Why Travel Beyond
Travel Beyond provides me with world knowledge that I would never have otherwise gotten and keeps me up-to-date on world news as well. It also allows me to travel to places that I have always dreamed of visiting but likely would not have had the opportunity to go to if I wasn’t in the industry. My co-workers are some of the best people out there, and we have created a powerful work environment and team – and we know how to have lots of fun together!
Destinations Visited
Africa: Botswana, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and Uganda
Latin America: Chile
Southeast Asia: Indonesia
Additional Countries: Belgium, Canada, Greece, Italy, Mexico, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Trinidad
Education
BA in Psychology and Spanish, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
Career History
I actually started as an intern at Travel Beyond during my college’s summer and winter breaks, and after graduating couldn’t see myself launching my career anywhere else. Within my first year of full-time employment, I was fortunate enough to embark on my first trip to Africa; and following that trip, as my passion for travel and travel planning grew, I knew this was what I wanted to do long-term. While at Travel Beyond, I have worked my way through a few positions and am now contributing to operations decisions and training for growth within our sales team. It brings me joy to help others and ensure our clients’ trips are not just once-in-a-lifetime.
Where I’ve Lived Abroad
Seville, Spain
Most Memorable Travel Experience
My first trip back to Africa after Covid was my honeymoon to Kenya. Finally being able to travel again, plus showing my husband what these trips to Africa are all about, was such a special experience. I loved seeing the joy it brought him. We enjoyed visiting Nairobi, Chyulu Hills, Amboseli National Park, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, and the Mara North Conservancy on our 11-day journey. The diverse landscapes and various animals we were fortunate to see make Kenya my favorite country to visit and recommend to other travelers. His favorite part of the trip was the many cats we saw and learning about the local way of life as told by our guides at each camp.
Recommended Right Now
For those planning their first African adventure, I would recommend a South Africa safari along with touring in Cape Town. It’s a great introduction to wildlife and game viewing experiences. Plus, you have a high propensity to see the Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo) within one or two game drives. Adding on time in Cape Town is also a must, as you can explore the city’s beautiful sights, enjoy fine cuisine, and sample all the wines you can imagine!
For those looking for a combination of great animal viewing and cultural experiences, then Kenya is my recommended country to visit. Often the guides are from local villages and are able to discuss animal/bird facts as well as interesting anecdotes about their upbringing.
My Most Recent Trip
In the beginning of June, I traveled to Uganda with my colleague, Elle Ervin, and another travel advisor we work closely with. This trip focused not on safari game drives for a change, but spending time with primates! We experienced two days of chimpanzee treks in Kibale National Park, two days of gorilla treks in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in the Buhoma and Ruhija sectors of the park, as well as one day of golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga National Park. While the roads were quite bumpy throughout the country, we enjoyed seeing these areas and how people live along the way! I can still hear the endearing local children greeting us excitedly with “Hi!” or “How are you?” as we drove by.
Favorite Properties
Tierra Patagonia
Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
After visiting a few hotels in the park, I can confidently say that this was my favorite place to lay my head after a full day of excursions. From the variety of excursions to the memorable meals & service, this hotel is sure to make you feel a level of luxury you’ve been waiting for! I thoroughly enjoyed spending time in the heated indoor infinity pool, steam room, and outdoor hot tub at sunset to enjoy the views of the Paine Massif and relax my muscles after a tough hike!
Ol Donyo Lodge
Chyulu Hills, Kenya
This beautiful lodge sitting hillside between Tsavo and Amboseli National Parks is the perfect addition to the beginning of your journey in Kenya. While visiting on my honeymoon, some of my favorite parts of our stay was visiting the permanent hide to watch animals take turns drinking water, sleeping under the stars on our skybed above the spacious suite, and taking a day trip to see the Big Tusker elephants in the nearby Amboseli National Park. We thoroughly enjoyed learning about the ways of the Maasai culture from our guide, Dan, as well!