Christina Ortalano
Based in New York
Christina Ortalano
Ask me about
My Story
I am a boutique travel advisor dedicated to destination forward experiences and quiet luxury. Having transitioned from a 20 year career in financial services, I use my global expertise to curate seamless journeys that blend authentic local culture with ultimate comfort.
Travel Style
My style blends adventurous exploration with refined comfort. Think curated African safaris, boutique small-ship cruises, and hidden gems across 44 countries. I am an architect of itineraries who believes travel should be visually stunning and perfectly executed, ensuring every detail is handled so you can focus on the discovery.
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Reviews (1)
Valarie C.
travel to France
5 days ago
We wanted a completely customized shore excursion from the Marseille cruise port that avoided tourist crowds, city centers, and typical wine tours, and Christina delivered exactly what we were looking for. She designed a seamless itinerary that maximized our time experiencing Provence instead of sitting in traffic.
Our private Mercedes van was waiting for us at Gate 4 when we disembarked, making for an effortless start to the day. The experiences she selected were exceptional: a morning tasting of award-winning artisan olive oils at the historic Moulin à Huile des Costes in Pélissanne, followed by a spectacular drive along the dramatic sea cliffs of the Route des Crêtes.
One of the highlights was lunch in Cassis, where Christina secured us a terrace table at Le Bistrot de Nino overlooking the harbor. We enjoyed fresh Mediterranean seafood with breathtaking views of Cap Canaille and the coastline beyond.
Everything was thoughtfully planned, perfectly timed, and completely stress-free. We returned to the ship with plenty of time to spare and felt like we had experienced the very best of the region in a single day. If you're looking for a travel advisor who truly listens and creates experiences tailored to your interests, I highly recommend working with Christina.
Valarie C.
travel to France
5 days ago
We wanted a completely customized shore excursion from the Marseille cruise port that avoided tourist crowds, city centers, and typical wine tours, and Christina delivered exactly what we were looking for. She designed a seamless itinerary that maximized our time experiencing Provence instead of sitting in traffic.
Our private Mercedes van was waiting for us at Gate 4 when we disembarked, making for an effortless start to the day. The experiences she selected were exceptional: a morning tasting of award-winning artisan olive oils at the historic Moulin à Huile des Costes in Pélissanne, followed by a spectacular drive along the dramatic sea cliffs of the Route des Crêtes.
One of the highlights was lunch in Cassis, where Christina secured us a terrace table at Le Bistrot de Nino overlooking the harbor. We enjoyed fresh Mediterranean seafood with breathtaking views of Cap Canaille and the coastline beyond.
Everything was thoughtfully planned, perfectly timed, and completely stress-free. We returned to the ship with plenty of time to spare and felt like we had experienced the very best of the region in a single day. If you're looking for a travel advisor who truly listens and creates experiences tailored to your interests, I highly recommend working with Christina.
Travel ideas (4)
Above the Waterhole: My Stay at Kenya’s Iconic Salt Lick Safari Lodge
Salt Lick Safari Lodge is one of Kenya's most iconic safari properties, and after experiencing it firsthand, I understand why. Built on stilts above an active waterhole in the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, the lodge offers wildlife viewing long after the game drives end. For travelers exploring southern Kenya, it provides a uniquely immersive safari experience and serves as an ideal stop between Amboseli and Tsavo East.
Above the Waterhole: My Stay at Kenya’s Iconic Salt Lick Safari Lodge
Salt Lick Safari Lodge is one of Kenya's most iconic safari properties, and after experiencing it firsthand, I understand why. Built on stilts above an active waterhole in the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, the lodge offers wildlife viewing long after the game drives end. For travelers exploring southern Kenya, it provides a uniquely immersive safari experience and serves as an ideal stop between Amboseli and Tsavo East.
Safari Luxury at &Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge
Nestled into the dramatic hillsides of Zululand, &Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge is a masterclass in luxury safari execution. On my 20-day African journey, this private reserve delivered the perfect overland segment: high-octane wildlife tracking paired with true creature comforts. For sophisticated travelers who want an intimate, quiet-luxury bush experience where conservation meets world-class hospitality, Phinda is hard to match.
Safari Luxury at &Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge
Nestled into the dramatic hillsides of Zululand, &Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge is a masterclass in luxury safari execution. On my 20-day African journey, this private reserve delivered the perfect overland segment: high-octane wildlife tracking paired with true creature comforts. For sophisticated travelers who want an intimate, quiet-luxury bush experience where conservation meets world-class hospitality, Phinda is hard to match.
Cruise Spotlight: The Quiet Luxury of Sailing Aboard Azamara Onward
After spending 17 nights exploring East and South Africa aboard the Azamara Onward, I am honestly not sure I could ever cruise without this level of boutique luxury again. From the moment you step on deck, the highly personalized service and intimate atmosphere make this ship feel less like a commercial liner and more like an elite floating luxury home. Our incredible butler, Roy, took absolutely wonderful care of us, completely spoiling us by making sure fresh fruit plates and shrimp cocktail were waiting in our spacious room every single afternoon when we returned from our adventures on land. The food choices throughout the voyage were consistently amazing, with excellent options always available, proving that this vessel serves as the ultimate anchor for sophisticated travelers looking to seamlessly pair remote global exploration with a quiet, understated luxury aesthetic.
