Portugal, Ireland, & Florida Theme Park Specialist

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Melissa Peterson, Travel Agent in Minneapolis, MN

Melissa Peterson

Minneapolis, MN Travel Agent

Melissa Peterson

Minneapolis, MN · 2 Years of Experience

Travel Like You Dream It, an independent agent with WorldVia, a Travel Leaders Agency
5.0
(4)
100% Recommended
This is our 2nd trip Melissa planned for us. The 1st was a spur of the moment trip to Ireland last fall that she pulled off... Read More >
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Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Dublin, Lisbon, Porto

Interests:

Disney Vacations, Universal Parks & Resort Vacations, Couples & Romance, Literature, European Culture

Suppliers:

Disney, Universal Parks & Resorts Vacations, Enterprise, Hilton Hotels, Marriott Hotels

About Me

The Shannon River in Limerick, Ireland.
The Shannon River in Limerick, Ireland.

I have spent the past four years focused on travel. In one year, I lived in twelve different cities throughout North America. After that, I spent three glorious months (plus one week) exploring gorgeous green Ireland and nearly two years living in Portugal – a land of poets and Port wine where things happen just in time. Walt Disney World and Universal Studios have been my go-to happy places since second grade. 

I planned and took a 56-day trip that included stops in Ireland, Orlando, Phoenix, Arches National Park, Minnesota, Iceland, and Switzerland. Thank goodness I love to travel and plan. I’ve become a travel agent because I love to help others. 

Portugal, Ireland, and Florida Theme Parks might seem like an odd combination for a travel agent to focus on. What connects them? Stories. To paraphrase an Uber driver in Porto, “The Portuguese and the Irish have much in common. We love our writers, our music, and our drinks. The only difference is they drink beer, and we drink wine.” Walt Disney World and Universal Studios bring stories to life. Plenty of food, drink, and music can be found at their parks and resorts as well.

What travels do you dream of? I’d love to help you make those travel dreams come true. 

Ireland + Portugal Specialist

During the three glorious months I spent in Ireland, Kinsale was my home base. It’s the country’s gourmet capital and is one of several charming towns to consider including on your trip to the Emerald Isle. Dublin is grand, but be sure to explore beyond Ireland’s capital city. Visit the cities along the Ring of Kerry and Wild Atlantic Way, and stop in Kilkenny to walk its famous Medieval Mile.

I lived in Portugal for two years. If you’re looking for bright, sunny, relaxing days, the Algarve is the place to be. Lisbon is vibrant and full of history, food, and drink. Pretty Porto is known for its colder, rainier weather, warm-hearted hospitality, and Port wine. Nearby Braga was just named Europe’s next emerging city. 

REVIEWS

Rating: 5.0
4 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 4 reviews

The details were always handled impeccably!
Reviewed By Garil - Stillwater, MN | Traveled to Amsterdam | Netherlands | Europe
This is our 2nd trip Melissa planned for us. The 1st was a spur of the moment trip to Ireland last fall that she pulled off for us somehow. Wonderful! This trip she got us some hard to get tickets to the Anne Frank house while we were in Amsterdam besides getting tickets for the Van Gogh museum! That meant an early morning hanging out online for her. She also got us nearby hotels that were within walking distance from places we wanted to see so we could avoid taxis and Ubers. Very nice ones too! The trip itself was a really too notch river cruise with Tauck that was even better than promised. Would definitely recommend that travel company. If there were ever any problems at any time I’m confident she’d be most helpful. A real joy to work with honestly.
Melissa Peterson responded
"Thank you so much for this wonderful review! Securing those Anne Frank House and Van Gogh Museum tickets was 100% worth the early morning effort. I'm thrilled that the hotels were lovely and that their walkable locations worked out, and that your Tauck river cruise exceeded expectations. It's been such a pleasure planning both your Ireland adventure and this European journey. "
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Outstanding Portugal Trip
Reviewed By Kathy R. - Apple Valley, Minnesota | Traveled to Portugal | Europe
Melissa did an outstanding job helping us plan our Portugal trip. She was so patient with going back and forth with the details. Her firsthand experience with traveling and living there was extremely helpful. The tours and the hotels were exactly what we were looking for. She was always extremely responsive to my emails and so lovely to work with. Thank you so much Melissa!
Melissa Peterson responded
"Thank you so much for taking the time to provide feedback. It was such a pleasure working with you. I'm thrilled to hear that the tours and hotels were exactly what you and your husband wanted! "
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Trip of a Lifetime!
Reviewed By Travelling Tonya - Dallas, TX, USA | Traveled to Lisbon | Portugal | Europe
My trip to Lisbon booked by Melissa was fabulous! She listened to me and exceeded all my expectations: my flights were booked with layovers that did not stress me out and did not exhaust me. The hotel Melissa selected was terrific: in a great location, wonderful amenities, and customer service above and beyond. The events Melissa booked that I absolutely loved were pastry-making and a tile workshop. Daytrips to Sintra, Pena Palace, Caixca, and Coimbra were perfect with groups of 8 or less, unlike the massive bus tours I saw. I will work with Melissa in the future and recommend her to anyone that wants a Travel Agent with a true heart for her clients.
Melissa Peterson responded
"Hi Tonya -- Thank you so much for your review! It was an absolute pleasure planning this trip for you. Your enthusiasm and exuberance made it such fun. I look forward to working with you again. Happy Travels, Melissa"
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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A perfect weekend getaway!
Reviewed By ChrisP - Minneapolis, MN | Traveled to Minnesota ~ USA
Working with Melissa was a delight. She took the time to get what I was looking for and found the perfect place for me and my family. We will be using Melissa again!
Melissa Peterson responded
"Thank you for your review! I'm so happy to hear that you and your family loved your lakeside cabin experience!"
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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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.

My Travel Stories

Steak Dinner at O Amigo Restaurante in Albufeira

Albufeira, Portugal for Food & Wine Lovers

If you’re planning a trip to Portugal, let me tempt you with Albufeira. This coastal town in the Algarve isn’t just about sandy beaches, stunning cliffs, and revelers dancing away the night—it’s a hub for food, wine, and memorable dining experiences. Whether you’re sipping a crisp white wine (perhaps a Sequeira ...
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