When I retired after a rewarding and amazing thirty-year career as a high school science teacher, like most of us, the assumption was I was looking forward to slowing down. And I did slow down…as the noise and deadlines and responsibilities of teaching went silent.  While I certainly appreciated having more time, I quickly realized that retirement wasn't about doing less - it was about having the freedom to do things I loved.


For me, that passion has always been travelling our planet. Over the years, my family, my friends, and I have explored some remarkable places. Every journey taught us something new, introduced us to incredible people, and created lifelong memories.


As a science teacher, I spent my career encouraging curiosity, exploration, and lifelong learning. Travel in many ways is simply another classroom - albeit, one without walls and yes, it costs a wee bit more. Every destination tells a story through its geography, wildlife, history, culture, and people. That same curiosity that inspired students now inspires me to help others discover the world.
That's why I started World Tree Destinations.


Long before it became a travel business, World Tree Destinations was a travel family. Our love of exploring together and with others naturally grew into helping others experience those same unforgettable moments. 


One of the things I enjoy most about being a travel advisor is the flexibility. Retirement doesn't have to mean giving up meaningful work. Instead, it can be the perfect opportunity to build something on your own terms. Whether you want to work a few hours each week or develop a thriving travel business, you decide your schedule. There are no daily commutes, no rigid office hours, and no mandatory retirement age—just the freedom to help people discover the world and travel more of it myself.


Retirees can transition to travel advisors because they bring something technology can never replace: life experience. We've travelled, planned family vacations, celebrated milestones, solved problems, and learned to adapt. Clients appreciate advice from someone who has actually stood on an Alaskan glacier, watched the northern lights dance across the sky, or sailed through breathtaking fjords.


The travel industry has also changed dramatically. Modern travel advisors have access to outstanding training, supplier support, powerful booking systems, and host agencies (in our case TravelOnly) that handle much of the behind-the-scenes work. You don't need decades of travel industry experience to get started. The people at TravelOnly have been amazing from the start and continue to be incredibly helpful.
 

What matters most is a genuine passion for helping people and a willingness to keep learning.  At World Tree Destinations, I believe retirement can be the beginning of a rewarding new chapter. Whether your interests are ocean cruises, expedition voyages, family vacations, or all-inclusive getaways, there's an opportunity to build a travel business around the destinations that inspire you most.  The greatest satisfaction comes from knowing you've helped an individual or a family experience their dream cruise to Alaska, or find their way to polar regions.
 

Retirement is one of life's greatest opportunities. Although my time teaching brought me so much joy, purpose, and countless memories, World Tree Destinations allows me to pursue work that continues to bring both purpose and joy with much less obligation and routine.

We believe travel has the power to connect people, cultures, and generations. Like the World Tree itself, our roots keep us grounded while our branches reach across the globe, connecting travellers with extraordinary experiences.


Retirement isn't the end of the journey.


It may just be the beginning of the best one yet.