Cruise Spotlight: The Quiet Luxury of Sailing Aboard Azamara Onward
After spending 17 nights exploring East and South Africa aboard the Azamara Onward, I am honestly not sure I could ever cruise without this level of boutique luxury again. From the moment you step on deck, the highly personalized service and intimate atmosphere make this ship feel less like a commercial liner and more like an elite floating luxury home. Our incredible butler, Roy, took absolutely wonderful care of us, completely spoiling us by making sure fresh fruit plates and shrimp cocktail were waiting in our spacious room every single afternoon when we returned from our adventures on land. The food choices throughout the voyage were consistently amazing, with excellent options always available, proving that this vessel serves as the ultimate anchor for sophisticated travelers looking to seamlessly pair remote global exploration with a quiet, understated luxury aesthetic.
My Ultimate African Journey: 20 Days, Overland Safaris & A Cruise
They say that once you visit Africa, a piece of your heart stays there forever. Standing on the private deck of my suite at andBeyond Phinda Mountain Lodge, watching a herd of kudus move silently through the Zululand twilight, I finally understood exactly what that meant. This trip was an ambitious dream in the making: a multi-layered, luxury African adventure meticulously designed to experience the continent from entirely different perspectives. It was a journey of contrast, seamlessly pairing the slow, refined elegance of a boutique coastal cruise on the Azamara Onward with the raw, exhilarating energy of overland safaris across six incredible countries. Below is our roadmap for this 20-day adventure, mapping out exactly how we seamlessly blend life at sea with the ultimate wilderness escape.
My Ultimate African Journey: 20 Days, Overland Safaris & A Cruise
They say that once you visit Africa, a piece of your heart stays there forever. Standing on the private deck of my suite at andBeyond Phinda Mountain Lodge, watching a herd of kudus move silently through the Zululand twilight, I finally understood exactly what that meant. This trip was an ambitious dream in the making: a multi-layered, luxury African adventure meticulously designed to experience the continent from entirely different perspectives. It was a journey of contrast, seamlessly pairing the slow, refined elegance of a boutique coastal cruise on the Azamara Onward with the raw, exhilarating energy of overland safaris across six incredible countries. Below is our roadmap for this 20-day adventure, mapping out exactly how we seamlessly blend life at sea with the ultimate wilderness escape.
Above the Waterhole: My Stay at Kenya’s Iconic Salt Lick Safari Lodge
Salt Lick Safari Lodge is one of Kenya's most iconic safari properties, and after experiencing it firsthand, I understand why. Built on stilts above an active waterhole in the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, the lodge offers wildlife viewing long after the game drives end. For travelers exploring southern Kenya, it provides a uniquely immersive safari experience and serves as an ideal stop between Amboseli and Tsavo East.
Above the Waterhole: My Stay at Kenya’s Iconic Salt Lick Safari Lodge
Salt Lick Safari Lodge is one of Kenya's most iconic safari properties, and after experiencing it firsthand, I understand why. Built on stilts above an active waterhole in the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, the lodge offers wildlife viewing long after the game drives end. For travelers exploring southern Kenya, it provides a uniquely immersive safari experience and serves as an ideal stop between Amboseli and Tsavo East.
Safari Luxury at &Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge
Nestled into the dramatic hillsides of Zululand, &Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge is a masterclass in luxury safari execution. On my 20-day African journey, this private reserve delivered the perfect overland segment: high-octane wildlife tracking paired with true creature comforts. For sophisticated travelers who want an intimate, quiet-luxury bush experience where conservation meets world-class hospitality, Phinda is hard to match.
Safari Luxury at &Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge
Nestled into the dramatic hillsides of Zululand, &Beyond Phinda Mountain Lodge is a masterclass in luxury safari execution. On my 20-day African journey, this private reserve delivered the perfect overland segment: high-octane wildlife tracking paired with true creature comforts. For sophisticated travelers who want an intimate, quiet-luxury bush experience where conservation meets world-class hospitality, Phinda is hard to match.
Cruise Spotlight: The Quiet Luxury of Sailing Aboard Azamara Onward
After spending 17 nights exploring East and South Africa aboard the Azamara Onward, I am honestly not sure I could ever cruise without this level of boutique luxury again. From the moment you step on deck, the highly personalized service and intimate atmosphere make this ship feel less like a commercial liner and more like an elite floating luxury home. Our incredible butler, Roy, took absolutely wonderful care of us, completely spoiling us by making sure fresh fruit plates and shrimp cocktail were waiting in our spacious room every single afternoon when we returned from our adventures on land. The food choices throughout the voyage were consistently amazing, with excellent options always available, proving that this vessel serves as the ultimate anchor for sophisticated travelers looking to seamlessly pair remote global exploration with a quiet, understated luxury aesthetic.
Cruise Spotlight: The Quiet Luxury of Sailing Aboard Azamara Onward
After spending 17 nights exploring East and South Africa aboard the Azamara Onward, I am honestly not sure I could ever cruise without this level of boutique luxury again. From the moment you step on deck, the highly personalized service and intimate atmosphere make this ship feel less like a commercial liner and more like an elite floating luxury home. Our incredible butler, Roy, took absolutely wonderful care of us, completely spoiling us by making sure fresh fruit plates and shrimp cocktail were waiting in our spacious room every single afternoon when we returned from our adventures on land. The food choices throughout the voyage were consistently amazing, with excellent options always available, proving that this vessel serves as the ultimate anchor for sophisticated travelers looking to seamlessly pair remote global exploration with a quiet, understated luxury aesthetic.
Travel photos
