Annie Schroeder

It is surprising that as a Navy brat we did less moving than one might expect, but my father traveled extensively around the world. He would bring me dolls from every country and wonderful treasures for my mother and brothers, so we had a sense of life beyond our middle-class neighborhood. My parents took us to Chinese restaurants and taught us to eat with chopsticks at an early age. Once my mom brought home two hitchhikers simply because they were holding a sign that said “Germany” – they stayed for two months! When I was a young adult they moved permanently to Portugal. How could I avoid exploring the world?

Fast forward to 1989. As Executive Director for the Oriental Rug Retailers of America, I was charged with creating membership benefits. Hmmm… if I were an Oriental Rug Retailer what would be of most benefit to me and my business? Hmmm… how about visiting the rug weaving countries of the world? Hmmm…how about Turkey? Twenty-one of us traveled to and around Turkey visiting small villages and met the people that designed and  created rugs that we call art. Since then we have happily arranged tours to France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Morocco, China, Turkey, Viet Nam, Cambodia, Chile, United Kingdom, Argentina, Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Caribbean and the Galapagos.

I see the world through my senses, in terms of sounds, smells, flavors and textures, and not through the eyes of a historian or one fascinated by data and statistics. When asked about Florence, for example, I am more likely to describe the street merchants bantering and bargaining, the smell of coffee roasting in the early morning, the best place to watch a sunset and why you can eat in the same restaurant each night and have an entirely different culinary experience than I am to give Duomo dimensions. Because of this vision I offer a very unique experience for my clients.