The Splendid Traveler

03/11/2025

If there’s one place I could visit again and again, it’s Australia & New Zealand. The landscapes, locals, and effortless travel experiences make them truly amazing.

Waking up in a luxury lodge with a flat white, tucked into the mountains, sipping wine at a private vineyard tasting in the afternoon, and spotting wildlife and unique flora and fauna all day long—Australia & New Zealand have it all!

🌏 What makes them so incredible? Read my latest blog to find out!
📍 https://thesplendidtraveler.com/why-australia-new-zealand-are-my-favorite-destinations/ (link in bio)

Which of these two is next on your list? Let me know below! 👇 Need help planning a personalized experience? Let’s make it unforgettable—DM me to start planning! ✨

03/11/2025

🌍 Why do I love Australia & New Zealand so much? From witnessing Uluru in the rain to sipping wine in Marlborough, these countries never stop amazing me. Whether you’re dreaming of Sydney’s sparkling harbor or New Zealand’s turquoise lakes, this post dives into why these destinations are truly unforgettable. 🇦🇺🇳🇿

📖 Read the full blog here: https://thesplendidtraveler.com/why-australia-new-zealand-are-my-favorite-destinations/

What’s your favorite travel memory from Australia or New Zealand? Drop it in the comments! 👇

As a travel advisor, I’ve explored some of the world’s most beautiful destinations, but no country has captivated me quite like Australia and New Zealand. These countries have the most untouched natural beauty I've ever seen and amazing locals who are passionate about their country, creating unf...

01/28/2025

I realized I haven’t posted about what I actually do as a luxury travel advisor in a while, so here’s a little insight!

Luxury travel planning is so much more than just booking flights and hotels—it’s about crafting seamless, one-of-a-kind experiences tailored to YOU. Whether it’s a dream honeymoon, a family adventure, or a special getaway, here’s how I help:

✅ What I Do:
✨ Personalize every itinerary to your preferences, from luxury hotels to exclusive experiences.
✨ Save you hours of research and planning while ensuring every detail is flawless and tailored to you.
✨ Offer seamless support before, during, and after your trip—because your travel experience should be stress-free.
✨ Handle the unexpected, whether it’s a flight delay, a last-minute change, or special requests.
✨ Use my industry connections to unlock VIP perks like upgrades, early check-ins, and special amenities.

🚫 What I Don’t Do:
❌ Book deals or bargain travel—I specialize in high-end, curated experiences.
❌ Function as a call center—my services are personalized and built on relationships.
❌ Just “Google it”—I leverage expertise, firsthand experience, and global partnerships.
❌ Leave you stranded—when you book with me, you have real-time support for anything that comes up.

Luxury travel isn’t about just checking destinations off a list—it’s about experiencing the world in a way that’s meaningful to you. If you’re ready to make 2025 your year of extraordinary travel, let’s chat! ✨🌍

01/02/2025

2024 was a year of travel rediscovery for me—it was my first year really traveling again since having Hamilton in 2021 (and we all know what happened in 2020). This past year, I explored Saint Lucia, Costa Rica, Mexico, and went to Northern California (twice!). But the truly special moments was taking a delayed honeymoon to New Zealand—one of the favorite destinations that I specialize in planning for my clients—and showing Josh why it’s so close to my heart. We also gave the kids their first real travel experience with a week in Japan.

This photo captures one of my favorite meals of the year at the incredible Otahuna Lodge outside of Christchurch, where every detail is pure perfection and the food is next-level. Amazing experiences like this remind me why I love crafting unforgettable journeys. Let’s make 2025 your year of extraordinary travel—reach out, and I’ll help you plan your dream trip!

