What began as the adventure of organizing a weeklong Tuscany get-away in 2008 for a group of 9 couples, all neighbors of Ford’s Colony in Williamsburg, VA, later became the inspiration to begin Lambert International, LLC, now known as HomeComfort Travel.

Based on the development of family oriented relationships from 2000-2010 within this growing neighborhood, Rich Lambert with his wife, Gail, hosted many gatherings, from elaborate outdoor picnics complete with fresh chowder, steamed lobster and grilled steaks with all the trimmings, to small intimate gourmet dinners, to preparing 5 course meals for very special yearly events. With all of these opportunities to hone his culinary skills, Rich had regular requests to prepare menus for specialty catering events, and all by word of mouth from neighbors to other friends in the Williamsburg area.

Rich Lambert's interest in food started early on as a hungry college student working in a restaurant first as a bus boy simply to have the perk of regular meals while savoring the dynamics of the kitchen activities. It wasn’t long before the manager, a gifted and experienced restauranteur from Italy, recognized his abilities and quickly put Rich in a position of great demand as a waiter and then as Maitre’D trained in table side cooking. For 23 years after college Rich’s career led him into the sales and management field of McKesson Drug Company's pharmaceutical distribution, but always with a passionate interest in food which he incorporated with zest for business events, with neighbors, friends and in the home.

Retiring early to Hilton Head, SC for golf and new culinary venues, Rich came alongside Chef Jeff Pufal of the Dolphin Head Country Club and assisted him, learning much along the way. Jeff later joined Rich for an Ireland trip to share both the kitchen and the golf course. Stories of the delicious aromas wafting from the cooking pots would make your mouth water in anticipation. Since that first get-away experiment, neighbors continued to encourage Rich to pursue travel planning, specifically the accommodations and meals as a business venture and faithfully spread the word to friends across the US and beyond interested in this unique travel option. This brought about the formation of Lambert International, LLC which has since hosted trips to a Tuscan Villa, an Irish Convent, a 15th Century French Chateau, an Austrian Castle, a Spanish Casa in a walled village, an English barn in the Cotswolds, and a stone Villa in the Sicilian countryside. Travelers came from UT, NY, CA, MD, NC, VA, DC, FL, WI, CO, CT, SC and even France solely by referrals from our neighbors.

In March 2011 Rich and Gail relocated to Northwest Arkansas to enjoy their new role as grandparents with Rich taking on the responsibility as General Manager of a new and unique restaurant located on the charming downtown Bentonville Square. The remodeling of Sam Walton’s original warehouse / office into the Tusk and Trotter American Brasserie was in preparation for the grand opening of the long-awaited Crystal Bridges, the largest museum of American Art encased in an inspiring natural setting of walking trails and bike paths. This position afforded Rich many opportunities to share the philosophy of HomeComfort Travel along with further exposure to the culinary scene.

As 2012 neared, a client who experienced the inviting warmth and delicious meals on the trip to Bordeaux, France approached Rich about becoming an investor, expanding the business to include a website, marketing materials, with a partner for accounting and also funds to host informational events. As a result of this partnership, HomeComfort Travel became the DBA name to fully express what we do that gives traveling the feeling of a home away from home. It is our hope that you will consider joining our family of travelers across the US and beyond for one of our upcoming trips, giving us the joy of serving you with the warmest of hospitality and camaraderie.

We are now into our 10th year in 2018, with upcoming trips to Ireland, England and France with plans to view properties to book for 2019 / 2020 in Scotland, Spain, Sicily, Greece, and in the US, Tennessee, Utah and Colorado.