Julie's Playground
While I
can't tell you who Julie is I can tell you about her but when the world
is your playground where does one begin?
As Globe Trotter and Adventurer Henry
Kissinger, legendary investor Jim Rogers, and Indian Jones could use
Julie's frequent flyer miles. I have yet to find a place on the planet
she hasn't visited at least once. What she's looking for is anyone's
guess. All I know is she hasn't found it and keeps seeking. I thought I
had her once. I was watching the news about a bombing in Djibouti. As
if trying to stump the chump I asked her if she had ever heard of or
been to Djibouti. Answer--been there seven times. Go look up Djibouti
and tell me why anyone would go there even once?
Leaving
out 20 years of Julies incredible adventures where she met, made
friends and broke bread with many of the world's leaders, captains of
industry, and even captains of cruise ships, and fast forwarding to
1992; Julie parlayed her travel experience into working as a
professional tour manager where she continued to travel to diverse
locations worldwide and across the USA. She has managed travel for
several large international tour operators, including many years
managing tours for the Smithsonian Institution. Julie traveled
extensively before working in the tourism industry. She lived in Europe
for 10 years and while there developed a keen interest in international
politics, economics, history, and culture. While living in Switzerland
and France she became fluent in French.
Upon
returning to Arizona from Europe, Julie decided to put together her
unique set of talents to work in the tourism industry. With a BA in
Theatre and Communications, good diplomatic skills, love of history and
cultural geography, along with great social acumen and management
style, and a passion for travel, International Tour Management was the
natural choice.
Managing
the day to day logistics, of what were often intricate itineraries, was
a challenge that was always met with an appearance of ease. Juggling
rigorous time schedules, often filled with last minute decisions,
fielding a plethora of queries and passenger concerns, giving daily
commentaries and lectures, Julie was able to draw on her training in
Theatre and Communications to not only manage each day, but also to do
so in an entertaining and easily understandable and informative manner.
From Australia to Zanzibar…Djibouti to Tibet…there isn’t much of the
world she hasn’t covered. Helping people discover the joy of travel,
the thrill of far off adventure, savoring the cuisine of exotic places,
Julie loves to impart her knowledge to bring a hands on experience to
those that roam the globe with her. She believes education is a very
essential and powerful component to truly being a traveler, rather than
just a tourist.
Julie
feels travel opens the eyes and opens the mind. If that's true than she
must have the best eye sight and most open mind of anyone on earth.
Julie has since retired from full time professional tour
management but still roams the globe. You can bet she's planning her
next trip at this very moment.
President's
Day is Julie's birthday (February 22). Come help us celebrate before
she runs off on another Globe Trotting - adventure!
It's
Julie's birthday!
Time to Party!
It is with great pleasure that Julia
Johannesson, Globe Trotter - Adventurer, will be my Special Guest.
Please plan on joining us to socialize and meet
new friends. |