Global travel is an electric experience. It broadens your mind and changes the way you think about the world. When you go to new places, taste unique flavors, experience fascinating cultures, and meet new people, you discover yourself in a brand new way.
Leisure travel is sumptuous and recharging! You can get away from your regular routine to enjoy the sunshine, be playful, or splurge on delicious food and drink. It refreshes your spirit and rejuvenates you like nothing else.
All of these experiences provide incredible opportunities to connect with your spouse, your family, and your friends. Travel memories (whether you are a solo traveler or exploring with the ones you love) last your whole life long!
From intimate river cruises to bespoke land adventures, we specialize in creating extraordinary experiences that go far beyond typical vacation planning.
Luxury Cruises: River cruises with cultural immersion, Expedition cruises to remote destinations, Intimate yacht-style ocean cruising, Exclusive shore excursions and private experiences!
Bespoke Land Tours: Private guided cultural experiences, Luxury accommodations in unique locations, Authentic local encounters and behind-the-scenes access, Custom itineraries tailored to your interests!
Dream Honeymoons: Romantic escapes with intimate experiences, Once-in-a-lifetime adventures for couples, Stress-free planning during your wedding preparations, Exclusive perks and VIP treatment!
Group & Family Travel: Multigenerational vacation coordination, Seamless logistics for complex group dynamics, Age-appropriate activities for all family members, Private villa rentals and exclusive group experiences!
Expedition travel is for those who have special interest in the mind-blowing remote regions of the world. Few people have the fortune of having been to, say, Antarctica or the Galapagos. These sorts of trips provide an opportunity for learning, once in a lifetime sights, and gaining a better understanding of how the world truly works through immersive adventure.
Travelers will meet remote area specialists, historians and scientists, and participate in onboard lectures prior to exploring the destination firsthand. The one thing expedition travelers tend to have in common is their curiosity and love of adventure.
Take incredible trips to the world’s most amazing and hard-to-reach places, where luxury meets real adventure. Our expedition cruises let you explore pristine Antarctica, see polar bears in the Arctic, or discover untouched Pacific islands while enjoying great food, spa treatments, and comfortable rooms. Led by expert guides and wildlife specialists, these small ship voyages offer once-in-a-lifetime animal encounters, meetings with local communities, and visits to places that most tourists never see – all while keeping you safe and comfortable throughout your journey.``
I've been delighted to be on expedition ships to both the Northern and Southern regions of our planet where I was mesmerized first hand at how these trips flow. The experience was incredible! Contact me so I can tell you more, & set you up for the adventure of a lifetime!
A dreamy ocean cruise can be a fabulous way to vacation in style! Experience the sophistication modern day cruising with cultural immersion, and personalized services that transforms your journey into an unforgettable adventure.
Todays intimate ship vessels create more personal environments with better passenger-to-crew ratios, ensuring anticipatory service and access to new ports.
Cultural immersion & deeper destination experiences with expert-led shore excursions, private venue access, and authentic local encounters that go beyond typical tourist attractions.
Culinary Excellence World-class dining with celebrity chef partnerships, specialty restaurants, and 24-hour room service that rivals the finest land-based establishments.
But which ship is best for you? Best cocktail bars at sea or family-friendly with included child care and water slides? World class wellness amenities or feature staged entertainment? Or perhaps you'd like an adult only cruise environment!
This is where I bring expertise and experience. I will work with you find the right cruise for your specific interests. I have trained with the cruise companies, toured the ships, and know the scope of options. I’d be delighted to share them with you!
Do you have a destination anywhere in the world you’ve been dreaming of, and need help putting the pieces together? I will build you a customized travel itinerary! When we work together, I can provide you with the benefit of flexibility and customization. Your dates, your budget and your ideas pair with my knowledge of the region's best hotels, tour guides and transportation options.
With support, even complex trips such as: an African Safari to see Gorillas, a Glacier Express rail vacation in Europe, a land tour of Patagonia, or a magical castle-to -castle stay through Ireland can be YOUR smooth polished vacation plan ready to enjoy!
Go beyond typical tourist attractions and truly connect with the places you visit. Our cultural immersion experiences let you learn traditional cooking from local families, watch master artists create their crafts, and visit sacred sites. Whether it’s learning to make pasta with an Italian grandmother, participating in a tea ceremony in Japan, or joining a traditional dance in Morocco, these authentic experiences create meaningful connections and memories that last long after you return home. Every cultural encounter is carefully arranged through our local partnerships to ensure respectful, genuine interactions that benefit both travelers and communities.
