Why Travel Beyond

At its heart, Travel Beyond is a family business – and my colleagues and I all truly feel like family. We support each other and celebrate our successes. When one of us needs ideas or advice, we are all there to assist. We all continually challenge each other to look for fresh and creative ways to serve our clients. I am fortunate to work with the best of the best in the travel industry. I learn something new every single day I am here!

Destinations Visited

Africa: Botswana, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Arctic: Svalbard (Norway)
South America: Peru, Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands
Additional countries: Antigua, Barbados, Belgium, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Dominica, France, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Puerto Rico, St. Barts, United Arab Emirates.

Education

BA, Public Relations & Communications, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities

Career History

Over the course of my career, I have held a variety of marketing, communications and branding positions – but my love for communications goes all the way back to when I was a kid and I first fell in love with the written word (I may have been born holding a pen and paper, because I just don’t remember a time when I wasn’t writing!). My job at Travel Beyond has been especially rewarding because I get to support and grow our incredible brand as we delight our customers in each of our core destinations.

Most Memorable Travel Experience

It’s hard to top a person’s first visit to Africa – and my trip was no exception. The experience is still top of mind, even though my trip was over eight years ago. I fondly remember sitting safely on the deck at a camp in South Africa with some friends. In the quiet of the night, we sipped champagne and watched a young (naughty!) bull elephant eat his way through the camp’s carefully groomed plants and trees. It was so funny (and, yes, a little self-indulgent on my part!), but mostly, it was a reminder about the strength and beauty of these creatures. There was no mistaking that we were the visitors here and this was HIS place.

My Most Recent Trips

THE ARCTIC

In June of 2024, I had the opportunity to explore the rugged arctic beauty of Svalbard. Svalbard is a remote Arctic archipelago and I loved learning about the region’s wildlife, culture and landscapes. I loved trying a number of new experiences for me, such as an ATV excursion and a dog wagon ride (sleds weren’t possible due to the lack of snow). A highlight was visiting the northernmost brewery in the world and dining at some excellent local restaurants. A boat trip in search of the elusive walrus added to the adventure, though spotting the charming Svalbard reindeer was particularly memorable. These smaller, uniquely adapted reindeer differ from the ones in storybooks and they definitely captured my heart. Svalbard offers a mix of thrill and serenity, leaving me with a deeper appreciation for this Arctic wonderland.

AFRICA

In February 2024, I visited Tanzania. I was so excited to travel to East Africa for the first time! My trip started out with a day in Arusha, where I spent time meeting some of the dogs at the Kuru Dog Program and learning to make beaded jewelry at Sidai Designs. We then headed to Tarangire National Park. It was fun to begin our exploration in this incredible area and it certainly did not disappoint. We stayed at Kuro Tarangire Camp, which was a beautiful and comfortable place from which to explore. Next, we were off to the Ngorongoro Crater, which I liken to a living museum with incredible animals in a place of awesome natural beauty. We stayed at the beautiful Entamanu  Ngorongoro Lodge, which is situated on the crater’s rim and offered jaw-dropping views directly from our personal deck. Finally, it was off to Serengeti National Park. Our visit coincided with the arrival of the Great Migration of zebra and wildebeest, and with it, lots of baby animals! We stayed at Serengeti Safari Camp, a mobile camp that packs up and moves to follow the migration throughout the Serengeti. It was magical to be so close to the action! Traveling when the earth is green and lush makes your photos pop with color and adds additional challenge and fun to animal sightings.

SOUTH AMERICA

In May 2022, I visited Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. We spent our first two days exploring the country’s capital of Quito. The city’s charming 16^th century old town is a quaint step back into the days of narrow cobblestone streets lined with beautifully maintained businesses and houses. Quito is a must see and a great launching point from which to head to the Galapagos. On arrival in the islands, I was thrilled with the wildlife experience, primarily because of our proximity to the animals in their natural settings. It was an incredible experience, seeing all of these unique and special animals. After the Galapagos, we were able to enjoy two magical days at Hacienda Zuleta, in the Ecuadorian highlands. Hacienda Zuleta has 21 rooms, each of which is uniquely appointed with beautiful décor and its own wood-burning fireplace, stoked as often as you request. There are plenty of relaxing areas to sit, and a library filled with hundreds of fascinating old books from the family’s personal library. Outside, the property is full of flowers and gardens. Activities abound and you can try your hand at everything from horseback riding to trout fishing.

Favorite Properties

Victoria Falls River Lodge

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

My first trip to Africa included a visit to the Victoria Falls River Lodge. This beautiful property sits on the banks of the Zambezi River, just far enough from the city of Victoria Falls to get a real sense of the ecosystem in that portion of the country. The lodge management is very sensitive to the footprint they are leaving in the park and work to minimize the impact on the natural activities of the animals. They strive to find ways to make the property blend seamlessly into the natural environment, while simultaneously achieving a luxurious and comfortable lodge experience.

Hacienda Zuleta

Imbabura, Ecuador

Just two hours outside of Ecuador’s capital city of Quito, you will find Hacienda Zuleta. Located in the Andean Highlands, the hacienda welcomes you warmly and gives you an immediate feeling of peace – as if you have just returned home. I stayed at Zuleta after a Galapagos Island cruise and it was the perfect way to enjoy my last few days in Ecuador. The Hacienda is beautiful, with cozy rooms that are simply but tastefully decorated. Dining areas are quaint and comfortable and the food (sourced locally) is some of the best I have ever had. You will love sampling the various cheeses they produce on site! There is much to see and do and with its natural beauty, wide variety of experiences, unique setting and spectacular service, you will love your stay at this incredibly special place.

Entamanu Ngorongoro

Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Entamanu Ngorongoro is a beautiful lodge perched on the edge of the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. It’s placement offers breathtaking views and is newly rebuilt, making it a luxuriously comfortable option when visiting the crater. The cottage-style rooms are superbly appointed, the food is top notch and the expert guiding is the icing on the cake. It blends seamlessly into its surroundings and you really feel a harmony with nature when you are there. Given its proximity to the crater, you can head out to explore early and beat the crowds! Entamanu si an unforgettable base for exploring one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife destinations.