After earning a B.S. in Public Relations, Journalism & Speech Communications from Utica College of Syracuse University ('92), I departed for the U.S. Virgin Islands to teach scuba diving on board cruise ships in the Caribbean, a move that later launched a successful career as  a self-taught retail travel consultant.  I gained expertise in cruising and adventure vacations, independent and niche travel, developed from my firsthand travel & life experiences.

Originally from New York's Finger Lakes wine country, I have lived & worked throughout the Caribbean, including managing the advanced and leadership level scuba training at School for Field Studies, an outreach school in the Turks & Caicos Islands.  

The Florida Keys have been my home since 1995, where I have developed a showcase of published articles for regional, national and lifestyle travel magazines, websites as well as authored two travel career guidebooks.

Below are select samples of my published work.

Editors:  writing samples can be sent upon request as PDFs.

Drawn from my 10 years as a travel consultant and scuba instructor on board cruise ships, these career guides are designed to give step-by-step, common sense advice.

Published by FabJob, 2003

Find out why a career at sea is one of the most exciting new careers for the young, adventurous at heart or if you seek a change in a career or lifestyle. Do you suffer from wanderlust? A people person? Sing? Dance? Love art? An experienced shopper? Life on board cruise ships may be what you're eager for. Common sense, how-to advice awaits you.

Published by Fab Job, 2006

Second edition, print 2009

Discover how to break into the exciting world of retail travel sales with valuable advice for starting a home-based business as an entrepreneur. Use your enthusiasm for changing your life and taking charge of an exciting new career that makes you happy.

Magazines

Since 2008, I have contributed to Pace Communications' AAA Traveler, a custom magazine exclusively for Members in Northern California, Nevada and Utah. 

Both aboard and ashore, Mediterranean cruises include activities aplenty on RCI's Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas. And, seasoned cruisers discover the ease of homeport cruising with the value of year-round Caribbean itineraries in addition to these culturally rich ports and historic ingredients of Mediterranean cruisetours.

 

The Caribbean strings together more than 30 islands, like pears in a necklace.and, between these island pearls is, of course, water. For your family's vacation at sea, carry the theme of water throughout every experience in these diverse and fun islands.

At the southernmost point of the United States, you are at the end of the road: Key West, Fla., that spans from Mile Marker 0 to 4. 

How do wines, particularly Tuscan wines steeped in family tradition, absorb our senses and leave an indelible, romanticized memory? Stimulation from earthy Scotch broom shrubs, succulent pines and cypress, red poppies and olive groves undulating through the countryside helps to understand how Tuscany bursts with agricultural charisma and tremendous wines, born of people who celebrate rural life and local customs.

If you learn to practice it, your soothing hands can help others—and yourself. Reiki is a modality which connects us to this infinite, life-force energy, recharging our body's organs and cells, giving them nourishment.  The best part: we ALL have the capacity to learn it, and apply it to our lives immediately. Explore the natural healing properties of our most basic, crucial component of our existence - energy ...  

Copyright © Julie Botteri Winetrailing fun in the Finger Lakes

Top picks for a weekend at the Finger Lakes