Why I Started Turquoise Travel: A Little Story From My Heart
Hello, and welcome! I’m Heather Noonan, the owner of Turquoise Travel, and I’m so happy you’re here. Starting this blog feels a bit like opening the door to my home and inviting you in for a cozy chat about one of my greatest loves travel.
Travel has been stitched into my life for as long as I can remember—but it really began in the pages of books. Growing up, I was the kid who got happily lost in stories from around the world, tracing far-off cities and coastlines with my imagination and promising myself that one day I’d see those places with my own eyes. That love of reading turned into a love of planning, and I spent hundreds of hours researching my own trips—learning routes, ports, hidden corners, and the little details that make a journey feel personal. And when the world—and the entire travel industry—had to press pause in 2020, I poured that same energy into researching, training, and educating myself on how to turn my passion into a career devoted to helping others bring their travel dreams to life.
How Turquoise Travel Came to Life
I started my boutique travel business from scratch with one simple goal: to make life-changing travel possible for people like me who don’t have unlimited time, but still deserve an experience that truly resets the soul. My “why” was born on my very first cruise—a 10-day Caribbean journey I boarded with a heavy heart after a personal tragedy just months before. I didn’t know what I was searching for, only that I needed space to breathe. Over those ten incredible days and six beautiful, unique ports, something shifted: I came home with new knowledge, unexpected cultural moments that widened my perspective, and several new friends who felt like reminders that joy still exists. The evenings were the real medicine—quiet, restorative hours watching sunsets melt into the sea, letting the waves do what words couldn’t. I returned feeling healed and refreshed, ready to take on new challenges and grow personally, and I realized I wanted to help others find that same kind of restoration—curating thoughtful, time-smart trips that maximize every day, remove the stress, and leave you coming home not just rested, but renewed.
Some of my happiest memories are the ones where I’ve finally stood in the very places I once only knew from the pages of a book—watching a skyline I’d imagined for years, wandering streets I’d “visited” a hundred times in my mind, and realizing my dreams had quietly become real. Just as meaningful as the destinations are the people I’ve met along the way—locals, fellow travelers, and unexpected friends—each one leaving a mark and reminding me that travel is ultimately about connection. The education I’ve received through these experiences is priceless: lessons in perspective, gratitude, courage, and curiosity that no classroom could ever replicate. And little by little, I’m turning my “I wish I could do that” list into an “I can’t believe I’ve been able to do that” list—one trip at a time.
A Little Peek Into My Life
Over the years, travel has taught me that it’s not only about where you go—it’s about how those moments stay with you. It’s the laughter shared with strangers who somehow become friends, the sunsets you wish you could pause, and the way a simple experience can warm your heart long after you’re home. Along the way, I’ve deepened the connections that matter most—especially with my husband, Sam—through shared meals and unforgettable culinary experiences, and by wandering through museums and cultural centers that bring each destination’s story to life. And when I’m back home facing the pace of day-to-day life, I love revisiting the photos and videos I’ve taken—they’re a mental boost that instantly brings me back to who I was in those moments.
Why I’m Starting This Blog
This blog is for you — the one who wants to see more, feel more, and live a little slower along the way. Inside these posts, you’ll find stories from the road and gentle reminders to soak in the small moments, trust your curiosity, and remember that even in a big world, we’re all more connected than we think. It isn’t always easy out there, but the good experiences — the people, the places, the awe — are what make it worth it. I hope you find that here.
Thank you for being here. Truly. I can’t wait to share more with you and hopefully help you plan a trip that fills your heart as much as traveling has filled mine.
With love,
Heather
Let’s Plan Your Next Adventure!
Travel has a way of creating the most unforgettable memories, and I’d love to help you make that happen. Whether you’re dreaming of a relaxing cruise, a bucket-list getaway, or a simple weekend escape, I’m here to guide you every step of the way.
I believe that every trip should feel personal, seamless, and full of joy. Your adventure should be stress-free and perfectly suited to what you imagine, and I can’t wait to help bring your vision to life.
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