Heidi’s belief is . . . “Make Travel A Lifestyle”

After a fifteen-year career in pharmaceutical sales, Heidi decided to pursue her passion for travel and become an independent travel consultant with SmartFlyer. Convinced that travel is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself and your children, she decided to make travel a central part of the lifestyle of her family. The travel experiences that they have shared together as a couple and with their children have enriched their lives and broadened their perspectives. It has also allowed her and her family to try new things, see new places and appreciate new cultures and customs.

Heidi is an adventure expert, specializing in planning one-of-a-kind experiences off the beaten path. She has a collection of cherished travel memories; some of her favorites include hiking the English countryside and sea kayaking off the coast of Victoria Island. She has also ridden a snow cat on the Athabasca Glacier in the Canadian Rockies and biked across Martha’s Vineyard. Another highlight was making chocolate in Zaanse Schans, just outside of Amsterdam. She was captivated by a tango show in Buenos Aires and by the excitement of a bullfight in Seville. And, of course, visiting Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro was truly awe-inspiring. These are just a few of her countless travels, allowing her to successfully plan travels to any destination all over the world for her clients.

What inspired me to become a travel agent?

It was magical traveling as a child and it’s never stopped. I spent most of my childhood summers in England visiting my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends. There, I would watch my grand-mom make meals that used ingredients very different from what we could get back home. I loved going to the markets and grocery store with her and my grandad, spending hours looking at the cakes, sweets, fruits and breads. We spent the afternoons exploring the local meat and fish markets, walking along the canals, visit friends over tea, scones and Battenberg cake, exploring historic villages, getting to and from everywhere riding double-decker buses and trains. For me, traveling is more than a temporary state, it’s a lifestyle. Traveling into the unknown, seeing the world, trying new things and learning new cultures has help shaped the person I am today. I want others to be inspired and recognize that they too can make travel part of their lifestyle. At the end of the day, the best of part of traveling, is that it’s your own journey. Doing, seeing and enjoying places however you want to.

What does your perfect vacation day look like?

My day begins early in the morning with a short walk, cross-body bag and camera in tow, to a local café where I can order a coffee, freshly squeezed orange juice, and toast or a local pastry. After enjoying my breakfast all while watching others scurry across the town square, I grab my bag and set off to explore the history of this ancient city, walk the cavernous streets of old town and explore the local markets. At midday, I break for lunch and am excited to find an outdoor table with small plates and sangria to enjoy in the shade of the buildings or umbrella. Then, it’s off for some afternoon shopping where I like to find local boutiques for some shoes, tops and the culturally-significant souvenirs. By now I’m tired, so I regroup back at my place and get ready for my evening dinner with drinks followed by an evening stroll. That is a perfect day in a faraway place that allows me to forget about the day and time and enjoy a slower pace of life.