Originally from Ireland, Ursula Blackburne said her travel agency experience started in England 30 years ago. Her career path led her from England to Spain and to the U.S. where she founded her own travel agency, Rossnaree The Heart of Travel, in November after living in The Woodlands for 13 years.

“Growing up in Ireland, I never thought I was going to leave Ireland, and it just kind of happened by accident,” Blackburne said. “And so once I got to travel, I really loved it. I loved the fact that I was visiting other countries, immersing myself in their culture ... in the landscape and the language.”

What’s in the name?

Blackburne said the business name is rooted in her Irish heritage and comes from the Boyne Valley, the birthplace of Ireland's Ancient East.

“It represents strength and resilience and basically [being] interconnected with life and moving on ... how we endure things and how we prevail,” Blackburne said.Rossnaree The Heart of Travel is a full-service travel company offering individual and group travel services, including cruises.

“We specialize in crafting unforgettable journeys that authentically connect the traveler to the world, " Blackburne said. “That's why we call it Rossnaree The Heart of Travel, because our hearts are in everything we do, and the clients are at the heart of our business, " Blackburne said.

How it works

Blackburne, who is a member of The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce, said the business offers its services remotely and can meet clients in The Woodlands or other areas of Montgomery County.

Along with Blackburne, Rossnaree is operated by several The Woodlands residents including Director of Finance and Operations Rachel Watkins and Travel Concierge Marina Shown.

Travelers can set up a free in-person or phone consultation with Rossnaree The Heart of Travel to discuss the destination and purpose details, whether it is for leisure, business or other reasons.

The agency works with suppliers to help the client build an itinerary ideal for their plans by considering the destinations, the best time to travel and different travel styles, Blackburne said.“My experience with traveling all over Europe and Asia and Australia have allowed me to give clients first-hand knowledge of some of these areas,” Blackburne said.

Blackburne said with years of experience creating relationships with travel suppliers, through Rossnaree The Heart of Travel clients can get access to unique experiences and exclusive deals. Based on her experience travel destinations trending include Europe, Ireland, Australia, American national parks, Japan and the Canadian Rockies in addition to cruises.

“The world is a very big place, and so that's why it's really helpful for us to have a team that is so well traveled ," Blackburne said. ”It allows us to really do a deep dive into areas and be able to give [clients] everything they need to know.”

• www.rossnareetravel.com