Adventure Group Travel Specialist
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Jessica Spates
Ossining, NY Travel Agent· 2 Years of Experience
Spates Exploration, an independent agent with BWJ Travel, LLC, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
5.0
(6)
100% Recommended
We would not have been able to find a resort to match all our needs without Jessica! We had so many wants and wishes for our... Read More >
Areas of expertise
Destinations:
Alaska, Spain, Costa Rica, Argentina, MexicoInterests:
Adventure, Groups, Student Groups, Family Vacations, Beach VacationsSuppliers:
Riu Hotels, Micato Safaris, Globus, G Adventures, Intrepid TravelAbout Me
Machu Picchu, Peru
I was a Spanish Teacher for over 20 years before becoming a travel agent. My love for travel has taken me to 47 of the 50 U.S. states and over 40 countries. The only states I am missing are Idaho, Washington and Hawaii. I have been to countries in the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. I hope to someday make it to Australia and Antarctica as well.
While teaching, I organized and led trips for students all over the world, including the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa and China. Although I only became an official travel agent in 2024, I have been planning group trips since 2005.
Being bilingual in Spanish and English gives me an advantage while planning trips to Spain and Latin America. It helps that I lived in Spain for a year. In 2025, I also became an Alaskan Certified Expert.
Now I look forward to helping you explore the world and plan your next adventure.
Mission Statement
Traveling the globe, whether for work, play or education, broadens your world, enriches your life and imparts valuable lessons. My goal is to help you save time and aggravation while getting the most out of your travel experience.
Areas of expertise
Destinations:
Alaska, Spain, Costa Rica, Argentina, MexicoInterests:
Adventure, Groups, Student Groups, Family Vacations, Beach VacationsSuppliers:
Riu Hotels, Micato Safaris, Globus, G Adventures, Intrepid TravelREVIEWS
Rating: 5.0
6 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 6 reviews
Great trip!!
Reviewed By Meagans 40th Birthday trip - Mckinney, TX | Traveled to Cancun | Quintana Roo | Mexico
We would not have been able to find a resort to match all our needs without Jessica! We had so many wants and wishes for our 40th bday girls trip. Jessica found us the perfect little resort with swim out pools and a great beach. We had a mishap with one of our travelers forgetting her passport. Without Jessica’s help and knowledge she would probably would have missed the entire trip. Above and beyond!!
Jessica Spates responded
"It was fun to plan this trip for you! I am really glad that I was able to help you out. Can't wait to work with you again."
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
A Flawless Celtic Journey: 5 Stars for Jessica at Spates Exploration!
Reviewed By Mr. Grandpa - Long Island, NY | Traveled to Edinburgh | Scotland | Europe
If you are looking for a travel agency that combines meticulous planning with heartfelt care, look no further than Jessica at Spates Exploration. My wife and I (both in our 70s) just returned from a 16-day grand tour of Ireland and Scotland in September 2025, and we are still buzzing from the experience!
From our departure at Newark, NJ, until our final flight home, every detail was handled with perfection. As senior travelers, we wanted an ambitious yet manageable trip within our budget—and Jessica delivered a seamless, "zero-issue" itinerary.
Our Trip Highlights:
Dublin & Clontarf Castle: Our journey began at the magnificent Clontarf Castle. It was the perfect, luxurious way to recover from our flight.
The Irish Countryside: Transitions to Limerick and Cork were effortless. Our car rentals were ready and waiting, equipped with excellent GPS—essential for those winding roads!
Seamless Transitions: Spates Exploration handled our Aer Lingus flight from Ireland to Edinburgh perfectly. We moved to the Scottish Highlands without a single hiccup.
The Majesty of Scotland: From Edinburgh to the breathtaking landscapes of Inverness and the vibrant culture of Glasgow, every accommodation was top-tier and every attraction was pre-confirmed.
Traveling as seniors can be daunting, but Jessica removed every ounce of anxiety. She even arranged travel health insurance, which provided immense peace of mind. We focused entirely on the beauty, history, and warmth of the people rather than worrying about paperwork.
To anyone considering a complex international trip: Trust Jessica and Spates Exploration. They gave us the trip of a lifetime, and we are already looking at our calendars to see where they can send us next!
Jessica Spates responded
"Thank you for your kind review. It was such a pleasure to work with you! Hopefully, I can plan another trip for you soon."
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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So helpful. Wonderful peace of mind.
Reviewed By Era - Needham, MA | Traveled to New Orleans | Louisiana | USA
Jessica was both incredibly patient and responsive as she worked to set up travel, and make changes for my amost 80-year old father. Her calm and expertise made planning and traveling a great experience for our family.
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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So helpful. Wonderful peace of mind.
Reviewed By Era - Needham, MA | Traveled to New Orleans | Louisiana | USA
Jessica was both incredibly patient and responsive as she worked to set up travel, and make changes for my amost 80-year old father. Her calm and expertise made planning and traveling a great experience for our family.
Jessica Spates responded
"I am happy to have been able to help and set your mind at ease. "
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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I
Reviewed By None - Needham, MA | Traveled to Washington D.C. | District of Columbia | USA
Very professional and helpful
Jessica Spates responded
"Thank you! I am happy to help."
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Certifications & Awards
I am an Alaska Certified Expert.
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
An Alaskan Adventure for the Ages
Last year, mere months before I turned 50, my sister asked me where I wanted to go to celebrate my birthday. Without hesitation, I told her that we were going to Alaska. It had been on my bucket list forever, and I was determined to make that dream come true.
It turned out to be the trip of a lifetime. I was joined on the trip by my husb...
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My Itineraries
8 Days in Alaska for Adventurers
Destinations visited
Alaska
Suggested Duration
8 Days
Family Holy Week in Spain
Destinations visited
Spain
Suggested Duration
9 Days
Client Testimonials
Family Adventure in Spain
Jessica was an invaluable help in planning and executing our trip to Spain in April 2025. While we had travelled internationally with our kids (14 & 9), Europe was a big step for them, a true “trip” as opposed to a more leisurely beach-oriented vacation. It was a big step for us too. Both of us had been to Europe, but a long, long time ago, and at much different stages of our lives. Jessica was super helpful on a big-picture level, for example helping us determine which cities and sites to focus on, recommending hotels and sites to see; and also, when asked, a more micro-level, for example actually pulling the trigger for us on reserving rooms and tours and purchasing train tickets for several trips. She was also exceedingly insightful (e.g., great ideas on what to do on the jet-lagged first day) and patient with our many questions. We would love to work with her again for our next trip!
Bernard V. Ossining, NY
Beautiful Peru
In 2017, I experienced Peru on a trip organized by Jessica. It was the second trip that she had organized for me, and I cannot speak highly enough of her knowledge of South America and ability to execute a great trip. We traveled to Lima, Cuzco, Machu Picchu and more, and everyone on the trip had a great time.
Justin S. New York, NY
Extraordinary Educational Experience
I had the pleasure of chaperoning an international trip to Argentina with Jessica Spates and six high school students. We spent four days in Buenos Aires and three days in Patagonia. In terms of designing and executing transformative travel experiences, there’s no one better than Jess. She envisioned, meticulously planned, and executed the entire trip from start to finish. Her experience as an educator was evident from the enriching experiences she planned, her attention to detail, her ability to understand student needs, focus on safety, and proactive communication with all involved. I highly recommend Jess, she is a passionate and dedicated trip planner entirely invested in providing others with enriching, fun, and life changing experiences!
Seth K. Tarrytown, NY