Hey there, I’m Lea, business innovator, travel coach, adventure enthusiast, gourmet cook, loving wife, and devoted mom.

I have been operating Sunny & Turquoise for 1 year.  However, I’ve been leading women tour groups for over 12 years.  My business was born out of a life time of travel experiences at home and abroad. 

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I first experienced travel at the age of 16. My aunt organized a girls weekend for her daughter and me. All three of us took a flight from Iowa to Denver to ski the breathtaking Colorado snowfields. It was my first time on a plane and I thought it was the most exhilarating experience ever. I marveled at the beauty of endless green rolling pastures, and the magic of flying through puffy marshmallow clouds. 

This was also my first time skiing and so I was a little nervous. But at this time, I got my first  lesson in just trusting the journey and learning to let go.  Only then can the real adventure find you.  We dined in restaurants that provided my first foray into real culinary dining. It's here my passion for gourmet cooking was also ignited.

I had little concept at this time about traveling internationally, or the amazing and exotic locations I would visit, but I knew I couldn't wait to find out.

As I grew into my travel I began to realize the important connection between travel, home, and work/life balance and how these are all interconnected. So I started seeking experiences that would support my life in its entirety and inspire me to be a better colleague, friend, wife, and mom.

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12 years ago, while I was on a trip in Italy, I received a message telling me that I need to take people along with me when traveling. That’s where the seed for Sunny & Turquoise was planted.

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Travel for me, has to be a sensory experience. It should nurture my spirit, feed my body and soul, and leave me feeling refreshed, grounded, and grateful.

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So my travel mantra is simple...seek balance.

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Through travel, I seek adventure, cultural enrichment, physical and spiritual nourishment, human connections, and  inspiration. I have learned that the best travel experiences are found on the other side of comfort, and when I have challenged myself to push beyond that zone I have always been greatly rewarded. 

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Therefore, I design travel experiences that create an inspiring space where beautiful memories are made and lives are changed. Women depart my tours feeling excited, challenged, and reinvented. Life-long friendships are made and best travel buddies (BTBs) are born.

I love every piece of it: researching, budgeting, talking to locals, supporting small restaurants, flights, boats, trains, etc. This excitement for travel puts my guests in good hands.

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Close your eyes and envision this: You wake up after a comfortable night's sleep, get a coffee, and gently start to move your body.  You wander outside to join me for meditation, breath work, and stretching. Your tummy is content with a healthful breakfast, and then you are off to explore for the day. Today we are kayaking a beautiful lake and stopping to sunbathe midway. Late afternoon is spent at a farmers’ market followed by a dinner al fresco. The evening wraps up with you in a cozy blanket, stargazing, with a cup of hot tea.

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My style of travel is about genuine connection. Connection with both yourself and the friendships you’ll make with the small group on the same journey. I encourage taking time to journal, read, and unplug. Our days have a balance of moving our bodies, trying new activities, laughing, playing, visiting local shops, trying food native to the area, and supporting restaurants that serve local fare. But most importantly, I want you to feel a deep sense of love and spiritual connection with the earth, with those around you, and with yourself. You are welcome, as you are, right where you are.

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Recently, I fulfilled my lifelong dream of living near the ocean when my handsome hubby and I moved to Petaluma, California! It’s no surprise to me that life landed me just where I needed to be, Sonoma County, with some of the country’s best wine and restaurants. The sunshine and blue ocean inspire me each and every day as I develop my business, and I continue to grow and live in gratitude, and as I travel happy.