I work closely with clients to research & craft a tailor-made trip specifically for them. We can include trip components such as flights, lodging, in-destination transportation, sightseeing days tours, cooking classes with locals and more!
Ready to discover the world by river? Let’s find the perfect river cruise experience that matches your dreams and interests!
Glide through the heart of Europe’s most enchanting regions aboard elegant vessels designed specifically for river navigation. From the romantic Rhine castles to the cultural treasures along the Danube, (and also the Seine, Rhône, and Douro!) river cruising offers an intimate way to explore multiple destinations while unpacking only once.
Did you know we've now got epic river cruise options on five continents? Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, and South America all have river itineraries for you to tour, explore, watch the scenery float by, and also cuddle into your private cabin of comforts at the days end.
Float the Nile and see the pyramids, Explore Cambodia and Vietnam on the Mekong, Visit South America on the Magdalena or Amazon, and follow the Mississippi across the North American Continent. Or go on African safari on the Chobe river showcasing elephants drinking at the water’s edge, hippos surfacing nearby, and crocodiles.
Whichever river you choose, Enjoy exclusive access to smaller ports and historic city centers that ocean ships simply cannot reach, combined with sophisticated onboard amenities, gourmet dining featuring regional specialties, and enrichment programs led by local historians and cultural experts.
All Inclusive resort vacation packages are fabulous as they are a worry-free chance to relax & recuperate! In addition to luxurious accommodation, you can expect food, drinks, activities, and entertainment to be included, without having to pay as you go. This can be really helpful for setting a firm vacation budget and for traveling with groups!
Wait What?! Did you know all inclusive resorts can include scuba diving, kayaking, sailing classes, or tequila tastings?! Luxury suites with a soaking tubs built into the balcony? Are you looking for an eco-resort that operates with a focus on sustainability? Other properties may offer infant care for new parents, or are intentionally supportive of LGBTQIA+ travelers, or have great options food sensitivities or other special needs.
These option are all on offer for you. What would have a wow factor for your vacation!?
Allow me to help you find a fantastic property that dazzles! I'll set up the details so you can celebrate.
Are you ready for a Disney vacation?
The fun, the magic and the joy that come with a trip to a Disney resort is a true delight, and can be a wonderful multigenerational family vacation.
And planning your Disney vacation can sometimes be daunting.
As a certified Disney travel agent, I can help you make the most of your vacation. I assist with every stage of the process including reservations, hotels, tickets, custom itineraries, and even insider tips.
The best part is that everyone, no matter the age, will enjoy Disney as it is well suited to multigenerational families. Disney is inclusive and is also well positioned to support people with food allergies and disabilities.
If you are ready for some Disney fun in your life, Let's get your trip booked!
- Shing Xiong
The real question is, why not!? Travel agents work directly with global travel companies & suppliers to provide value by finding you the best and most up to date travel experiences. Travel agents are compensated by the suppliers, not the travelers, which frees our agency Guiding Star Travel to work independently with the client with no added cost.
Here are the Steps:
I fell in love with travel on my first international trip right out of high school. With just a backpack & my best friend, I traveled throughout Mexico & Central America. We loved learning about the many cultures, marveled in the beauty, and were touched by the kindness of the locals we met. In college I spent a year living in Europe. During my time there I delighted in exploring so many countries: my heart was captured!
These trips ignited a life-long passion for travel and I have since been to 50+ countries across six continents. Today I can still be found sharing enthusiastically about a global destination I've just returned from, and eagerly booking my next travel adventure simultaneously! Travel is my passion and I'd love to share my perspective with you.
Being a travel agent is all about making connections with people who know what to do and where to go. This industry is bursting with fascinating people who have made hospitality the focus of their life’s work. I feel lucky to get to engage with them, here in my hometown or traveling to theirs, to arrange tours and trips for my clients. I would love to share my wealth of travel knowledge and my connections in the industry. I can’t wait to help you have an amazing vacation!
donna@guidingstartravel.net
+1-503-784-8526
Click the button below to connect!
See what our travelers have to say about working with Guiding Star Travel: