Home
Find a travel Agent
Maryland
Melanie Psaltakis

Melanie Psaltakis

Gaithersburg, MD Travel Agent

Melanie Psaltakis

Gaithersburg, MD Travel Agent
Wayfinders Travel, an independent agent with Nexion, LLC, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
33 reviews
100% Recommended
8 Years of Experience

Wellness and Adventure Travel Specialist

I have always been a traveler. From multi-gen cross-country camping trips as a kid, to being immersed in New Zealand culture for a year as an AFS student. From living and wandering around Europe, Micronesia, and the United States for numerous years as a military spouse, to encouraging my kids to seek their own adventures in Europe, Asia, Africa, Central and South America. I believe travel can change the way we view ourselves and the world.

I am also a wellness and adventure enthusiast. I run, cycle, lead a local hiking group and am an E-RYT 500 yoga teacher. I've completed 100-mile charity bike rides, several multi-day cycling trips and hiking excursions, and have created and led my own yoga retreats in Greece, Italy, and Sweden.  In 2019, I was even the Wellness Host on a small-ship UnCruise Adventures Alaskan cruise!

My passion is to combine travel and wellness, specializing in and designing wellness vacations, small group adventure tours and tailor-made journeys. In 2020, I further committed to the promise of travel for renewal and regeneration by completing the world's first Transformation Travel Design Program, with the goal of expanding and deepening traveler connection, meaning, and purpose. 

With wellness and small group adventures being the fastest growing trends in travel, I am perfectly poised to help you plan your unique experience. This includes self-guided itineraries, small groups, private groups, center-based and point-to-point hiking and cycling trips, wildlife walks, summits, and polar excursions. Here are a few examples: 

  • Nourish your body and spirit at a wellness resort and spa in Costa Rica that is committed to sustainability and social consciousness.
  • Preserve the environment and benefit local communities on a walking and wine holiday in one of the world's best yet largely undiscovered wine regions in Italy while not missing out on delicious local cuisine.
  • Explore New Zealand predominately on foot, taking in the main highlights and many off-the-beaten-track attractions such as Jurassic-like rainforests, glaciers, volcanic peaks, and golden beaches.
  • Make a lower carbon choice by exploring the world on two wheels, from gentle cycling tours in the Loire region of France to a fully supported expedition in Morocco's High Atlas Mountains. Or maybe pedaling the length of Vietnam while exploring its unique culture and cuisine.
  • Focus on protecting and nurturing wildlife and biodiversity aboard a small ship voyage, accompanied by National Geographic explorers, award-winning photographers, marine biologists, naturalists, archaeologists, and ornithologists in locations like Alaska, Hawaiian Islands, Pacific Northwest, Galapagos, Mexico's Sea of Cortez, Belize and Guatemala, Egypt, the Chilean Fjords, the Maldives, and Papua New Guinea. 
  • Travel responsibly and in comfort while witnessing Antarctic wildlife such as penguins, seals, and whales, or exploring the Arctic wilderness of Canada, Greenland,  Iceland or even Russia!

For solo travelers, friends, families, groups, culture and wildlife enthusiasts, active and not-so-active travelers! What kind of traveler do you want to be? Where do you want to go? When will you make those discoveries you've been dreaming about? How do you want to travel in the world?  

 

Certificates & Awards

Client Reviews

Client Testimonials

Areas of expertise

Destinations
New Zealand
Greece
Italy
Guam
Scandinavia
Interests
Wellness
Independent Travel
European Culture
River Cruises
Cycling
Supplier Partners
UnCruise Adventures
Azamara
Europe Express
Project Expedition
AmaWaterways

Certificates & 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.
Certified SELECT Wellness Travel Specialist: A Certified SELECT Wellness Specialist has completed seven modules mastering the intricate details of a wellness traveler. The Specialist is committed to continuing education on wellness.
Select Wellness Program
Transformation Travel Council Travel Designer
100% Pure New Zealand Specialist (Silver)
Exodus Travels Cycling and Walking/Hiking Badges
Exodus Travels Self-Guided and Private Groups

