The Company

Serendipity Traveler’s mission is to enhance the lives of women around the world by facilitating thoughtful and enriching travel experiences.   We offer you unmatched personal service by taking small groups of women to places of great natural beauty and culture.   Our itineraries afford the luxury of a tailor made journey with careful attention to each detail at an exceptional value.   Women travel together in comfort and safety to explore, discover, and experience our magnificent world.

The Founder

Peggy R. Coonley is the founder and President of Serendipity Traveler.   Her spirit for life and zest for exploration, along with that of her husband and three children, are ever present in their family travels.   Volunteer work in Costa Rica and Thailand, academic studies in China, cruising in the British Virgin Islands, numerous trips throughout North America and Europe, and traveling throughout New Zealand demonstrate this collective passion.

As an entrepreneur, Ms. Coonley has been immersed in the arts.  She founded a series of American craft galleries in Boston, Massachusetts, Palo Alto, and Carmel, California.   A lifetime of travel and a passion for people along with two years of research, planning, and collaboration have led Ms. Coonley to create Serendipity Traveler - a company providing inspired travel for women.   Ms. Coonley's background in the arts is ever present in her choices of exquisite destinations, authenticity, and thoughtful attention to detail.

Ms. Coonley is an active community volunteer. She is a founding member of the Humor Us Healers at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston and serves on the Art for Kool Kids committee at Children’s Hospital also in Boston.   Along with travel, Peggy’s interests include the arts, gardening, reading, kayaking, and walks by the sea.  

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Travel Philanthropy

House of Hope Project

Before visiting the island of Dominica, I had decided to integrate travel philanthropy into Serendipity Traveler’s mission and researched what needs myself, and perhaps the women traveling with me, might explore. It was not long before I learned of The House of Hope story in the nearby tiny village of Delicies and soon thereafter arranged an optional morning visit for Serendipity Travelers to meet the staff and residents of this community initiative. The House of Hope in Dominica is a home that provides twenty four hour loving care for persons with severe physical and mental disabilities. The impetus for beginning the House of Hope arose when two severely challenged sisters, in their early thirties, who had been cared for by their loving mother, were left orphaned when their elderly mother died. The villagers felt the need to protect and care for these girls and went to the government, the wider community, and media in an effort to educate the public to the need that existed. In January of 2005 the doors opened in a small, rented building to care for these women. Since then, a younger child with severe cerebral palsy is also being cared for. The heart and spirit of this humble place is inspiring. The women travelers who visited were all moved by the dedication and commitment of the caregivers and the hope that is alive. The House of Hope has a dream to build a twelve room facility and needs much financial support to realize this vision.  The Director is Mr. Heskeith Alexander, who volunteers his time. In keeping with my commitment to travel philanthropy I presented a small check and tears of thankfulness trickled down Mr. Alexander’s weathered face. Before leaving the island, other women also offered resources to help with this project. We all left Dominica as travelers having been touched by the generosity and warmth of the islanders who have little and yet their spirits are vibrant and hopeful. The days on Dominica were woven into a rich tapestry of explorations, laughter, reflections and learning while snorkeling, hiking, touring, and renewing our bodies, minds, and spirits.

On Chirstmas Eve, 2007, I learned that the House of Hope has broken ground for their new building.  When visiting the island in November 2007, I met again with Heskeith Alexander and two of the Board Members.  Before going to the existing humble facility, we met at the land that has been appropriated for the new orphanage.  I am hopeful Serendipity Traveler can inspire others to support this worthwhile project.  Now that it is 2008 The House of Hope is nearing completion and has an ongoing wish list for equipment and continuing needs.

  If you would like to talk with me specifically about The House of Hope  please call me at 978 879-7464.

Serendipity Traveler Advisors

Karen M. Dawson

Karen M. Dawson is married and resides with her husband and  cats in the southwest. Karen’s professional life has been immersed in the travel field for 28 years.   As a leader in the travel industry, she has acquired certifications in all aspects of the industry and has an unrivalled depth of knowledge and expertise.   Karen has worked with Sabre, Virtuoso, American Express, Carlson Wagonlit, Travel Agents International and several independent agencies.  While living in the Northeast, she taught travel and tourism at several college.   When not traveling, she can be found on the golf course, gardening, taking a cooking class or visiting the Southwest’s galleries.

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Rob Sangster

Rob Sangster has traveled to more than 100 countries on seven continents and qualifies as the best traveled person I know.   As thoughts of a new company were forming one winter day, I found myself reading an article by Rob in Transitions Abroad, to which he contributes regularly.   I liked his style of travel as a traveler, not a tourist.   I wanted to meet this man who had discovered the “rewards of travel”.   As fate would have it, we are both from New England and both summer in Nova Scotia.   It seemed like lunch would work    An afternoon, mesmerized with tales of travel and inspiring adventures, convinced me that I had to travel more myself.   I’m not quite up to a 100 countries yet but working on it.

Rob has graciously agreed to help me with Serendipity Traveler. His book, “Traveler’s Tool Kit; How to Travel Absolutely Anywhere”, is now in its third printing and is widely available in bookstores and via the internet.   His next book is entitled “Life Map” and is approaching readiness for publication.  

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Scupper

Scupper, the almost 12 year old yellow lab and best friend who always sat patiently beside me as I worked each day asking, “isn’t it time to go out and play at the beach yet”? Scupper passed on last year after a great life. 

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