11/15/2024

We always try to book a session with a professional photographer on when we travel, and I’m so glad we did —these turned out amazing! Now that we’ve been back a few weeks and reflecting on our trip to Japan, we couldn’t be happier that we took the trip. My 3 year old Hammy says his favorite part of the trip was eating snacks on the airplane 🤣 but he also can’t stop talking about taking a train to Tokyo Station! For Josh and me, the best part was seeing Japan through the kids’ eyes, sharing the experience of a new culture, and teaching the kids what real travel is. We’ll forever remember these times together and planning where we should go next 💜

10/23/2024

Kyoto has its charm with temples, history, and geishas, but wow, it was packed! Despite the crowds, we had fun! I’m so grateful we were able to take the kids to Japan. They got to experience a new culture and discover what travel really is all about.

10/17/2024

The night before we left for Japan, I was up with so much anxiety. It’s our first real international travel experience as a family. Was it a good idea to travel to Japan with three kids? Did we make the right decision? What about the flight with an almost 3-year-old? How are the kids going to do with jet lag? When we arrived and got a full night sleep, all fears went away. We’re having the absolute best time and all three kids are doing great! 🇯🇵

07/12/2024

The past few weeks, I've been busy with many November and December New Zealand travel requests, and let me tell you, availability is slim! As a last-minute planner myself, I understand the urge to book late, but the best itineraries come together when we can choose exactly which hotels and tours work best and not have to default to something based on availability. I love booking personalized itineraries that fit my client's travel preferences, but when availability is slim, that's really hard to do and sometimes even impossible, depending on the limited options.

The ideal time to plan holiday travel is at the beginning of the year. However, it’s still not too late! If you're hoping to visit New Zealand this year, reach out as soon as possible. I'd love to assist you!

07/10/2024

My family and I just returned from our annual La Selva Beach 4th of July beach trip, and we always have the best time. La Selva Beach is in between Santa Cruz and Monterey, and we have our must-do activities every year. Growing up in San Jose, I’ve been going to this area my whole life, and it’s amazing to be able to bring my family here.

Our favorite things to do in the area:
- Hike in the redwood forest (we love The Forest of Nisene Marks)
- Get coffee and treats at - the cinnamon rolls are outstanding. At home, I have my espresso machine for my morning coffee, so it’s always an exciting treat to be on vacation and get a coffee out and about.
- Shop at Santa Cruz Boardroom for Santa Cruz gear.
- Go to the Farmers Market - we don’t have as many fruit and veggies grown in Texas, so it’s a special treat to go to the markets in California.
- Whale watching at Moss Landing - we go some years and always have hopes to see the orcas. I have never seen them, and they are #1 on my animal spotting wishlist.
- Walk around Downtown Santa Cruz. The shops are cute and fun.
- Kayaking - it’s pretty and we have had otters come right to our kayak.
- Search for shells and make sandcastles on the beach.
- Walk around downtown Carmel (we do love Carmel Valley Ranch for luxury)
- Ride the rides at the
- Visit the
- Our new favorite thing we discovered on this trip is to eat at Tacos Al fuego in Watsonville
- We also love Dos Pescados in Seascape - best margaritas around.
- is so legit

06/25/2024

I had the best time in St. Lucia! This last-minute trip was a great opportunity for me to explore new destinations and resorts. I’m so lucky that my job involves traveling to amazing destinations, and I can’t wait to share these experiences with my clients and help them plan their perfect getaways!

06/18/2024

St. Lucia was absolutely stunning! Each Caribbean island offers its own unique charm, and I was lucky to experience what St. Lucia has to offer. From the Pitons to the coral reefs, there’s so much to explore, which is one reason I like St. Lucia - there's a lot to do. Snorkeling, hiking, and lounging on the beach were highlights of my trip. The island is so lush! If you’re curious about visiting St. Lucia or any other island, let’s chat about planning a personalized trip tailored just for you!

05/17/2024

That Wānaka Tree. No idea who started this trend, and I can’t find much info on why exactly this tree is famous but it draws a crowd and we got a kick out of the hype. Wanaka is an amazing destination - one of my favorites in New Zealand.