All About Me - Travel Adventures by Michelle
Come Back from your next vacation with a Story!Michelle Lapham - All About the Adventure
Travel is my passion – this is not just a job to me!
Everyone has a story about why they chose the profession they are in. As the oldest child of 7, my father worked as a mailman and my mother was a stay at home mom. Thus, our vacations were generally close to home. We camped all summer long, we went to the local theme park, and visited family nearby. But, then that one summer, we headed off on a road trip across the country to attend a family reunion. Not one to sleep in the car, I stayed awake until the wee hours of the morning until we found a hotel with that all-knowing Vacancy sign blinking. Our trip was probably 2 weeks long and we met people I’d never even heard of, visited places I had only dreamed I would see, and enjoyed time in the car with the family – singing, playing the ABC game and watching for things we had never seen. At that time, I decided that when I got older, I would take my kids to see the world, wanting to visit a different location every year.
I began my travel career in 1988, graduating from Murdock Travel School, and went to work immediately for a small mom and pop agency. I loved every minute of it but when my children came along I took a sabbatical from it and spent time raising them. After finding myself as a single mom, I decided to go back to college and get my Bachelor’s degree in History and a Certification in Education. I taught Junior High and High School history for several years. I shared my love of travel through history by discussing each region we learned about, mixed with the culture, food, and people of the area. During this time, I still enjoyed booking and managing vacations for family and friends, on a part time schedule. In 2005, the opportunity came for me to open my own agency and so I jumped at the chance.
I grew the agency from the ground up, marketing myself and pounding the pavement finding clients. I work hard to make every vacation one that will be remembered with little extra touches and attentiveness to the needs of those traveling.
I have traveled extensively throughout the world since opening my agency. I have visited Ireland, Scotland, England, France, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Canada, Alaska, and most Caribbean islands. I have extensive knowledge in Ocean Cruising, River Cruising, domestic and foreign destinations.
Specializing in group travel, whether you are planning a destination wedding, a company retreat, a family reunion, a girlfriend getaway, or even a crafting cruise, I am ready and willing to help make your next trip not only stress-free, but amazingly memorable.
On a personal note, I have 5 children, 5 grandchildren, and 2 fur babies. I love football – college (Go Gators) and professional (Go Steelers). I also love to watch Nascar – Austin Dillon #3. I love the beach, music, cross-stitching and quilting.
I look forward to building a client/friend relationship with you through our shared love of travel.