Kathleen Martel
She/Her
Based in Canada/Brazil
French, English
Kathleen Martel
Ask me about
My Story
I’m a Canadian travel advisor, mother of three, and longtime expat, currently based in Brazil. After more than a decade of living overseas in four countries, I bring a global perspective and a practical understanding of what makes travel feel smooth, meaningful, and well supported.
I design custom, high-touch itineraries for families, couples, and private groups who want more than a standard vacation. From safaris in Africa to journeys through Latin America, Europe, and beyond, I focus on distinctive stays, trusted local partners, and the thoughtful details that make a trip feel effortless.
Travel Style
I’m drawn to trips that feel thoughtful, elevated, and easy to enjoy: beautiful hotels with a sense of place, memorable meals, time in nature, local culture, and enough breathing room to take it all in.
My favorite itineraries have a natural flow, with a few special moments, space to breathe, the right partners on the ground, and logistics that feel seamless in the background.
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Reviews (7)
Andrea B.
11 months ago
Kathleen is the ideal travel advisor for my family! She has such a gift of adding a personal touch to everything she plans.
Our first trip advised by Kathleen was a few years ago, over my childrens' school fall break, to Thailand. I was instantly impressed with the questions she thought to ask us; making sure that all six of us all had our part in sharing where we wanted to go, what we wanted to see, and where we wanted to stay. My daughter's 16th birthday landed during that week, so during our tour of Bangkok on her birthday, Kathleen ensured that our tour guide had a birthday cake and a few other surprises waiting for her throughout our day long excursion of the city!
Fast forward two years, my daughter is now starting her senior year of high school. Her dream list of universities to attend after graduation include four in the United Kingdom. I was determined to get the two of us there to tour them, yet also a bit nervous ~ as I had never been there. Where would we stay? How would we navigate among the four schools? What could we see along the way? Knowing that this could also be a special mother-daughter trip before she graduates, I instantly thought of Kathleen's personal touch. Again, she started off by asking so many questions that I had no idea would come up. Once I had our university tours scheduled, Kathleen got busy (with her personal touch) finding the most adorably unique hotels ~ ever ~ for us to stay at. I think there were FIVE hotels along our "Big Dreams, British Roads, UK University Tour." She ensured that they were all within a reasonable distance from the closest train station and each university. Along with the hotel reservations, Kathleen also provided "must see" places along the way to experience and eat, eat, and eat some more! She truly created the trip of a lifetime for us. We have so many lifelong memories from that week that we are hugging and laughing about now, and I know we will for years to come.
Geneviève F.
about 1 year ago
We are beyond happy with the exceptional service we received from Kathleen while planning our family trip to Japan. She went above and beyond in every way — from organizing kid-friendly activities to making sure every logistical detail was smooth and stress-free. She took the time to understand our family's needs and interests, and crafted a perfectly balanced itinerary that kept both adults and kids engaged. Thanks to her thoughtful planning, we had unforgettable experiences, including cultural visits, gaming attractions, and moments of true relaxation. Every hotel, every transfer, every ticket — it was all handled with such care. Her expertise, patience, and personal touch made a huge difference. We felt fully supported before and during the trip, and we wouldn’t hesitate to work with her again for our next adventure. Highly recommended!
John B.
about 1 year ago
Kathleen was an exceptional vacation advisor for my family trip to Da Nang and Hoi An, Vietnam. Despite my late request, she swiftly crafted a perfect itinerary tailored to traveling with my twin boys and accommodating my work schedule. Her flexibility, attention to detail, and understanding of our unique needs made the trip seamless and unforgettable. We arrived in Da Nang and spent the first part of our trip touring local destinations near Hoi An. It was an incredible experience, including a bike trip, fishing trip and eating meals at what felt like locals homes with their families. We moved to Da Nang, where I had to work a few days and the hotel arrangements were crafted to allow me to work, while my boys were doing their own things without disruption.
