Destination Wedding and Honeymoon Expert!

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Kelley Hardesty, Travel Agent in Lutz, FL

Kelley Hardesty

Lutz, FL Travel Agent

Kelley Hardesty

Lutz, FL · 17 Years of Experience

Be The Tourist, Llc, an independent agent with Nexion, LLC, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
5.0
(13)
100% Recommended
Kelley was amazing to work with. In the very beginning she helped us by narrowing down our needs and wants for the trip and then gave... Read More >
About
Reviews
Certificates & Awards
My Places

Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, Rome, Germany

Interests:

Destination Weddings, Honeymoons, Groups, Luxury, Bachelorette Parties & Girlfriend Getaways

Suppliers:

Inclusive Collection – World of Hyatt, AmaWaterways, Azamara, Royal Caribbean, Paul Gauguin

About Me

Walk with me to the end?
Walk with me to the end?

I love all types of vacations, and I get excited when I can help families and couples connect in beautiful destinations around the world. I enjoy being part of the whole process, and I give each itinerary my full attention to make it perfect!

I originally worked in the health care industry for over a decade before switching to the travel industry. I come from a long-family-line of travelers, and traveling has been part of my life since I was little. In 2009, I joined a local travel agency and began my journey as an agent. A little over a year later I opened my own agency where I am able to work closer with my clients. I have years of experience traveling throughout the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and Europe. I visit new resorts several times a year.  I attend meetings and events around the world in order to stay current on what's hot and new in the romance industry.  

I specialize in destination weddings and honeymoons. I love working with groups especially Destination Wedding groups. I know how to make traveling with extended family members (like those friends and family with children and grandparents) easier than ever.  I will remove any stress or worries you have.  I will walk with you through the process so you never have to get bogged down in the details, and I will listen and help find the best personalized options in any destination.

I love working with Brides and Grooms! Destination Weddings are the perfect time to reconnect with those you love most! It is such an exciting time for not only bride and groom, but also the family and friends. I negotiate the group rates with the resort and handle all the guests travel needs. You won't have to worry about when a guest is arriving, who needs to pay a balance due to the resort or what happens when a plane is delayed. I take all of that off your plate so you can enjoy your day! 

Your wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime celebration and every destination wedding is different. I will help custom-craft exactly what you are dreaming. Let's get started! 

If you are having a wedding locally, and want to create a honeymoon that is custom-made for you, then we need to connect! Your honeymoon is the beginning of your married life together and with my expertise and hands-on experience visiting the resorts, islands and Europe, I am confident that we will find the perfect location to start your journey as a married couple. I take time to really listen to what each couple imagines and then together we personalize your honeymoon. 

I have years of experience in the Caribbean, Europe, and beyond. One of my favorite ways to travel is by cruise, and I love helping people enjoy the perfect cruise in scenic destinations. I'm an accredited Master Cruise Counselor, and I have a number of certifications with top cruise lines  including:

  • Princess 
  • Royal Caribbean
  • Azamara
  • Disney
  • Paul Gauguin
  • Oceania
  • Carnival

I love finding unique activities for my clients, and one of the most memorable ones was the Tomatina Festival in Spain where they celebrate by throwing tomatoes at one another in the streets.

One of the most romantic vacations that I’ve booked was a honeymoon in Paris with a special surprise for the wife. The husband and I secretly booked a table at the deluxe Michelin rated restaurant at the very top of the Eiffel Tower. She was so surprised! They had a wonderful dinner with an amazing view, and I was so happy to help make it possible!

I’m a very optimistic person and always see the best in every situation. I enjoy helping people discover ways to make their trip an amazing and unique experience. Whether you want to start your married life with a Destination Wedding or Honeymoon I’m ready to help you plan this incredible moment! 

REVIEWS

Rating: 5.0
13 reviews
100% Recommended
Your trust is our priority. Every review is submitted by verified travelers after they have booked and completed their trips. Learn more about our review guidelines.
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Showing 13 reviews

8 days in paradise!
Reviewed By Mike & Jess - Brandon, FL | Traveled to Maui Island ~ Hawaii ~ USA
Kelley was amazing to work with. In the very beginning she helped us by narrowing down our needs and wants for the trip and then gave us options that fit. From those options were were able pick things we liked and then expand on those to come up with the perfect honeymoon trip. Paying and scheduling for everything was organized in a way that was zero stress for us. By the time it came for wedding day, everything was locked in and good to go.

