Leading Luxury Adventure Travel Experts

Maina is a tourism professional with extensive experience working at eminent East African brands such as Elewana Collection, Soroi Collection and Angama. She has a love for storytelling, and for the behind-the-scenes intersections where travel, conservation, and relationships converge.

Maina is a safari travel specialist, dedicated to helping travelers from around the world experience Africa’s wild beauty safely and authentically. With years of hands-on experience exploring Kenya’s national parks and working closely with trusted safari operators, Maina combines insider knowledge with a passion for wildlife conservation.

My name is Kristen and I have traveled, lived and worked all across the globe for over a decade. In 2013, after nearly a decade building a career in corporate marketing in NYC, I left it all behind to travel solo across 3 continents and 26 countries. From there I became a scuba diving instructor, and spent the next 10 years living and working in Thailand, Mexico, St. Croix and Florida. In 2017, I was voted PADI's Inspiring Woman Diver of the Year. Beginning in 2024 I joined Fora as a luxury travel planner and have launched my own travel brand and blog, Dear Destination Travel, so that I could help inspire others to make their travel dreams and goals come to life. I have now traveled to 6 continents and over 35 countries. My website, deardestinationtravel.com, is a complete travel resource and inspiration hub.

For the past six years, my family and I have lived and traveled continuously around the world, visiting every continent in a 13-month span and documenting the experience as full-time travel creators. Along the way, our YouTube channels have grown to more than 700,000 subscribers, drawn not to glossy brochure travel, but to the real version: the logistics, the decisions, the tradeoffs, and the moments that don’t fit neatly into an Instagram square. After decades spent running digital marketing agencies, I co-founded ABC Trips, a luxury and adventure travel agency focused on high-touch, experience-driven travel—polar expeditions, African safaris, expedition cruising, private yachts, and deeply cultural itineraries designed for solos, couples, groups, and families. The work sits at the intersection of brokerage, storytelling, and logistics, with a strong bias toward knowing what’s genuinely worth the splurge—and what’s just good marketing. Along the way, I’ve served as a quoted travel industry source for major publications, appeared on network news segments and podcasts, and collaborated closely with leading travel brands, lodges, and expedition operators worldwide. My commentary often focuses on luxury and expedition travel, family and multigenerational travel, travel trends, and what it actually takes to design a location-flexible life that works long-term. These days, my time is split between: - Advising clients on exceptional luxury and adventure travel through ABC Trips - Serving as a media source and collaborator for journalists and brands - Continuing to explore the world with my family—still learning, still curious I’m not especially interested in chasing trends or shouting into the void. I value thoughtful questions, smart conversations, and people who care about doing things well—and enjoying the ride while they’re at it. If our paths cross, there’s a good chance we’ll have something interesting to talk about.

Christina Gales is a luxury travel advisor and founder of Christina Gales Travel, a boutique travel consultancy specializing in European itineraries, Caribbean escapes, elevated family travel, milestone celebrations, and luxury ocean and river cruises. A Fora and Virtuoso-affiliated advisor based outside Chicago, Christina has planned hundreds of trips across 20+ countries and serves over 100 clients nationwide. With extensive destination training across Europe, the Caribbean, Iceland, Hawaii, and Mexico—plus specialist certifications in luxury travel, cruise planning, and ecotourism—she brings both breadth and depth to every journey. Her preferred status with 8,500+ hotels, resorts, and cruise lines globally allows her to secure exclusive perks and VIP experiences for clients. As both a travel professional and mother of five, Christina is frequently sought after for her expertise in family travel strategy, multi-generational trip design, and making luxury travel approachable for real families. She speaks regularly on European travel planning, destination trends, the psychology of travel, and the shift toward meaningful, purpose-driven travel experiences. Her itineraries favor local culture, boutique hospitality, and personalized experiences over mass-market tourism. Known for her warm, collaborative approach and concierge-level support, Christina helps travelers feel confident, connected, and inspired—from dream to departure to memories that last a lifetime

Beyond the Plains Safaris is a trusted safari DMC based in Nairobi, Kenya, specializing in expertly crafted Kenya and Tanzania safaris. We offer personalized wildlife experiences, luxury and mid-range tours, and seamless ground handling across East Africa, delivering unforgettable journeys beyond the plains.

Laurel is the founder of Monkeys and Mountains Adventure Travel, named after the two things she loves most. She started it as an adventure travel blog 10 years ago and for the past several years has focused on offering primate tours in Madagascar and hiking tours in Europe. In addition, Laurel has a marketing background and shares her passion for digital marketing by offering digital marketing consulting to tour operators and travel companies. She’s been featured in high profile publications including National Geographic, BBC Travel, The Guardian and The Telegraph. Laurel’s a sought after speaker having spoken at ITB Berlin (3 times), WTM London, WTM Dubai, NBE Finland, TBEX Athens, TBC Asia Colombo and the Romanian Digital Travel Conference. TravelMassive recently included her in their “100 Inspiring Women Travel Founders” list. When not hard at work, you’ll find her volunteering with monkeys or hiking in the Alps.

