What Brought Me Here (Spoiler Alert: It Involves Buses, Stew ... and a Big Leap)

By Terra | Something More Travel

Let me set the scene.

I’m a mom, a nurse, a wife, a big sister, the friend who always plans everything - and now, a

certified travel agent and business owner.

But this didn’t start with a business plan.

It started with a trip that was… well… not it.

A few years ago, I headed to Europe with my then 14-year-old son on a school trip. You know

the type: four countries in ten days, jam-packed itinerary, and just enough time to say, “Wow, that looks amazing!” as you speed past it on a bus.

We took planes, trains, and a lot of buses. We stayed in budget airport hotels nowhere near the action. And the food? Let’s just say if I never eat stew again, I’ll be okay. Throw in some gas station snacks and sandwiches, and you’ve got the full experience.

Now don’t get me wrong - we saw some incredible sights. But we also spent most of our time almost experiencing Europe.

And I came home thinking:

“Okay… I could do this better.”

Actually - scratch that.

“I would do this better.”

The Spark

At first, I just wanted to level up my own travel planning skills. I dreamed of creating amazing

“one last” trips with each of my kids before they headed off into the world - something

meaningful, memorable, and far from rushed bus tours.

Then came a conversation that changed everything.

During my daughter’s dance festival season, I got chatting with another mom who had been on that same Europe trip. Within minutes, we realized we felt exactly the same way.

We wanted more.

We expected more.

And we knew we could create more.

So naturally, I said:

“We’re doing this.”

(No overthinking. No five-year plan. Just vibes, a strong feeling of an unknown connection and determination.)

The Reality Check

Starting a travel business sounds glamorous, right?

Cue the record scratch.

There were hurdles. So many hurdles. Things we didn’t even know could be obstacles suddenly were. There were moments of “What are we doing?” and “Why is this so hard?” and “What did we just sign up for?”

But also?

There were wins. Big ones. Small ones. The kind that make you do a happy dance in your

kitchen.

And slowly, piece by piece, we built something we’re really proud and excited about.

So… Why Use a Travel Agent Anyway?

I’ll be honest with you.

Some people don’t need one.

If you love digging through 47 tabs, comparing 112 hotels, and decoding airline fine print like

it’s a competitive sport - you might be just fine on your own.

But for a lot of people?

It’s overwhelming.

You don’t know where to start.

Or you do start… and then immediately regret it.

Or you just don’t have the time to plan something that actually feels special.

That’s where we come in.

What We Bring to the Table

We bring the details you don’t want to deal with.

We bring the organization that keeps everything running smoothly.

We bring the listening ear that turns your “kind of thinking about maybe going somewhere warm?” into an actual, incredible trip.

Want a bucket list adventure? Let’s do it.

Planning a surprise trip? We're already excited.

Traveling with kids, grandparents, or that one high-maintenance friend? We've BEEN there.

(Seriously - I once planned a destination wedding in the Dominican Republic for 42 people

when I was 25. With zero experience. Chaos? Maybe. Iconic? Absolutely.)

The Heart of It All ❤️

Here’s the truth:

Travel isn’t cheap. And it shouldn’t feel like a gamble.

If you’re investing your time, your energy, and your money into a trip - it should be worth every

second.

Our job is to make sure it is.

Yes, things can go wrong. That’s travel. Flights get delayed, weather changes, plans shift (we help you to prepare for those scenarios).

But when the planning is done right? You’re free to actually enjoy it.

To be present.

To laugh more.

To stress less.

To make the kind of memories that pop up years later and still make you smile.

Why I Do This ✈️

Every trip I’ve taken - whether it was smooth sailing or a total adventure - has given me stories I wouldn’t trade for anything.

Those moments? They’re everything.

And now, I get to help other people create theirs.

That first trip excitement.

That “I can’t believe we’re here” feeling.

That spark that makes you start dreaming about the next adventure before the current one is even over.

That’s what brought me here.

And honestly?

I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.