Luxury Europe, River Cruises & Expedition Voyages

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Cindi Sanden, Travel Agent in Soddy Daisy, TN

Cindi Sanden

Soddy Daisy, TN Travel Agent
Super Agent

Cindi Sanden

Soddy Daisy, TN · 11 Years of Experience

An independent agent with AWAKEN TRAVELS, LLC, , a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
4.8
(23)
100% Recommended
The arrangements were very well organized and made the trip and wedding relaxed for all the travel and event. Read More >
About
Reviews
Certificates & Awards
My Places
Travel Stories & Media
Itineraries
Client Testimonials

Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Europe, Italy, Fiji, Alaska, England

Interests:

Luxury, Luxury Cruises, Bespoke Travel, Adventure, Small Ship Cruises

Suppliers:

AmaWaterways, Viking, Hurtigruten, Silversea, Classic Vacations

About Me

Fiji
Fiji

I am Cindi Sanden, owner of Awaken Travels and a luxury travel advisor since 2015. I specialize in planning custom European vacations, river cruises, expedition voyages, and luxury trips to Fiji, Hawaii, and Costa Rica.

Europe is where my passion for travel comes alive. I design custom itineraries across Italy, France, Greece, England, Scotland, and beyond. From Tuscan wine country villas and Amalfi Coast adventures to guided tours of the Greek islands, walks along the Seine in Paris, and castle stays in the Scottish Highlands, every trip I plan is tailored to my clients' pace, interests, and travel style.

River cruising is one of my favorite ways to explore the world. I work closely with AmaWaterways, Viking, and other top river cruise lines to help clients experience the Danube, Rhine, Douro, Seine, Mekong, and more. River cruises offer an intimate, all-included experience with exceptional dining, culturally immersive excursions, and personalized service that larger ships simply cannot match.

For adventurous travelers, I specialize in expedition cruises with Hurtigruten, Silversea, Ponant, and Lindblad Expeditions. From the Norwegian fjords and Svalbard to Antarctica, the Galapagos Islands, and Alaska's Inside Passage, these small ship voyages combine luxury with once-in-a-lifetime wildlife and nature encounters.

Fiji holds a special place in my heart. As a certified Fiji Matai Specialist, I have traveled there multiple times and know the islands intimately. From the private resorts of the Mamanuca and Yasawa chains to the lush rainforests of Taveuni and the world-class diving of the Coral Coast, I create Fiji vacations that are truly unforgettable.

I also love planning luxury trips to Hawaii and Costa Rica. Whether it is a multi-island Hawaiian itinerary featuring Maui sunsets and Big Island volcano adventures, or a Costa Rica escape through cloud forests, volcanic hot springs, and wildlife-rich rainforests, I handle every detail so my clients can focus on the experience.

As a CLIA-certified travel advisor and proud ASTA member, I invest in continuous education and hold certifications including Fiji Matai, Hurtigruten Expedition Specialist, and several river and ocean cruise specializations. Backed by the Travel Leaders Network, my clients enjoy access to exclusive perks, upgrades, and preferred pricing you will not find booking on your own.

Based in Tennessee and serving clients nationwide, I would love to help you plan your next dream vacation. Whether it is a European river cruise, an Antarctic expedition, a Fiji honeymoon, or a custom Italian adventure, reach out today and let us start planning!

What Our Clients Say

"Cindi planned the perfect getaway to Costa Rica for us! Her familiarity with the destination made a big difference, and her insights on the tours were spot on. Our accommodations were absolutely flawless." - Peggi H.

"She truly took our desires, upped them a notch and created what my husband is calling the best vacation ever!" - Lee

"Communication is second to none!" - Anthony O.

