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Melanie Psaltakis

Melanie Psaltakis

Gaithersburg, MD Travel Agent

Melanie Psaltakis

Gaithersburg, MD Travel Agent
Melanie Carroll Psaltakis, LLC, an independent agent with Nexion, LLC, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
24 reviews
100.00% Recommended
7 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

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
24 reviews
100.00% Recommended
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.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
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.
6 of 8 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
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.
7 of 12 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
European Getaway
Reviewed By Eric & Lauren - Bloomington, IN | Traveled to Scotland ~ Europe
We really enjoyed working with Melanie on planning our trip. Not only was she able to accommodate our concerns, but helped us plan around The Queens funeral, and lost luggage during our time in Scotland. Her services were nothing but stellar. We have recommended her to others looking for travel experiences. Easy to work with, fun to talk with, and listened to everything we had to say. 10/10
Melanie Psaltakis responded
"Thank you for the review! I was so happy to hear when the luggage caught up with you and was grateful you had the security of trip insurance to cover associated out-of-pocket expenses. I truly appreciate the referrals and also look forward to working with you again in the future. All 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
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