Your partners in travel planning

Your partners in travel planning

Holbrook’s team is composed of lifelong learners and global adventurers who all share a love of travel.

A significant portion of our team has a long tenure at Holbrook, a unique trait that translates into smooth communication, extensive knowledge, and deep relationships with our travel partners around the globe.

GET TO KNOW OUR SPECIALTY TRAVEL EXPERTS

ANDREA HOLBROOK PRESIDENT

Worked at Holbrook since 1993 Andrea has been the president and CEO of Holbrook Travel since 1998. She also supports her mother’s work at Selva Verde Lodge and Rainforest Reserve, a place that was her introduction to the hospitality and travel industry. Additionally she is a board member of the Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center, a nonprofit organization that connects communities with conservation through education and ecotourism. Andrea holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature with a minor in Russian studies from Columbia University. A newcomer by Holbrook standards, Chris has over 25 years of experience with leading companies including Overseas Adventure Travel, Vantage Travel, and Paul Gauguin Cruises. He has developed partnerships with numerous organizations, including Smithsonian, Harvard, and Audubon. Chris earned his BA from Dartmouth College and holds an MBA from UCLA. He caught the travel bug at an early age on a family sabbatical to Europe and now has ventured to over 40 countries on seven continents.

CHRIS BENSLEY VICE PRESIDENT OF PARTNERSHIPS AND MARKETING

Worked at Holbrook since 2016

DEBBIE JORDAN HOLBROOK AMBASSADOR

Worked at Holbrook since 1996 Debbie was initiated into the world of travel at an early age, living aboard a 36-foot sailboat from ages 9 to 18 with her family. They sailed from California to Florida and spent a lot of time in Costa Rica, Panama, and the Galápagos. Since then, she has been all over Latin America and developed a passion for nature and birding. She has been to 40 countries and 50 U.S. states. In 2018, Debbie took on the role of Holbrook Ambassador to support our growing travel leader community. LISA PALMESE-GRAUBARD EDUCATION & ECO-EXPEDITION SPECIALIST

Worked at Holbrook since 1990 Lisa says she was drawn into the world of travel with Holbrook and there was no looking back. She has visited 17 countries, swum with sea lions, and been in the middle of a herd of wild elephants. She specializes in working with educators of all academic levels, as well as non-profit organizations. Not only does she love exposing students to authentic experiences, she also loves working with educators who have the passion to give their students learning opportunities they could not have in a traditional classroom. Her dedication to her clients is evident, with many of them returning year after year.

STEFANIE PLEIN EDUCATIONAL TRAVEL CONSULTANT

Worked at Holbrook since 2017 Stefanie has a BS in Ecology from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and an MS in Biology from Western Illinois University. Stefanie’s love of travel led her to spend a semester studying marine biology on the Great Barrier Reef at James Cook University in Townsville, Australia. During her master’s degree she conducted fieldwork on bottlenose dolphins in the Northeastern Adriatic Sea, Croatia. Stefanie also assisted with an anthropology study in Ugandan villages. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, scuba diving, snorkeling, photography, travel, and shelling.

Kevin received his BS in Biology from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. Before Holbrook, Kevin was developing and teaching adult learning programs at The Florida Aquarium. He enjoys exploring destinations with exotic flora and fauna, but also travels in search of interesting foods, flavors, and coffees! His favorite trips so far include the Amazon, Costa Rica, and Tanzania. Kevin has spent his life learning about the natural and cultural landscapes around the world, and relishes the opportunity to help others enrich their lives through travel! SANDY SCHMIDT SPECIALTY TRAVEL CONSULTANT & GARDEN TOURS DIRECTOR

Worked at Holbrook since 1992 Sandy’s first career was as a professional musician, from high school through her early 30s. She graduated in 1991 from the University of Florida with a BS in horticulture. A year later she met Giovanna Holbrook and began her career at Holbrook. She has worked with all types of client organizations and enjoys planning travel for groups of friends and families as well. In 2006, she developed the International Garden Tours program at Holbrook Travel.

KEVIN VAN DIEN SPECIALTY TRAVEL CONSULTANT

Worked at Holbrook since 2019 FRAN WHITLOCK SPECIALTY TRAVEL CONSULTANT & AIR SPECIALIST

Worked at Holbrook since 1992 Fran came to work at Holbrook Travel with14 years of retail travel under her belt. In 2001 she joined the group travel planning team, and she specializes in individual travel as well as group travel for Central and South America, Cuba, parts of Africa, and Iceland. At Holbrook, Fran not only provides personalized travel experiences for individuals and groups but also fulfills the role of Air Specialist. She has traveled to Cuba, Costa Rica, Peru, Panama, Ecuador and the Galápagos, and on her bucket list are Chile and Iceland!

