ABOUT ME
Get to know me!
The Face Behind The Blog
My name is Kristen and I have traveled, lived and worked all across the globe for over a decade. It all started in 2012 when I decided to plan a trip to Nepal to hike the Himalayas. I was burnt out at my corporate marketing job, and this was supposed to be a simple vacation to get away from the bustling city, crazy commute and insane workload. First, I found a touring company and booked a 9-day Annapurna circuit group trek. Then, when it came to booking the flight some kind of wild whim came over me, and before I knew what I had done I was staring at a one-way ticket to Kathmandu. That was it! I had a 10-month lead time to figure out my plans. I would start in Nepal and travel for nearly a year across 3 continents and 26 countries. I learned more about myself that year than I had in the 29 years prior. I learned what I was made of and what I could endure. Most importantly, I discovered who I wanted to be.
Follow Me:
When people hear my story, they always want to know, what is my favorite country, city or destination? The truth is, I could never choose a favorite. In fact, I could write a love letter to every place I have ever been!
This concept is where Dear Destination Travel was born. Dear Destination, the start of a love letter to the world and all it has to offer. Through this blog and my travel consulting services I have made it my mission to help others fall in love with their destination; to inspire their own travel love letters. Using my arsenal of personal travel experiences, relationships with travel suppliers around the globe, and an acute attention to every detail of travel planning, I hope to make your next journey as easy and unforgettable as possible, so you can simply fall in love with the destination.
Where I’ve Been
Travel Destinations
I am always on the move, adding to my list of experiences. Read a little bit about my explorations below and visit the destinations page to explore my content by region.
I have lived in NYC and Orlando, Florida and am obviously very familiar with those two destinations. I also spent over a year living in Mexico, working as a dive instructor. I have travelled extensively through Mexico and Peru and have visited many other cities/countries throughout the Americas, so expect to see personalized content and travel tips for this region.
Always the avid history buff, I have a special place in my heart for Egypt and Jordan alike. I visited these countries just before the world shut down due to the pandemic. Petra and Wadi Rum, as well as Abu Simbel and the temple of Karnak were some of my favorite sites! I am constantly researching Africa and the Middle East for my clients, and for myself, and expect to do much more traveling to these destinations in the future.
Not only did I spend 4 months traveling throughout this region during my year of backpacking, but I returned soon after my initial travels to Thailand to live for over a year, teach English and earn my professional scuba diving certifications. I have traveled extensively in Nepal, Bali and throughout SE Asia, including many popular and off the beaten track locations in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. I have so many recommendations for these wonderful countries. Asia has so much to offer the adventurous traveler, and I am far from finished exploring this region.
Europe is so special in its rich history, diverse landscapes and proud cultures. I have spent 2 months exploring all over Italy and expect to go back to that country many times over. I also have an affinity for Eastern European countries which feel so authentic and untouched. No matter the country, they all have their own particular charm that keeps me dreaming of going back.
I lived for over a year on the island of St. Croix, a true divers paradise, where I worked as a dive instructor and intimately explored the island both on land and under water. I have also participated in scientific diving programs in The Bahamas and traveled to those islands many times for both work and pleasure. It is a goal of mine to visit as many Caribbean and Pacific islands as possible and explore the cultural flair that makes each destination unique.
I spent over a month exploring northern Australia and traveling down the east coast of this incredible country. I can easily say that there is not a single place I visited that I did not enjoy. Some of my favorite activities included camping and hiking Uluru (Ayers Rock), camping and 4×4 driving Fraiser Island, diving the Great Barrier Reef from a live aboard vessel, and exploring Magnetic (Maggie) Island and its incredible wildlife.
My Story
The Journey to Travel Blogging & Consulting
Chapter 1: The Corporate Life
Looking back at my life, now that I am solidly in my mid-life era, I feel as though I have lived many different lives, and this makes me feel very fortunate. I started my adult life in the exciting city of New York, climbing the corporate ladder in the marketing industry. It took me about 8 years, but eventually I realized that this lifestyle was not for me. I believe that places and people have frequencies, and although I never really felt like I vibed with this city, I am grateful for the experience of spending my 20’s in this vibrant and culture rich mecca. There is truly no place like it in the world.
Machu Picchu, 2024
Chapter 2: The Dive Instructor
My next chapter was a whirl wind of travel; living a life most only dream about. In 2013 I traveled solo across 3 continents with nothing but the backpack on my back, broadening my horizons, finding myself in the most unexpected of places, and leaving my heart all around the world. I came home from this journey completely broke and completely changed. There was no way I could go back to corporate marketing. I had discovered scuba diving during my travels, and I knew from the moment I descended below the water’s surface that I needed to find a way to make this part of my life. In 2014 I got a TESOL certification and made my way back to Thailand to teach English and save up enough money to make my way to the islands and start my dive training. I became a scuba diving instructor in 2015 and over the next 10 years lived in Thailand, Mexico, the USVI’s, and Florida, and visited and dived some to the most beautiful tropical locations across the globe. I even dabbled in scientific and environmental diving and endeavors.
Chapter 3: Finding Balance
While I continued to feed my travel bug over the past 10 years, visiting places like Egypt, Jordan, Peru, Columbia, Alaska, and more, I found that the dive instructor lifestyle was not conducive to the type of traveling I had grown to love: world-wide, deep cultural exploration and adventure. Dive instructors live their adventure and typically do not make enough money to explore, and so the traveling I was able to accomplish was causing financial strain and stress. So, now in my 40’s, I have chosen to start over again and prioritize balance, with a career I am passionate about which also provides the financial stability and ability to move and travel freely.
In 2024 I began training and in 2025 became a certified travel consultant. It is my goal to continue to fuel my passion for travel, exploration and adventure in the pursuit of helping others plan their own travels. I want to help people like me find themselves through travel or simply escape into new cultures and experiences. In launching Dear Destination Travel I hope to help all who read my content or use my consulting services to experience the world in whatever way brings them the most joy and fulfillment.
Where Am I Now?
Today you will find me wherever the wind blows. I am constantly looking for new destinations to explore so that I can share my experiences with you. High on my list these days is polar exploration!
