Cruise, Disney, Europe & Hawaii Travel Expert

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Maria Shepherd, Travel Agent in Syracuse, NY

Maria Shepherd

Syracuse, NY Travel Agent

Maria Shepherd

Syracuse, NY · 3 Years of Experience

Traveling Familia, an independent agent with Inteletravel, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
5.0
(11)
100% Recommended
When my husband and I first considered going to Italy, I was overwhelmed with the idea of planning a trip abroad on our own. We met... Read More >
About
Reviews
My Places
Travel Stories & Media

Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Australia, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, USA

Interests:

Accessible Travel, Cruises, Disney Vacations, European Culture, River Cruises

Suppliers:

Disney, National Geographic - Lindblad Expeditions, Rocky Mountaineer, Small Luxury Hotels, Viking

About Me

That's me at the top of the Sydney Bridge!
That's me at the top of the Sydney Bridge!

I believe some of life’s most meaningful moments happen when we step away from our routines and experience the world in a new way—whether that’s watching a sunset in a place you’ve never been, exploring a new culture, or simply spending uninterrupted time with the people you love. That belief is what drives my passion for travel and the work I do every day.

I have been a travel advisor since 2023, but I have been a lover of travel since as long as I can remember. Over the years, I have been very blessed to have explored more than 20 countries on four continents and 48 of the 50 U.S. states. This includes time spent living, studying and traveling throughout Europe as well as a cross-country road trip across the United States. These firsthand experiences allow me to offer more than just recommendations. I provide thoughtful insight and trusted guidance so you can travel with confidence.

Over the years, I’ve really fallen in love with cruising. I love how it allows you to settle in, unwind, and still experience so much of the world in a way that feels relaxed and just right. From ocean voyages to river cruises, it’s a versatile and enriching way to travel—whether you’re planning meaningful time with family, a relaxing escape, or a more immersive, extended experience.

Helping families create meaningful vacations is especially important to me. I love designing trips where loved ones can truly reconnect, slow down, and enjoy time together—whether that’s experiencing the beauty of the Hawaiian Islands or creating lasting memories cruising aboard Disney Cruise Line. I love working with couples and retirees who are ready to explore the world in a more refined and intentional way. Whether it’s a luxury cruise, a guided journey through Europe, or an extended stay in destinations like Italy or Spain, I focus on crafting travel experiences that feel enriching, well-paced, and seamlessly planned.

With specialized knowledge in destinations such as Hawaii, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and U.S. National Parks, along with experience planning Disney Cruise Line vacations, I’m able to tailor each itinerary with carefully curated recommendations and insider perspective.

What truly sets me apart is my firsthand experience and my commitment to making every trip personal and effortless. I take the time to understand what matters most to you, then manage every detail with care so you can simply relax and enjoy the experience.

Travel has given me so much, and I genuinely love helping others experience that same sense of connection, joy, and discovery. Whether you’re dreaming of a special family getaway, a once-in-a-lifetime journey, or a longer, more immersive adventure, I would be honored to help you create a travel experience that is not only memorable, but truly exceptional.

