Travel Advisor
Nicole Whelan
She/Her
Expertise
- US Cities,
- Scotland,
- Solo Travel,
- Food & Wine
Profile details
About
Two kids, a dog and a brownstone in Brooklyn with a great pizza place down my block. I am a 90s pop culture junkie with a love of history, cultures and exploring the world!
Travel style
Learning how to travel when times were lean made all the difference when planning travel when times are plentiful. Wonderful experiences can and should be had, no matter where you're at in life. Travel can be deeply spiritual or a totally frivolous jaunt – its for you and the people along for the ride. I love planning trips and knowing the people taking them have enjoyed what was laid out in front of them but also that they had the freedom to explore and go with the flow too. I look forward to helping people get what they want and more!
Nicole's travel guides & trip reports
5 Things to do with Kids in Las Vegas that Hit the Vacation Jackpot
Become Enchanted with Edinburgh in a Day
5 Days in London When It's Not Your First Visit
Favorite hotels
The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
A grand and intimate hotel perched atop a rugged oceanside bluff in the San Francisco Bay Area featuring a rejuvenating spa, gold and an array of local activities.
Fora Perks
- ★
$100 hotel / resort credit.
- ★
Breakfast daily.
- ★
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Viceroy Santa Monica
Relaxing property nearby Santa Monica State Beach with upscale rooms and suites offering city, pool and ocean views.
Fora Perks
- ★
$25 hotel / resort credit.
- ★
Welcome treat in room on arrival.
- ★
Upgrade, based on availability.
The Rookery
Quirky boutique property in houses from the 18th-century with antique rooms and suites.
Bohol Beach Club
Casual resort along Dumaluan Beach with breezy rooms and suites.
Nicole's reviews
It was a no brainer to trust Nicole in booking my vacation, since she is a previous colleague of mine. She not only understands what I was looking for, but also was able to navigate me in the right way. With 7 countries in the list and the time period, she was able to not only provide the best offers and rate, but the overall experience as well.
- Milan P.
Booked travel to Cancún
- January 2024
Nicole provided thorough and knowledgeable information of what to expect from the hotel, the area, and even the restaurant types and ratings within walking distance and farther out. The wine tasting and pairing experience at Long Meadows is a unique experience for us also. Wines were European style and less acidic. Nicole’s recommendation of this outfit was intuitive and improved our tasting experience. She was excellent adviser!!
- Potenciano O.
Booked travel to Napa Valley
- August 2023
This was a last-minute booking due to a family emergency which Nicole handled swiftly and perfectly. I was surprised and delighted by how efficient and smooth the whole thing went. Could not possibly have had a better transaction and booking experience than I had here. Thanks! Highest recommendation!
- William O.
Booked travel to Washington DC
- August 2023
Our experience with Vanguard Travel Services was excellent. They seamlessly adapted to the delay in our arrival time. The "fast track" service they provided was especially welcome, given our weariness, the immense size of the Istanbul Airport, and a problem with our visa. On the drive to our hotel, a guide oriented us to the city and the local culture in a helpful and friendly way. He also contacted the hotel to arrange our arrival, which necessitated a ride in the hotel's buggy since the street was closed to other vehicles. Our guide for the rest of our visit, Erturk, was exceptional. We loved his low-key, humorous personality and appreciated his vast knowledge of Turkish history and culture. He graciously adapted our schedule to include visits to places of special interest to us. Erturk gave us detailed introductions to the sites we visited and then allowed us time to explore things on our own. As we got to know each other better we were able to share thoughts and feelings on a deeper level. Getting to know Erturk was one of the highlights of our visit. The drivers were consistently professional--courteous, skillful, and punctual. The foundation of such a wonderful experience was Nicole's accurate understanding of the kind of visit we were hoping for and her clear and timely communication with us and with the tour operators. We were always confident that she was taking care of us and responsive to any and all concerns.
- William M.
Booked travel to Istanbul
- November 2023
Get in touch with Nicole
Reach out to customize and book your own experience. Or, just to chat about travel in general.
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