Kristen Heckel
Based in NoVA Suburbs
Kristen Heckel
Ask me about
My Story
A suburban, working mom who is either off on my latest adventure or dreaming about the next one.
Travel Style
I’ve always been drawn to adventure and the thrill of exploring new places, and I love helping others craft their own unforgettable journeys. My travel style is all about finding experiences that bring families together, embrace local culture (often through food!) and deepen perspectives — whether it’s through immersive activities, stunning natural landscapes or time in the water. If there’s an ocean nearby, you’ll likely find me surfing, snorkeling or sailing — there’s just something about the sea that makes a trip complete. I believe the best travel experiences strike a balance between adventure and relaxation, cultural discovery and pure fun, and I’m here to help you find that perfect mix!
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Reviews (3)
Peter M.
3 months ago
Kristen took care of everything and the some! Would definitely recommend her to others - to me the most valuable thing is her guidance on activities and how to split time. Sometimes you don’t know what to do and how long will be enough, at what. Kristen made this an unforgettable trip. This was our first flight and travel with our 7 month old, international - went amazingly and I attribute a lot of that to the activities, location, hotel, and transportation travel Kristen booked for us.
Gabriel H.
6 months ago
Kristen was outstanding! I provided her ideal budget, concert location, restaurants/attractions we planned to visit, and room requirements and she pinpointed the PERFECT hotel. Booking was seamless as well and Kristen was organized and thoughtful through the entire process. Looking forward to working with Kristen again soon :)
Mykal S.
6 months ago
I decided on a whim to book a solo trip to Bulgaria with only a month and a half’s notice, and Kristen immediately jumped on board with excitement and care. She put incredible thought into every detail, selecting hotels in convenient, central locations and building a seamless itinerary across four different stops in Greece and Bulgaria.
It was actually Kristen’s fantastic idea for me to fly into Athens instead of a Bulgarian city, since all the Bulgaria routes required long layovers. She found a seasonal direct flight and said, “You could have a bonus city!” and that’s exactly what it became. Starting my trip in Greece ended up being one of the best parts of the experience.
Kristen took the time to learn what I enjoy and tailored her recommendations perfectly, from local restaurants that matched my eating preferences to region-specific tips like which wines to try and where the tap water was best to drink. Her local insights made me feel like I had an inside guide the whole way through.
The itinerary she created was not only beautiful but incredibly practical. Everything I needed was in one place, including flight details, hotel confirmations, daily activities, and even thoughtful packing reminders like “don’t forget your passport” and “bring your power adapter.” Each day, I could easily see what was planned, where I needed to be, and when, with all my booking details right at my fingertips.
This was such an amazing experience from start to finish, and I can’t recommend Kristen highly enough. I’ll definitely be turning to her for all of my future travel plans!
Peter M.
3 months ago
Kristen took care of everything and the some! Would definitely recommend her to others - to me the most valuable thing is her guidance on activities and how to split time. Sometimes you don’t know what to do and how long will be enough, at what. Kristen made this an unforgettable trip. This was our first flight and travel with our 7 month old, international - went amazingly and I attribute a lot of that to the activities, location, hotel, and transportation travel Kristen booked for us.
Gabriel H.
6 months ago
Kristen was outstanding! I provided her ideal budget, concert location, restaurants/attractions we planned to visit, and room requirements and she pinpointed the PERFECT hotel. Booking was seamless as well and Kristen was organized and thoughtful through the entire process. Looking forward to working with Kristen again soon :)
Mykal S.
6 months ago
I decided on a whim to book a solo trip to Bulgaria with only a month and a half’s notice, and Kristen immediately jumped on board with excitement and care. She put incredible thought into every detail, selecting hotels in convenient, central locations and building a seamless itinerary across four different stops in Greece and Bulgaria.
It was actually Kristen’s fantastic idea for me to fly into Athens instead of a Bulgarian city, since all the Bulgaria routes required long layovers. She found a seasonal direct flight and said, “You could have a bonus city!” and that’s exactly what it became. Starting my trip in Greece ended up being one of the best parts of the experience.
Kristen took the time to learn what I enjoy and tailored her recommendations perfectly, from local restaurants that matched my eating preferences to region-specific tips like which wines to try and where the tap water was best to drink. Her local insights made me feel like I had an inside guide the whole way through.
The itinerary she created was not only beautiful but incredibly practical. Everything I needed was in one place, including flight details, hotel confirmations, daily activities, and even thoughtful packing reminders like “don’t forget your passport” and “bring your power adapter.” Each day, I could easily see what was planned, where I needed to be, and when, with all my booking details right at my fingertips.
This was such an amazing experience from start to finish, and I can’t recommend Kristen highly enough. I’ll definitely be turning to her for all of my future travel plans!
Travel ideas (1)
Oahu Beyond Waikiki: 2-Week Family Adventure from Ko Olina
A two-week family escape to Oahu, Hawai'i — anchored at Disney’s Aulani Resort in tranquil Ko Olina — is more than just a vacation. It’s a journey of reconnection. Surrounded by the island’s lush landscapes, vibrant wildlife and the gentle rhythm of the Pacific, first-time visitors are often struck by the life-changing beauty and spirit of aloha that defines Hawai'i. Days are perfectly balanced between the peaceful, sun-soaked shores of Ko Olina and thrilling island adventures — from waterfall hikes to snorkeling with sea turtles. This itinerary invites families to disconnect from the noise of everyday life and rediscover themselves through nature, wonder and shared experiences.
Oahu Beyond Waikiki: 2-Week Family Adventure from Ko Olina
A two-week family escape to Oahu, Hawai'i — anchored at Disney’s Aulani Resort in tranquil Ko Olina — is more than just a vacation. It’s a journey of reconnection. Surrounded by the island’s lush landscapes, vibrant wildlife and the gentle rhythm of the Pacific, first-time visitors are often struck by the life-changing beauty and spirit of aloha that defines Hawai'i. Days are perfectly balanced between the peaceful, sun-soaked shores of Ko Olina and thrilling island adventures — from waterfall hikes to snorkeling with sea turtles. This itinerary invites families to disconnect from the noise of everyday life and rediscover themselves through nature, wonder and shared experiences.
Oahu Beyond Waikiki: 2-Week Family Adventure from Ko Olina
A two-week family escape to Oahu, Hawai'i — anchored at Disney’s Aulani Resort in tranquil Ko Olina — is more than just a vacation. It’s a journey of reconnection. Surrounded by the island’s lush landscapes, vibrant wildlife and the gentle rhythm of the Pacific, first-time visitors are often struck by the life-changing beauty and spirit of aloha that defines Hawai'i. Days are perfectly balanced between the peaceful, sun-soaked shores of Ko Olina and thrilling island adventures — from waterfall hikes to snorkeling with sea turtles. This itinerary invites families to disconnect from the noise of everyday life and rediscover themselves through nature, wonder and shared experiences.
Oahu Beyond Waikiki: 2-Week Family Adventure from Ko Olina
A two-week family escape to Oahu, Hawai'i — anchored at Disney’s Aulani Resort in tranquil Ko Olina — is more than just a vacation. It’s a journey of reconnection. Surrounded by the island’s lush landscapes, vibrant wildlife and the gentle rhythm of the Pacific, first-time visitors are often struck by the life-changing beauty and spirit of aloha that defines Hawai'i. Days are perfectly balanced between the peaceful, sun-soaked shores of Ko Olina and thrilling island adventures — from waterfall hikes to snorkeling with sea turtles. This itinerary invites families to disconnect from the noise of everyday life and rediscover themselves through nature, wonder and shared experiences.
Travel photos