REVIEWS

Rating: 4.8
23 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.
Search reviews:

Showing 23 reviews

Thank you!
Reviewed By Dad - Happy Jack Az | Traveled to Cancun ~ Quintana Roo ~ Mexico
The arrangements were very well organized and made the trip and wedding relaxed for all the travel and event.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
17 of 22 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
She Took Care Of Everything
Reviewed By Sean - Chandler, AZ | Traveled to
We wanted to go to an All Inclusive - Adult Only - Resort in Jamaica. Way too many options for a non traveler like me to know what is good & real vs. a touristy rip off. Not only did she show us the "Good Places"... But she got EVERYTHING lined up. She got us freebies, and discounts, and most importantly: She monitored our travel. We were never "alone" during our transition into and then out of complete and total relaxation! Well done Cindi!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
30 of 53 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
My Key to a Great Vacation
Reviewed By No Nickname - Arizona | Traveled to
I am a do-it-yourselfer but that no longer applies to my vacation plans. After spending over a week trying to find a workable combination of airfare, hotel, car and Disney Land tickets I finally cried uncle and set out to find a travel agent. I reached out to 10 agents and no one came near the responsiveness and understanding of exactly what I was looking for except for Cindi Sanden at Awaken Travels. Cindi gave me many opportunities and wound up saving me over $1,200 (in addition to a lot of headaches) for my trip. She is now my one and only travel agent. I will never try to do it on my own again with her in my corner!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
32 of 60 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Bucket List
Reviewed By Jacque - Gilbert, AZ | Traveled to Hawaii ~ USA
Cindi helped our family plan several bucket list trips this year due to a medical diagnosis. She was/is always very attentive to our needs and makes sure that each of our vacations are truly once in a lifetime memorable. Cindi's level of customer service is impeccable!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
29 of 55 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Honeymoon to Jamaica
Reviewed By Stacie - Virginia | Traveled to Jamaica ~ Caribbean
Cindi was very responsive and helpful. She helped us plan our honeymoon to Jamaica. The only down fall from the trip was not having seat assignments together on the flights.
Cindi Sanden responded
"Thank you so much for taking the time to review our services Stacie. I am sorry to hear you were disappointed that you were unable to sit together on your flight. Because of your budget for the trip your reservation was for Basic Economy Flights and unfortunately when you book these budget flights you are unable to pre-select your seats. It was my true pleasure helping you plan your Honeymoon to Jamaica and I wish you joy and happiness in your marriage and life. "
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
18 of 34 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.
Fiji Matai Specialist
Hurtigruten Expedition Specialist
CLIA Certified Travel Advisor
Princess Commodore
AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist

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

Slovenia: Europe Hidden Gem Revealed

Slovenia is the destination I wish I had discovered years ago. Tucked between Italy, Austria, and Croatia, this small country packs more beauty, charm, and surprise per square mile than anywhere I have traveled in Europe. Ljubljana, the capital, immediately won me over. A car-free city center with a river running through it, sidewalk cafes on both ...
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Italy: La Dolce Vita from Coast to Countryside

Italy is one of those rare destinations that exceeds even the highest expectations. Every cobblestone street, every plate of pasta, every sunset over ancient ruins delivers a moment that stays with you long after you return home. My journey through Italy covered Rome, the Amalfi Coast, Florence, Tuscany, and Venice, and each region felt like visiti...
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Hawaii: Island Magic Across Four Islands

Hawaii has a way of making you fall in love before you even leave the airport. The warm breeze carrying the scent of plumeria, the sound of ukulele music drifting through the terminal, and the sight of those impossibly green mountains rising above Honolulu. I have had the privilege of visiting four Hawaiian islands and each one offers something com...
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Costa Rica: Adventure Meets Paradise

There are destinations that surprise you, and then there is Costa Rica. From the moment our small plane dipped below the clouds to reveal an endless canopy of green stretching to meet the Pacific, I knew this trip would be special. We began in Arenal, where the volcano loomed over our eco-lodge. The morning mist clung to the rainforest as we hiked ...
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Paradise Found: My Fiji Island Adventure

The moment our seaplane descended over the turquoise waters of Fiji, I knew this trip would be unlike anything I had experienced before. As a certified Fiji Matai Specialist, I have traveled to these islands multiple times, but the magic never fades. Each visit reveals something new, a hidden waterfall, a village ceremony, a sunset that stops yo...
Read more

Client Testimonials

20th Anniversary Trip of a Lifetime
Thank you, Cindi and Awaken Travels! Cindi helped my husband and me plan our 20th wedding anniversary trip and really went above and beyond for us. From sending us a little gift before we left to having perfectly planned and printed itineraries for us so that we got to do all the things we had planned for. Thank you, Cindi and Awaken Travels, for a very memorable, fun, and stress-free experience from start to finish! We recommend them to EVERYONE!
Katie E.
Fiji Honeymoon and 50th Birthday
Cindi met with us at our earliest convenience and discussed what we were looking for. She had just returned from a trip to resorts in Fiji. She worked with us to iron out all the details — flights, coach transfers, boat transfers, resort stays, meal plans, and special occasions. It was our honeymoon and my 50th birthday in one trip, so she arranged champagne, a birthday cake, and a message in our room. Very nice. She followed up afterwards. I could not have asked for anything more. She provided a full itinerary before the trip and arranged for any changes to seats on the airlines. Use Awaken Travels for your next vacation!
Mark P.
Anniversary in St. Lucia with $4,000 Upgrade
Cindi was great to work with. She planned our 10-year anniversary trip to St. Lucia. We priced it out prior to contacting agents and not only did she beat our best price, she was very thorough and thoughtful. We stayed at Jade Mountain for a few nights and Cindi wrote a personal letter to the GM of the hotel explaining our trip and requesting them to take care of us. When we arrived, we learned that we were upgraded to one of their expansive pool suites — basically a $4,000 upgrade. Thank you, Cindi, for all the help!
Gabriel T.
Saved Over $1,200 on Family Trip
I am a do-it-yourselfer but that no longer applies to my vacation plans. After spending over a week trying to find a workable combination of airfare, hotel, car and Disneyland tickets, I finally cried uncle and set out to find a travel agent. I reached out to 10 agents and no one came near the responsiveness and understanding of exactly what I was looking for except for Cindi Sanden at Awaken Travels. Cindi gave me many opportunities and wound up saving me over $1,200 — in addition to a lot of headaches — for my trip. She is now my one and only travel agent. I will never try to do it on my own again with her in my corner!
Sue W.
Best Vacation Ever in Cabo
Cindi was amazing at helping us plan our trip to Cabo. I provided her a list of what was most important to us — an all inclusive, incredible food, great beach walks, pampering, adults only, entertainment, and our list went on. She nailed it perfectly! Our trip was everything we asked for and more. She truly took our desires, upped them a notch, and created what my husband is calling the best vacation he has had. We have had some pretty amazing vacations too! We received nice touches along the way, such as a personalized passport holder and luggage tag. It took all the stress out of the planning part and only increased the enjoyment.
Lee
First International Trip to Costa Rica
Cindi planned the perfect getaway to Costa Rica for us! Leading up to the trip, she kept us well-informed with weekly emails full of helpful tips — what to pack, what to wear, how to get around, and more. Her familiarity with the destination made a big difference, and her insights on the tours we selected were spot on. Our accommodations were absolutely flawless. As my first international trip, it truly could not have been better. Thank you, Cindi — we cannot wait to plan another adventure with you soon!
Peggi H.
Bora Bora Family Adventure
We had the pleasure of working with Cindi from Awaken Travels on our recent Bora Bora adventure. Cindi was incredible — from the flights and transfers to the exact bungalow we wanted, she took care of everything. She was patient as our family of four debated excursions, knowing exactly what would work for us. She booked an amazing spa day and made sure our kids could enjoy it too. Her correspondence is incredibly prompt — no question went unanswered, and being new to international travel, no question was ever unimportant. Even while on her own European vacation, Cindi made it clear she was always just a phone call away. Cindi made the whole process fun, enjoyable, and completely stress free. We highly recommend Awaken Travels!
Nicki R.
European Dream: France and Italy
Every detail was meticulously planned and communicated to us via email or text in a timely manner, which was so important to us. This was evident both before and during the trip. From transportation, lodging, restaurants and tours, Cindi has a wide network of resources and each experience was terrific. We spent two weeks traveling through parts of France and Italy experiencing everything from culture and history to shopping, dining and some R&R too. The hotels she recommended all exceeded our expectations and the staff at each could not have been more accommodating. We were so impressed with everything they did for us and cannot wait for Cindi to help plan our next big vacation!
David R.
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