Kathleen Whalen
Senior Luxury Travel Designer
As part of GG Luxury Travel, I connect travelers to their destinations by designing journeys that dive deep into the local culture. I offer personalized luxury travel experiences for couples, small groups, and families. When I am not planning trips, I volunteer at a local museum as a docent, love playing tennis, and spend time with my family.
Specialties
Some of my favorite trips to plan are to Japan, Africa, and small groups focused on art.
Awards
Certified Travel Advisor, Circle of Excellence, Abercrombie & Kent Africa Specialist, and Japan Specialist
Favorite Globetrotting Memory
Snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
A Wow Moment Designed for a Client
Clients tell me stories about eating noodles so delicious in Vietnam that they couldn't resist returning to the restaurant each night and forming a friendship with the restaurant owner. They also share tales of a hotel in Paris that offered a warm smile from the staff, a glass of champagne, and the softest cotton sheets they had ever slept on. Additionally, they recount experiences with a city guide who felt like an old friend or zipping through out-of-the-way places in Rome on a Vespa, sampling food from the local hangouts, and drinking coffee from one of the oldest coffee shops in Rome.
Client Review
"Kathleen planned our trip to Japan for 10 of us traveling together. Our trip was spectacular. She asked for our 'wish lists' and 'must sees' and created an experience that exceeded our expectations. We had amazing guides, tasted incredible food, and had seamless transfers - not one hiccup for the entire 14 days. She thought of everything with no details overlooked. This truly was a once-in-a-lifetime journey for us, and we are so grateful and appreciative of all her time planning and putting this together. We highly recommend her to anyone wanting a perfectly executed trip!"