Travel with Kristal

05/27/2026

Today feels extra special. ✨

So thankful for these incredible women who came out to support our ribbon cutting and celebrate this new chapter for Top Tier Travel Group.

What started as a dream built from long nights, hard work, and a passion for creating meaningful travel experiences has now grown into a storefront, a team, and a community I’m incredibly proud of.

Travel may be what we do, but relationships are truly at the heart of it all. Grateful for the friendships, support, and amazing women I get to do life and business with. 🤍

05/26/2026

I'm heading to Bodrum this October for the Private Luxury event! 🇹🇷

This will be my first time experiencing this destination firsthand, and I'll be staying at Lujo Hotel Bodrum, the stunning host property on Türkiye's Aegean coast. Alongside 140 leading European luxury travel buyers and 130 top exhibitors, I'll spend several days in curated one-to-one meetings, immersive local experiences, and evenings celebrating everything we love about this industry.

One of my greatest professional privileges is getting to experience the destinations and properties I recommend to clients — not just read about them. Bodrum is next on that list, and I'm genuinely looking forward to the connections and knowledge I'll bring home.

Who else will be there? I'd love to connect! 👋

05/21/2026

People often ask why travel advisors still exist when you can book everything yourself online.

My answer? Travel is a lot like building a home.

Could you build one yourself? Perhaps. You could hire contractors individually, research materials, coordinate timelines, and hope everything comes together the way you envisioned.

But most people don’t — because experience matters.

They hire professionals who understand the process, know which pitfalls to avoid, have trusted relationships, and can guide the project from start to finish.

Travel works the same way.

Yes, anyone can book flights and hotels online. But planning a truly meaningful trip — one that fits your travel style, budget, priorities, and expectations — takes more than clicking “reserve now.”

It’s knowing which room categories are actually worth it. Which destinations match the experience you’re hoping for. Which transfers are reliable. Which resorts consistently deliver. And which suppliers show up when something goes wrong.

When plans change unexpectedly, you won’t be left figuring it out alone.

A travel advisor isn’t just there to book your trip. We’re there to help design the experience behind it.

Because there’s a difference between simply traveling and traveling well.

05/06/2026

Getting ready for an Africa client appointment today… 🦁✨

One thing I truly love about this job is personalizing the experience from the very first meeting.

When clients come into my office to discuss a destination, I want them to begin experiencing the destination before we even start planning.

Safari footage on the TV, coffee ready, destination book out, and conversations centered around the kind of memories they want to create.

Travel planning should feel exciting, personal, and immersive — not like just another online transaction.

Africa is one of those places that changes you. It’s not simply a vacation; it’s an experience that stays with you long after you return home.

05/06/2026

Cheers to my fellow travel advisors today on Travel Advisor Appreciation Day. ✈️🥂

Behind every “perfect trip” is someone coordinating flights, solving problems behind the scenes, monitoring changes, answering late-night messages, navigating time zones, advocating for clients, and genuinely caring about the experience people have while they’re away from home.

This industry is not always easy, but it is incredibly rewarding.

To my colleagues in travel — thank you for the passion, long hours, knowledge, patience, and care you pour into your clients every single day. The work you do matters more than most people will ever fully realize.

Here’s to all of us helping people create memories that last a lifetime. 🤍

04/29/2026

There’s been a lot of recent chatter around jet fuel supply in Europe, so I wanted to share a clear and simple update for anyone traveling this summer.

The short answer: your travel plans are not expected to be impacted.

Europe has sufficient jet fuel supply in place, supported by strategic reserves, active refinery production, and multiple import channels. These systems are designed to keep travel moving, even during periods of global uncertainty.

Airlines have confirmed they are not anticipating cancellations or grounded flights due to fuel shortages. While supply is a bit tighter than usual, operations remain stable across the region.

Where you may notice some impact is in pricing and occasional schedule adjustments. This is a normal response to market conditions and not a sign of disruption.

European aviation authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and have contingency plans in place if needed.

Bottom line: European travel this summer is moving forward as planned. Flights are operating, and everything is in place for a busy and successful season.

If you have upcoming travel and want to talk through the details, I’m always here to guide you.

04/20/2026

Europe Travel Update 🇪🇺

If you’ve seen posts about ETIAS or new Europe entry requirements, you might be wondering if you need to do something before your next trip.

The short answer: Not yet.

There has been quite a bit of confusion circulating online, so here’s what travelers actually need to know right now.

ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System)
This will eventually be required for travelers from visa-exempt countries, including the United States, entering the Schengen Area. It will work similarly to the U.S. ESTA system.

However — ETIAS has NOT launched yet.
Travelers are not currently required to apply.

EES (Entry/Exit System)
This is a separate system that will eventually replace passport stamping at Schengen borders. Instead, travelers will be registered electronically and biometric information such as fingerprints and facial images will be collected when entering and exiting Europe.

Implementation is expected in the future, but timelines are still shifting.

For now, nothing has changed for travelers.

Current requirements remain the same:
• A valid passport
• Compliance with Schengen entry rules

As official launch dates are confirmed, I’ll continue sharing updates so my clients know exactly what to expect before traveling.

If you have a trip to Europe coming up and want to make sure everything is in order, feel free to reach out.

Official information can always be found here:
https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en

✈️ Save this post for later if you have Europe travel planned.

04/16/2026

Not all of Europe is crowded.
You just have to know where to go.

If the thought of waiting in line outside a cathedral or squeezing through a packed square for a photo sounds exhausting… you’re not alone.

Many travelers still want the charm of Europe—beautiful towns, incredible food, walkable streets, and stunning landscapes—without the overwhelming crowds that have become common in some of the more famous destinations.

Lately, these are a few of the places I’ve been sending clients who want a more relaxed European summer. Places where you can still find a quiet café table, explore historic streets without shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, and truly enjoy the destination.

Sometimes the best experiences in Europe aren’t the places everyone already knows.

Scroll through to see a few favorites.

DM me EUROPE and I’ll send you a few destination ideas that most travelers completely overlook.

03/30/2026

We’re honored to be in the running for SWMO’s Best Travel Agency! 🌍✈️

If you’ve enjoyed working with Top Tier Travel Group, we would truly appreciate your vote.

✔️ Click the link below
✔️ Select “Things to Do”
✔️ Vote for Top Tier Travel Group

Your support means so much to our small business. Thank you!

Vote once per day from March 30 through April 17.

03/23/2026

Wrapping up my time in Switzerland, and what a way to experience it.

This journey began as a family vacation; time to slow down, be present, and create memories together in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. And as always, it naturally evolved into something more… an immersive, firsthand educational experience that allows me to better serve my clients at the highest level.

I hiked through the Alps, went paragliding above them, exploring over a dozen towns and villages, and experiencing everything from scenic rail journeys to authentic Swiss dining—this is exactly how I believe travel should be done. Not just seen, but truly experienced.

These are the moments and details I bring back with me—the ones you can’t find online. The ones that make the difference between a trip and a thoughtfully designed journey.

Now, it’s on to Milan for a conference dedicated entirely to Italy—one of my most requested destinations. I’m looking forward to reconnecting with my trusted partners, meeting exceptional hoteliers, and continuing to strengthen the relationships that allow me to create seamless, elevated experiences for my clients.

Because this work doesn’t stop when the vacation ends—it’s just getting started.