Betsy Patton

My passion is travel. It’s what I have loved to do since I was introduced to it in high school with a trip to Austria to live with a family through an exchange program. I attended Wells College in Aurora, NY and during my junior year, I spent a semester going to a college in Heidelberg, Germany. My career in travel began just after graduating from college with a position in Operations with a luxury tour company. From there I became a retail travel advisor and have been involved in that aspect of the industry for over 35 years.

My travels have taken me all over the world through Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South America, the Caribbean, the U.S. and Far East and even Antarctica. I enjoy cruising and have cruised on all of the well-known luxury lines such as Silversea, Seabourn, Crystal Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises along with premium lines such as Holland America and Oceania. I have also experienced river cruising in Europe with both Tauck and Uniworld on the Rhine, Danube and Rhone Rivers. African safaris are another favorite journey. There is nothing in the world like sitting in solitude and seeing a pride of lions lazing in the sun just an arm’s length away! Custom itineraries are also something I really enjoy creating. The research for the perfect bespoke trip with maps, insider access, hotel descriptions, etc. can keep me occupied for hours.

In addition to a college education, I have earned my CTC (Certified Travel Counselor) through the Travel Institute, the education arm of the travel industry. In addition I have several Destination Specialist certifications for Africa, Europe and the South Pacific. Since 2003 I have been named as one of Travel + Leisure’s A-List of Top Travel Super Agents. I have been quoted in several magazines and newspapers over the years including Luxury Travel Advisor, Travel + Leisure, Wall Street Journal, Ft. Myers Newspress, E Bella Magazine and the Naples Daily News.