I plan trips for families traveling together and for couples, from a first cruise with the grandchildren to a guided tour through Europe. Every trip starts with what you’re hoping to get out of it and what your time and budget can realistically support.

Services

How it works

  1. A free qualifying call. We talk about the trip you have in mind, who’s coming and what matters most. It’s a chance for both of us to decide whether we’re a good fit.

  2. The planning retainer. If we decide to move forward, I’ll send an invoice for the $250 planning retainer, charged per trip. It covers my professional time researching and designing your trip, and I start once it’s paid.

  3. Your itinerary. I build an itinerary around your group’s pace and budget and walk you through it. You can ask for changes before anything is confirmed.

  4. Arranging the details. Once you approve the plan, I confirm flights, lodging, tours and transfers with suppliers I trust. Your full itinerary goes to the Trip Plans app on your phone.

  5. While you travel. If something goes sideways, I’ll guide you to the right support.

Trips I plan

  • Two classic: Mickey ears and Big Thunder

    Disney parks

    Walt Disney World, Disneyland and Tokyo Disney. I plan around park hours, Lightning Lanes and dining reservations, and pace each day so grandparents and young children both have energy left for the evening, with food allergies and sensory needs planned in from the start.

  • Disney Cruise ship in Alaska

    Ocean and river cruises

    A cruise works well when generations travel together, because everyone unpacks once and can spend the day their own way. I help you choose the cruise line, cabins and shore excursions that fit your group, whether that’s a family-friendly ocean ship or a river cruise through Europe with Avalon Waterways.

  • A family of four enjoys colorful cups of creamy gelato in Italy, each holding a different flavor for a sweet taste of la dolce vita.

    Europe

    Some families prefer a guided tour with Globus, Cosmos or Trafalgar, where hotels, transportation and many meals are handled. Others want a custom trip through Italy, Ireland, Germany or elsewhere, with trains, hotels and tours chosen around their own pace. I’m a Certified Globus Tour Expert and plan both.

  • Under the Sakura

    Japan

    Japan rewards careful planning, from rail passes to choosing which neighborhoods to stay in. I plan trips for first-time visitors and families, including days at Tokyo Disney.

  • NOLA band on Frenchman Street

    Across the US

    From Seattle to Charleston, Savannah and the Florida Keys, I build custom itineraries around the places, food and pace you enjoy.

  • White Pass Railroad

    Alaska and the Yukon

    I’ve lived and worked in Skagway and Dawson City, so this part of the world is personal for me. I plan Alaska cruises, land tours and trips that combine both, including the White Pass rail route out of Skagway.

  • See America's Beauty Up Close

    National parks

    National park trips take more planning than people expect. Lodges inside the parks fill up early, and some parks require entry reservations in peak season. I plan lodging, routes and daily outings matched to each person’s pace, from desert hikes in Joshua Tree to the big western parks.

  • Alone does not mean lonely

    Solo Travel Club

    Most cruise and tour prices assume two people sharing a room, so traveling alone can mean paying close to double. I watch for suppliers offering reduced or no single supplements, and our free Solo Travel Club lists current offers and tips for solo travelers..

Schedule a free call

What my network adds

Through my host agency, Cruise and Travel Experts, I’m part of Signature Travel Network. Signature negotiates extras with hotels and cruise lines, such as daily breakfast or onboard credit, and I add them to your reservation when they’re available. For one client, Signature pricing on a Trafalgar tour saved more than $6,000.

Signature Travel Network:

I’m also a Context Travel specialist. Context runs small-group and private walking tours led by local experts, a good fit for families who want to understand the history behind what they’re seeing.

Context Travel

  • “Her exceptional listening skills and ability to pivot meant that we had a vacation that we count as one of the most enjoyable we’ve ever had.” Jeff D.

    We worked with Colleen to plan a trip to Florida: the Everglades, Miami and the Keys. Colleen took an extensive amount of time to understand the type of vacation that we wanted and made helpful suggestions… We were able to make suggestions and changes during the planning process and Colleen did a great job of accommodating us. She checked in on our travels along the way… We were able to relax because we KNEW everything had been taken care of.

  • I didn’t just go to Italy, I fell in love with international travel, thanks to Colleen -Stacy N.

    I was invited to meet my daughter in Italy and wanted to include my adult children too, but the planning overwhelmed me. Colleen stepped in with calm, expert support, helping us simplify our itinerary while still seeing the places that mattered most. From airfare and trains to charming hotels and memorable tours, everything just… worked. When I hit moments of uncertainty, she was there to help me navigate with confidence. I never imagined this trip would spark such a deep love of travel but it did. I won’t travel without her again.

  • “It honestly felt like she knew me.” Matthea R.

    I told her all kinds of random things I like—bookstores, artsy neighborhoods, great Thai food, Italian restaurants, unique local shops, and the overall vibe I enjoy when I travel. She took all of those little preferences and created a multi-day itinerary that was exactly what I was looking for… I can be an anxious traveler if I’m not familiar with where I am going, and working with her completely changed the experience for me. Instead of stressing about where to go or whether I was making the most of the trip, I was genuinely excited the whole time.

  • Even with limited time and a less-than-ideal travel window, Colleen helped us unlock the soul of New Orleans. - Jessica J., Melbourne Australia

    Planning an adult-only trip around limited childcare and sweltering August in Louisiana felt like a stretch but Colleen made it feel effortless. She guided us to authentic jazz venues, cocktail bars with creative flair, and even saved the night when our original dinner reservation fell apart finding us a spot that worked with our dietary needs at the last minute. The highlight? A surprise jazz piano concert hosted by a National Park Ranger at the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. We left feeling like we’d truly experienced the city, not just visited it.

  • “Her help made the trip much more enjoyable than we could [have] done on our own.” Tom R.

    Colleen Pacem did a wonderful job setting us [up] for a short but remarkable trip to Charleston and Savannah. Her suggestions on places to go and where to eat were all fantastic and her help made the trip much more enjoyable than we could [have] done on our own. We will work with her again!