My stomach was in absolute knots when I took the leap. Australia was my first stop after selling practically everything to travel, and I was sick to my stomach every day for a week. But then I found my groove, and it started to get easier and more familiar.
I took this picture at the exact moment I found out I would be going to Antarctica! I pulled into a roadside stop to get my first views of Uluru/Ayers Rock in the Australian Outback, which was also a dream come true. My cell phone grabbed a couple bars of signal and dinged. I listened to the voice mail, called the Antarctica hiring manager back, and then snapped this photo. My sister gave me this simple but poignant message as a gift a few years prior. I packed it into my suitcase, and this felt like the right way to preserve the moment.
Rewind to several months before ... I reached a point in my life where I was staring at two options. Give in to the fear of all the reasons taking a sabbatical to travel might not work and just stay stuck in the rut of my teaching job, or lean into the planning that was already underway. I leaned in.
Your adventures might not be as dramatic as selling everything to travel full time. Your dreams can become reality, and I'm happy to be a combination cheerleader and practical travel advisor to help you achieve your goals. Let's get started!
Bucket List Dreams are like that. Simultaneously terrifying and exhilarating.
But my dreams aren't your dreams. And honestly, most my my clients don't dream of selling everything to travel.
The most important part of my work is understanding your dreams and why this trip is so important to you.
How can I help you move to the next step in achieving your bucket list travel goals?
Are you ...
Unsure how to design an itinerary that truly fulfils your dreams
Overwhelmed by options and conflicting advice
Short on time and stuck in the planning weeds
Or simply waiting for that nudge to stop postponing what matters most
You’re not alone, and you don’t have to figure it out yourself.
- I take the time to understand your vision, your priorities, and why this travel experience is important to you.
- Then I'll recommend itineraries that best match the experience you're seeking and help you through the planning process.
- Big dreams can seem intimidating. How do I know I can help you achieve yours? Because I've achieved many of my own dreams on all seven continents and I'll put that experience to work for you.
You absolutely can book travel on your own! Plenty of people do and have wonderful experiences. I'll never shame that, and I've put together some of my best travel planning and self-booking resources for you.
Here are some of the reasons my clients work with me. If this resonates with your travel needs, then let's get started.
There are lots of services people pay for to buy back their time. Lawn & yard maintenance, grocery delivery, cleaning, and more.
Generally, we could do those tasks on our own, but it's about buying back the one thing that's hard to purchase ... time.
The part most people don't realize is that travel companies already build a commission into the price you see online. For my clients who value their time, leveraging my industry knowledge and research means they can "buy back" time in their day without paying an additional fee. That leaves you extra time to get excited and start packing for vacation.
Think of the professionals you work with who have specific expertise, like tax preparation, changing your car's oil, legal paperwork, or doing a mani/pedi. You could do your own research and learn their profession, and sometimes that's the right choice for you. Other times, it's better to work with a professional.
This particularly comes into play when I'm working with clients booking bucket list travel to polar regions.
Clients appreciate leveraging my experience living & traveling throughout the Arctic and Antarctica and knowing my advice is based on industry knowledge and personal experience.
Of course, we always want travel to be perfect. That's my goal with every booking. But just like at home, some days don't go as planned.
We're there to help with travel disruptions, cancellations, weather issues, etc... Instead of sitting on hold for hours, you have someone working on it for you.
Whether you're looking for a cheerleader to support you in living out your travel dreams, or a partner to research & recommend the right experiences, let's set up a call to discuss your bucket list travel dreams.
There are so many things to love about group travel!
Organizing all the bookings and details isn't necessarily one of those things.
That's where I come in.
There are three ways I support group travel. If you have an idea, reach out and let's chat.
1. Join Me - Group trips where I'll be a traveler with you
2. Organize Your Group - Do you dream of traveling with your friends, or you're trying to put together a family trip? Let's definitely chat. I can take the booking details off your plate, you get to enjoy the experience and make memories together.
3. Start A Group - Sometimes you just can't wait for others to be ready. Let's chat about your travel goals and I'll help promote your group.
Travel companies already include commission in the prices you see online. Working with me doesn’t cost extra, but you'll receive:
Expert guidance
Personalized planning
Someone in your corner who is invested in getting it right
My business is built on referrals from happy clients and mutual respect. Please be upfront with me on which parts of the trip you're looking for assistance with, or if you plan to book the trip on your own.
In a few circumstances, I do charge a planning fee up front, which is returned as a credit after travel is completed. This is for travel that requires extensive coordination up-front. The initial consultation is always complimentary.
As a full-service travel agency, we handle the details so you don't have to. This is where you save time and the frustration of research along with leveraging our expertise.
In our initial consultation, I'll learn about your travel preferences and whether you like to be hands-off or more involved in selecting the details of your trip.
Your travel dreams are important, I can't wait to get started!
For some clients, we find the sweet spot in a hybrid approach. Perhaps a portion of the trip is taken care of, and you're looking for extra guidance with certain elements of the trip.
Let's chat!
I have also put together many of my best travel planning resources and self-booking links that many clients find helpful. I want you to have the trip of your dreams, let's find a way to make it happen.
If you can dream it, let's chat!
The most common request I receive: I want to have (fill in the blank) these experiences, but I don't want to organize all the details myself, and I don't want to be on a group tour. There are solutions for that!
I also get some wild requests, like my veteran friend who wants to sail onboard a science vessel searching for Noah's Ark, or my history buff client who wants to walk in Shackleton's footsteps. Perhaps it's because I've embarked on some of my own wild adventures and know how to make them happen, but I challenge you to give me your craziest travel dreams and let's see if we can make them happen.
If a dream trip has been quietly sitting on your wish list, this may be your reminder that you don’t have to keep waiting.
Book a Complimentary Travel Consultation and let's chat about your travel goals. Whether you're ready to book soon or want me to watch for the trip that is just right, I'm here with gentle nudges to turn “one day” into let's go!
I'm quite certain professional photographers can take better photos. But these photos are special to me because they reflect my own experience and the moments I've stood in awe at the beauty of our planet.
I want you to have your own photos. Images that will bring you back to the moment you stood in the place you've dreamed about for so long. That's why I'm so committed to helping others achieve their Bucket List travel dreams.
Afterall, that's one of the reasons we travel. To experience this world for ourselves.
I made my dreams happen, and you can too. Be sure to bring your camera, you're going to need it!
P.S. If you're a professional photographer, I work directly with several small-tour operators who focus on photography expeditions. When you return, I would love to see your photos, hear about your experience, and perhaps add one of your favorite shots here.
(Note: No Michelles were harmed in the taking of this photo)