Annie: La Vita e Bella (Life is beautiful)
Devon, England. Le Cordon Bleu. Toronto. New York City. Mention any one of these places and Annie's eyes will light up. She was born in Devon and spent a year studying at the world renowned cooking school in London. Her easy manner no doubt served her well while working at a wine bar in the city's Mayfair district before migrating to Canada in 1977. After three years in Toronto and a job as an executive secretary, Annie launched her travel career in 1980 in New York. She fondly recalls her office above the big apple's Grand Central Station. Two years later, though, Annie arrived in Vancouver and the place she calls home today. It is here, too, that she established her reputation as a professional travel counselor.

In the twenty years of her career, Annie has witnessed enormous change. Greater client knowledge and expectations have raised the bar for travel professionals. The need to do ever more research in an increasingly complex industry is a fact that Annie quickly acknowledges-and embraces.Sher clearly enjoys the long-term client relationships she has nurtured since 1982. She is grateful to be working with mature professionals in a travel environment where knowledge is not guarded by ego, but shared by experience. WHen asked if she is happy to see Monday morning come around as she is Friday morning, Annie answers, "Yes, I can honestly say that I love my work."

Annie and her husband have two children. The opportunity to travel with her son and daughter is something for which Annie is particularly grateful. She is keenly aware of the perspective they will gain from seeing beyond the borders of home.

A passion for Italy and all things Italian. This, too, is Annie. She somehow feels connected to the boot-shaped land of coliseums and cappuccinos. The food, the music, the art and the style all inspire her immensely. Annie's feet may be firmly planted in Canada. Part of her heart surely remains in England. But her soul is somehow, wonderfully, inexplicably, Italian.

Annie welcomes your inquiries at 604-697 8747 or via email at annie@tripzter.com . Please speak English, though. She's still learning Italian.