Additional Languages
Spanish

REVIEWS

Rating: 5.0
11 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 11 reviews

An unforgettable trip to Italy.
Reviewed By NoelePug - Syracuse, New York | Traveled to Italy | Europe
When my husband and I first considered going to Italy, I was overwhelmed with the idea of planning a trip abroad on our own. We met with Maria and she helped us break down the trip into segments. She asked us what parts of Italy we'd like to visit and how long we intended to stay. She made a list of our prefernces regarding accomodations and we discussed various ways to travel between cities while in Italy. She also talked to us about tours and excursions we might want to book sooner rather than later. After our first meeting with Maria, I was feeling much better about traveling abroad. Between more meetings, emails and phone calls, Maria was able to help us plan an unforgettable family trip to Italy.
Maria Shepherd responded
"Thank you! I am so happy that you had such an unforgettable vacation with your family. You were so wonderful to work with. I truly appreciate you asking me to help!"
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
Wonderful Ireland, England and Scotland trip
Reviewed By Maria's the best - Traverse City, Michigan | Traveled to Dingle | Ireland | Europe
Maria provided exceptional service for us from start to finish. She was so knowledgeable and responsive. Her expertise for our planes, trains and ground transportation all went seamlessly with her help. She curated beautiful unique hotel options that allowed us to find local experiences that we would not have found on our own. I enjoyed working with her so much that she is currently helping with another trip.
Maria Shepherd responded
"Thank you! I appreciate your kind words. I'm so happy that you all had such a nice time on your special girls trip to the UK! So many special memories made!"
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
Trip of a lifetime
Reviewed By JP - Syracuse NY | Traveled to Italy | Europe
Maria was great in every way and was helpful from start to finish. From suggestions on hotels to guided tours and private excursions. She helped give us all the options available so we could make the best choices. We all have memories of a lifetime
Maria Shepherd responded
"So glad you have memories for a lifetime with your beautiful family! Thanks for asking me to help with this unforgettable family vacation!"
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
Incredible Trip Ran Like Clockwork
Reviewed By jsdispen - Syracuse, NY | Traveled to Nice | France | Europe
We had Maria plan a trip to the French Riviera for my family of five (3 teenagers!!). We had a vague idea of what we wanted to see but nothing concrete. Maria gave us the opportunity to weigh many different options to get a sense of what we wanted. After that she coordinated multiple excursions, all of which had amazing hosts. We also had some last minute changes and she helped coordinate those as well. We left feeling we saw and did all the things we wanted and lots more besides. I would absolutely recommend Maria to plan your trip for you and I will definitely be using her again.
Maria Shepherd responded
"Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm so glad that you all had such a fantastic time in the French Riviera! I look forward to many more years of helping your beautiful family travel the world!"
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
Honeymoon
Reviewed By Sarah - Utica, NY | Traveled to Greece | Europe
Maria was absolutely fantastic with every little detail with regard to our honeymoon. We were always in communication via email and had several FaceTime calls throughout the planning process. On these calls and emails we discussed flights, hotels and other modes of transportation that would be available to us while abroad, initial thoughts and ideas for the different locations we wanted to visit and then from there we narrowed it down by the day to day itinerary which was super helpful for keeping us organized. One thing that we found particularly helpful while abroad was that if we ran into a hiccup along the way, after a quick message to Maria she was able to get us back on track. We had run into a transportation issue briefly as well as required new copies of electronic tickets for a local tour; She was able to send us the information we needed to carry on with our scheduled itinerary without delay. When we returned from our trip we were able to meet with Maria in person and recount our whole honeymoon where we got to talk about our favorite parts, not so favorite parts, things that were helpful and suggestions for future travelers that maybe interested in a similar itinerary. We have since had Maria help us plan regional weekend getaways and she is currently helping us plan our Summer 2026 vacation. We highly recommend Maria if you're interested in or need help planning a vacation!
Maria Shepherd responded
"Thanks so much for your kind words. I am so glad that you two had such an amazing honeymoon in Europe! And thank you for coming back to me for more family vacations! You guys are the best!"
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

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

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

The Big Beautiful Island of Hawaii

There’s something incredibly raw and beautiful about the Big Island of Hawaii, where fiery black lava rock meets brilliant blue ocean, waterfalls tumble through lush green valleys, and every part of the island feels shaped by the power of nature itself. We stayed in Kailua-Kona, but explored all over the island, and every part of it felt ...
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Wai'anapanapa State Park

Oh Maui, Beautiful Maui

The moment you arrive in Maui, you can feel the island inviting you to slow down, breathe deeper, and simply be present. One of the many things that I love about Maui isn’t just the beauty, although it’s everywhere you look. It’s the feeling of aloha woven into the island, the warmth of the people, the peaceful rhythm of life, and the way...
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Beautiful Alaska

Cruising Alaska - An Unforgettable Experience

Cruising Alaska with Disney Cruise Line was one of the most unforgettable experiences I’ve ever had. It's the kind of trip that makes you fully appreciate the beauty of nature and wildlife. We sailed in and out of Vancouver, which is such a beautiful city on its own, surrounded by mountains, water, and incredible energy. From there, we ma...
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Beautiful Norway

Cruising Northern Europe with Disney Cruise Line

Cruising Northern Europe with Disney Cruise Line felt like sailing through a real-life storybook. We began in Southampton and made our way through the breathtaking Norwegian fjords, stopping in Olden, Alesund, and Stavanger. Everywhere we looked felt almost unreal with towering cliffs draped in lush green, waterfalls cascading down mounta...
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