Rachel Velthuisen: Career Transitions, Travel Tips, and Protecting the Planet
“I haven't been everywhere, but it's on my list.” ~ Susan Sontag
Guest Introduction:
Hey there, friend! Welcome to Exploring the Seasons of Life: Travel Edition! I’m Cindy MacMillan, your host and founder of Pangea World Travel Agency. If you’re a busy midlife professional, an empty nester, or a woman with a heart for adventure, you’re in exactly the right place. Here, we believe that travel isn’t just a getaway; it’s a chance to grow, discover, and deeply connect with the world.
This podcast is more than just a show—it’s an invitation to embark on a journey with us. My mission is to bring you guests who resonate with your dreams, understand your challenges, and ignite your adventurous spirit. Together, we’re building a vibrant community of travelers ready to embrace their next great adventure.
Today, we’re talking about how a travel advisor can save you time, stress, and even money, all while promoting responsible tourism. We’ll dive into choosing eco-friendly options, supporting local communities, and reducing our carbon footprint—all while exploring this incredible planet of ours.
So, pour yourself a big cup of coffee, get comfy, and let’s embark on this journey together. You ready? Let’s do this!
It's my pleasure to introduce Rachel Velthuisen, the owner and travel advisor behind Essence of Elegance Travel, based in Raleigh, North Carolina. With an a deep love for travel, Rachel has explored 22 countries across 5 continents, bringing a wealth of experience to every journey she crafts. Her talent for creating one-of-a-kind trips ensures that each itinerary is infused with heart and soul. Rachel is dedicated to helping you explore the world in the most enriching and unforgettable way possible.
Here’s a glimpse of our conversation:
Oh my goodness, Rachel—22 countries! That's truly incredible. Thank you so much for being here on the podcast today.
2:23 My first memory of being intrigued by the idea of traveling, stems from my Nana. She came home from Antigua and talked all about the wonderful people that she met, the beautiful beaches and being in Wisconsin at the time. It was a lovely picture to envision, in the cold of the winter, got me thinking about what it was like to travel.
3:23 I have three children, and I get to take them on these exciting adventures around the world with me. Really, I just love planning the details of all these trips.
6:43 Yeah, so in my day job I’m an air quality consultant. I have a PhD in Chemistry and I’ve been doing this job for 20 years, over 20 years now, and as a consultant, I feel that a lot of what I do in my day-to-day work carries over to working with clients on the travel side. I keep track of a lot of moving parts in different projects.
14:55 First, I would see if you have friends and family that are using a travel advisor and get a good referral. I think that's a good place to start, is to know that someone has used someone and recommends them. Referrals are good. First place to start. If you don't know anyone who's using a travel advisor, I would do a search online.
20:40 I'm a member of Virtuoso which is our consortia and I'm a member of the Virtuoso Sustainability Community. So, I hear about a lot of new hotel chains or tour operators around the world that are focusing on that aspect and trying to work more with the local communities and with incorporating sustainable practices into their day-to-day operations.
31:04 I would have to say it would be the ability to be willing to step outside of my comfort zone and try new things.
You can find Rachel Velthuisen at: