Worldly Women of Travel Series: Interview with Lynette Standley

Our second interview in the Worldly Women series features Lynette Standley.  Lynette and I had the good fortune to meet during a volunteer trip in 2016 to the Dominican Republic.  Lynette is talented, passionate, caring, and curious.  These wonderful attributes make her an excellent leader, traveler, and friend.  I’m honored to share Lynette’s interview with you.

Per August 2024 Interview  

What / who first inspired you to travel?

Without a doubt, my parents were the inspiration for my wanderlust.  Despite the one federal government income, they felt strongly about opening the world to my brother and me.  We lived in some beautiful small towns in Washington, Idaho, and Nevada with my dad’s Forest Service career, and as a result, we had spectacular locations for weekend campouts or weeklong car-camping adventures.  My dad built a fiberglass canoe and I remember my parents strapping that on top of the station wagon, filling a cooler with campsite and picnic meals, and visiting many national parks in the Western U.S., Canada, and Mexico.  We backpacked part of the Pacific Crest Trail, paddled across Canadian lakes, and learned to identify cacti in Arizona and Mexico.  Those childhood experiences, which continued through high school and college through academic programs and family travel, grew my love of travel exponentially.  I loved learning, experiencing new cultures, and studying languages – thanks to the adventures my parents provided. As I see more of the world, I understand how truly fortunate I was – and am – to have the freedom and means to travel.

What / where was your most pivotal trip? Where was it and why/how was it meaningful? 

In 2000 I went to Italy for the first time. I’d been to England, Mexico, Canada, and the Cayman Islands so I already had the travel bug. Italy had intrigued me for years and our church was promoting a trip for the Jubilee Year (a special celebration every 25 years in the Catholic Church) with visits to cathedrals and pilgrim sites in 6 cities. I discovered I loved everything about Italy, as so many do. Our bus itinerary included Rome, Florence, Venice, and Milan – the northern two-thirds of the country. While the logistics of the trip weren’t ideal (50 people on a bus, changing hotels nearly every night, and long travel days), it was a great overview of Italy, and I couldn’t wait to go back. I was smitten.  I felt a calling like no other place I’d visited or researched (and my to-visit list is long!)

Three years later I was back – as part of a small-group culinary tour. It was a much different experience. We went deeper this time, a slower pace, visiting small kitchens and markets, meeting locals, and cooking with chefs. I had already started learning Italian, and this trip was like fireworks. I was thrilled with the experience and completely enamored with my new “home away from home,” which is how Italy felt to me. Fast forward 6 months and the leader of that tour and owner of the business asked me to help lead one or two tours each year – dream come true. That would be how I spent my vacation time from my corporate job. But after leading 4 or 5 groups he ended his operation in 2007.

I knew one day I would start my own version of those tours – enhancing the food aspect to include winery visits, cultural and geographical sites, boat rides, walking tours, and free time for shopping or exploring independently.  Fast forward three years and it came to fruition – I started Cypress Tours in 2010. For eight years it was a part-time gig with two or three trips a year while I balanced tours with my day job.  In 2018 I left the corporate world to grow my business, and I now plan and host around 10 tours a year.  I absolutely love it and feel so blessed to be where I am – and grateful for that transformational trip 24 years ago that unknowingly would change the direction of my life.

How have your experiences traveling impacted your perspectives/actions (once you return home)?

Traveling has opened my eyes to cultures, traditions, customs, and issues that are different from ours in the  U.S. or from my personal life story.  At the same time, some are quite similar.  With other countries, we share beautiful landscapes, favorite foods, and family traditions, and we also share similar challenges like poverty, elder care, and pollution.  When I return home I always have new experiences and memories that become the lens through which I see my home and community.  I compare what I experienced abroad versus how things are done here.  For example, in Idaho, we have an “Adopt a Highway” program where we do trash pick-up once a year along a stretch of road that we adopted in memory of my father-in-law.  Every time I go to Italy and see the trash along the highways it makes me wish I could initiate a similar program there.  But, alas, they have a different perspective on it.  To them, trash and graffiti are just a thing…it is what it is.  I don’t think they would appreciate a foreigner telling them otherwise.

What / where is next on your travel adventure list and why?

My travel business will take me back to Italy this fall with four different groups and venues throughout the country.  I don’t know if I chose Italy or if Italy chose me, but I feel so at home and settled there.  I like to say that all of Italy is my second home.  I love sharing it with other people and experiencing it “new” again through my travelers’ eyes. But I also continue to squeeze in new countries and cultures because I enjoy that experience.  Some people avoid travel because of “culture shock” but I think that’s part of why I enjoy travel so much – recognizing and appreciating all the differences from home – whether it’s bathroom amenities, mealtimes, languages, or driving rules.  One of my mantras is “It’s all part of the adventure” – which can be the good and the bad. Just laugh and keep going.

What advice would you give to others considering an international trip?

I would tell them to expect things to be different – but also similar… to keep an open mind and heart.  Read up on the culture and customs prior to the trip.  It will stir even more interest and also help set expectations.  Pack light for an easier travel experience.  And if at all possible – make the trip.  Even if finances are a little tight. In the big picture of life, are you really going to miss the money you spent on airfare or for rich experiences and a full memory bank?  A wonderful boss I had many years ago gave me that same advice when I was contemplating a trip to El Salvador to stay with a friend.  I was a single mom, and the $600 airfare seemed like too much to spend at the time.  But I followed her advice and I’m grateful I did. It was a fabulous trip.  Meaningful interactions with locals, I learned about coffee production and volcanoes and surfing.  It was good for my soul, and honestly good for my teenage daughters to witness – to see themselves doing the same thing one day.  I still managed to pay the bills at home; I didn’t miss the $600 at all.

I so appreciate Lynette sharing her passion and personal story.  What an inspiring journey and transformation! This quote from her website, Cypress Tours, brings this to light beautifully:

“I want to share with you what I love about travel:the magical, memorable travel experiences that nourish your wanderlust soul.”– Lynette Standley

Check out these links to learn more:

Cypress Tours

More about Cypress Tours and Lynette’s background:

Every day is an adventure! We cook with local chefs, tour vineyards, taste award-winning wines, take sunset cruises, dine in caves and come home having made new friends in Italy.  My guided tours are turn-key – I take care of everything: meals, schedule, wine tastings, historic tours, cooking lessons, country villas and boutique hotels, how to get where we’re going – and I speak Italian! Tours also can be independent travel excursions where I plan most details and hand off the itinerary to you. You will find that I love sharing my knowledge, contacts and passion for the wonderful food, chefs, winemakers, drivers, and overall culture of beautiful Italy. (Source: LinkedIn, Lynette Standley)