Travel Advisor
Christina Gales
She/Her
Expertise
- Luxury,
- Cruise,
- Europe,
- Caribbean,
- Mexico
Based in
Chicago, IL
Minimum booking Budget
$350/night
Profile details
About
As a certified For a Pro Travel Advisor, I have a passion for creating unforgettable experiences for my clients. I have established strong relationships with global partners, including top hotels, resorts, cruise lines and tour operators, which allows me to offer exclusive perks and amenities to enhance your travel experience. Whether you are a food enthusiast seeking culinary adventures, an adventure seeker craving thrilling experiences or a history buff yearning for cultural immersion, I will craft a journey that resonates with you on a personal level. Let me take care of all the planning and logistics for you so you can focus on creating lifelong memories.
Travel style
My travel style can vary based on what I need or want out of my vacation. Sometimes, I want to get hands-on by practicing my Spanish in Madrid, learning to cook an authentic Italian meal in Tuscany or fully immersing myself in art at the Louvre. Sometimes I’m feeding my adventurous side by ziplining through rainforests in Mexico, snorkeling coral reefs off Key West or hiking the peaks of Hawaii. But there are still those times I just need a good dose of vitamin “SEA” – where I unplug fully with a tropical drink, a soft sandy beach and a great book to tune out the outside world completely! I have a hunch you are similar. Let’s face it, there isn’t a one-size fits all vacation and what we need can vary based on the demands of our “real world” or those items still unchecked on your bucket list. No matter your travel style (or styles) I am here to help you find the ideal trip to fit your needs and preferences.
Christina 's travel guides & trip reports
The Ultimate Guide to Ibiza: Beyond the Nightlife
Not Your Mother’s Cruise - How Virgin Voyages Has Transformed Cruising
A Three-Day Guide to London: Unveiling the Best of the British Capital
Living Life in Lovely London
Top 5 Spring Break Resorts Where Teens Thrive and Parents Relax!
The Ultimate Guide to Madrid: Tapas, Art, and More
Three Days in Paris - Getting the Most Out of a Short Parisian Adventure
Madrid: Explore the City of Tapas, Flamenco and Art in 5 Days
10 Unforgettable Excursions to Add to Your Riviera Maya Family Adventure
NYC for Teens: Conquering the Concrete Jungle with Epic Eats & Insta-Worthy Adventures
Mexico City: A Hidden Gem with Aztec Ruins, Frida Kahlo & Museums
5 Things to Love about Rubens at the Palace in London
Hotel Spotlight: 5 Reasons to Love Paséa Hotel & Spa in Huntington Beach, California
Hotel Spotlight: 4 Reasons to Love Chicago's London House
Favorite hotels
Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya
In the center of the Riviera Maya, surrounded by the white-sand Akumal beach, Secrets Akumal offers unlimited dining and drinks, luxurious spas and golfing.
Fora Perks
- ★
Hotel / resort credit.
- ★
Welcome amenity.
- ★
Breakfast daily.
- ★
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
The Rubens at the Palace
Proud royal heritage hotel featuring the best of British hospitality including red-uniformed doormen, extraordinary cuisine and even London experiences for the entire family.
Fora Perks
- ★
£40 food / beverage credit.
- ★
Breakfast daily.
- ★
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Castille Paris
Longtime family favorite close to the Louvre, with a Michelin-starred Italian restaurant and charming courtyard.
Fora Perks
- ★
$100 food / beverage credit.
- ★
Breakfast daily.
- ★
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Hyatt Centric Key West Resort & Spa
Overlooking the Gulf in Key West, this upscale resort features chic rooms, beach access, a heated outdoor pool and an onsite spa.
Fora Perks
- ★
Hotel credit.
- ★
Breakfast daily.
- ★
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Virgin Voyages
Luxury adults-only cruise ship offering voyages to the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Europe and beyond.
Christina 's travel photos
Christina 's reviews
This is our first time booking with a First Mate and I can’t stop telling everyone I see how awesome it is. We got a ton of extra perks and somehow ended up using our full $600 onboard credit (drinks/shore things/shopping/etc.) and $200 bar tab… We felt so special with anytime priority boarding, walking past a line that was seemingly an hour long. Christina was friendly and made our experience awesome.
- Matt L.
Booked travel by cruise
- July 2024
She was very knowledgeable, she answered all of our questions and went above and beyond to make us feel comfortable with our travel plans. The booking and planning of our vacation was very easy. It made us feel very secure knowing we had a person we could call on if anything came up that we needed advice on. We will definitely be booking a vacation with Christina Gales in the future.
- Richard K.
Booked travel by cruise
- June 2024
I would give Christina 10 stars if they were available. We haven’t used a Travel Agent in years. Christina was the best choice and has been a huge help throughout our trip. This has been a once in a lifetime trip and we hope to have more once in a lifetime trips with Christina’s help. Thank you.
- Charlotte H.
Booked travel to London
- June 2024
We cannot thank Christina Gales Travel enough for planning the perfect spring break cruise for our family of 6, with 4 kids ranging in ages 10-18! She made the entire process so easy so all we had to do was enjoy this fabulous vacation. Christina understood my preferences and standards when it comes to vacationing, so when she presented me with the idea of a cruise in the Western Caribbean on Celebrity Cruises I knew it would be a fit! We had never taken a cruise before, and with a large family, finding accommodations and activities that suit everyone can be a challenge, but she took the time to find the ideal cruise line and itinerary. She considered every detail, from family-friendly excursions to onboard entertainment options, ensuring that there was something for everyone to enjoy. Booking our cruise through Christina also brought us peace of mind. She went above and beyond to ensure that we had everything we needed for travel arrangements as well as tips for first time cruisers! We are incredibly grateful for her expertise, professionalism, and genuine passion for creating unforgettable travel experiences. We highly recommend Christina Gales Travel to anyone looking to plan their next vacation with ease and confidence.
- Katy M.
Booked travel to cruise
- March 2024
Get in touch with Christina
Reach out to customize and book your own experience. Or, just to chat about travel in general.
You can normally expect a response from Christina within a business day or so. You’ll also be subscribed to our travel newsletter (you can unsubscribe at any time).
Sign up for Christina 's email list
Stay in-the-know with the latest from Christina , including travel recs, hotel features & exclusive perks.