DeAnna Jarnagin

Travel Designer

LOCATION

Knoxville, Tennesse

EXPERIENCE

5 Years

While studying abroad in Greece during her time at The University of Tennessee, DeAnna was taught about the concept of “Odyssey Years.”

These years are a moment in your life for you to say yes to all opportunities to explore yourself and the world around you. DeAnna’s Odyssey years led her, after graduation, to go on a volunteer trip to eleven different countries for a year, move to Prague, Czech Republic for 2 and a half years to teach English, then to start her career in the travel industry by working remotely as a corporate travel agent for the past three years. Odyssey years have turned into more of an Odyssey life for DeAnna, and she is thrilled to put her travel and planning experience into action to design trips for others!

Cultivating culture and embracing human connection are important in everyday life, but act as cardinal directions when planning a trip. DeAnna is constantly researching new locations and rediscovering known locations to lay the groundwork so her clients can plan their dream “Odyssey Year” trip. DeAnna is excited to meet you!

MEet the advisor

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TRAVEL TIP?

Walking Tours! As soon as I touch down in a new city I book myself a walking tour to get a feel for the area (really to see where the best coffee is located), learn about the city’s history, and it’s an easy way to meet other travelers. I am still friends with people I have met on walking tours!

WHERE IS A GREAT TRAVEL LOCATION THAT NOT MANY PEOPLE GO?

Kasane, Botswana is a hidden gem in Africa! The city of Kasane is a neighbor to the Chobe National Park that is home to the largest population of elephants in Africa. The safaris there look like something out of a storybook! Then just a 1hr 30min drive from Kasane you are crossing either the Zimbabwe or Zambia border to be met with a day of getting lost in rainbows at Victoria Falls. The people of these areas are also so talented with multiple craft markets in the area to where you might just want to bring an empty suitcase!

WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE?

Being able to go on a successful solo trip was always a goal of mine. I decided Bali was going to be my destination for this 3 month adventure!

I was fortunate enough to have a remote job at the time being a corporate travel agent so after 3 months I decided "maybe just one more month" then before I knew it 3 months had turned into 8. Those 8 months took me from Bali to Singapore then Japan for a month then down to Australia and New Zealand. I wrapped up the trip in Europe visiting friends in Prague, Ireland, and Amsterdam.

I would like to think I would have made Julia Roberts proud with my eat, pray, love moment. Learning about multiple new cultures, meeting so many new people, and learning how to be my best own travel agent made the trip a win in my book!

WHICH DESTINATIONS ARE YOU PERSONALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO VISITING AND WHY?

South America is next on my list! Salsa dancing in Colombia, road tripping around Patagonia, and discovering the Amazon Rainforest have all become dream activities I have constantly been researching. South America and Antarctica are my last 2 continents to set foot on so I would love to hop on a boat from Argentina to scope out some penguins while I am down there!