About Us

We want to step out and find as many far-away places where cell phones and blackberries are of no use, where conch shells call you to breakfast, and where hammocks replace your office chair. With few days off, your vacation time is valuable so we look for real experiences that offer you a true holiday escape.

StepOut is all about green and sustainable travel. We are dedicated to protecting the natural environments and respecting the cultural milieus of the places we visit. That means conserving the land, wildlife, and other natural resources; respecting local cultures and their way of life; and contributing positively to the socioeconomic growth of local communities.

Our goal is to find and support environmentally friendly, privately owned eco-lodges in unspoiled settings and we strive to keep them that way. Your participation contributes directly to the area visited and to local conservation efforts. All of our trips, now and in the future, offer an authentic experience. That means discovering local culture, where you become a part of the way of life, beyond the guidebooks and tourist destinations.

If this sounds like your type of travel, welcome to StepOut Experience.

Chris Graham

Christopher Graham

Christopher started his professional career as a financial trader working for large international financial institutions. After 10 years of working in the corporate world, he decided he needed to step away from his fast-paced career and took a sabbatical.

What was to be three months cycle touring in New Zealand turned into five years of working and living abroad. Following his travels in New Zealand, Chris moved to Australia where he taught diving for a year. While working at the dive shop, he set up a backpacker’s inn for travellers where through meeting individuals, from many different cultures, he gained a new understanding of the work/life balance.

In the following three years, Chris spent time cycle touring in France, Spain, Italy, and Cuba, volunteering as a researcher on a sea turtle project in Costa Rica, undertaking a 4-wheel drive expedition to photograph the rugged coastline of Australia and studying underwater photography, volunteering at various dive centres along the way.

Upon returning to Canada, Chris was inspired to attend Ryerson University to study documentary development and was invited to attend the National Film Board of Canada’s workshop 'Momentum'’. Presently Chris is researching the growing trend of sabbaticals in the workplace and the concept of volunteering as an alternative travel experience.

Martine Raclette

Martine Racette

Martine has a passion for travelling, exploring other cultures, and challenging the parameters of her own society. In preparing for StepOut Experience, she has taken on a variety of roles, from working as a guide in the tourism sector to recently completing two short films as a production designer, the last being featured at the 2007 Toronto Filmmakers Festival.

Her journey began in Ottawa’s French theatre where she explored both acting and production. She then became a guide in one of Canada’s most fascinating museums, the Canadian Museum of Civilization, where she cultivated an expertise in the field of client services and developed a keen interest for working in the tourism industry. Driven by her desire to help others, Martine studied Social Work and completed an undergraduate degree at the University of Quebec followed by a Masters degree at the University of Ottawa.

After working for several years in the Social Work field, primarily with seniors and elders, Martine was taken aback by the constant reminder that “you generally don’t regret the things that you’ve done, but the things that you haven’t done.” This prompted her to follow her dreams and begin her journey towards creating StepOut Experience.

As co-founder, Martine brings a strong understanding of people, a rich feeling of creativity, and a wealth of knowledge to this new and exciting experience company.