Judy Allpress

I knew from a young age that travel was going to be my life. My dad asked me at 13 what I wanted to do. “I want to be a world traveler! His response was that I better find a rich husband! I was always fascinated by any history outside of my own country and had a desire to find out more.

I began as a tour director for a Boston travel company taking charter planes and groups around the world, mostly to Europe. From there I moved to Rome Italy in 1972 to help start up a company as Operations Manager for Intercontinental Travel, handling ground arrangements for incentive travel groups. I lived in Rome for eight years and loved my first car, a Fiat 500 – orange! Spending my twenties in Italy during the days of John Travolta back in the USA was fantastico!

I met Michael West on the top of Mt Etna in 1976 while I was running a trip for Prince Macaroni. There was an instant friendship at that volcano and it has continued for 32 years!

In 1980 I moved back to the USA and then to Newport RI in 1983 during the America’s Cup. Soon thereafter, Michael started The Wayfarers and brought me in to the family. The rest is history!