Melissa

Before Becoming an Advisor …

I was an elementary school teacher, teaching kindergarten and first grade. Following that career, I chose to be a stay-at-home mom to our three sons. During that time, our family was fortunate to live in Switzerland for four years, and those four years gave us the opportunity to visit and explore more than 25 countries. The joy of travel and planning for our trips led me to my role as a travel planner at Ciao Bambino.

My Favorite Travel Experiences

One of our family’s favorite travel experiences was visiting South Africa. A highlight of that trip was going on safari drives, where we saw amazing nature and African wildlife. Another highlight was visiting an elephant sanctuary in the Garden Route, where we learned about African elephants, fed them, walked with them hand on trunk, and even rode them. Living in Switzerland allowed us to experience the four seasons in that beautiful country. We loved hiking and trekking, snowshoeing and skiing the Alps with our family and friends. We also enjoyed riding the amazingly efficient Swiss trains and taking in the stunning views around us while we journeyed to new places to explore.

Why I Love My Job

I love working closely with families to help them plan amazing travel experiences, both domestically and internationally. The process of planning a special family trip is exciting, fulfilling and rewarding not only for my clients, but for myself as an advisor. Family trips provide lifetime memories that my clients will cherish forever, and I love helping them to become a reality. When families discover the beauty and diversity of the world, it opens the door to a broader outlook on life, educating them and fostering a sense of respect and compassion for others. The gift of travel and exploration I give to my own children, I enjoy sharing with others by creating and designing trips they will love.