Having journeyed to all seven continents, consider Angela Adto your luxury travel aficionado. She’s summited Mount Kilimanjaro, scuba-dived with enormous manta rays in the Maldives, watched the humpback whales in Antarctica, para-glided in Cape Town, swam with sharks in the Galápagos Islands, and hiked Machu Picchu.Angela is very passionate about sharing her love of travel. She takes an incredible amount of pride in giving clients a personalized and meticulous travel experience, offering unparalleled service with impeccable attention to detail.Angela is a Condé Nast Top Travel Specialist for 2021 and has been featured in the Washington Post and Seattle Times.Aside from being a travel advisor, she leads yoga retreats as a certified RYT 500 yoga teacher to breathtaking destinations that she loves sharing with clients.AZA means space in Sanskrit, reflection in Swahili, strength in Hebrew, and comfort in Arabic. I hope AZA LUXURY TRAVEL will instill every aspect of these great qualities into your life.

Tim Kroeger is the founder of Universal Traveller and a luxury wellness travel specialist based in Bangkok. After 15+ years of nonstop travel across 110+ countries, constant flights and jet lag pushed him to shift from chasing “more places” to protecting better energy. Today, he writes and speaks about travel recovery—how sleep, nervous system regulation, movement, and environment determine whether a trip restores you or drains you. He reviews luxury wellness hotels and spas through a performance lens, combining firsthand testing with expert insights from Beyond the Spa and global industry roundups.

As a passionate and experienced Travel Advisor at Easy Travel Tanzania, I specialize in curating unforgettable journeys throughout East Africa. With a deep understanding of Tanzania’s diverse landscapes, vibrant cultures, and iconic wildlife, I craft personalized itineraries that reflect each traveler’s unique dreams and interests.

As a Luxury Travel Advisor and founder of Awaken Travels, I believe travel is more than just a vacation – it's a transformative journey that opens minds, changes perspectives, and awakens the soul. With nearly a decade of experience crafting exceptional travel experiences, I lead a team of specialized travel advisors who share my passion for creating meaningful journeys. * My approach to travel planning is deeply rooted in my background of serving and advocating for others. Whether I'm designing a multi-generational family adventure, coordinating a destination wedding, or arranging a luxury cruise, I bring the same dedication to understanding each client's unique story and dreams. At Awaken Travels, we specialize in: * Luxury Travel Design Destination Weddings Transformative Group Travel Cultural Immersion Experiences Cruise & Resort Vacations Beyond travel planning, I serve as Vice President of ASTA's Chattanooga Chapter and actively contribute to my community as Executive Director of Keep Soddy-Daisy Beautiful. This dual commitment to global exploration and local engagement allows me to create positive change through both travel experiences and community initiatives. As a certified specialist in multiple destinations and travel styles, I combine deep industry knowledge with personal care to ensure each journey exceeds expectations. My mission is to help you explore the world in ways that inspire personal growth and create lasting memories. Let's connect and explore how I can help create your next extraordinary journey: awakentravels.com 541-944-0563 cindi@awakentravels.com #LuxuryTravel #TravelAdvisor #DestinationWeddings #TravelPlanning #LuxuryLifestyle #TravelExpert

Luxury travel advisor, 500hr yoga-trained, aerial instructor, community leader of 150K, international resort leader

At the heart of LaVon Private Luxury is a belief that travel isn’t just about going somewhere—it’s about transformation. As Founder, Tiffany Layne has dedicated her career to curating bespoke journeys that are as enriching as they are unforgettable, creating experiences that transcend vacations to become life-changing moments. An avid traveler with a love for art, theater, and wellness, Tiffany’s path has been anything but conventional. She began her career as a biomedical scientist, immersing herself in the pursuit of knowledge and discovery. Eventually, she traded her lab coat for a new adventure, managing the intricate lifestyles of high-profile families in New York City. It was here that Tiffany’s appreciation for thoughtful, luxurious travel deepened, as she saw firsthand how meaningful moments of connection and discovery could be transformative for even the busiest lives. Through her carefully cultivated relationships with the world’s finest properties, exclusive operators, and cultural insiders, she’s able to open doors that are closed to most, crafting journeys that blend sophistication, personalization, and heart. Recognitions & Accolades: Virtuoso Advisor (Ultraluxe Community) | Conde Nast Top Travel Specialist | Travel + Leisure A-List (Wellness Specialist)

