From Broadway Dreams to Travel Agency Owner: Samantha’s Journey Around the World

I once found myself climbing Mount Fuji. Yes, Mount Fuji in Japan. Slower than the little old Japanese ladies 10,000 times older than me when I was in my 20s.

I am Samantha, the host of Talk Travel with Samantha, and today we're flipping the camera around. Instead of talking about a destination, we're talking about me and how I got here. Along the way, I'll share the destination I have no desire to ever visit again, the city I couldn't wait to leave but now can't wait to return to, and a few travel lessons I've learned after decades of exploring the world.

Growing Up With Broadway Dreams

As a kid, I wanted to perform for a living. I wanted to be a celebrity, an actress, somebody on stage. What I quickly discovered was that musical theater was where I truly belonged. I danced, sang, acted, and spent most of my childhood pursuing every performance opportunity I could find.

When it came time for graduation, I told my mother I didn't want to go to college. I wanted to be on Broadway. She disagreed and sent me all the way to the West Coast, where my grandparents lived, enrolling me in a two-year college. At the time, I thought it was the exact opposite of the future I wanted.

As it turns out, she may have accidentally helped me get there.

Landing the Lead in West Side Story

While I was in California, a national touring company of West Side Story announced auditions in Los Angeles. I drove up, auditioned for a dancer role, and got cut. I remember thinking, "How is this happening? I know I belong in this show."

What I didn't realize was that I had also submitted for the role of Maria.

Not long after I got home, I received a callback. Then another. Then several more. Eventually, I found myself auditioning opposite the actor they were considering for Tony.

Long story short, we were both hired.

That role changed everything. I left college and joined the national tour, figuring that if someone was willing to pay me to do what I was studying, it was probably worth taking the chance.

Traveling the World Through Musical Theater

The national tour introduced me to life on the road, but it was only the beginning.

From there, I joined the European tour of West Side Story and traveled throughout Germany, France, Switzerland, and beyond. I spent Christmas in Paris and experienced places I had only ever seen in books and movies.

Eventually, I auditioned for Tokyo Disneyland and was hired to perform there as well. That opportunity took me to Japan, which remains one of the most memorable chapters of my life.

My travel bug certainly started when I was young thanks to family vacations, but most of my international travel happened because of musical theater. The stage gave me an opportunity to see the world in a way I never expected.

The Room Service Incident That Still Makes Me Laugh

One of my favorite travel stories happened during my first few weeks in Japan.

I was staying at a hotel near Tokyo Disney and decided to order fried rice from room service. The problem was that it came with shrimp, and I'm allergic to shellfish.

I called room service and attempted, in my very limited Japanese, to explain that I wanted the fried rice without shrimp.

What I didn't understand at the time was that modifications simply weren't common. The fried rice came with shrimp because that was the dish. End of discussion.

After what was probably a very confusing conversation for everyone involved, I never received my order.

The next day I tried again. This time, nobody answered the phone. I called multiple times with no luck. Eventually, I borrowed a friend's phone and called room service from her room.

They answered immediately.

To this day, I am convinced that room service in Japan cut me off because I stressed them out so badly trying to remove shrimp from fried rice. They never answered another call from my room for the rest of my stay.

Looking back, I understand the cultural misunderstanding much better. At the time, though, I was completely baffled.

Discovering a New Career

As the years passed, musical theater became a smaller part of my life. I got married, started a family, and eventually found myself asking what came next.

I realized there were two things I knew incredibly well: Disney and travel.

That's when I discovered the world of travel advising.

I joined an established agency and learned the business from someone who became both a mentor and a guide. From the beginning, though, I was honest about my long-term goal. I wanted to own an agency myself.

Back then, figuring out how to start a travel agency wasn't nearly as easy as it is today. There weren't endless tutorials and step-by-step guides available online. It took a lot of research, trial and error, and determination.

Eventually, I took the leap.

