Looking for help in planning or preparing for an international trip?
Let Tom from RestlessGeographer help you!
Why work with me?
I’m a retired geography professor, travel writer, and study abroad leader. As a life-long educator, I understand challenges associated with things that are unique or unfamiliar. In my work as a travel mentor and coach, I have three goals: 1) empower you to take control of your international travel plans and in doing so, become more confident and independent, 2) provide tips and tools that will help your trip go smoothly, and 3) demonstrate that travel can be transformative and life changing.
My earliest cross-country travel involved family road trips to U.S. states and destinations in Mexico and Canada. Following my year junior of high school, I spend four weeks exploring southeast Asia and the following year I departed for Spain as part of a student exchange program. My interests in people and places led to an undergraduate degree in anthropology and geography. I continued traveling during my college years including summer work as a backpacking guide at the Philmont high adventure base in the mountains of northern New Mexico. After completing masters and Ph.D. degrees in geography I was hired at a large state university. During 33 years as a professor, I organized and led summer field experiences in U.S. national parks and later study abroad courses to Cuba, Morocco, and across more than two dozen European countries. Through sponsored fieldwork, outreach projects, and personal travel I have visited six continents and 94 countries. During my career I’ve witnessed the transformational impact of travel on the participants of tours I’ve organized and led. Many came back to travel with me on a second, and some, a third trip.
Travel Consultant vs. Travel Agent
I am a travel consultant, not a travel agent. While travel agents assist with booking airline flights and making hotel reservations and other arrangements, travel consultants focus on helping clients identify travel goals, explore potential itineraries, and identify pre-travel tasks. In short, a travel consultant can guide you through the process of planning and preparing for travel. Travel agents are typically paid through commissions from travel suppliers (hotels, cruise operators, tour companies) while travel consultants work for, and are compensated by, individual clients.
Getting Started
Planning an international trip can feel overwhelming so I relied heavily on colleagues and friends for advice when I first began organizing and planning my own travel adventures. In 2024 I developed this website to inspire and encourage international travel among novice travelers as well as seasoned adventurers. If you’re looking for ideas about where to go or what to see, we should talk. You can also get ideas by visiting my website landing page and clicking “destinations.”
Free Consultation (10-15 minutes): Do you dream about traveling to Africa, Asia, South America, Australia/New Zealand, or Europe? Complete a brief questionnaire (bottom of page) and then schedule an introductory meeting to discuss your travel goals and/or plans and learn about how I can help you.
Level 1 - Tour Participant: Are you considering travel as part of an organized tour? This session targets those who may be apprehensive about going abroad for the first time. Possible topics include finding tours, obtaining a passport, coping strategies for long flights, selecting a suitcase, what to take and how to pack, health and safety issues, using cash/ATMs/credit cards while abroad, choosing an international calling plan, and selecting a camera for great travel photos. Cost: $150 for one hour of coaching plus 30 minutes of email support.
Pay via Venmo Pay via Apple Pay, PayPal, or Credit Card
Level 2 - Planning Your Own Travel: Are you contemplating travel as part of a small group or by yourself (solo)? This session focuses on the benefits of creating a trip uniquely tailored to you and your travel companions. Topics may include identifying countries and destinations/activities, entrance requirements (travel authorizations, visas, required immunizations), budgeting, finding in-country travel providers, lodging considerations, modes of in-country travel (train, bus, rental car), offline maps, and travel insurance providers. Cost: $250 for two hours of coaching plus 45 minutes of email support.
Pay via Venmo Pay via Apple Pay, PayPal, or Credit Card
Level 3 - Tour Leader or Chaperone: Are you interested in serving as a tour leader or chaperone for an international trip sponsored by a church, school, college/university, or other organization? This session provides tools and tips that will contribute to your group travel going smoothly. Topics include participant recruiting, pre-trip communication and/or meetings, health/safety considerations, behavioral issues, and travel emergencies. Cost: $250 for two hours of coaching plus 45 minutes of email support.
Pay via Venmo Pay via Apple Pay, PayPal, or Credit Card
One additional hour of telephone support: You must first complete a Level 1, 2, or 3 session.