Bio Sarah Bonsall is the founder and owner of Latitude 21 Travel, an award-winning boutique travel agency known for high-touch vacation planning and realistic guidance. Since launching the agency in 2022, she has built a strong repeat and referral-based client base by focusing on personalized service and trusted supplier partnerships. She works closely with clients planning all-inclusive vacations in the Caribbean and Mexico, cruises, European itineraries, and milestone trips. Sarah is frequently consulted on pricing changes, hidden costs, resort differences, travel insurance considerations, and how travelers can navigate disruptions with minimal stress. Her perspective is shaped by daily, hands-on client work and firsthand destination experience, allowing her to offer practical insight rather than theory. She is known for explaining complex travel decisions clearly and helping travelers understand trade-offs so they can book with confidence. Sarah has been previously quoted in national travel publications including Frommer’s, TravelPulse, and Travel Market Report, and regularly advises on travel trends, consumer expectations, and the evolving role of travel advisors. Expertise Luxury travel planning, all-inclusive resorts, destination weddings, cruise travel, experiential vacations, travel trends, pricing transparency, travel disruptions, advisor-client relationships Credentials – Founder, Latitude 21 Travel – Diamond Elite Agency, ALG Vacations – NEST Elite Agency – Hyatt Privé Advisor – ASTA member, IATAN-accredited agency – Certified specialist with multiple luxury resort brands and cruise lines Topics Journalists Quote Me On – All-inclusive resorts: what’s included vs. what’s not – Luxury vs. mid-range travel experiences – Destination weddings and group travel logistics – Cruise vs. resort decision-making – Pricing fluctuations, refunds, and insurance – Travel advisor value vs. DIY booking – Managing travel disruptions Availability Available for written quotes, expert commentary, trend insights, and deadline-driven requests.

Sandals #1 US Travel Agency... Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Rivage Travel Consulting & www.BestCaribbeanResorts.com is a boutique travel consultant group owned by husband and wife duo, Jonathan and Angela Patton. As Sandals specialists with over 15 years of expertise, we have personally visited every resort and booked over 2,000 client trips to Sandals, earning recognition as the 2024 Top Sandals Travel Agency in the USA and ranking among the top seven travel advisors nationwide. Being in the top 1% of all US travel advisors, our Diamond Elite status with Sandals Chairman’s Royal Club means we have insider knowledge and experience when it comes Sandals & Beaches resorts. TRAVEL AWARDS & INDUSTRY RECOGNITION Sandals Resorts Awards 2026 Sandals Chairman’s Royal Club Diamond Elite 2025 Sandals Chairman’s Royal Club Diamond Elite 2024 Sandals Chairman’s Royal Club Diamond Elite 2024 Top Sandals Travel Agency – USA 2024 Top Sandals Travel Agency – South East 2024 Top Sandals Butler Elite Travel Agency 2024 Top Sandals Island Routes Agency - Worldwide 2024 Top 10 Independent Sandals Travel Agency – Worldwide 2024 Sandals Million Dollar Club 2023 Sandals Chairman’s Royal Club Diamond Elite 2023 Sandals Chairman’s Royal Club Platinum Elite 2023 Sandals Chairman’s Royal Club

Since my inception into the travel business 45+ years ago, I have always had an unwavering passion for luxury travel experiences and making my clients happy. I derive the greatest pleasure in the feedback that I get from my clients. Beside my love of travel, I am romantic at heart. It is my unwavering passion for romance, travel, unique experiences that led me to create my business Honeymoon Islands, Inc. I think what separates me from other luxury travel advisors is my genuine love for what I do and making people happy. More important than the professional accolades, I live and breathe romance & travel and the finer things in life. I will go the distance to ensure that the travel experiences I put together for my clients creates memories for them that transcend lifetimes!

As a passionate and experienced Travel Advisor at Easy Travel Tanzania, I specialize in curating unforgettable journeys throughout East Africa. With a deep understanding of Tanzania’s diverse landscapes, vibrant cultures, and iconic wildlife, I craft personalized itineraries that reflect each traveler’s unique dreams and interests.

As a passionate and experienced Travel Advisor at Easy Travel Tanzania, I specialize in curating unforgettable journeys throughout East Africa. With a deep understanding of Tanzania’s diverse landscapes, vibrant cultures, and iconic wildlife, I craft personalized itineraries that reflect each traveler’s unique dreams and interests.

A leading expert on motorhome holidays in New Zealand. Offering practical tips, hidden-gem itineraries, and commentary on travel trends for your story, with a focus on sustainable travel. With 20 years of experience helping thousands of people explore New Zealand on the ultimate road trip. Our focus is on high-quality, sustainable travel. Available to provide expert commentary, tips, or full quotes on: New Zealand travel trends, the best self-drive itineraries (both North & South Island), tips for first-time motorhome travellers, sustainable tourism and travel in NZ, the New Zealand tourism industry