In a world filled with vast diversity with regard to people and culture, an opportunity to travel the world and learn is valuable and enriching. Jetta Bates Vasilatos and Jeff Vasilatos are two Chicagoans who disrupted their lives and careers to go on an adventure of a lifetime and tour the world as part of Bravo’s new series “Tour Group.”
This luxury travel docuseries follows a diverse and vibrant group of 11 travelers, each searching for the ultimate vacation, as they explore the most exotic and exclusive destinations around the globe with three expert tour guides. Jeff and Jetta have been married for 15 years, and are the only married couple on the show. We spoke to them about this exciting journey and what they experienced traveling the world.
Take a moment and tell everyone who you are.
Jetta: I’m an integrated marketer with a specialty in creating strategies and campaigns for global and cutting-edge brands; and I share unique travel and lifestyle experiences as a contributor to international media outlets and via my jettasetting.com social channels.
Jeff: I am a realtor and architect, a construction engineer for the Water Reclamation District, and owner of Kindred City real estate development.
What is it about this experience that had changed your life?
Jeff: This adventure was just what I needed after the scooter accident that left me with a broken sternum, clavicle, and ribs. For a moment, I wasn’t even able to drive, and travel was out of the question. When I healed to 100 percent, I needed to get my adventure mojo back and that’s exactly what this trip did.
Jetta: When Jeff was hurt I focused on him and our needs as a couple. This trip allowed me to turn my attention to planning my next steps as a creator and curator of experiences, and really have some next-level adventures. This trip reminded me I could do anything I put mind to and that is exactly what is happing now. I’ve made some bold strides in my business, and I am feeling the sky is the limit.
It has been said that you really don’t get to know someone until you travel with them. What have you and your husband learned about each other during your travels.
Jetta: I’ve traveled to almost 40 countries, and Jeff is an avid traveler as well so we’ve definitely had experience traveling together. This trip did remind me of how much Jeff loves it when we run off from the big group and have our own adventures. Jeff: Yes, I was reminded how good Jetta is at finding places for authentic dining, fun, and shopping…and how quickly she makes friends. Like, people were inviting us over their houses!
Jetta: …and how bomb Jeff is at tracking down historical monuments and cool architecture! And he is a master with getting around on public transportation. I’d be super lost…and looking for a driver for the day.
Share one of your most memorable experiences from this journey with us.
Jetta: There were a quite a few firsts, which is hard to do with folks like us. We did have a big moment as a couple.
Jeff: Yep. We did. Can’t quite release it yet, but yeah, it was pretty major.
Jetta: We had camel’s milk and cookies. I went scuba diving for the first time, finally. It was awesome. I kept trying to swim off to even deeper water, but the instructor, and Jeff, was not having it. They kept pulling me back. I also met some amazing children at a school in Kenya…we spent the afternoon drawing and playing soccer.
Jeff: I went on my first safari, which was great! Now I see what Jetta was talking about. Experiencing the animals in their actual habitat, knowing you could get attacked (which is why the guides have guns), was pretty cool.
How does it feel knowing that millions of people are watching you trek around the globe?
Jetta: Feels awesome! I’m hoping people will become inspired to have their own adventures. I want folks to step a bit outside of their comfort zones and say “Why not? Hell, she’s doing it, or he’s doing it.” I want their curiosity fired up!
Jeff: I think it is pretty cool. Some people think that after you are married, life gets boring. Quite frankly, it gets better…and travel is the icing on the cake.
What were people’s reaction when they found out you were from America?
Jetta: Lots of love, warmth and curiosity.
Jeff: Jetta kept being told how pretty she is…especially in Africa and Japan. In Kenya, one of the Masaai was trying to get flirty, and I had to let him know she was with me (laughs). Jetta: (laughs) The cool thing was, how accepting the international community is of us as a blended race couple. They just see us as Americans. Some people in the US are still trying to catch up (laughs). It’s 2016 people!
What have you gained from this experience?
Jetta: Tour Group has left me with fantastic memories. New friends. A renewed appreciation for my authenticity. A creative shot in the arm. I love interviewing amazing people, sharing great advice, and empowering people to live a life full of new experiences, so I’m working on a jettasetting on-air division, and developing some partnerships, that will allow me to just that.
Jeff: We can’t seem to stop going on adventures. Over the Christmas holiday we drove from Chicago to Seattle…then up and down the coast. We even hit Victoria, Canada…which was beautiful. I’ve skied, we’ve snowmobiled, and I am doing the Chicago Skyline plunge. I’m gonna be repelling from the top of the Wit Hotel to raise money for a non-profit.
What encouraging words do you have for our readers?
Jetta: Live big, bold and authentically. Don’t talk yourself out of having experiences. Having a full life is not just for the rich and famous. Push yourself. Get a little uncomfortable by trying something new. Travel. Just show up right where your are. So what you are different? Being different is your superpower. I’ve been “girl unexpected”, or the only one that looks or acts like me, more times than I can count…and it has value. It is the disrupters, not the followers, that set the trends and change the world.
Jeff: Yes, life is short and a gift from above. Get out there and live it. Hope you all will check out “Tour Group” and come on this journey with us! We will be live tweeting and sharing cool pics and moments that didn’t make it on air.
Follow Jetta on Twitter @jettasetting and Jeff @jeff_vasilatos.
Bravo’s “Tour Group” airs on Tuesday at 9 p.m. CST.
Check out a few pics below.