Rosalie B.
over 1 year ago
Whenever I’m planning a vacation, Kathleen is my go-to travel expert. I love how she crafts trips that suit my travel style. I enjoy a mix of exploring new places through tours and sightseeing, alongside downtime to unwind and enjoy local foods. Kathleen balances it all beautifully, finding ideal activities and accommodations that fit my budget and preferences. Recently, I took a trip to Rio de Janeiro, and despite my limited time, Kathleen made sure I could make the most of every moment. From taking in the views at Christ the Redeemer and relaxing on the beaches of Ipanema, to a memorable street art tour she recommended, Kathleen’s guidance allowed me to experience the very best of the city. I’ll definitely be planning my next adventure with her help.
Eric B.
about 2 years ago
Kathleen has planned so many trips for me and my family, and she always goes above and beyond. Two trips really stand out: our Italy trip, where she put together the perfect itinerary for all of us, even my mom, and managed to adapt everything for different ages so thoughtfully. Then there was Singapore—our flights got delayed, and it could’ve been a disaster, but Kathleen worked her magic, rebooking and fixing everything like it was no big deal. She thinks of every little detail, making every trip totally stress-free and fun. Can’t recommend her enough!
Andrea B.
11 months ago
Kathleen is the ideal travel advisor for my family! She has such a gift of adding a personal touch to everything she plans.
Our first trip advised by Kathleen was a few years ago, over my childrens' school fall break, to Thailand. I was instantly impressed with the questions she thought to ask us; making sure that all six of us all had our part in sharing where we wanted to go, what we wanted to see, and where we wanted to stay. My daughter's 16th birthday landed during that week, so during our tour of Bangkok on her birthday, Kathleen ensured that our tour guide had a birthday cake and a few other surprises waiting for her throughout our day long excursion of the city!
Fast forward two years, my daughter is now starting her senior year of high school. Her dream list of universities to attend after graduation include four in the United Kingdom. I was determined to get the two of us there to tour them, yet also a bit nervous ~ as I had never been there. Where would we stay? How would we navigate among the four schools? What could we see along the way? Knowing that this could also be a special mother-daughter trip before she graduates, I instantly thought of Kathleen's personal touch. Again, she started off by asking so many questions that I had no idea would come up. Once I had our university tours scheduled, Kathleen got busy (with her personal touch) finding the most adorably unique hotels ~ ever ~ for us to stay at. I think there were FIVE hotels along our "Big Dreams, British Roads, UK University Tour." She ensured that they were all within a reasonable distance from the closest train station and each university. Along with the hotel reservations, Kathleen also provided "must see" places along the way to experience and eat, eat, and eat some more! She truly created the trip of a lifetime for us. We have so many lifelong memories from that week that we are hugging and laughing about now, and I know we will for years to come.
Geneviève F.
about 1 year ago
We are beyond happy with the exceptional service we received from Kathleen while planning our family trip to Japan. She went above and beyond in every way — from organizing kid-friendly activities to making sure every logistical detail was smooth and stress-free. She took the time to understand our family's needs and interests, and crafted a perfectly balanced itinerary that kept both adults and kids engaged. Thanks to her thoughtful planning, we had unforgettable experiences, including cultural visits, gaming attractions, and moments of true relaxation. Every hotel, every transfer, every ticket — it was all handled with such care. Her expertise, patience, and personal touch made a huge difference. We felt fully supported before and during the trip, and we wouldn’t hesitate to work with her again for our next adventure. Highly recommended!
John B.
about 1 year ago
Kathleen was an exceptional vacation advisor for my family trip to Da Nang and Hoi An, Vietnam. Despite my late request, she swiftly crafted a perfect itinerary tailored to traveling with my twin boys and accommodating my work schedule. Her flexibility, attention to detail, and understanding of our unique needs made the trip seamless and unforgettable. We arrived in Da Nang and spent the first part of our trip touring local destinations near Hoi An. It was an incredible experience, including a bike trip, fishing trip and eating meals at what felt like locals homes with their families. We moved to Da Nang, where I had to work a few days and the hotel arrangements were crafted to allow me to work, while my boys were doing their own things without disruption.
