“So why travel responsibly? In a world of conflict and polarization, more than ever, travel can be a tool for positive change - but only if that travel is done respectfully and reflectively. Travel thus has to start with a change of heart and a new frame of mind. Whether spending time with those who hold different political opinions, or meeting members of different ethnic communities, travel must begin with a willingness to listen and learn.” – Aziz Abu Sarah

The year 2024 marks Holbrook Travel’s 50th anniversary, and we celebrated this milestone by gathering our teams from the U.S., Costa Rica, Panama, and Argentina for a full week of fun, insightful, and inspiring activities in our Gainesville, Florida office. We spent time reflecting on our history, relishing our present, and planning for our future through presentations, discussions, team-building exercises, and even kayaking down a river and planting trees to memorialize some of our team members who are no longer with us. With a renewed sense of purpose, unity, and synergy after spending such a fulfilling and enriching time together, we want to commemorate the special stories and images of our retreat in this recap!

On Monday afternoon we took a break from our brainstorming exercises and presentations to check out the partial solar eclipse. Spread out on the Holbrook lawn, we put on our protective glasses and looked up at the sky. Although it was bright and sunny outside, we were able to see partial coverage and spent some time lounging on the grass taking it in.

The retreat provided a rare opportunity for all of our staff from four different countries to gather together in one place, and we enjoyed getting to spend time together in person. In addition to celebrating our anniversary, some of our goals included planning for the future, with a focus on our conservation and sustainability initiatives, and exploring new ways for our different teams to work together in order to continue fulfilling our mission and vision.

We heard presentations from our friends at Selva Verde Lodge, the Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center, and our Costa Rica field office. An excerpt from the book "Crossing Boundaries: A Traveler's Guide to World Peace" by Aziz Abu Sarah helped guide some of our conversations on transformative travel. And we took part in team-building activities, breakout sessions, and brainstorming discussions centered on enhancing our programming and the traveler experience.

We celebrated our connection with nature by getting together at Silver Springs State Park for a paddling adventure down 5 miles of pristine river. It was a great opportunity for our team to bond outside of the office and marvel at the natural wonders we have in our own backyard in Florida. Among the lush vegetation and crystalline water, we got to see captivating wildlife like manatees, alligators, turtles, many species of birds, and even some monkeys. We were also joined by Gilberto and Edith, our long-time friends from Mayan Caribbean Travel.

We couldn't have a 50th anniversary celebration without acknowledging some of the people who influenced Holbrook's mission and paved the way for where we are today. We gathered together to plant three trees on the Holbrook property in honor of three influential people: Giovanna Holbrook, Tom Carr, and Frank Richmond.

We were born out of Giovanna Holbrook’s great vision, and we keep moving forward thanks to her legacy, guidance, and the firm foundation she set for us to continue into a bright future with defined purpose. Tom Carr helped develop new programs and scout out new locations for Holbrook trips. He was a daring adventurer with a loving heart and an extraordinary talent for creating educational travel programs. Frank Richmond developed and implemented travel programs worldwide and was the leader for Holbrook’s Road Scholar programming for over 20 years. His incredible creativity and ability to bring out the best in people set the standard for Holbrook that continues to prevail. As we planted trees in memory of each of these individuals, we shared fond memories of them and the legacies they have left behind.

Throughout the week, we also enjoyed the chance to socialize after hours. The Gainesville folks had fun showing the out-of-town visitors around, with impromptu visits to the University of Florida bat houses (which are inhabited by an estimated 450,000 bats that fly out in an impressive display at dusk), blueberry-picking at a local farm, and several outings to nearby preserves for birding and wildlife-watching.

We ended the week with a special farewell dinner hosted by Sweetwater Branch Inn—a fitting location, as this Victorian-era property in downtown Gainesville represents another piece of Giovanna Holbrook's legacy, her passion for historical preservation. With music, food and drinks, a cake, and a slideshow of photos spanning 50 years, it was the perfect way to cap off the celebrations and our time together.

As we look ahead to the future, we know the results of these conversations and the time spent together will reverberate for a long time to come, helping to inform and guide our steps forward. We're eager to share the fruits of our labor with you in the field!

Photos by Adrián Solís, Anna Brown, Etel Castillo, Jill Hays, Kevin Van Dien, Laurie McLaughlin, Lindsay Taulbee, María Ramírez, Pelin Karaca, Sarah Mandile, and Stephanie Kowacz