Vivare is an initiative of Sacha Aponte de Roeck. Raised in Belgium, with the opportunity to grow up in a multicultural environment, Sacha studied classical music and fine arts as well as languages. Upon graduating with a bachelor’s degree in travel and tourism, she set off to discover the world. After a great start in New York, she spent several years in Florida, working mostly for receptive tour operators. In 2005 she withdrew from her corporate career to move to Sonoma County in California. She branched out on her own, providing freelance services, such as promoting travel destinations to an international origin market and contracting innovative travel product. 

 

Another part of her independent work was writing multi-lingual itineraries for groups and fly-drives as well as developing detailed custom group programs. She continued her work as a tour guide, keeping up-to-date with passenger needs & travel industry trends. 

 

In 2009 she was introduced to Guatemala and she fell in love with Lake Atitlan. After visiting for a few years, she bought a house on the north shore of the lake. She spent several years designing, building, and learning. The result is Casa Vivare: an environmentally conscious & beautifully decorated 6-room guesthouse. She integrated permaculture practices into the buildings and landscaping and created spaces for relaxation,  co-working, energy healing & art classes. The process did not just transform the house, it also lit a passion in Sacha for sustainable practices and intentional living.

 

Sacha is an active volunteer. She started out with Rotary projects in Guatemala and served as secretary and program chair for the Atitlan club. Her Rotary experience opened doors to managing volunteer travel groups in Guatemala. She now is part of the Rotary Club for Global Action (D5150), which counts members in more than 20 countries. What she enjoys about this international group, is a chance to build and strengthen intercultural relationships. You'll find her on the planning committee for the annual Santa Rosa Arts District festival "Winterblast", walking dogs at the local Humane Society, and helping Sonoma County Tourism with their street cleanup projects.

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Professionally, she continues to work with suppliers and tour companies in Europe and North America. Her current focus is on sustainable and ethical travel. In collaboration with the non-profit Bay Area Green Tours & local partners, she is planning programs that focus on regenerative farming, food justice & sustainable practices in Sonoma County.

Even though she has always enjoyed the travel industry as a career, she has never abandoned the arts. Since 2012, she has honed in on one medium: mosaic arts. After mastering skills and techniques from teachers in California and Europe, she developed a style of her own. She now teaches mosaic classes and creates commissioned pieces.

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You can contact her at info@vivare.net