Lesley Hayden-Hock
Framingham, Massachusetts Travel Agent
A Full-Service Travel Leaders Associate Agency
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Gluten Free and Celiac Travel Specialist
Being a travel agent is a truly wonderful career for me. Having been an agent for more than 40 years I am incredibly passionate about my work and look forward to planning new adventures for my clients. Throughout these years in the industry I’ve had the opportunity to travel extensively to many destinations around the world. These firsthand experiences are incredibly important as an agent because I am able to speak confidently with my clients and they can trust that I have their best interest in mind while helping plan the perfect vacation. From Hawaii to Italy and from cruises to all inclusive resort vacations, I’ve helped my clients plan truly unforgettable vacations. As a gluten free travel specialist I work closely with clients to plan custom vacations that fulfill their dietary needs. With years of experience in the industry, the relationships I’ve created allow me to be able to suggest many gluten free travel options my clients may have never even thought of. If my clients are traveling to a foreign country, I like to supply them with a “gluten free dining card” in the language of the country they are going to. I also work directly with executive chefs in advance of a trip to ensure that all of my client’s dietary needs are taken care of so nothing will take away from an amazing vacation! As the Director of Leisure Development for Travel Leaders in Framingham, MA I greatly enjoy working with my clients because every day brings something new! Wherever you are looking to travel to next, I look forward to helping make your travel dreams come true!
My Areas of Expertise
CERTIFICATES & AWARDS
Gluten Free and Celiac Specialist
Gold Sandals and Beaches Specialist
BFF of the Norwegian Gem
Distinguished 2 Diamond Karisma Hotels Worldwide
First time visiting Italy and it was amazing!
Reviewed By Kett - Fairfield, CT | Traveled to Italy ~ Europe
Lesley was a wonderful resource for our recent trip to Italy. As a family of 4 (2 members that require gluten-free food), Lesley calmed all our nerves about how we would find gluten-free resources in Italy and provided all the help and resources we needed for an amazing trip. With tours, hotels, train travel, boat travel, private drivers and four cities visited there were a lot of moving parts to this trip and everything went off without any issues. We were able to focus on the beauty of the area without worrying about minor details. Lesley's knowledge about how to navigate gluten free in Italy was invaluable and she was a great resource for what we should do and see as well. We look forward to working with her in the future!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
31 of 47 people found this review helpful
Globetrotter
Reviewed By CYB - Attleboro, MA | Traveled to Nicaragua ~ Central America
Lesley has been extremely helpful in planning my trips since I'm the type of client who likes to go off the beaten path. Lesley has always taken on the challenge of customizing my trips with professionalism and gives great feedback/suggestions on my trip planning. I always come back happy and ready to book again!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
Lesley Hayden-Hock responded:
Thank you for your kind words... you are one of my favorite clients who I consider a friend!!!
Thank you for your kind words... you are one of my favorite clients who I consider a friend!!!
72 of 131 people found this review helpful
Not just a Travel Agent...but a Friend!!
Reviewed By The Cowboy - Lorton, VA | Traveled to Caribbean
Lesley has been a dream to work with. She will gladly go the extra mile for her customers (she makes you feel like family). She will take care of every detail, and make sure that your trip is the best it can be. If we are unsure about going to a particular location she will give you her best advise based on her knowledge of you, and she has never steered us wrong.Once Lesley even made us last minute reservations at a Sandals resort even after she had gone home for the day to make sure we got the special promotional price that ended that day.
Top notch service every time!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
Lesley Hayden-Hock responded:
Thank you so much for your kind words. You have also become more like friends to me also...
Thank you so much for your kind words. You have also become more like friends to me also...
81 of 150 people found this review helpful
Perfect Getaway for Parents Needing a Break
Reviewed By Eric & Susan - Kansas City, KS | Traveled to Cancun ~ Quintana Roo ~ Mexico
Lesley was great to work with. She really helped us to quickly sift through the information to find the right fit for my wife and I. We were looking to have a break from being parents of 4 small kiddos, and Lesley dialed in the right location and level of quality for us to really get the rest we needed. She gave us all the ins-and-outs of the place we chose making the whole experience easy and hassle-free. She even followed up with us afterwards to see if it went as well as we expected, which it definitely had!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
30 of 51 people found this review helpful
Wonderful to work with!
Reviewed By Crystal - Fort Riley, KS | Traveled to Playa Del Carmen ~ Quintana Roo ~ Mexico
We have worked with Lesley on several vacations and all have been excellent experiences. We started using Lesley to book our vacations when we lived in the Boston area, and even though we have moved out of state we still use her and the service still exceeds expectations.Lesley consistently responds to emails/phone calls when we begin our search, and makes sure to answer any questions or provide feedback to the destintations that we are discussing timely.
After our trips Lesley will follow up to assure our needs were met and obtain feedback on our vacation.
We have had zero issues and would recommend Lesley to anyone who needs a travel agent.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
Lesley Hayden-Hock responded:
Thank you for your kind words. You have become more like friends over the years...
Thank you for your kind words. You have become more like friends over the years...
72 of 135 people found this review helpful
A cealic sufferer's dream come true!
