Meet Bette | The Vacation Maven

Traveler • Explorer • Lifelong Learner 

I've always believed that the best journeys change us. They broaden our perspective, introduce us to remarkable people, and create memories that stay with us for a lifetime.

I've been fortunate to live in four countries and eight states, exploring cultures, landscapes, and experiences that have shaped the way I see the world. Today, I call Washington's beautiful Pacific Northwest home, where I share life with my husband, Michael, and am always dreaming about the next adventure.

Travel has taken me to Japanese ryokans tucked into the mountains, Christmas markets in Germany, elephant sanctuaries in Sri Lanka, ancient cities in Italy, magical beaches on Cape Cod, hidden cenotes in Mexico, and countless unforgettable places in between.

Every destination has taught me something.

Today, I love sharing that passion by helping others discover places that inspire, reconnect, and create lasting memories.

For years, I believed there would always be time.

Time for another vacation.

Time for another adventure.

Time to slow down and enjoy the people I loved.

Then one morning, I learned how fragile "someday" can be.

That experience changed the way I look at life.

Today, The Vacation Maven exists for one simple reason:

I don't want anyone to wait longer than they have to to create the memories they'll cherish for the rest of their lives.

Because life's greatest adventures aren't measured by the places we visit—they're measured by the moments we share with the people we love.

If I can help someone experience a little more joy, a little more connection, and a few more unforgettable memories along the way, then I've done exactly what I set out to do.

 Some experiences stay with us long after we've returned home.

Some change the way we see the world. Others remind us what matters most. Together, they've deepened my love of travel and continue to inspire the way I explore new places.

Here are a few that have stayed with me...

Staying in a tiny mountain ryokan, slipping into a yukata before dinner, and soaking in a natural onsen surrounded by peaceful mountain scenery reminded me that some of life's greatest luxuries are simplicity, stillness, and genuine hospitality.

Wandering through festive Christmas markets with a mug of warm Glühwein in hand, surrounded by twinkling lights, joyful music, and centuries-old traditions, felt like stepping into a storybook.

Watching rescued elephants splash and play in the river—and yes, stealing a kiss on one very curious trunk—reminded me that some of the world's greatest joys are wonderfully unexpected.

Floating in the crystal-clear waters of a hidden cenote, gazing up through a canopy of vines toward the brilliant blue sky, was one of those rare moments when time seemed to stand still.

Walking along the shoreline at dusk while bioluminescent jellyfish illuminated the waves felt almost magical—a quiet reminder that nature still has the power to surprise us.

Walking the ancient streets of Pompeii, imagining the lives that unfolded there centuries ago, made history feel deeply personal and unforgettable.

Watching hundreds of tiny sea turtles emerge from their nests and scramble toward the ocean beneath a moonlit sky was a breathtaking reminder that some moments can never truly be captured in photographs—they simply have to be experienced.

Greeting the first sunrise of a new year on a quiet New Zealand beach was the perfect reminder that every new adventure brings the promise of new memories.

These are just a few of the experiences that have stayed with me.

Now I'd love to help you create memories that stay with you for a lifetime.