Barbara

Before Becoming an Advisor …

I was an art historian and worked in museums and auction houses before switching careers and moving into manufacturing, where I ran product development and operations. My work always involved a great deal of travel all over the world. After I had my son, I pursued my love of travel by becoming a certified travel agent at a local college before teaming up with Ciao Bambino.

My Favorite Travel Experiences

I grew up traveling to Europe with my family while my father extended his business trips. I lived in Paris and traveled throughout Europe when I was single, and then was fortunate enough to marry my husband, who had also lived in Europe and the Middle East. Together we’ve raised our son to love travel and adventure as we do. Hiking thorugh Slovenia while learning and discussing WWI with his father has given him a love of history, which began when he was young. He loved all things Greek and we saw the temples of Paestum in Southern Italy; he also acquired a taste for steak tartare in France. But my favorite memory is a pickup game of soccer he joined on the beach in Positano. All the parents nodded to each other and sipped wine as it grew dark, and the evening progressed with the children playing together.

Why I Love My Job

Sharing a joy of travel and experiences is one of the greatest pleasures in life. Opening a child’s (and a parent’s) mind to new cultures, tastes and adventures is a wonderful gift to share with others. Small insights and tips can make such a difference in how a family experiences their vacation, and I enjoy planning a unique trip in conjunction with each family that will resonate with everyone. I love that I don’t create cookie-cutter trips, and the smiling pictures on my clients’ return are a reward unto themselves.