sleep outdoors, allowing you to feel fully immersed in nature throughout your stay.

Duba Plains– Botswana

This camp offers everything one could want while on safari. It’s décor—copper fixtures, leather couches, and intricate rugs– transports you back in time, making you feel like an intrepid explorer. The camp’s culinary team provides gourmet meals, made from the freshest ingredients, and even offer an interactive dining experience. And the wildlife. From rhinoceros to malachite kingfishers and everything in between, you have a chance to spot so many interesting species. Plus, with water year-round, you can always hop on a boat cruise or do some fishing! Duba Plains truly has it all!

Explora Patagonia National Park– Chile

For someone who loves the mountains, and enjoys nothing more than feeling entirely surrounded by nature, there is no better place to stay. Located in one of Chile’s newest national parks, while here you can’t help but feel deeply connected to the land and to the incredible conservation initiatives in place to protect it. Pair that with the opportunity to hike its various trails and kayak crystaline waters, and the lodge is every outdoor enthusiast’s dream. Explora’s impeccable service, exceptional guiding, and delicious food only add to the experience, making it a destination you’ll never want to leave!

San Camp—Botswana

There is no more unique location than the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans and San Camp offers the perfect place from which to explore this vast ecosystem. Situated just on the Pan’s edge, you can drive, ride, or even quad bike out into the landscape (weather permitting), appreciating the total silence that arises as you venture farther afield. Rare species such as aardvark and brown hyena make an appearance, most often in the evening, while a family of habituated meerkats offer an adorable up-close animal encounter. The camp itself—with its white tents and Moroccan inspired decoration– only adds to this often-otherworldly experience.

Kwessi Dunes– Namibia

Surrounded by sand and mountains,  Kwessi Dunes immediately immerses visitors into the beauty that is the Namib Rand Desert.  Each of its twelve rooms boasts both an indoor and outdoor bed, allowing for nights to be spent out under the incredible night sky. With a watering hole out front, you can spot mountain zebras, ostriches, jackals and oryx coming for a drink. And if you’re really lucky, they might even approach the pool as you are swimming! It is undoubtedly an ideal place from which to explore and to truly feel the magic of Sossusvlei.

Uma by COMO, Ubud – Bali

This property is an ideal Indonesian retreat. Whether you book a standard room, suite, or one of the private villas, you can’t help but relax. Fill your days with complimentary yoga classes, a massage, or simply a soak in one of the property’s pools. And for those who want more adventure, there are morning walks, along with a handful of excursions to choose between, including cultural and culinary tours.