Kay Pfaltz, founder of Beyond Ordinary Travel
Kay Pfaltz, author and sommelier, has been interested in foreign travel and adventure from her earliest days. At age eighteen she studied in Paris at the Sorbonne, while also completing Steven Spurrier’s L’Académie du Vin. At age twenty-four she moved to Paris where she would live for more than fourteen years years. At twenty-six she took time off from work and traveled around the world solo, the first of many such voyages to foreign continents and countries. Her love of different cultures, peoples and food has brought her a greater love and respect for all life and all beliefs. Developing Beyond Ordinary Travel is an attempt to share with others the unique and special places around the world she holds close to her heart.
Kay’s in depth knowledge of Paris and France allows her to take visitors to hidden corners and best kept secrets, off the beaten tourist trail.
She is also a writer and bestselling author of Lauren’s Story: An American Dog in Paris, Flash’s Song, A Walk Through Paris, The Beagle, and most recently The Things We Do, and has been published in English, German, Italian, and French. She is a contributing editor for La Joie, and writes a monthly wine column for Blue Ridge Life. Kay cares deeply for the planet and its animals. She donates a percentage of all profits from books to animal welfare organizations.
Kay holds a B.A. from the University of Virginia, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in English literature from Kings College, University of London, and taught for many years at Mary Baldwin College (now Mary Baldwin University) in the U.S. and study abroad programs in Paris.
She divides her time between France and Virginia.
For more information, see her Wine Blogposts or visit www.KayPfaltz.com
Bruce & Laurel in Tuscany enjoying their villa.
Laurel & Bruce Easterson
Laurel and Bruce are world travelers with a love for people, food and wine. Well-versed in the Italian countryside, they have also traveled through Ireland, England and France. Avid sailors, they just completed their third cruise, sailing the inside passage from Vancouver, BC to Seward Alaska in July, and highly recommend it! Beautiful land and seascapes along with amazing wildlife!
Their philosophy is to travel at every opportunity. “Follow your sense of adventure and go!”
Graduate degrees, including an M.B.A. From William & Mary.
Robert Magnusson
Robert Magnusson is a Swedish national with American and Swedish citizenship. He has traveled the world extensively and is fluent in English, German, Swedish, Finnish and Dutch.
Robert divides his time between the U.S. and Sweden.
Heidi Reed
Heidi Reed worked in the travel industry for more than six years. She has lived in China, India and Costa Rica and now makes her home with her family in Virginia. Heidi is passionate about working with developing countries to raise standards of living.
