Vienna-Based Sea to See Travel Shares Passion For Meaningful Travel

VIENNA, VA — For Women's Historic Month in March, it's worth celebrating the women-owned businesses among the small businesses in Vienna.

For Inge Urbancic, traveling to new places around the world had a deep impact, allowing her to experience new cultures, people, languages, foods and adventures. In 2015, her travel planning business Sea to See Travel was born from the passion of sharing that passion for travel with others.

The business specializes in providing travelers and groups with "authentic and meaningful travel experiences for private guests and groups," according to its website. The business utilizes relationships with local partners to provide experiences away from the typically tourist groups. There's even the opportunity to join service opportunities to give back during trips.

Patch is featuring small businesses like Sea to See Travel for a free business spotlight. If you'd like your business to be featured, fill out our Q&A form. Feel free to pass the form along to any businesses that should be spotlighted in our community.

Below is more information about Sea to See Travel:

Business name

Sea to See Travel

Location

Vienna, VA, 22182

Website and social media

www.seatoseetravel.com Instagram @sea_to_see_travel

When and how was your business opened?

Sea to See was born in 2015 from my life-long passion to connect communities through travel, education, service and cultural interaction with people and communities from around the globe.The opportunities that I had throughout my life, living and travelling abroad, experiencing different cultures, people, languages, foods, and adventures made a tremendous impact on my life. Each experience has made a mark on me; through service to, and education of, children and families near and afar, to deep cultural experiences and awareness of different lifestyles in the Middle East, Cuba, Africa, Europe, or Asia. These experiences taught me the importance of cross cultural communication, service, education, outreach, and the many benefits of forming friendships and bonds with those offering a different cultural perspective.

Over the years, I have continued to pursue my passion for connecting communities around the globe, now, with a greater understanding of my role in the world and the importance of providing opportunities for others to connect directly through educational and authentic travel experiences. I believe that through these face to face connections, we develop a deeper understanding and connection to people and cultures whose culture and lifestyles may differ from our own. With each experience, I have discovered that behind our differences, we are all truly the same.

Through Sea to See, I work to share my passion to connect communities and the world with those who would like to experience similar growth through authentic, meaningful, and educational travel. I have personally created each trip offered through Sea to See with this goal in mind…to provide meaningful travel opportunities by crossing cultural boundaries, and providing opportunities to give back, to connect, and to learn, while embracing cultural differences to make a lasting impact.

What products or services are offered at your business?

At Sea to See, we provide custom, authentic and guided travel to Cuba. Our mission is to provide unique, travel opportunities that promote cultural awareness, sensitivity, understanding and friendship through positive cultural interaction and service. Our goal is to provide our clients with meaningful, culturally enriching travel experiences that leave a positive and powerful social impact on local culture and community life.

What is your favorite thing about the community your business is located in?

I love the support and enthusiasm of Vienna for Sea to See Travel. Together, there are many local families and groups that have visited and travelled with us. The openness, international and global interest, and great support for women owned businesses are some of the best things about the Vienna area.

Is there any recent news at your business you would like to share with the community?

Over the years, Sea to See has provided direct support of educational, environmental, and local health initiatives through supporting and organizing global grassroots outreach efforts. Working with local schools and organizations, we work to engage and involve students and youth to reach out to help improve the lives of children and families in impoverished areas around the globe.

Below is an overview of our outreach efforts and communities that we have supported.

• 2022 Haiti, Adopt a Child
• 2022 Balochistan, Pakistan, School Iftar
• 2021 Balochistan, Pakistan, Merc School for Girls
• 2021 Guijarat, Pakistan, "Green Express"
• 2020 Guljarat, Pakistan, "Green Express"
• 2020 Havana, Cuba
• 2019 Mureleando, Havana Cuba
• 2018 Vinales, Cuba
• 2017 Youth Baseball, Havana, Cuba
• 2017 Karonga, Malawi: St. Mary’s School
• 2017 Embera Tribes, Panama
• 2016 Thailand: Nam Thieng Primary School