Denise
Shorthouse

I was born and raised in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Family vacations ranging from visits to my grandparents in Hawaii, to following the Formula 1/Le Mans and auto racing circuits sowed the seeds of wanderlust in my life. These combined experiences ignited an early, indelible search for authentic travel.

It was my first solo trip to Europe that cemented my need for new experiences. The food, the culture, fast cars and the world’s best museums can do that to a girl! I soon realized that the world was so big, so unexplored, and there was so much more to discover. Upon my return I abandoned my pursuit of a career in pediatrics to serve the adventurous.

Since then, some of my indelible travel memories have included racing, trekking through the dense Amazon Rainforest, cycling the French countryside, exploring the culinary scenes and wines of Croatia, Italy, and New Zealand and soaking up the clear depths and warm sands of the Hawaiian Islands and the South Pacific. Many of my profound travel experiences have been the outgrowth of my passion for food, fine wine and friendly locals (and driving fast cars on closed courses!)

Now my husband and I travel with our two daughters because I love seeing the world through their eyes and have always believed the best learning opportunities are outside the classroom. My mantra is ‘Go with an open heart, and always with a smile!’