Camelback Odyssey Travel - Travel Specialists: Cassandra Bookholder

Cassandra Bookholder

Years in Industry:	6 Years
Hometown:	Central Coast, AUSTRALIA
Specialty:	Australia, South Pacific & Honeymoons
Certifications:	Certified Travel Associate (CTA) Aussie Specialist Kiwi (New Zealand) Specialist South Pacific Specialist Travel + Leisure Magazine 125 Top Travel Agents 2009, 2010 & 2011

Phone: 602-889-5902

Email: cassandrab@camelbacktravel.com

Cassandra's Travel Bio

What is your travel vision?

Having a job where I create inspiring and amazing travel experiences for clients is not a job at all, it’s a lifestyle… and I love it! I’m in the travel industry as I have a strong passion for learning new cultures, experiencing unique destinations and enjoying the most interesting food & wine the world has to offer. I get great pleasure tailor-making these options and so much more for like-minded travelers.

What's in your carry on?

Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones, An issue of the local country’s VOGUE, Qantas Eye-Mask, Flip video camera, Lucas’ Papaw Lipbalm, bandaids, sunnies, and a cardigan.

What is your most memorable or most inspiring travel experience?

Most recently, I would say the most eye-opening experience I enjoyed was a conversation with a book-store owner in Agra, India. The two of us chatted about our beliefs and principals in life and shared a cherished moment between two different cultures. My most fond & favorite travel memories will always belong with my family and the great experiences we had while I was a child traveling across Australia on every holiday.

What has been your best culinary experience/ memorable meal while traveling?

Lizard Island (Great Barrier Reef) Picnic Basket of King Prawns & Sauvignon Blanc while dining on a deserted beach surrounded by the most beautiful coral reef (including giant bright purple clams)!

+ Treetops Lodge in New Zealand where a native Maori walked with me through the forest picking ingredients for our lunch to only then have it prepared and dined next to the majestic Bridal Veil Waterfall.

What is the one destination/experience you still want to go/have?

Orion Expedition Trip down to Antarctica

Cassandra's Favorites

Destination:	Swimming in the pure waters of Lake McKenzie on Fraser Island, Australia
Hotel:	Titilaka Lodge on the shores of Lake Titicaca, Peru + The Upper House’s modern luxury in Hong Kong
Hotel Room:	Owner’s Cottage at Kauri Cliffs, New Zealand (impeccable design by Virginia Fisher)
New Property	Noi Hotel Santiago, Chile – a chic & boutique hotel with a great location for the city’s best restaurants
Travel Read/App:	Newspaper = New York Times Weekly Travel Articles Magazine = Travel+Leisure Monthly IssuesBook = Holy Cow; An Indian Adventure by Sarah MacDonald

Favorite Trips

Australian Coast & Outback Adventures *I aim to travel to Australia twice a year experiencing new properties and activities on each trip

New Zealand Luxury Lodges

Torres del Paine National Park in Southern Chile; featuring Remota Lodge and experiencing 360 degree views of dramatic mountains, blue hanging glaciers & pristine lakes… a hikers heaven.

The Amazon & Lake Titicaca, Peru; featuring Aqua Expeditions new boat, The Aria sailing down the Amazon River and eye-opening cultural experience on the shores of Lake Titicaca.

India’s Golden Triangle; featuring; Yoga lessons in New Delhi, Room with the best view at the Oberoi Amarvilas overlooking the Taj Mahal in Agra, Painted Elephant Ride & blessing ceremony in a 300-yr old shiva temple by a local preist (pujari) in Jaipur, Enjoying pool-butlers in the city of lakes Udaipur, experiencing the lunch box & laundry city of Mumbai

Hong Kong Delights; featuring; Dining at the exclusive China Club, Shopping like a mad-woman, Finding the best priced foot-massages around, Drinking “hairy” tea & enjoying the world’s best dim sum restaurants