CLIENT REVIEWS

Rating: 5
33 reviews
100.00% Recommended
Incredible experience!
Reviewed By Laurie - Gaithersburg, MD | Traveled to Bermuda ~ Caribbean
Melanie makes traveling to distant places so easy. She does her research and knows all of the best places to go and the best things to do there. She is exceptionally organized and takes all the stress out of travel. I went on a yoga retreat with Melanie where we did yoga and hiking and had a plenty of beach time. She is the best yoga teacher I have ever had. An amazing trip all around!
Melanie Psaltakis responded
"That was a super fun trip - lots of laughs and amazing experiences! Thank you for the review!"
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
7 of 9 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Flexible and knowledgeable:)
Reviewed By Hillwalker - Seattle | Traveled to England ~ Europe
Melanie’s expertise has been indispensable planning and adapting our travel plans over the last couple of years. She has advised me on several vacations and her knowledge of destinations coupled with what we as travelers prefer has been exceptional!
Melanie Psaltakis responded
"Thank you so much for your kind words. It's been my pleasure to work with you on several itineraries and I look forward to being of service again soon!"
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
5 of 6 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Met Every Expectation!
Reviewed By Mary - Darnestown, Maryland | Traveled to Sweden ~ Europe

Melanie is a world traveler, detail oriented and makes traveling stress free. My husband and I had just landed in Stockholm at the beginning of the pandemic. No sooner had we landed when we discovered that our return tickets were canceled. Of course there was initial panic but Melanie, using her extensive travel knowledge, guided us through the process of finding return tickets when many countries were shutting down incoming travel. We will be using Melanie for future travel in much less stressful times.
Melanie Psaltakis responded
"Thank you for the review! It was indeed a stressful time at the beginning of the pandemic and I am happy I was able to help reduce that foreboding and get you home safely - and that you got to see the Northern Lights too!"
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
8 of 13 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Namaste
Reviewed By Yoga traveler - Gaithersburg, MD | Traveled to Umbria ~ Italy ~ Europe
My eight day yoga retreat to the mountains of Umbria in Italy were fabulous. Melanie is well-organized, professional, knowledgeable and is great to travel with. Any trip she organizes will be a winner!
Melanie Psaltakis responded
"Thank you for the review! Umbria is truly a special place in Italy. I look forward to helping you plan your next trip!"
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
6 of 9 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Perfectly planned and amazing trip
Reviewed By Lisa and Greg - Gaithersburg | Traveled to Spain ~ Europe
We were so glad we had Melanie research and plan our trip to Spain. There were a lot of moving parts to our trip which encompassed 3 separate cities. We never could have envisioned all of the things that made our trip flow easily through the many transitions. It really helps to have expert advice and guidance when traveling abroad.
We never would have known of all of the details that Melanie planned and booked for us. These details enabled us to have a stress free and great trip.
You don’t know what you don’t know and luckily Melanie anticipated, planned, and booked us an amazing trip that we will never forget.

Melanie Psaltakis responded
"I'm so happy that you had such a wonderful experience in such a wonderful place. I love tailoring trips to hopefully exceed your expectations and am glad Wayfinders Travel did that for you. Thank you for taking the time to write this review! "
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO

Client Testimonials

Trip Was Amazing
The trip was amazing and Melanie was just the best to work with! When we had a flight cancellation on the way to Germany, Melanie helped get us re-booked and even helped to cancel the tours that were impacted. If you're thinking about using a travel agent for upcoming trips, definitely check with Melanie!
Adam D. Indianapolis, IN
How does this work?
Why use a travel agent?
Why use Travel Leaders?

Travel Leaders Network is the largest network of professional travel agents in North America. Wherever you want to go, however you want to get there — we have a travel agent for you.

Magnifying Loupe
Explore
Our database of travel experts & specialists
Phone
Connect
With an agent via text, email or phone
Airplane
Enjoy
A stress-free vacation with a professional by your side