ABOUT ME

Hi, I’m Carly—former middle school teacher turned travel blogger, and now full-time travel agent (and professional wanderluster).

Travel has been woven into my life since I was a kid—I’ve always had a curiosity about the world, especially when it comes to wildlife. While other people collected baseball cards or dolls, I collected travel dreams: penguins in Antarctica, lions on safari, or a chance to see the northern lights dance across the sky.

Teaching taught me patience, blogging gave me a creative voice, and now, being a travel agent lets me combine it all—planning meaningful adventures that connect people to the world in unforgettable ways. What started as a side hustle is now my full-time career, and nothing makes me happier than helping someone’s “bucket list” become a checked-off, real-life memory.

Whether it’s exploring ancient wonders, sailing past glaciers, or spotting wildlife in the wild, I believe travel should be equal parts adventure and wonder. And I’d love to help you find yours.

WHY I BECAME A TRAVEL AGENT

I became a travel agent almost by accident—but really, it was the natural next step. When I was a teacher, people were always asking, “How do you travel so much on a teacher’s salary?” That curiosity inspired me to start a blog, where I shared tips and tricks to make travel possible for anyone.

What began as simply showing people “how I do it” has grown into a full-time career helping travelers of all budgets create experiences that fit them perfectly. With over 90 countries under my belt—and trips ranging from backpacking adventures to luxury escapes—I like to think of myself as a matchmaker between people and places. Some travelers dream of sipping champagne in Paris, others crave hiking boots and wildlife encounters in Africa. My job is to listen, understand, and pair you with the adventure that feels like it was made just for you.

Because to me, travel isn’t just about crossing countries off a list—it’s about finding those once-in-a-lifetime moments that stay with you long after you’ve unpacked.

ME AS A PERSON

Travel may be my forever passion—but when I’m not exploring new places or helping others do the same, here’s what fills my days with joy:

📸 Photography Fanatic – My camera roll is basically a love letter to wildlife, landscapes, and those little moments that make travel unforgettable. (Yes, I will stop mid-walk to get “the shot.”)

🧩 Puzzle Queen – There’s something oddly satisfying about piecing things together until it all clicks—kind of like planning the perfect trip. My favorites are the ones the have weird shapes or fit perfectly immediately. What a thrill lol.

📚 Bookworm – I’m never without a book.  I always have a book in my car “just in case” and also have another book I’m actively reading.  It’s been hard to make time for it, but I do love it.

🎨 Painter at Heart – Give me a brush, some colors, and I’m happily lost in creativity for hours.

🧠 Trivia Buff – I love a good trivia night—bonus points if it’s travel, animals, or history-related. (I may get a little competitive!)

🎬 Movie Enthusiast – Whether it’s an old classic or the latest release, movies are my favorite way to unwind and escape into another world.

🐾 Rescue Animal Advocate – My heart belongs to the ones with fur, feathers, and paws.  I call it kidnapping them, but I like to find strays new homes.

For me, life is about curiosity, creativity, and connection—whether I’m snapping a photo on safari, solving a puzzle at home, or cheering for rescue pets to find their forever homes.

SPECIALTIES

As a travel agent, I can book whatever you need, but I do primarily focus on adventure small group travel and wildlife expeditions.  If you want to see animals in their natural habitat, and/or you don’t want to be around a lot of people… I got you.

GROUP TRIPS I'M HOSTING

These are the group trips I’ve either put together for specialty pricing and/or will be hosting meaning I’ll be there as well!

TESTIMONIALS

I appreicate everyone taking their time to write a testimonial! [testimonial_view id=”1″]

LET'S CHAT!

You can reach me at Carly@Pacedestinations.com

Let me use my experience to help you avoid sticky situations like below!