Hi, I’m Colleen
I’m Colleen Pacem, a certified travel professional in Bellevue, Washington. I plan trips for couples and for families traveling together, whether that’s a guided tour of Ireland for two or a Disney trip with the grandchildren. My other work is as a family nurse practitioner, so I pay close attention to pace and mobility when I plan.
Where my love of travel started
When I was little, I watched my older sisters drive off to Disneyland with our aunt and uncle. I still remember wanting to be in that car.
Growing up, our dinner table often included people from Japan, Vietnam, Sweden and Pakistan. In 1993 and 1994 I worked in Skagway, Alaska, and in 1997 I lived and worked in Dawson City in the Yukon. Later I backpacked through Italy.
In 2015 I went back to Skagway on a cruise with a large family group ans saw how well cruising works when everone travels together. Those family trips are a big part of why I started Branches and Blossoms Travel. I want people to travel with enough confidence to enjoy the adventure, even when it stretches them a little.
How I think about a good trip
The trip that looks best online is usually someone else’s highlight reel. A good trip is built around your real time and budget and around how much each person can comfortably do in a day. Fitting three cities into five days looks great on an itinerary and leaves everyone worn out. When a plan won’t give you what you’re hoping for, I’ll tell you and suggest something that will. I’d rather help you plan a trip you’ll want to take again.
