OUR STORY
OUR STORY
OUR STORY
Travel with Intent
WhirlAway Travel
was
founded in 1985 by Patty Jefferis and is now helmed by her daughter, Jamie Jones. Avid horseracing fans, we named our family agency after the thoroughbred that claimed the Triple Crown in 1941, the birth year of Jamie’s father. From the very beginning, integrity and personal relationships established the foundation of the business. The world of travel has changed dramatically since 1985, yet WhirlAway’s foundation remains solid. Trust and expertise are the heart of our relationships with clients, our local community, and our
global travel partners.
Meet the Team
The WhirlAway team has a collective 105+ years of experience in the travel industry. Your wanderlust? Our obsession. If you’re dreaming of a far-flung landscape, or an urban getaway closer to home, we’ve not only researched it but will curate unlimited experiences. Let’s journey, together.
Jamie Jones
President & Luxury Travel Advisor
Signature Travel Expert Select
South Africa & Safari
Wish List Trip:
Everywhere! But if I had to choose just one, it would be a combo of gorilla trekking in Rwanda at Singita Kwitonda Lodge and chimp trekking at Mahale Greystoke in Tanzania. Two vastly different experiences!
Current Obsession: Family hikes.
Never Thought I’d:
Follow in my mom’s footsteps with WhirlAway and go to Africa five times before I turned 40!
Always Travel With:
Bose Noise Cancelling headphones, a colorful Kikois wrap from Kenya to add pop to my monochromatic travel wardrobe, packing cubes, and a book.
2021 Top Travel Specialist,
Conde Nast Traveler
Sara Samuel
Manager & Luxury Travel Advisor
Signature Travel Expert
Wish List Trip:
Peru (Cusco, Machu Picchu & Sacred Valley), Antarctica, Crete, Azores, San Miguel de Allende, Israel, East Africa, San Sebastian, Singapore, Bora Bora, and the list grows!
Current Obsession: Italy. Also past and future obsession. Always Italy.
Never Thought I’d: Love Dubai or have opinions about business class amenity kits.
Always Travel With:
Curiosity and comfortable shoes.
Signature Travel Expert Select
Food and Wine
Anna Dunleavy
Luxury Travel Advisor
Certified Tauck Specialist
Signature Travel Expert
Wish List Trip:
Gorilla trekking.
Current Obsession:
Fascia stretching.
Never Thought I’d:
Stay in the travel industry for as long as I have.
Always Travel With:
My favorite Athleta travel pants.
Amy Smolders
Luxury Travel Coordinator
Wish List:
In the near future, Peru and Morocco. My more long-term plans include Africa and India.
Current Obsession:
Podcasts. Whether I am in the car, cooking, or out for a walk, I almost always have one on.
Never Thought I’d:
Enjoy adventurous experiences like snowmobiling in Lapland—traveling with my family has encouraged me to try new things.
Always Travel With:
An extra phone charger and a small tripod for my phone.
Alison Warner
Luxury Travel Concierge
Wish List Trip: Sea, sun & sand are my elements so I gravitate to the Caribbean. Dream destinations include the Greek islands, the Maldives, and anywhere I can speak French.
Current Obsession: Arranging fresh flowers for friends & getting lost in a good book.
Never Thought I’d: Still be learning so much about myself with every trip I take.
Always Travel With: A refillable water bottle, mascara, a cozy wrap, a book, and a bathing suit (you never know when you’ll need it).
Arlene Story
Bookkeeper
Wish List Trip:
A road trip to Bend, Oregon, to visit my nephew and his family, and witnessing the northern sites along the way.
Current Obsession:
Historical novels, and constructing a miniature greenhouse.
Never Thought I’d:
Never get tired of gardening.
Always Travel With:
My husband and makeup.
Denise Booth
Luxury Travel Advisor
Signature Travel Expert
Wish List: Many, but if choosing only one, Australia! I have always wanted to go. I just haven’t convinced anyone to fly that far with me. I will get there, and if it is over NYE to see the fireworks from the Sydney Harbor, that is a bonus!
Current Obsession: Walking! I love a good trail or park, with family or a friend. I’m also obsessed with simplifying. We accumulate a lot over course of our lives and it is time to simplify!
Never Thought I’d: Travel solo. But I have traveled by myself to Ireland, Israel and Italy to escort groups and they were fantastic experiences!
Always Travel With: My shows downloaded to Netflix and HBO Max, AirPods, chargers, and a zip up sweatshirt because I am always cold.
Stacey Blum
Luxury Travel Advisor
Signature Travel Expert
Wish List Trip: Hiking in Slovenia, Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda, Sailing in Croatia…. Everywhere and anywhere I can explore wellness and active travel.
Current Obsession: Pilates and Podcasts of all kinds.
Never Thought I’d: pack in a carry-on for a 10 day trip.
Always Travel With: Noise Cancelling headphones, ginger to keep my stomach happy, hiking or running shoes, a journal, downloaded shows and podcasts.
Patty Jefferis
Founder
Wish List Trip:
Around the world by private jet.
Current Obsession:
Writing a journal as a legacy for my family.
Never Thought:
My company would continue with the next generation and that my daughter’s passion would surpass mine.
Always Travel With:
My Kindle and, of course, my toothbrush!
More than Where, We know Why.
"We could've never planned a trip like this on our own. There's a reason this
family business
has been around for so many years."
-
C.K.