Our field staff & expert guides

At Holbrook, we understand that the caliber of your in-country guide can make a great trip truly

extraordinary, which is why we carefully recruit and train only the best. Knowledgeable, resourceful, passionate, and attentive, here are just a few of these dedicated professionals.

PEDRO BOSQUES COSTA RICA

Pedro grew up in San José, and discovered his love for conservation when he moved to the Monteverde area and worked at the Monteverde Reserve. During his time there, he served as a field assistant and in doing so gained an immense knowledge on the flora and fauna of the cloud forest. He transitioned to guide work, and has been leading programs throughout Costa Rica since 1998.

He was absolutely excellent. Professional, caring, and an allaround asset to the experience.

NATHAN FORBES BELIZE

Nathan Forbes was born in the tranquil village of Sittee River in southern Belize, and moved to Belize City at age 13 to attend high school. He started as a driver in Belize’s fledgling tourism industry, and followed this path to complete guide certification training, as well as professional development courses on the country’s natural history and ecotourism. He now considers himself a naturalist and avid birder, and loves being able not only to learn every day, but also share his home country with visitors.

Nathan Forbes was excellent. Very knowledgeable and experienced on surrounding land and organisms.

JIMMY TREJOS COSTA RICA

Jimmy Trejos first fell in love with nature at a young age, when he followed his dad, an agriculture professor, through a “fairy tale” forest on a local farm. From that moment on, he was involved with environmental education, from elementary school to college. He started his career as a research assistant at La Selva Biological Station, and has worked both as a guide as well as a field assistant. He loves all subjects of wildlife, and sharing Costa Rica’s natural paradise with travelers.

I loved the knowledge and love that Jimmy had for nature and the country.

PABLO NAJARRO GUATEMALA

Pablo grew up on his family’s farm in Guatemala, where he gained an appreciation of the nature and wildlife around him. He has worked as a tour guide since his graduation in 1999, and continues to expand his career by attending Audubon trainings, teaching seminars on Maya culture, and conducting research on bird species in Guatemala. Inspired by sharing his passion for birds with the Guatemalan people, Pablo founded the country’s first bird club, the Petén Birders Club.

Pablo was an outstanding leader, and a pleasure to be with.

JOSÉ NARANJO ECUADOR

José grew up in Quito and started his work in tourism and environmentalism at college, studying Engineering in Sustainable Tourism Projects. Passionate about his country’s nature, art, and culture, José’s main goal is to share as much knowledge as he can, and make each traveler’s experience unforgettable. He continues to study environmental sciences, fulfilling his life philosophy of learning something new every day.

José was one of the top guides I have ever experienced.

LUCAS MHINA TANZANIA

Lucas was born and raised in Arusha, the safari gateway of Tanzania. In addition to his BA in Hospitality and Tourism Management, he has certifications in Advanced Field Guiding and First Aid. He is fluent in English and Swahili, and has a keen interest in ecology. He truly enjoys sharing his knowledge of the birds and wildlife of East Africa, as well as the local culture. Born to parents from two different tribes, Lucas offers a unique perspective on Tanzanian society.

I really can’t imagine a better guide. He was the best part of the trip.

LOURDES “LULU” PESANTES GALÁPAGOS

A native of the Galápagos, Lulu studied on the islands and volunteered with the Galápagos National Park and the Charles Darwin Station before attending college in Quito. Guiding in the Galápagos fulfills a lifelong dream, as her true passion lies with her islands. She loves to share the magical Galápagos with visitors, and takes pride in contributing to its conservation.

A wonderful guide we learned SO much from. She really connected with us and showed us the best of the Galápagos.

ALAIN RAKOTONOELY MADAGASCAR

Alain first became involved in tourism because of his love for Madagascar’s unique natural world and his affinity toward the English language. Beginning as a waiter at the hotel in Andasibe Mantadia National Park, he became a local guide specializing in wildlife, while also doing translation work for nongovernmental organizations. His guiding philosophy sees the role as one of art and inspiration, with an emphasis on personalized service and approachability.

Alain was so wonderful and knowledgeable. He is a great tour guide, very caring, and kept us on schedule.