“The traveler was active; he went strenuously in search of people, of adventure, of experience. The tourist is passive; he expects interesting things to happen to him. He goes sight-seeing.” – Daniel J. Boorstin
Marissa credits her background in education as the perfect training ground for learning to navigate the many moving parts of the travel experiences she creates for her clients. Her attention to detail and organized approach to tasks resulted in Marissa earning her credentials as an independent agent in far less time than the industry average, an accomplishment of which she is very proud.
Marissa embodies the elements of persistence and resilience, both in her personal life and on behalf of her clients. While in Uganda with her family, her husband suddenly became very ill. In spite of his emergency surgery, a brief stay in an open-air hospital and weeks to recover well enough to travel, Marissa was unfazed and dealt with not only changing the many components of their complex itinerary, but also cared for their three young children while making sure her husband received proper care. This experience will no doubt help clients understand Marissa’s long-held belief in the need for comprehensive travel insurance for all trips, both big and small!
Marissa regularly puts her skills and personal experiences to use on behalf of her clients. Once, immediately prior to departure, a client’s son was unexpectedly hospitalized. Even though their very detailed and extensive four-country itinerary had been over a year in the making, Marissa immediately rebooked many components of the trip and continued to adjust the details even after her clients were finally able to depart on the trip of a lifetime.
Marissa thrives on experiencing new cultures and most enjoys destinations that are lesser known to most travelers. Her deep appreciation for food and wine is at the heart of the places she visits but engaging with people and their cultures is what she most enjoys. She counts a Thanksgiving spent dining with strangers in a wine shop she discovered in Budapest among her fondest travel memories.