Nicole’s approach to travel planning was shaped by organizing her own honeymoon to South Africa. She front-loaded the trip with rest and relaxation in the Winelands. Then, high energy thrill for Cape Town’s mountain hikes and shark dives. She capped it all off with the grand finale: tracking the Big Five in Kruger. Nicole now specializes in this kind of artful balance. Weaving an itinerary that blended cultural immersion, adventure, and sophistication felt like solving a complex puzzle and as a result, she developed a sharp eye for detail and the desire to uncover a destination fully.

Drawing on her tenure as an executive assistant at a luxury hotel group, Nicole brings a natural knack for organization. Her unique perspective on style and service is applied to every itinerary she crafts on behalf of clients. She thrives when partnering with clients to tailor journeys that reflect their personal tastes and vision. Her goal is for every client to return home feeling enriched, in turn, carrying indelible memories that last far beyond the flight home.

When she isn’t scouting new destinations around the globe, Nicole can be found enjoying life in Ridgefield, Connecticut with her husband and their two children, or exploring nearby New York City and coastal New England.

How do you prepare for your trips?

Research, but make it count. While Google and social media can provide plenty of inspiration, there is a lot of noise to weed through. I like to look beyond the ‘top ten’ lists in search of the truly unique. I collaborate with fellow advisors to gather different points of view. Then I coordinate with my trusted local partners to ensure I have the most up-to-date recommendations with top-notch drivers and guides. Never underestimate how much the quality of the people you surround yourself with can impact your trip. P.S. I also love a good destination-inspired Pinterest packing board!

What has been your most memorable travel experience to date?

Renting a car upon arriving in Italy and learning what a huge mistake it was to be navigating a new country while jet lagged! Long before I became a travel advisor, my husband and I decided to self-drive from the airport in Rome to our romantic Tuscan retreat in Montepulciano. We don’t speak a word of Italian and our directions were vague at best. We ended up driving through a pedestrian-only area, nearly barreling down a staircase into a crowd full of people, and found ourselves sweating it out while reversing down a one-way street with a steep cliff alongside us. What an incredibly stressful way to start the trip! We laugh about it now, but trust me when I advise you to take that private transfer on arrival!