After graduating from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Business Administration and a brief career in banking, Darlene accepted a position in 1979 with a local travel agency in Lexington, KY.  Her love of geography and history and the opportunity for personal travel made the career change a logical choice.  Eight years later in 1987 she joined her partners to form Avant Travel.

Thirty-plus years of personal travel adventures and extensive world travels that include Europe, China, Southeast Asia and South America have given her expertise in custom itinerary planning in international and leisure travel.

Darlene loves creating trips that emphasize food and wine, culture, history and the active traveler.  Of particular interest are destinations with architectural, structural sights and natural wonders.  A few of her favorite adventures include hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, making it to the Summit of Kilimanjaro and hiking and biking the Catalonia Region of Spain.  A visit to Italy early in her career to explore her Italian heritage led to a love of the country, people and (of course) the food and wine.  Italy is her passion and each visit is magical.

Inspiring Moments: 

• Any and All Visits to Italy
• Summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro
• Standing Amidst the Clouds in the Ruins of Machu Picchu

Next Adventures on Her List:

• The Ayeyarwady River and the Road to Mandalay
• Puglia, Italy
• Morocco