Family Specialist - Educator Background

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Tessa Tjepkema, Travel Agent in Bowmanville, ON

Tessa Tjepkema

Bowmanville, ON Travel Agent

Tessa Tjepkema

Bowmanville, ON

Guiding Compass Travel , an independent agent with Centre Holidays Inc., a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
5.0
(7)
100% Recommended
Tessa was responsive & attentive from the onset. She helped me plan an East Coast getaway with my little girl. It was our first time out... Read More >
About
Reviews
My Places

Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Caribbean, Florida

Interests:

Family Vacations, Disney Vacations, All Inclusive, Universal Parks & Resort Vacations, Cruises

About Me

As a Family Vacation Specialist with a background in Early Childhood Education, I bring a unique, child-centered approach to travel planning. Years spent working with young children — both in the classroom and in home-based care — have given me a deep understanding of routines, sensory needs, transitions, and what truly helps kids (and parents) feel comfortable, safe, and excited while traveling.I pair that expertise with my professional training as a cruise and resort specialist to help families plan vacations that are not only memorable, but genuinely manageable. From choosing the right destination and room layout to navigating kids’ clubs, nap schedules, dining, and downtime, I design trips that support the whole family’s needs.My goal is simple: to make family travel feel easier, calmer, and more magical — with thoughtful planning, child-focused insight, and support every step of the way. 

REVIEWS

Rating: 5.0
7 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 7 reviews

East Coast Fun
Reviewed By Mel - Durham, Ontario | Traveled to Halifax | Nova Scotia | Canada
Tessa was responsive & attentive from the onset. She helped me plan an East Coast getaway with my little girl. It was our first time out East, it was a blast and went smoothly, thanks to Tessa! I already started raving about her to my family & friends before we finished planning the trip. She checked in before, during & after the trip, and I felt like she genuinely cared about our overall experience. I will definitely be using Tessa again for future trips! Thank you!!! ?? ?? ?? ?? ??
Tessa Tjepkema responded
"Thank you so much for your kind words, Mel! It was an absolute joy bringing this trip to life for you and your girl. I truly care about every detail, and it means the world to know everything went so smoothly for you both. Seeing your memories, hearing your feedback, and being part of these special moments is why I love what I do. I can’t wait to help you plan your next adventure! "
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
Thank you Tessa!!
Reviewed By SC - Hamilton | Traveled to Mexico
I had never used a travel agent before, and now I can't imagine planning a trip without one—especially Tessa! Planning our bestie's 40th birthday getaway felt overwhelming at first, but Tessa made the entire process seamless from start to finish. She patiently answered our countless questions and was always quick to respond. If she didn't have an answer right away, she would contact the resort directly and get back to me promptly. As someone who is gluten-free, I really appreciated the extra care Tessa took to communicate my dietary needs with the resort before our arrival, giving me peace of mind throughout the trip. Everything was exceptionally well organized and communicated, making the whole experience completely stress-free. I can't thank Tessa enough for helping create such an unforgettable vacation. Her professionalism, attention to detail, and dedication truly went above and beyond. I highly recommend her to anyone planning a trip!
Tessa Tjepkema responded
"Thank you so much for this beautiful review—it truly means the world to me. I’m so glad I could help make your bestie’s 40th birthday trip feel seamless and stress-free. It was such a joy working with you! I’m especially happy that the extra steps around your gluten-free needs helped you feel comfortable and cared for - that peace of mind is exactly what I want every traveller to feel. Thank you for trusting me with such a special celebration. I’m so grateful and can't wait for the next one!"
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Perfect Get Away
Reviewed By Sue - Dundas, Ontario | Traveled to Invermere | British Columbia | Canada
Tessa was very attentive and responded immediately to any concerns. We are very happy with her knowledge and ability to trouble shoot.
Tessa Tjepkema responded
"Thank you so much! Appreciate your review! Can't wait to book your next one! "
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
Take us back to the sunshine!
Reviewed By Paynefamof5 - British Columbia | Traveled to California | USA
We had an incredible experience working with Tessa as our travel agent. What started as a simple all-inclusive trip for our family of 5 quickly evolved into an amazing 11-day multi-city adventure- including Los Angeles, Universal Studios, Santa Monica, Hollywood, Los Cabo and Ensenada! We are so grateful for the direction she guided us in. Tessa went above and beyond even after our trip was already booked. She was able to seamlessly help us add to our itinerary, making adjustments and enhancements that truly elevated our experience. Her suggestions were thoughtful and personalized—she clearly took the time to understand our family and our kids personalities and recommended activities and destinations that we ended up absolutely loving. Her knowledge, flexibility, and attention to detail made the entire process stress-free and exciting. We felt confident every step of the way knowing she had everything handled. We can’t thank Tessa enough for helping turn our trip into something so memorable. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her to anyone looking to plan a vacation that goes beyond expectations. Tessa will have her work cut out topping this for us next year - I have no doubts that she will blow our minds again.
Tessa Tjepkema responded
"I am so happy you all had such an incredible time! I knew the kids would have an amazing experience and glad you could all have some fun together! Much deserved! Looking forward to booking the next trip for you all! "
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
Peace of Mind
Reviewed By BaldGuy - London Ontario | Traveled to Varadero | Cuba | Caribbean
I did a 7 day journey to Varadero at the Grand Aston and had an unforgettable time! From the planning process with Tessa all the way to the moment I arrived safely back in Toronto, Tessa was with me every step of the way and ensured I had the best experience and got the best deals. She is thorough and asks the right questions to make sure your trip is exactly what you want. Thanks a million Tessa and also thank you for booking my 10 days in Colombia coming up, super stoked!
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.
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