Travel Agent for Premium Ocean & River Cruises

From start to finish, my experience with Avid Nomad Travel was absolutely exceptional. I recently took a dream trip to Paris, Nice, and Barcelona, and I can honestly say it wouldn’t have been nearly as magical without their expert planning. From the very first consultation, he truly listened to what I was hoping for—my interests, my travel style, and even the pace I wanted for the trip. His attention to detail and clear communication throughout the entire process gave me complete peace of mind. ? The hotels were top-notch, located in vibrant, convenient neighborhoods that allowed me to explore with ease. Every tour was perfectly curated, blending iconic must-sees with hidden gems I never would’ve discovered on my own. His off-the-beaten-path recommendations added so much richness to the experience. One of my favorite parts? Everything was organized in an easy-to-use app—daily itineraries, tickets, confirmations—all in one place. No printing, no digging through emails. Just show up and enjoy. I would have been totally overwhelmed trying to plan this trip myself, but Avid Nomad Travel made it seamless, exciting, and stress-free. I honestly can’t say enough good things about working with them. If you’re dreaming of your next getaway, do yourself a favor and let Avid Nomad Travel make it a reality. You won’t regret it!

Ryan was just incredible. We received his name from dear friends, and then I dragged my feet because life was busy. When I finally called, having never planned such a trip, Ryan listened for a long time, learned about our family, then planned the trip of a lifetime in less than 3 months. We had three very different experiences: metropolitan Lima, Pisko wineries and beach resort, and the Sacred Valley. We were met at the airport, had knowledgeable and very fun guides throughout, and never felt like we were out of safe hands. The accommodations were beyond luxurious, and Ryan helped every step of the way. While this was a trip of a lifetime, we are looking forward to Ryan helping us with our next trip.

We trusted Avid Nomad to plan the vacation we always dreamed of taking - two weeks in Italy. It did not disappoint! Our family of 4 had never been oversees and had no idea how to get around or what to expect. Avid handled all the logistics and provided great choices for hotels. The advice was right on and we felt like we could ask the “dumb’ questions. Ryan was always accommodating and made himself available after business hours. He worked with us through the process to customize our itinerary and make added suggestion. His suggestion of a homemade cooking classs in an Italian home become the highlight of our trip! Our two sons (20 and 16 years old) were nervous it but ended up loving it! Highly recommend!

Ryan Cowden organized two overseas trips on very short notice and both were seamless and exactly what I requested. Ryan is organized and responsive and makes great suggestions. I highly recommend him.

Ryan did a great job planning a last-minute cruise for my wife and me. No surprises and everything we wanted. Thank you.

Wonderful trip in southern Spain planned for us by Ryan Cowden of Avid Nomad Travel. He booked us into lovely hotels and found superb guides for us to tour Grenada, Toledo (El Greco art), Seville and Cordoba. Very responsive to questions when needed. I will definitely work with him again!

I wanted to take a life long dream to Peru for my 40th birthday. I normally plan out my adventures but never being to this area I turned to Ryan and Avid Nomad Travel. Ryan was very professional and did several zoom calls about overall sites I wanted to see and experiences. I felt he really listened to the type of vacation I wanted while adding tours and destinations that I would have never thought of. This was extremely helpful as he organized tours, travels, site admissions and accommodations. I just had to show up. I am also a person who can get scared off by the wrong hotels and everything Ryan suggested was first class. His team also managed and provided meals and suggestions about places to eat on the days off. left. We traveled in the South to Paracas to have a private tour of the Nazca lines to the north in Cusco and the sacred valley. The whole trip was designed to see Machu Picchu and the Inca sites and museums

Ryan planned an outstanding trip for us. The BnB's were excellent and the food for breakfast was delicious. We skipped lunch after a huge breakfast.

Avid Nomad Travel (ANT) has been planning my trips for me and most of my friends for years now. I’m continuously complimented with how incredible my trips look from all over the world and it’s a pure compliment of the hard work and dedication Ryan and his growing team aspire to. For example, my recent trip to Peru was nothing short of fantastic. Easy transportation, luxurious hotels, private cars, phenomenal dinner experiences, unexpected class upgrades on flights, and handy translators throughout the journey are just a few ways ANT takes a regular trip and elevates it to a once in a lifetime vacation. Now combine that with unforgettable experiences of ancient civilizations, beach resorts, the most incredible adventuring, and some LGBT guides along the way - perfection! I’ll dream of my days in Peru for the rest of my life. It was perfect and seamless in every way.

