Let’s Plan Something You’ll Still Be Talking About Years From Now.
You don’t have to have it all figured out to start. You just need someone who’s done this before to help you take the first step.
If you’re dreaming about Europe, Japan, a river cruise, or simply taking that first trip abroad together, I’ve done this enough times to know what to ask, what to worry about, and what you can let go of.
Heidelberg, Germany
Every Great Journey Begins Long Before You Pack a Suitcase
Some trips start with a conversation over dinner. Some begin with a photograph that makes you stop scrolling.
Others begin years before they ever happen. With a promise to your kids. A honeymoon you’ve always imagined. A dream of wandering through the streets of Paris, watching the Northern Lights dance across the sky, or finally standing beneath the cherry blossoms in Japan.
Before there are flights to book or hotels to compare, there is something much more important.
A feeling.
The excitement of wondering what is possible. The curiosity of imagining yourself somewhere completely new. The hope that maybe this will be the trip your family talks about for years to come.
Those are my favorite kinds of conversations.
I don’t believe travel has to be complicated to be extraordinary. Sometimes it just takes someone who’s already been there.
Because that’s where every journey begins.
Seoul, South Korea
What Happens After You Reach Out
You Send a Quick Note
A few lines about the trip you’re imagining is all it takes. You don’t need a plan yet, just an idea.
We Talk It Through
I’ll personally follow up by phone or email to learn more about your family and what matters most to you.
I Build Your Journey
From there, I create a personalized itinerary and guide you through every decision, so you can travel with confidence.
A five-star hotel is nice.
Not having to plan any of it yourself? That’s the real luxury.
When we’re working together, you’re never wondering if you’ve missed something important. You can stop comparing dozens of hotels, second-guessing every itinerary, and worrying about the logistics.
You get to focus on what really matters. Making memories with the people you’re traveling with.
Every traveler starts somewhere.
Where are you starting?
Machu Picchu, Peru
I Already Know
Where I Want To Go
You have the destination. Now let’s turn it into the trip you’ve been imagining.
Tokyo, Japan
I’m Looking
For Inspiration
Sometimes the hardest part is deciding where to go. Let’s find the place that’s the right fit for your family, your travel style, and your budget.
Venice, Italy
I’m Not Sure
Where To Start
That’s completely okay. Some of my favorite trips have started with nothing more than, “We know we want to travel.”
Le Havre, France
Hi, I’m Nicole.
I am an ASTA Verified Travel Advisor. That is the credential the American Society of Travel Advisors gives you after the coursework and the exam, and it is the reason I can tell you when a supplier is worth it and when it is not.
I’ve spent years exploring the world with my own family, learning what works, what doesn’t, and all the little details that never make it into a guidebook.
When we work together, you’re not getting a call center or an automated booking engine. You’re getting someone who’s excited about helping you create a trip that fits your family.
I’ll personally read what you share. You don’t need to have every detail figured out. This is simply a starting point, and we can shape the rest together.
NicoleTell Me About Your Trip
A few quick details are all I need to get started. Share as much or as little as you’d like, we’ll figure out the rest together.
What clients actually say
Four of them. There are more on the reviews page.
I cannot recommend this agency enough. Our travel agent was Nicole Damiano and she was absolutely fantastic. She found us a great deal and was with us every step of the way. Any time I had a question she would answer them all and booked everything we needed booking. We had an amazing trip thanks to her and her suggestions.
Jane
a family trip
Amazing experience. This is a once in a lifetime trip for our family and Nicole patiently walked through every step with us, making sure we got the very best deal, with some great upgrades, and taking care of our individual family needs. We absolutely recommend Nicole to help you with your next family vacation.
Sara W.
a once in a lifetime family trip
Nicole was very patient with us as we decided on our honeymoon location. She was quick to respond and provide answers to all of our many questions, and helped us every step of the way. We found her to be personable and reliable. Because of her help, we found the perfect location to meet all of our needs. I highly recommend working with Nicole to book any special trip. She is wonderful.
Anna Marie
a honeymoon
Nicole is passionate about travel herself so she leaves nothing out in making your experience the best. She pays attention to your wishes, budget, time frame and makes it happen. Definitely trustworthy.
Carla B.
Questions people actually ask
How quickly will I hear back?
Within 24 business hours. If you write on a Saturday you will hear from me Monday, because the weekends belong to my three and a very opinionated cavapoo.
What does working with you cost?
Planning fees start at $200 and cover everything. International family trips start at $500. I quote the fee before any work begins, and it moves with how complicated the trip is. A one week beach trip and a three week multi country itinerary are not the same job.
What am I actually paying for?
The planning fee, and that is the whole of it. What it buys is the part that takes the longest and matters the most, which is the order things go in and somebody on the end of a phone when they do not. There are also rates, amenities and onboard credits I can put on a booking that are not published anywhere.
What do you actually do that I cannot do myself?
Anyone can find a hotel. The work is in the order of things. Which city first so the jet lag lands right, which two hours of the day to protect for a nine year old, which train is worth booking ahead and which is not, which room category is worth the money on that specific ship, and what to do at eleven at night when something falls apart. That last one is most of the value and nobody thinks about it until they need it.
Do you only do big international trips?
No. Weekends, Orlando, a single cruise, a national park loop. Some of the trips I am proudest of are five days long.
We already booked our flights. Is that a problem?
Not at all. Plenty of people come to me with flights already bought because a fare came up. I will build around them and tell you honestly if a change would make the trip meaningfully better.
How far ahead should we come to you?
Six months is comfortable for an international family trip. Three works. Under six weeks and you are limited by passports and paperwork more than by availability, but I have done fast ones and they can be very good.
What happens if something goes wrong while we are away?
You call or message me and I sort it. That is the difference between a booking site and a person. Time zones mean I am sometimes awake when you are not, which is usually an advantage.
Do you work with families only?
Families are most of what I do and the part I am best at, but not all of it. Couples, groups of friends, multigenerational trips and solo travelers are all welcome.
What do you actually know first hand?
Twenty four years of international travel and five continents in person. I lived in Japan and taught English there, and I lived in Korea twice. Everything on this site is either something I have done or something I have researched properly and said so.
What happens after I send the form?
I read it and come back with questions, because the first note never has everything. Then we talk, then I build. The three steps are laid out further up this page.
Roatan, Honduras
Still thinking about it?
Let’s just talk.
You don’t need a plan yet. Just send me a note, and let’s see where the conversation goes.
Send Me a Note
Written and kept current by Nicole Damiano, ASTA Verified Travel Advisor with Adventures We Seek. If something here is out of date, tell me and I will fix it.
