About
John Matthews
Owner and President
I have loved travel as long as I can remember. I was the oldest of five children in the family of a Navy pilot and I would ride my bike over to the end of the nearby airport runway with my brother to watch the planes land and take off right in front of us. I knew all the airlines by heart and dreamed about where the people on the planes were going. As a Navy family, we lived all over the country, including Puerto Rico, and I got to go to France with a school group for my first international trip when I was 14, which was an incredible experience.
After college, I followed in my father’s footsteps, serving in the Navy for six years on submarines during which I got to live in Hawaii and continue my world travels. After the Navy, I worked in the transportation industry for 30 years, retiring from Boeing after 20 years of traveling all over the world.
I have been blessed to live in 14 states, visit all 50 states, and travel to 54 countries over the past 40 plus years for both business and pleasure, so I know the joys and challenges of travel. I have a passion to share my love of travel and my experience with you to help make your travel dreams come true.
Throughout my career, I’ve had a reputation for “sweating the details” and I will put that detail orientation to work for you. I will help you plan trips ensuring that everything meets or exceeds your expectations. You have worked hard for your money – let me do the planning and work the details to prepare a unique trip for you and your family. You relax and enjoy.
With the help and expertise of Adventure Awaits World Travel, you can enhance your life with luxury, relaxation, and adventure.
Book a call with me to talk about where would you like to go next.
Jackie Matthews
Owner and Memory Maker
Walt Disney said, “It all started with a mouse.” Well, in our case, it all started on a beach in Maui. It was 20 years ago on our 15th wedding anniversary. There we were, toes in the sand, sipping champagne and watching the gorgeous Maui sunset when John said, “How do we do this for a living?” That question became a dream that turned into the reality of Adventure Awaits World Travel.
Travel changes us in beautiful ways as we learn to value and respect one another and find those things we share in common. I began traveling internationally with my parents and sisters as a child. I have now visited over 21 countries and feel like I am just getting started!
World Traveler Mama/Grandmother Retired School Teacher
When you work with me, you get advice that is based on personal experience, not just quotes from a brochure or website which may, or may not, be accurate. As a mother of five and grandmother of two, I cherish our precious time together with our busy adult children and their families. I know how challenging it can be to plan a trip that makes everybody happy - from the babies to the grandparents. Add in some mobility and/or dietary restrictions and you, as the planner, can get a stress headache in a hurry! How do you make sure the advertised “children’s program” is an amazing, age appropriate experience and not just a room with video games? What if that destination resort that promised full mobility access or plenty of gluten free options doesn’t deliver? Then what??
My proven process = a fabulous trip for you and yours
You and I start with a fun conversation. My process often uncovers things you may not have thought of but are very important - like hiring a photographer to get that special family picture, or what articles to read and movies to watch if you want to get the most on your great adventure. You know how teachers love to give homework 😊.
If you love to travel like I do, let’s talk. Call, text or email.
