"WELCOME TO "MY WORLD"!" DonDavisss's Profile

Profile
Activity
Travel Pages
Photos
Videos
Badges (1)
Stats

Don Davis, the "Accidental Tourist"!

Like many Americans my age, my first real travel experience was courtesy of Uncle Sam's military--- in my case, the US Air Force. It was at the height of the Korean War and most guys were being sent to the Far East. My orders came for--- France! Some people find it hilarious that I fought the Korean War in France. Our "mission", I suppose, was to keep the Red Chinese out of Paris. Well, I'm proud to say that our "mission" was accomplished. Those years in Paris changed my life forever. Not only did I learn a new language, and decided to make a life-long career out of European travel, I brought a bit of France home with me---- my French bride, Claudine. Not too long after our return to the USA, we went to work for a European Tour Operator. After ten years of exciting travel throughout Europe and North Africa, we had learned a lot. We had often thought about going into business for ourselves. Unfortunately, Claudine died before that ever became a reality. A few years later, I took the big step and started my own European Group Travel Operation. In the meantime, I had remarried and my lovely wife Jill became an integral partner in the business. It's very difficult and even foolhardy to go up against the "big boys" in the travel business. We decided to carve out a "niche" for ourselves and specialize in just one type of group travel--- performing groups: dancers, singers and show groups. These groups performed for audiences at various Festivals throughout Europe--- in the former Soviet Union, Spain, France, the United Kingdom, Scandinavia and more! My favorite and most popular destination became Spain, because of the Fiesta Spain Summer Festival of the Performing Arts in Andalucia. In fact, we spent so much time there (eighteen consecutive summers from June to September), Jill and I decided to build a house there near Malaga, in Benalmadena Pueblo, on Spain's Costa del Sol. I'm semi-retired now, but still send a few groups to participate in the Fiesta Spain Summer Festival, now in its 25th year. After almost 40 years in the travel business, I sometimes think back to those Air Force days in France and am amazed how that experience changed the course of my life!

Intro Written Sep 16, 2002
Report Abuse

Comments (11)

Dymphna1 Apr 21, 2009 at 11:50 AM Report Abuse

Happy Birthday and thank you for your service to our country. My dad was part of the same kind of the Korean War. But he was actually on a base here in the states.
lorgnierl Aug 17, 2005 at 11:04 AM Report Abuse

happy Bday and thanks for comments
Hestia Apr 21, 2005 at 11:06 AM Report Abuse

Happy birthday, DonDavisss! Greetings from Estonia :)
AndyRG Dec 24, 2003 at 7:00 AM Report Abuse

If only we could make true the words on your motto... Let's coordinate to give the presents, best wishes!
CubsIn4 May 22, 2003 at 11:40 PM Report Abuse

Looking forward to reading your travel pages. Where in Michigan do you live? I grew up in Grand Rapids.
dutch_anna May 21, 2003 at 12:45 AM Report Abuse

Thank you for the kind words on my home page. Now we all are looking forward to your travel stories and pictures;) Thanks for sharing your home page story with us.
demonia May 2, 2003 at 10:56 AM Report Abuse

Santa does exist! I just found him ;-) Very touching story on your homepage. One has to wonder if there is a destiny guiding our steps... Thank you for sharing :)
coloneljimbo Apr 30, 2003 at 4:37 AM Report Abuse

A great guy and a soldier wish you every success in everything you do, and of course good health
AnjoLuci Apr 21, 2003 at 10:12 AM Report Abuse

HO, HO, HO! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! I WISH YOU A WONDERFUL B-DAY. ALL THE BEST FOR YOU.
ExGuyParis Apr 4, 2003 at 8:17 AM Report Abuse

You really are the perfect Santa Claus! Great photo. And a French bride in Montparnasse in the 50's... you must have some great memories (and stories to tell!).