Southern Italy & Sicily 2028
Join me for a 13-day June 2028 Southern Italy & Sicily adventure—from Taormina, Savoca and Sicily’s wine country to Matera’s cave dwellings, Alberobello’s trulli, and …
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Cruisin With Mel
I’ve worked in and around the travel industry for more than 20 years, but the way I approach travel planning is pretty simple:
I’ll help plan your trip the same way I’d plan my own.
I’m a deal hunter, a comparison shopper and a straight shooter. I’ll help you figure out where it makes sense to spend a little more, where you can save, and whether that upgrade, excursion, hotel or itinerary is actually worth the money.
And if I don’t think something is right for you, I’ll tell you — even if that means talking you out of it.
Because a great vacation isn’t about booking the most expensive option. It’s about booking the right one.
Travel has been part of my life and career for decades. While working for Grand Circle Travel, I took my first international trip — and my first river cruise — an experience that completely changed the way I looked at travel.
Later, while working for Viking Deluxe Travel, I had the opportunity to experience an incredible 16-day journey through China and along the Yangtze River. It showed me just how memorable a trip can be when the itinerary, transportation, guides and details all work together.
More recently, I traveled on Collette’s Best of Italy, my first fully guided land tour in many years. Exploring Italy reminded me how much I love this style of travel: experiencing multiple destinations, learning from knowledgeable local guides, meeting other travelers and enjoying the journey without having to manage every logistical detail yourself.
That trip reignited my passion for guided travel and became a big part of the inspiration behind the next chapter of Cruisin’ With Mel.
From a Caribbean cruise to an African safari to Disney, I’ll plan your trip with the same care I use when planning my own.
But I don’t believe the same vacation works for everyone.
I want to know how you travel.
Do you want a packed itinerary or plenty of downtime? Do you care more about the perfect hotel location or the room itself? Are you looking for luxury, value, adventure, convenience — or some combination of all four?
Those details matter.
My job isn’t simply to book something for you. It’s to help you sort through the choices, find the trip that actually fits you, make the planning easier and be someone you can turn to when questions come up along the way.
Whether you already know exactly where you want to go or you just know you’re ready for an adventure, I’d love to help you figure out what comes next.
So… where are we going?
Join me for a 13-day June 2028 Southern Italy & Sicily adventure—from Taormina, Savoca and Sicily’s wine country to Matera’s cave dwellings, Alberobello’s trulli, and …
Learn More
Starting from*
Cruise Brothers BIG Early Savings
Celebrity Edge
Hawaii TransPacific
17 Nights
Starting from*
Celebration of Music on the Danube with Guest Conductors
AmaSonata
Europe
7 Nights
Starting from*
Winter Savings from Port Canaveral
MSC Seashore
Bahamas
4 Nights
Starting from*
Experience 4 islands in 7 days
Pride Of America
Hawaii
7 Nights
Starting from*
Carnival ITALIAN Style! Caribbean sun is calling you
Carnival Venezia
Caribbean
7 Nights
Starting from*
Rhine River Getaway Castles and Cathedrals
Viking Hlin
Europe
7 Nights
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Read MoreMelanie's Corner
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