Building Fabulous Adventures Travel

When I launched Fabulous Adventures Travel, several close friends joined me. Some of those same people are still with me today, which honestly amazes me.

Over the years, the agency has grown far beyond anything I imagined. What started as a small operation has expanded into an agency with more than 70 advisors and a strong support team behind the scenes.

In the early days, we focused heavily on Disney vacations. We successfully navigated the challenges of COVID and came out stronger on the other side. Looking back, it's incredible to see how much both the agency and the travel industry have evolved.

How Virgin Voyages Changed Everything

One of the biggest turning points for my business came when Virgin Voyages entered the market.

I was attending a travel industry event when I saw a sign that read "NCF NFW."

Travel advisors know NCF stands for non-commissionable fares. The rest, well, you can probably figure out.

I immediately loved the company's personality. It was cheeky, different, and unlike anything else in the travel industry at the time. I wanted to learn more.

I've been following Virgin Voyages since the very beginning, long before their first ship ever sailed. Watching the brand grow and evolve has been fascinating, and its success has played a significant role in the growth of my agency as well.

The Destination I Was Completely Wrong About

If there is one destination that taught me not to make assumptions, it's Dubai.

When I was invited to visit, I fought the idea tooth and nail. I didn't think it would be my type of destination. I wasn't sure what to expect and honestly didn't think I would enjoy it.

I couldn't have been more wrong.

The people were welcoming, the city was stunning, and the entire experience exceeded every expectation I had.

One of the most memorable moments happened while visiting the Burj Khalifa. During our descent from the observation deck, a recording explained that Dubai intentionally builds many of the world's biggest attractions because they want people from around the world to come experience the city and culture for themselves.

That message stuck with me.

I realized how many assumptions I had made before ever visiting. Travel has a way of challenging those assumptions and replacing them with understanding. That's one of the reasons I love it so much.

Why Travel Matters

People often ask about bucket lists, but travel has never really been about checking boxes for me.

Sure, I want to see iconic landmarks. Of course I'm going to visit the Eiffel Tower if I'm in Paris. But the experiences I remember most aren't the landmarks.

They're the conversations.

They're the restaurant owners, the locals, the unexpected interactions, and the moments that help you understand a place beyond what you see on social media.

Those are the experiences that stay with me long after the trip is over.

My Favorite Travel Hacks

One of the biggest challenges travelers face is jet lag.

When I travel from the United States to Europe, I make one rule for myself: no naps on arrival day. Stay awake, stay active, and push through until at least eight or nine o'clock that night. It isn't always easy, but I've found it helps me adjust far faster than sleeping during the day.

Another tip I always share involves your passport. Take a photo of your information page, but also take a photo of the barcode located on the inside back cover. If you ever lose your passport while traveling internationally, having that information available can make the replacement process significantly easier.

And finally, get travel insurance.

I don't travel without it. After years in the travel industry, I've seen too many situations where insurance saved a vacation or prevented a financial disaster. It's one of the easiest decisions you can make before a trip.

A Quick Travel Lightning Round

Window or aisle seat? Window. I love seeing the destination appear beneath me and filming takeoffs and landings.

Carry-on or overpacker? Definitely overpacker. I've been that person dragging multiple suitcases through airports more times than I'd like to admit.

Street food or fine dining? Fine dining. Street food makes me nervous.

Favorite city in the world? Right now, Amsterdam. I love the canals, the atmosphere, and the overall vibe of the city.

Next bucket list destination? Necker Island.

From Broadway to Travel

When I look back, it's funny how connected everything really is.

The little girl who wanted to perform on Broadway ended up traveling the world through musical theater. That travel eventually led to a career helping others experience the world for themselves.

Today, I still love telling stories. They're just different stories than the ones I imagined when I was younger.

Whether it's climbing Mount Fuji, accidentally getting cut off by room service in Japan, discovering a destination I completely misunderstood, or helping someone plan the trip of a lifetime, travel continues to surprise me.

And honestly, that's probably why I still love it as much as I do.