Ryan did an amazing job coordinating my 40th birthday celebration in Umbria, Italy! Over a 10 month period, he worked with me to find the perfect location to host my family and friends, plan all of our activities, served as the go-between for the venue and the tour supplier, and very patiently answered all my questions. It was the most amazing experience and everyone that was able to join (16+) couldn’t stop talking about how much they enjoyed it and how well organized it was! I highly recommend Ryan if you need any kind of travel services!

Our recent adventure with Avid Nomad Travel to Barcelona and Poland surpassed all expectations. From the outset, their meticulous planning and deep understanding of each destination were evident.

What sets Avid Nomad Travel apart is their dedication to personalizing the travel experience. They tailored our journey to match our interests perfectly, offering a blend of exploration and relaxation that left us feeling enriched and rejuvenated. While traveling, we were able to get a hold of Ryan to help assist with some minor changes with issues at all.

For anyone seeking a travel partner who values authenticity and excellence, Avid Nomad Travel stands out. Let them transform your travel aspirations into unforgettable realities, leaving you with cherished memories and a deep appreciation for the art of exploration.

We called Ryan with a very last minute request for an all inclusive vacation. Within 2 days he had options and a day after that everything was booked! A month later we were on our way to Sandals Dunns River in Jamaica for a fantastic 7 days getaway!

What an amazing trip!! Details were planned to accommodate all 6 of us ranging in age from 9 to 76. Ryan helped us book a variety of hotels in different states as well as excursions. Each hotel had a delicious breakfast, fabulous amenities like pools and a kind staff. Our hotel in Moab was the best family-friendly hotel I've ever stayed in. Overall, this tips was above and beyond because of the support from Avid Nomad. We will absolutely reach out to Ryan for future travel.

Ryan made everything so easy and smooth. After deciding where we were going it seemed like all we did was give him our names, flight preferences and rewards numbers and he just made it all happen. All the info we needed when we got there was in one spot and we just headed out and enjoyed ourselves. I don't have a lot of experience with travel agents, but I can't imagine using anyone except Ryan or booking a vacation without his help. He made it all happen exactly as we wanted it to be and all we had to do was enjoy our time away.

We just came back from a 10 day trip to the Netherlands and Brussels. It was all we'd hoped it would be and Ryan's expertise and recommendations were invaluable. Beautiful boutique hotels and wonderful recommendations on activities, etc. Ryan was responsive and knowledgeable throughout all the planning and what I'm sure were way too many questions as we prepared for out trip! Can't wait too plan our next trip and looking forward to working with Ryan again!!

Ryan planned an amazing trip for me and my friends (group of 4) to Nepal. This was my first time working with Ryan and Avid Nomad Travel, and I am already working on plans with Ryan for another trip in 2024 (this time with family). Ryan worked with local guides and business owners in Nepal to make our trip a once in a lifetime experience, all without breaking the bank. I highly recommend Avid Nomad Travel and Ryan.

Ryan recently helped me put together a two-week trip through Italy, hitting Venice, Bologna, Florence, Pienza, Roma, Pompeii, Sorrento, Positano, the Amalfi Coast and Naples. Everything was fabulous, from our transportation arrangements to hotel accommodations to guided tours, etc. I don't know how we got so lucky, but everything went off without a hitch - we didn't have a single issue anywhere and thoroughly enjoyed everything about our trip. There were a few times during the planning stages where Ryan was a bit slow responding to emails, but the end result was exactly what we were looking for and we've already begun initial planning with Ryan for a trip in 2024 to Greece and Turkey.

Give him a call, and get out there to explore the world!

We had a dream to see Machu Picchu and we didn’t know anything else about Peru. We wanted to see some interesting sites, learn some history, and see the lost Inca city. Ryan was able to put together the best trip we could have imagined that was catered to our wishes. Every detail of the trip was taken care of for us, a great itinerary was presented, and amazing dedicated guides accompanied us so we could thoroughly enjoy all the places we visited. We have great memories of Peru and made some new friends. Now we want to return again soon.

Ryan planned an incredible trip to the Azores for us in September. We had fantastic accommodations, explored with tours, and the travel plans were flawless for getting to all of our destinations. We will book through Avid Nomad Travel again.

Ryan was recommended by a Chicago fb group. He is quick to respond, easy to get ahold of when we had questions or ideas, offered great suggestions, offers knowledge of the areas he has personally visited, kind and honestly helped us plan the most perfect honeymoon.
From the start of our planning process I felt that Ryan listened to everything we wanted out of our honeymoon. We told him what month we wanted to go, our budget and experiences we would like. Not only did he deliver the perfect itinerary he stayed well within our budget (means extra money for wine and good food)
We did 20 days in Italy and visited: Milan->Bologna->Sorrento->Palermo->Cefalu->Taormina->flew back to Chicago from Milan. Accommodations were all perfect in each of the cities. Clear instructions in the travel itinerary app. Excursions and trains booked by Ryan had clear instructions and easy to follow to find where to meet/go.

