Kristi

Before Becoming an Advisor …

I lived in Ecuador for two years as a student and volunteer and used my Spanish language skills to start a career in marketing for Latin American satellite and cable TV companies. I trained sales teams throughout Central and South America and worked on customer loyalty projects. I grew up traveling with my parents and was always a go-to resource in my corporate jobs when friends needed travel advice. It was a natural progression to turn that interest into a trip planning career.

My Favorite Travel Experiences

My favorite travel experiences are the unscripted, unplanned ones that involve nature and animals. My family’s favorite trip ever was an off-the-grid small ship cruise that ventured into the rugged wilderness of Alaska. On the first evening of the cruise, we watched humpback whales surge up to the surface in a group, mouths open, scooping up fish. We witnessed this unique “bubble net” feeding activity seven times over the course of evening until the moonlight told us it was time to go inside.

Another memorable experience was on a recent trip to Machu Picchu. My daughter and I spent hours with the resident llamas, petting them and hanging out on centuries-old staircases used by the Incas (and now by the llamas too). Although it was not the Sun Gate hike I’d imagined doing during my time at Machu Picchu, I came away feeling like I’d shared wonderful time with my daughter. That is the best travel experience of all: the time we spend with family and friends discovering and exploring together, meeting new people along the way.

Why I Love My Job

I enjoy helping people discover and explore new places. Family travel is so dynamic because the priorities change as the kids grow, and I get that because I’m living it with my kids too. Trip planning is like a puzzle; I enjoy the challenge of pairing the right destination and experiences with each family’s personality. I’m helping them spend quality time together and create memories that will last long after the trip is over. My passion for travel is what got me into trip planning, but it’s the interesting families and connections I’ve made with them that have been the most gratifying.