Norway

My name is Jeff Santoro. I have been fortunate enough to have seen all of the United States and many of countries on 6 continents.

I have lead group travel for hundreds of passengers (mostly to European countries). I have traveled solo or in small groups to "off the path" places such as India, Russia, and Argentina (to name a few).

I want your travel experience to be memorable, fun, and celebrated!

If you want to read a bit of my story and the idea behind my mantra, "Life's Short ... Travel More," please continue to the next paragraph.

"LIFE’S SHORT … TRAVEL MORE"

Travel provides perspective, tolerance, acceptance, and life experience. It’s that simple. Now go do it!

Okay, it may not be as easy as that, but departing from the "norm" of the everyday grind is not that crazy either. I don't want to repeat the life my grandmother lived. I loved my grandmom. She is one of the bravest women I have ever known. When she was only 14 years old she left Italy and traveled across the Atlantic to plant new roots in America. When she arrived to New York's harbor on the S.S. Duilio in 1924, the only other place she would ever visit, and eventually live the rest of her days, was Delaware.

I always wondered why my grandmom didn't travel more. Unfortunately she passed away when I was too young to ask.

On the other side of my family, my Uncle Alex was a merchant marine and eventually became a cruise ship captain. He traveled all over the world. I remember my mom's mom (Grandmom Concetta) occasionally boarding one of his cruises.

As a kid, I would be excited for her as I waved feverishly from the dock.

She truly enjoyed those experiences.My love for travel actually began when I was extremely young.

My first big trip (that I remember) was in 1972 to Walt Disney World. My parents packed all of us kids up in the station wagon and we drove for two days, stopping on occasion at landmarks like SOUTH OF THE BORDER. We covered a lot of miles and experienced the greatness of a classic road trip! From there, I was hooked!

As a child growing up in the 70/80's, I was lucky to have traveled most of North America (including Canada and Mexico). It wasn't until 1994, that I was able to go a bit farther and experience first-hand life outside of my home country.

I have visited 6 of the 7 continents. I have been to:

• Russia (twice)
• Italy (too many times to count)
• Ireland
• Northern Ireland (a Jeff favorite)
• Argentina
• Mexico
• Canada
• India
• Pakistan
• China
• Africa
• South Africa
• New Zealand
• Australia
• Uruguay
• Norway
• Finland
• Sweden
• and all of Europe (Eastern/Western)

I have learned much. First and foremost: “Life’s short … travel more.” This became one of my mantra’s.

I realized at an early age that exploration of different cultures, people, and food would prove more beneficial in the long run.

Travel makes you re-consider all of the problems you “think” you have, and instead offers perspective on how fortunate life is for many … and how life is not so great for others.

If you want to travel, save your money (and make sacrifices - as in eat in more so you can travel more). Find a job you love. Spend time with family and friends. And travel as much as you can.

It’s a life lesson that has worked well for me. I know it will work for you too!