We are thrilled to welcome Tess Holman to the Esplanade family! Here is her story and we know you will all enjoy getting to know her as we plan your next trips!

–Jacky Keith

Hello to the wonderful and widespread family of Esplanade Travel! My name is Tess Holman and I’m looking forward to getting to know you and helping you plan your next adventure.

I grew up in a small town in New York, at the edge of Lake Ontario. While it was an idyllic upbringing, I was left with a desire to see and explore more of the world. My family took two summer trips to the UK and Ireland and from that moment on I knew traveling and experiencing new cultures would be my life goal.

In college, I spent a summer in Morocco studying Arabic. Morocco is a unique country with surprises at every turn, from shopping in the souks of Fez, to eating tagine in Casablanca, to riding camels in the Sahara Desert. After my Moroccan adventure, I backpacked from Spain to Greece. I found the Mediterranean culture to be just as enticing with fine dining, art, and history at every turn.

Upon graduation, I joined the Peace Corps and lived in Botswana for over two years, where I was able to fully immerse myself in a new culture and tour the country. Going on safari is without a doubt the most amazing experience one can have on this planet. Witnessing lions, elephants, zebra, and all other animals living in harmony is an impossible feeling to replicate.

While in Botswana, I made a point to travel to all the surrounding countries. Zambia was a favorite destination, with a friendly, open culture and easy access to Victoria Falls. I could wax poetic for days about the region: from the peaks of Lesotho to the dunes of Namibia, southern Africa is a part of the world that will forever feel like home.

Although I plan to live state-side for the long term, I don’t ever plan to stop traveling! Please don’t hesitate to contact me for any of your questions – whether it is about an upcoming trip, or if you just want a great recipe for rooibos tea!

As they say in Botswana, sala sentle – stay well.