The trip itself was amazing. The long flight was probably the best I could've hoped for. Great airline, great seats. Once we arrived, we picked up our rental car (also part of our package) and drove to the hotel. We stayed at the Grand Wailea. I can't tell you how amazing it is. Words don't do it justice.

We booked 4 tours for our trip. Each tour was more than we expected and gave us tons of lasting memories to cherish.

Last but not least, Kelley's good people. She treats you like a person, not just another customer. Cannot recommend enoug
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
19 of 32 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Service Beyond Delivery
Reviewed By TMF - Upper Marlboro, MD | Traveled to Bora Bora ~ French Polynesia ~ South Pacific
My husband and I have worked with Kelley for the past five years, we are extremely picky customers.. The best part of our relationship is that Kelley listens to us, we probably travel 2-3 times a year and we have grown to trust her and her recommendations for travel. We've done everything from small cruise ships (Paul Gauguin) and and over water bungalow stays in Bora Bora, an Alaska cruise for 8 (and everything in between). Kelley is agile, we called her once after 5 days in Montegy Bay and asked that instead of bringing us back home as scheduled, she could find a hotel for us in Negril and move out flight out 4 days. Kelley didn't hesitate, within a few hours she found us a hotel (that she knew we would like) and changed our flights. We've referred friends and family and wouldn't hesitate to send more business her way. We've never met Kelley, our relationship has been built on line, over the phone, yet we consider her a trusted advisor and friend.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
15 of 24 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Kelley Nails It Every Time
Reviewed By Lewis Family - Richmond, VA | Traveled to London ~ England ~ Europe
We've had the joy and pleasure of working with Kelley Hardesty to plan two trips over the last several years. Her knowledge of the neighborhood and hotels in London, England, helped us choose a vacation rental over a hotel room for an authentic, immersion travel experience and her recommendations, suggestions and oversight helped us prepare for and have the trip of a lifetime - filled with virtually everything we wanted to do while we visited over the pond with our teenagers.

Kelley listens and understands our travel needs and wants and also helped us arrange a trip to Mexico at a resort that our teenagers would not find "boring" Plenty of down time for all of us, activities for the kids and the absolute perfect resort for us - not too big, not to small and a perfect family friendly getaway.

Can't wait to use her services again - she really thinks of everything, so that we can relax and enjoy our time away.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
18 of 31 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Best Travel Agent EVER
Reviewed By Arleny - Tampa, FL | Traveled to Riviera Maya ~ Quintana Roo ~ Mexico
Kelley was an absolute pleasure to work with. I was really stressed about planning the perfect honeymoon but Kelley came to the rescue. She suggested numbers of different options based on what we wanted. She was always upbeat and did not care that we changed our minds about a thousand times. Kelley was happy to go back to the drawing board and offer some more options. She had a lot of knowledge on the different places we were exploring. Kelley also made sure we were informed of what, when, where and how through emails, via phone and Travel Documents. She exceeded my expectations. Can't wait to plan the next vacation with Kelley!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
14 of 26 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
The best travel agent!
Reviewed By Aly - Valrico Florida | Traveled to Caribbean
Kelley has been amazing in ALL my travel needs. I have been using her for years! She is very prompt and knowledgeable with the travel spots and fun things to do and see. I can always count on her to give me an honest deal and opinion on the travel destination.

I always can go to her to even just get information for future travel and I don't ever feel like I HAVE to book it.....she is very upfront and informative and willing to always assist in anyway she can!

I would and have recommended her to family and friends!!!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
13 of 24 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO

Certifications & Awards

ASTA is the leading global advocate for travel agents, the travel industry and the traveling public.It is the world's largest association of travel professionals.Our members include travel agents and the companies whose products they sell such as tours, cruises, hotels, car rentals, etc.Expand your world. Go with the pros.
Certified Honeymoon and Destination Wedding Specialist: During this certification program Travel Agents study several components including: Understanding the Honeymoon and Destination Wedding Customer, Preferred Destination and Supplier Partner Knowledge, FAM Trip, Research, a Marketing Plan and Sales. This is a three-year study program
Bachelors Degree from University of Maryland
Nexion Circle of Excellence 2017, 2018, 2019
Sandals and Beaches Certified
AM Resorts Master Agent
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Master Agent

My Places

When it comes to travel planning, real-world experience makes a huge difference. Check out the map below to see all the places I have personally visited or booked for my clients. I know these destinations well and can give you reliable guidance.
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