Rosalie B.
over 1 year ago
Whenever I’m planning a vacation, Kathleen is my go-to travel expert. I love how she crafts trips that suit my travel style. I enjoy a mix of exploring new places through tours and sightseeing, alongside downtime to unwind and enjoy local foods. Kathleen balances it all beautifully, finding ideal activities and accommodations that fit my budget and preferences. Recently, I took a trip to Rio de Janeiro, and despite my limited time, Kathleen made sure I could make the most of every moment. From taking in the views at Christ the Redeemer and relaxing on the beaches of Ipanema, to a memorable street art tour she recommended, Kathleen’s guidance allowed me to experience the very best of the city. I’ll definitely be planning my next adventure with her help.
Travel ideas (1)
Beyond Brazil’s Beaches: Discovering Bonito
Brazil is often associated with its iconic beaches, Rio de Janeiro, and Carnival. It’s a vast country, with so much more to discover beyond these well-known highlights. Since 2024, my family and I have been living in São Paulo. Life in a megacity can feel intense, and I find myself valuing time in nature more than ever. Especially in places that feel simple and grounded, where the focus is on the environment itself. After hearing Bonito come up again and again in conversations with locals, we decided to visit in April 2026. It felt like exactly what we needed at that time of year, when energy tends to dip and a reset is welcome. I can say without hesitation that it delivered! We came home rested, recharged, and slightly surprised to feel like we had traveled somewhere completely different, while still being in Brazil. Here is a glimpse into our experience, along with a few reflections.
Beyond Brazil’s Beaches: Discovering Bonito
Brazil is often associated with its iconic beaches, Rio de Janeiro, and Carnival. It’s a vast country, with so much more to discover beyond these well-known highlights. Since 2024, my family and I have been living in São Paulo. Life in a megacity can feel intense, and I find myself valuing time in nature more than ever. Especially in places that feel simple and grounded, where the focus is on the environment itself. After hearing Bonito come up again and again in conversations with locals, we decided to visit in April 2026. It felt like exactly what we needed at that time of year, when energy tends to dip and a reset is welcome. I can say without hesitation that it delivered! We came home rested, recharged, and slightly surprised to feel like we had traveled somewhere completely different, while still being in Brazil. Here is a glimpse into our experience, along with a few reflections.
Beyond Brazil’s Beaches: Discovering Bonito
Brazil is often associated with its iconic beaches, Rio de Janeiro, and Carnival. It’s a vast country, with so much more to discover beyond these well-known highlights. Since 2024, my family and I have been living in São Paulo. Life in a megacity can feel intense, and I find myself valuing time in nature more than ever. Especially in places that feel simple and grounded, where the focus is on the environment itself. After hearing Bonito come up again and again in conversations with locals, we decided to visit in April 2026. It felt like exactly what we needed at that time of year, when energy tends to dip and a reset is welcome. I can say without hesitation that it delivered! We came home rested, recharged, and slightly surprised to feel like we had traveled somewhere completely different, while still being in Brazil. Here is a glimpse into our experience, along with a few reflections.
Beyond Brazil’s Beaches: Discovering Bonito
Brazil is often associated with its iconic beaches, Rio de Janeiro, and Carnival. It’s a vast country, with so much more to discover beyond these well-known highlights. Since 2024, my family and I have been living in São Paulo. Life in a megacity can feel intense, and I find myself valuing time in nature more than ever. Especially in places that feel simple and grounded, where the focus is on the environment itself. After hearing Bonito come up again and again in conversations with locals, we decided to visit in April 2026. It felt like exactly what we needed at that time of year, when energy tends to dip and a reset is welcome. I can say without hesitation that it delivered! We came home rested, recharged, and slightly surprised to feel like we had traveled somewhere completely different, while still being in Brazil. Here is a glimpse into our experience, along with a few reflections.
Travel photos
