In 2013, I began planning a trip to London and Paris with one of my best friends. I quickly realized that I needed the guidance of a professional. So, I reached out to a girlfriend who suggested through the planning process that I consider joining her agency. I thought she was nuts. However, when I came back from my vacation, I literally said “If I can do for other people, what you just did for me, sign me up.” Now, just shy of 10 years later, I often pinch myself and ask how I got here?
Personally, I am the mom of two. Alyssa is 30 and Kyle is 28. I am anxiously awaiting significant others and down the road, grandchildren. Rick and I will be married 32 years and have lived most of our marriage in Texas. I grew up in north Dallas, have lived in Arizona, New York, North Carolina and Florida a few times, but Texas is home.
My clientele become my friends. I am a real relationship girl. I love to get to know people and work in close contact to make your dreams a reality. I think so often people think they can’t do it. Whether it’s financial, time or simply fear of the unknown. But, once we chat and start putting their dreams on paper, it quickly becomes clear that we can do anything and go anywhere we set our minds to. Occasionally, we have to be a bit more creative.
Growing An Extraordinary Traveler and sharing my success with people who touch all parts of the world on their adventures gives me a joy I didn’t know could exist. Getting feedback that a simple trip to Mexico provided just the escape someone was looking for. Or traveling to Africa, ending an evening around a fire pit with a sundowner in hand watching elephants and giraffes parade past was life changing, is exhilarating and incredibly rewarding.
Now, as my team expands and the business continues to evolve, there are very few destinations we can’t manage. Our niche is Europe, certainly what we sell the most of at the agency. But, Safaris, Southeast Asia, the Maldives, Tahiti, Caribbean, luxury cruises and so many other gorgeous places can be managed with a quick call. You pack, let us do the rest. Our Goal at AET is to blend our expertise with your travel dreams, make you feel like a VIP and assist you in creating memories that will hopefully last a lifetime.
My absolute favorite trip was to Tanzania, east Africa for my 30th wedding anniversary with my husband in 2022. To say it was life changing is an understatement. If, it’s on your Wander List, let’s talk. I still get teary thinking about it. From the excitement of planning and preparing, to arriving in Kilimanjaro, we were giddy. Did you know that when you travel from park to park in east Africa, you fly and often the planes take off and land to pick up and drop off other travelers? It’s almost like a bus system. From Tarangire to the Ngorongoro Crater to the Serengeti, there was something spectacular everywhere we went. In Tarangire, we say our first lions and kill. I was standing on the patio of my tent after a warm shower and the elephants and giraffes were literally walking past me. In the crater, we witnessed a rare black rhino and another kill. In the Serengeti, cheetahs and the wildebeest migrations 3 times. But, the best part for me, waiting patiently to see the baby lions. Ask me to see my videos, you won’t believe it. I cried.
Another favorite trip was a group of 10 sailing on the Ritz Carlton Yacht last summer for 60th birthday celebrations. If, you like a cruise and you like luxury, you’ll LOVE RCY. It’s the perfect way to combine those things and incredible ports of call that larger ships cannot access. I planned all of the pre/post and excursions. It’s an amazing way to travel.
I had a couple who were traveling to Bangkok for a rowing competition and they decided to add on about 10 days in Thailand, traveling around Chang Mai and Chang Rai before returning to the states. They enjoyed incredible hotels, spa treatments and the elephants. Visits to amazing temples and seeing the buddhas.
Of course, my favorite trips are for families who are taking their kids to Europe for the first time. I’ve sent families to Germany, Austria, Italy, Greece, Croatia, France, Ireland, Scotland, Spain and Portugal. I love planning great tours with the kids in mind and in particular including cooking experiences. We have found ways to incorporate Gluten free and Celiac options over the years, when needed and they’ve learned to make gelato, pizza, pasta and so much more. They’ve been inside the Blue Grotto, they’ve kissed the Blarney Stone, they’ve tried wines in Tuscany with their parents, they’ve taken photos trying to straighten the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The list goes on and on.