Ryan Cowden planned an amazing three generation trip to Europe for us. Ryan took a list of places we wanted to go and landmarks to see and timed our trip out perfectly! He added additional activities for all our ages and the hotel choices were fantastic with large buffet breakfasts included at each one. Ryan checked in with us throughout our trip. I would highly recommend Ryan as a travel agent, who gives you very personalized service!

Ryan helped my husband and I plan our honeymoon to France and Switzerland and it couldn't have gone any better. It was our first time using a travel planner so we were unsure what to expect, but I couldn't imagine planning an international trip again without him. He listened to our likes and wants and planned accordingly. He worked within our budget, and set the itinerary pace perfectly for what we were looking to get out of the trip. He gave us tips and tricks and communicated during the trip to make sure all was going well. I'd highly recommend Ryan and plan to use him again in the future.

Easy to work with, great communication and follow up.

Ryan did a great job of putting together a trip for us to Italy and England! He was able to pull together thoughtful hotel options, great excursions, private transfers, plane & train tickets... everything we needed. It was so nice to be able to rely on his knowledge and experience rather than facing a learning curve and having buyer's remorse if I'd tried to do it on my own. He was also a trooper in handling my never-ending questions. I know that's not easy. :-)
Grazie Ryan!

It took a little time for us to get used to working with someone remotely to plan our trip. (We are in our seventies). While our hotels turned out o be excellent, we are used to being able to compare costs versus amenities(quality), when making travel decisions. In the end we trusted Ryan to make decisions and send us a total bill for our choices. It worked out well. We would use Avid again should the need arise.

Ryan is amazing! He was able to put together a great vacation package for us with little notice at a great price. The local boutique hotel where we stayed was super charming, and perfect for dropping our bags and relaxing after a long day of exploring. Ryan also hooked us up with a local tour guide who seemed to know just about everything regarding the city's rich history and vibrant culture. Highly recommend, and looking forward to our next trip with Ryan!

Ryan @ Avid Nomad did a great job at planning my Mexico City trip on short notice. My partner and I decided last minute to travel there. He was able to plan hotels, airline flights and excursions for us in less than 3 weeks, quick turnaround!

He booked our hotel in La Condesa neighborhood in CDMX and it was a great location! Centrally located to many restaurants, shops and points of interest. Also, next to other great neighborhoods.

He booked our excursions with a local guide, Julio. We did a walking tour of the historic district and it was great, such great history! He also took us to visit the pyramids in Teotihuacan, which were spectacular! Julio has so much knowledge of both places and is super friendly!! I am looking forward to heading back to Mexico City again! Thanks Ryan!!

Took all the crazy things and information that I had and turned it into an incredible vacation

Ryan planned my trip to Japan with my daughter, and he did an amazing job! It was my first time using a travel agent and I didn't know what to expect. He was able to guide me through the process easily and quickly, and made any adjustments where I requested them. The accommodations selected were always in great locations for our travel needs and also had excellent food options. The tours that were selected were great for families.

He checked in many times just prior to the trip, during the trip, and after as well, and communication was always super quick. I would absolutely book a trip through Avid Nomad again!

I used Avid Nomad to book a trip to Manchester, UK in February 2023. I loved the way Ryan researched and presented me with several different trip options. Each contained unique routes and levels of comfort. It was clear Ryan was extremely knowledgeable, and could clearly explain the pros and cons of what was offered. It was fun to be able to customize my experience without having to do all the legwork! All of the tools provided in the portal were user friendly, and Ryan was really quick to respond to all of the questions I had. We had no issues redeeming any of our tickets or reservations on the trip. Ryan even arranged a walking tour with a local historian. That was certainly a highlight. The Manchester United Match was pretty cool too. LOL. I would 100% recommend Avid Novad Travel if you know where you want to go but don't have the time to a ton of searching and digging. I can't wait to use them again!

Ryan helped me plan a trip to London and Paris for my husband, my 2 daughters and me. When beginning the planning stage, he let me know when we should book by and listened to our requests in terms of what we would like in a hotel. He gave us excellent choices and we were so pleased with the hotels he booked for us. He also scheduled tours and transportation between the 2 destinations for us as well as checking in while we were traveling and helping with any issues we came upon. I will definitely use Ryan of Avid Nomad Travel for future travel!

Wow! Ryan thought of everything for our crew of six family members. From transportation from airports to our hotels, to scheduling tours later in the days to accommodate our teens who like to sleep in, it was the most magical trip with every detail planned perfectly to fit our needs. He was responsive, had great ideas, and was easy to work with. I recommended him to so many people because he is the best!

