Travel Expert

Heather Noonan

Growing up in the beautiful resort town of Coeur d'Alene Idaho I have been spoiled by natural beauty. I grew up surrounded by lakes, rivers, trees, and mountains and love my home. But, I have also always had a curiosity for different landscapes, cultures and experiences. It is one thing to hear about a place, or watch a show about a culture but so incredibly more powerful to experience it. Until a few years ago my travel experience was pretty limited. Travel was always a someday dream. I would see a beautiful place or hear about someone else's travels and think I have to go there "someday". Then in 2018 my family went through a tragedy and my perspective changed forever. Someday is now! I started to obsessively research travel and finally took my first cruise. It was the vacation from my real life that I needed. It was the break from that tragedy that helped me begin to heal. It was the best money I have ever spent. We came back feeling like we could take on challenges that had seemed overwhelming. I immediately felt like everyone needed that experience. So, I decided to start helping others have that same experience. I thought that I would start booking travel as a "hobby" or "side-hustle". I wanted to find the right fit of professionals that would help me make the right connections and offer the best service possible to my clients. Even though I didn't realize at the time that I would go full time as a travel advisor, I knew that I do not like to do things halfway. I wanted a quality business where I could make a difference in planning my client's travel. When I found the Avoya Network, I honestly felt like it was too good to be true. Going out on my own has been scary but, so worth it. I have met some of the most amazing, curious, intelligent people through travel and Avoya. I feel like I have found my people. I absolutely love talking travel, learning from other's experiences and helping take the stress off of fellow travelers by taking care of the planning and details. When I think of travel, I think of the sites, sounds, tastes and feel of new experiences. The vibrancy of culture that touches every sense. I named my business Turquoise Travel because I will never forget the site of the vibrant, turquoise waters of the Caribbean from that first cruise. It was so incredible and I remember telling my husband that it felt like we had walked into a photograph. I hope everyone has that feeling the first time they see something new. The wonder of wander.

I have been to so many beautiful places and I feel like I have not scratched the surface! I love going on cruises with my husband for the fact that we get to see many places on one trip and we reconnect by spending time getting to experience new things together. I have a huge "bucket list" and he is along for the ride. The Galapogas Islands, The South Pacific/Tahiti, Egypt and so many places in Europe top my list of dream trips at the moment! Stay tuned as I am mapping out the next few years of travel for myself to include several of my top trips. This year, I am planning on my first Alaskan cruise (hopefully of many) and I have a girls trip planned to the Mediterranean with my sister. I believe travel is about connection. Connection to people and places. The feeling of connecting with beautiful humans from diverse backgrounds and of connecting with a new region of our beautiful planet, is what keeps me passionate about working in travel. Where do I want to go next? Everywhere!