Meet Zoe & Kyle Thompson of Thompson Travel LLC, Antor Travel Agency

Today we’d like to introduce you to Zoe & Kyle Thompson

Hi Zoe & Kyle, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Our story began in the fall of 2019 at a Ferris State tailgate (where we both played collegiate athletics). After 3 years of distance (4 years of dating), we got married in July 2023. It was evident early on that we both shared similar passions and a desire for travel. We loved being active, outdoors, and seeing new places. Early on in our relationship, I came across an Instagram page called “The Bus and Us”. A couple was living out of a van and traveling the world. I instantly thought, this is incredible, but we could never do that. I shared it with Kyle anyway, and that moment sparked something within us. It became a common theme to share adventure, travel, and van life videos with each other. It was a fun, mindless, side hobby that brought us joy. I say side hobby because we knew in the back of our minds we would never be able to experience that lifestyle because we both worked in hospitals, Kyle as a pharmacist, and myself as an RN, and our lives were deeply rooted in Michigan! We were newly married, owned a house, had great jobs, and loved being close to family and friends. Yet, with so much happiness surrounding us, we felt like something was missing. We felt as though we were holding our truest selves back. We had a burning passion to travel and see more of this beautiful country, yet we kept allowing doubt to sink in and cloud our vision. The fear of letting people down, uprooting our lives, and purely the unknown… kept us from taking any action toward vanlife.

In July of 2023, we went on our honeymoon to South Africa! It was two weeks long; full of activities and intentional time just the two of us- it was heaven! One evening we stood overlooking the coast of Capetown from our balcony and saw multiple camper vans parked along the coast. We found ourselves silently observing. Both staring at the same thing. Both internally referencing all those videos we had sent back and forth over the years. The dream we shared but never acted on. Yet this time, the air felt different. Instead of suppressing the dream like we had in the past, we welcomed it. We sat on our balcony and discussed our options and next steps. It was the first time we spoke life and hope into our van life dream. We decided at that moment, that when we returned home, we were going to do whatever it took to buy a van and hit the road in 2024. We had no clue how it would play out, but we knew our lives were going to change drastically in the coming months!

I’d like to say the path of getting on the road was easy, but that would be a lie. It was hard. It was delayed. It was over budget. We made mistakes, sacrifices, and hard decisions. But in every season of trial, you learn and become better because of it.

Our first step was deciding which company we wanted to build our dream home! After hours of research, we came across a company called Drifter Vans. We loved what they stood for and that they were based in Detroit, MI. On August 17th, 2023, we met with the team and felt confident about our decision to work with them. The team was awesome and got right to work! However, with Ford Transits being in high demand, it caused delays from the start. Drifter wasn’t able to begin the conversion process until December 1st, 2023. Based on initial conversations and timelines, we had planned to take off in late January but didn’t officially leave until April 2024. That season of waiting, delays, and unknowns was very challenging. However, we are firm believers that there is purpose in every season. Looking back, we know that God’s plan was far greater than our agenda. His timeline allowed us to soak in more time with family and friends before embarking on our adventure.

With the decision to hit the road, also came a change in our careers. Kyle accepted a remote pharmacist position. Meanwhile, I chose to put my nursing career on hold and transition into a full-time travel agent. My sister owns Antor Travel Agency out of Rockford, MI. Back in October of 2023, I joined the team and began working part-time, because I was still a full-time RN. Once 2024 hit, I left my RN job and hit the ground running as an agent! I have an LLC called “Thompson Travel”, (opperating under Antor Travel Agency), where I arrange, plan, coordinate, and book travel for clients. This month (October 2024), I am celebrating one year as a travel agent! What started as a mere side gig and opportunity to make some extra money, has since become my full source of income on the road! This career has opened my eyes in many ways and given me a new sense of the world and the endless ways to explore it. I feel so blessed that while I am actively traveling the country, I am able to help others plan/book their personal travel!

We officially hit the road on April 7th, 2024. Since then, we have visited 20 states, 13 US national parks, 3 provinces, 3 Canadian national parks, and created countless memories. We have learned more about ourselves in the past 6 months than we could’ve ever imagined. We have laughed, cried, made mistakes, grown, evolved, and rejoiced throughout this beautiful journey. Living on the road has shown us the simpler, finer things in life. It has taught us that less is more. That nature is incredible. That in a world with so many differences, we are all more similar than we think. That seeing sunrises and sunsets every day does something indescribable to your soul. That travel is a deep need rooted within us all.

And possibly the most influential lesson to us, is that dreams are merely a dream unless you take action. And once you take the first step, no one and nothing can stop you from reaching your destiny. Trials will happen. Obstacles will arise. There will certainly be bumps in the road. But no one can steal your joy. No one can take your dream away. It belongs to you and only you. We thank God every day for this crazy, beautiful, difficult, joyous adventure called (van) life!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Many obstacles were listed above!

However, since being on the road, our biggest obstacle/challenge is being away from our loved ones. We are HUGE family people. There isn’t a day that goes by when we don’t think about them. Our friends and family are our rock. We feel passionate that God has gifted us an incredible circle and that they support us and our decision to travel. They are our biggest fans and have cheered us on every step of the way. While the goodbyes and see ya laters never get easier, we remind ourselves that this is temporary and a sacrifice we were willing to make! In many ways, it has strengthened bonds and shown us who the real ones are.

We work very hard to stay in constant communication with our crew and remind them that distance has no impact on our love for them!

Lots of face-timing helps make the distance more manageable 🙂 + visits back home or seeing family along the journey!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Thompson Travel LLC, Antor Travel Agency

I plan/book any and all travel! While I have more expertise and knowledge in specific areas, I don’t turn away clients! I am upfront and honest. If your desired destination is somewhere I have little knowledge about, I will tell you! I will also do my best to learn about that spot and create a great trip for you. In a world with SO many incredible locations to see, there is no way agents can know/see everything! Honeymoons, family trips, group trips, work trips, destination weddings, retirement vacations, couple getaways, road trips…you name the occasion, and I will plan you a trip!

Some of my bookings include all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean (Mexico, Punta Cana, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Jamaica), guided Europe (Ireland, Iceland, Scotland), independent/custom Europe (Italy, Portugal, Spain, France), Disney (Walt Disney World, Disney Land, Disney Cruises), US travel (road trips in Utah, Colorado, Nevada, Idaho, Washington, Montana and/or Oregon).

I would LOVE to help you book your next vacation/trip! 90% of my services do not cost anything! The only style of vacation I charge a service fee for are US road trips (price varies based on trip complexity, and rates start at $200/trip). Other than that, I do not charge any fees! Yes, you read that right, it costs you nothing to book with me! I am here to help find you deals, take away the planning stress, and book your next adventure!

Reach out via email/cell to inquire!
Email: zoethompsontravel@outlook.com
Phone: 6169141190

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Our passions & hobbies bring us immense happiness. I think happiness is everywhere and when you invite happiness in, it finds you and stays with you.

Our faith gives us an unconditional and unwavering sense of peace and joy and all this wouldn’t be possible without Him. All glory goes to God. We feel as though we must give credit to Him for our abundance of happiness.

Things that make us happy on the road:
-being outside
-hiking and trail running
-all things health/wellness
-lifting
-cooking/baking
-sports/rooting for our fave teams
-pickleball
-craft beers/breweries
-face timing friends/family

Contact Info:

• Website: https://zoethompsontravel.wixsite.com/my-site
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thomptravel
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zothomptravel/