Ryan did an amazing job pulling together a last minute trip for us. He worked quickly and efficiently with very little lead time and we didn't have to lift a finger. The trip itself exceeded expectations, and his tips and suggestions were all spot on!

Ryan helped my husband and I plan our honeymoon. He was great with planning our trip, it was exactly what we wanted!

Ryan booked a trip to Peru for us and I would not have changed a thing. The trip exceeded my rather high expectations. The hotels were amazingly beautiful and were an experience in and of themselves. The order of our travel was thoughtful and helped us adjust to the altitude easily. The tours were incredible and the guides top notch. Ryan thought of every detail. All we had to do was enjoy the magical trip. I will definitely use Avid Nomad Travel again!

Peru - 2022 - Ryan curated an amazing and memorable 7 days for my travel partner and I. Every detail was arranged including transfers, private tours, accommodations, and transportation. The communications were clear and he took the time to go over our entire itinerary before we departed. Each time we were set to meet with a driver or tour guide, they were there, on time, with our names and ready to go. The accommodations Ryan selected for us were perfectly suited for us and for where we were in our travels. I would HIGHLY recommend this itinerary for ANYONE who has 7 days to spend in Peru and wants to truly experience Cusco, Machu Picchu and other archeological sites. I will 100% be working with Ryan on my next adventures. THANK YOU!

I just took the vacation I have been dreaming about since I was a little girl and was so overwhelmed with the planning of it all, I needed some help. My experience with Ryan was amazing. From the first zoom call to the moment we landed in Austria and anytime in-between he was checking in to make sure we were settled and happy. He planned the best tours for us, the perfect day trips, and definitely settled my nerves when it came to flying internationally for the first time. So happy he was there to navigate this process for us. Thanks, Ryan!

Ryan, at Avid Nomad Traveler, was the perfect person to help us plan our first major trip since Covid. Let's be honest, travelling is tough in these unknown times. Staff shortages, unknown medical needs with bad weather too, a lot can go wrong. Ryan and with his guidance planned an extended trip to Ireland and Scotland. Yeah some flights got canceled. (A lot of people's flights got canceled). It's just the times the airlines are struggling through with the Covid Staff Shortage. However, the airlines were communicative and Ryan was always on top of what was happening and recommending how to handle the road block.

There is no way I would leave the country without Nomad Travelers and Ryan's service. They took all the stress and anxiety out of any problem we had.

Ryan at Nomad Travel did an amazing job of organizing a once in a life time trip to Italy for my family and out parents to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Not only was he able to develop a trip tailored to our interests, mobility needs, and finances, Ryan was there for us when a flight cancellation threatened to derail the entire first part of our trip and were able to make arrangements so we did’t miss any of our planned adventure. I am so thankful for them, and to have had this experience with my family.

Working with Ryan is easy and helpful. We had a great experience. He made traveling with kids much easier by taking care of the details for us.

Avid Nomad Travel (Ryan) helped us simplify the process of booking a trip for our family of four and bundle packages together for great savings. Ryan checked on us before, during and after our vacation. We had a great vacation thanks to Avid Nomad Travel. We are excited to plan our next family adventure with Avid Nomad Travel

From the moment we started planning our dream vacation to Iceland, Ryan Cowden was the absolute best! Every private transfer, excursion, hotel amenity and service we asked for was meticulously planned for us — imagine going on a dream vacation and having to do nothing but show up and enjoy the experience with your family with zero hassle and 100% ease. Halfway to our departure date I even made a big changes to our itinerary and Ryan was so easy, professional and flexible with the changes, he sent all documents and itineraries prior to our departure and answered every question (I had a million of them) on the spot. He even kept in touch while we were on vacation to ensure everything was going as planned. Excellent service and communication, I highly recommend using Ryan to plan your next vacation and we are already starting to plan our next trip with him!

Ryan made everything easy!! His attention to detail was wonderful. It was a fantastic vacation and a spectacular experience!!

We contacted Ryan to help us plan an epic 20th wedding anniversary adventure. He was so patient and knowledgeable in matching a destination and activities to our vision for this trip. I couldn’t have planned this on my own due to the ever changing COVID-19 protocols. We ended up booking a 10 day Hawaii trip that covered 2 islands and tons of excursions that were top notch. He checked in with us several times during our 10 days to make sure things were going smoothly and even followed up with one excursion to ensure a refund when it got cancelled due to weather. It was such a comfort and relief to know that we could contact during our travels if anything unexpected arose. We will definitely continue to use his services for future trips and I recommend him for anyone looking for a great travel agent.