Ann Morin Yulee, FL Travel Agent | Vacation.com
Ann Morin

Ann Morin

Yulee, FL Travel Agent

Ann C Morin-Your Dream Vacation LLC

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25+ Years of Experience
Additional Languages
English

Southeast Asia Travel Specialist

Chiang Mai Thailand

I stumbled into becoming an expert on Asia.

I never set out to be one, I have always been known for my knowledge of Europe, especially Italy where my father’s family comes from.

I had a client interested in visiting Myanmar, a country I had never heard of other than by it’s former name Burma, (from the TV show Seinfeld).

Never one to walk away from a challenge I started reading and researching, a love affair soon emerged. I was astonished by the beauty I saw online of the temples and stupas, they were not like anything I had seen in my travels before and I knew I would have to head East myself for a first-hand look.

My first trip to Asia started off in with three nights Bangkok Thailand to recuperate from the long flight and do some sightseeing before continuing on to Myanmar. I selected Monograms as my private tour guide and concierge.  It could not have worked out better, our guide took us to all of the main sites with VIP skip the line entry and also checked in on us daily.  Bangkok itself is a festival for your eyes. The detailing and adornments on the temples were almost surreal, absolutely stunning!

Myanmar was frozen in time, there were very few cars, people traveled about in ox carts, or, as I went further down the river, via small sampan boats. Giant golden stupas dotted the countryside.  The people lived far differently than I, but, at the very core we were the same. All it took was a smile and we could communicate.

Leaving Myanmar I headed over to Beijing to visit the Great Wall of China, Forbidden City and Summer Palace which was a world away from Southeast Asia! Although it was modern city the antiquity of the places I visited still had a big impact. Artistically it was mesmerizing.

The following year I set off to Cambodia to join Avalon Waterways Mekong River Cruise.  We began with three nights in Siem Reap exploring the amazing Temples of Angkor. Avalon's ship was fantastic only 18 cabins, all suites where the bed faces a wall open up creating an open air balcony. There were just 20 of us on the cruise, it felt like a private luxury yacht!

I have journeyed to Northern Thailand taking care of my own elephant for the day, visited the triangular boarders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar which used to be the drug smuggling capital of Asia due to the poppy plants. I’ve chatted with women in a Padaung tribe who wear brass coils around their necks, learning that they consider it a symbol of beauty not something they are forced to endure and was blessed by a Tibetan monk.

This past December India was my destination, visiting the Golden Triangle and then sailing Ganges River followed by several days in Kathmandu Nepal.

Although I sold Asia trips before my own journey began, I feel, now that I have collectively spent about four months in Asia I have such a better understanding of how things work in the East.

From my travels I know the unwritten rules as to what could get you in trouble (like stepping on a coin in Bangkok) and what you want to do to keep yourself healthy while there.

It is one thing to read about a location, actually having been there gives me tools to draw upon when recommending locations and itineraries.

I am an avid photographer and filmmaker, let me share my personal experiences in a way that will help picture yourself in the destinations you are considering.

Areas of Expertise

Reviews

260 Reviews
Patient and doesn’t nickel and dime you
We originally booked a two week Italy tour with Ann for April 2020 to celebrate our 30th anniversary. The Covid virus came along so we cancelled that and booked a river cruise for July instead. Guess what? Covid still here and cancelled again. Ann patiently booked us a third time for April of 21 back to the Italy plan. Not once did she change us a change fee or complain about the extra work. Our friends agent charged them a $75 “service fee” each time to change theirs. We will always use Ann as she doesn’t nickel and dime you.
Paula - Omaha,NE - Traveled to Italy ~ Europe
30 of 35 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? YES | NO
Tracing family roots in Italy
Ann custom built a two week trip for my son and I tracing our family roots in Italy. It was a great experience filled with history, great food, and even some days at the beach. It was really nice working with someone who understood what it meant to me to show my son where he came from. It is a trip I will never forget!
Gino - Walpole,MA - Traveled to Italy ~ Europe
31 of 37 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? YES | NO
Best travel agent ever!
Ann has gone above and beyond during the COVID-19 crisis in keeping us informed about our cruise, which just canceled. She is the BEST travel agent we have ever worked with and are really upset that she is really taking a huge economic hit. When it is safe to travel we will definitely be using Ann again.
Mike - Acworth, GA - Traveled to Europe
30 of 38 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you? YES | NO

Certifications & Awards

asta awardbwC award
AMA Academy
AMA Academy
World Azamara Academy
World Azamara Academy
Holland America Line Academy Specialist
Holland America Line Academy Specialist
Oceania Certified Specialist
Oceania Certified Specialist
Oceania Certified Travel Advisor
Oceania Certified Travel Advisor
Regent Seven Seas Luxury Cruise Expert
Regent Seven Seas Luxury Cruise Expert
Seabourn Academy Graduate
Seabourn Academy Graduate
Viking Expeditions Expert
Viking Expeditions Expert
Viking Expert
Viking Expert
Windstar Star Specialist
Windstar Star Specialist

Additional Certifications

  • Certified Travel Counselor
  • Certified River Cruise Specialist
  • Certified Italy Specialist

My Travel Stories

Golden Myanmar

Golden Myanmar

   Prior to planning my adventure all I knew of Myanmar was that it’s former name was Burma, a location that J Peterman of the tv show Seinfeld vi...

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Meandering the Mekong River Angkor Wat to Thailand

Meandering the Mekong River Angkor Wat to Thailand

Asia is a fascinating place!       It is so different than the western world in a multitude of ways. When you visit places such as Cambodia, Viet...

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My Places.

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