Reviewed By Del - Michigan | Traveled to Italy ~ Europe
Lesley is not only an Italy expert, she is a Celiac/Gluten Free expert! My wife has celiac disease, and when you tell folks that you have celiac and are going to Italy they give you a confused look. Doesn't Italy mean past, pizza, bread, etc? Lesley was able to clarify the confusion and show us that Italy is truly a land made for folks with Celiac disease and should be a food pilgrimage for anyone who suffers from this auto immune disorder. The trip was perfect. I couldn't be more happy. My wife ate so much gluten free food and never got sick! Thank you Lesley! Will be booking with her again!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
50 of 93 people found this review helpful
Great vacation
Reviewed By Marina - Avon, CT | Traveled to Mexicali ~ Mexico ~ Mexico
Lesley was amazing in curating a fabulous vacation for me and my special needs son. We have several food restrictions and she made sure the chef catered to us, literally. The service that she made sure we had at the resort was top notch. We felt like royalty.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
38 of 69 people found this review helpful
One of the best trips of our lives.
Reviewed By Patrick H - Charlotte, NC | Traveled to Cuba ~ Caribbean
Lesley was easy to work with from the second we were in contact. She listened to our needs and wants - then personalized the trip to our exact specifications.We will be working with Lesley again in the near future to book another fantastic trip. Oh yes, she was also able to upgrade our hotel at the last minute to a 5 STAR experience.
OUTSTANDING!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
30 of 55 people found this review helpful
Leslie Should Plan Your Trip!
Reviewed By Levy - Baltimore, MD | Traveled to Italy ~ Europe
Nothing but outstanding. Leslie is a professional. She knows her stuff and eptiomizes what an agent should be. Her active listening, consultation and strong opinions helped us plan a fabulous trip to Italy. Don't use her if you want to cut corners. She is thorough and won't let you make a mistake. We are now using her for a destination wedding.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
20 of 36 people found this review helpful
Gluten-free travel with no worries
Reviewed By Mike & Lisa D. - Belmont, MA | Traveled to Cancun ~ Quintana Roo ~ Mexico
My wife has celiac disease so she eats no gluten. Finding a restaurant that understands the significance of being gluten-free never mind one in a foreign country is quite challenging. Lesley understood our situation and without hesitation recommended several excellent properties that cater specifically to those with celiac disease.We decided on the El Dorado Casitas Royale, a Spa Resort by Karisma and we couldn’t have had a more wonderful experience. Not only did the entire resort staff understand my wife was eating gluten-free, they went out of their way to make sure all of her meals and drinks were gluten-free.
Thanks to Lesley’s expert experience and thoughtfulness my wife didn’t experience any issues while eating at the resort and we had a wonderful time at an amazing property. All thanks to Lesley.
We’ll certainly be scheduling our next trip with Lesley.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
24 of 44 people found this review helpful
Hawaii Five - Great trip
Reviewed By Nancy - Framingham MA | Traveled to Hawaii ~ USA
Anyone planning a holiday trip to Hawaii, has to think twice when considering the total price, the logistics and the flight duration! I attempted to navigate through Kayak, VRBO, Tripadvisor, etc. thinking about which islands, car rentals, food, activities, hotels and my budget. I fell into a state of "analysis paralysis" & then I found Leslie at Travel Leaders! Leslie sat and listened and then she did her magic and educated me on the best places for young adults, best options for oceanfront, nightlife,beaches and to stay within my budget. We were also under a time crunch since the places were booking up quickly for Winter break and the flights were very limited. Leslie plunged in and coordinated the right flights, the interisland flights, car rental and hotels that met our demands within our budget!!! As the expert, she reassured me and lead me to the right decisions and I must say, I was relieved to hand it over to an Expert like Leslie! I would gladly use her again!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
32 of 60 people found this review helpful
Gluten Free Goddess
Reviewed By Jenny - Rochester, MN | Traveled to Riviera Maya ~ Quintana Roo ~ Mexico
Lesley is fantastic with assisting with gluten free diets while traveling. I have used her numerous times for helping me safely travel with Celiac Disease. I highly recommend her!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
35 of 66 people found this review helpful
Alaska
Reviewed By Dave - Plymouth | Traveled to Alaska ~ USA
Lesley, has always been the best travel agent we have had. We had many more before her but Lesley is always willing to help and understand us on what type of vacation we would like. When I call her about information regarding a trip we are planning and have questions she is always available and pleasant. I told her we would really miss her if she retires.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
35 of 66 people found this review helpful
Great gluten free trip to Italy
Reviewed By Barry - Atlanta | Traveled to Italy ~ Europe
Lesley was great to work with, Quickly returned E mail and asked good questions, Added and deleted tours etc until we were happy trip. The Hotel tours and travel plans we're perfect for my wife and I. She clearly had access tours and Guides we would not have found on our own.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
20 of 37 people found this review helpful
Amazing trip to Italy Summer 2019!
Reviewed By KristinLK - Reading, MA | Traveled to Italy ~ Europe
Lesley was so helpful, starting by getting to know our family's needs (food allergies) and preferences (twin beds for our sons). She is clearly experienced with visiting and arranging travel in Italy, as all of her hotels and tour guides were exceptional. She was able to coordinate a trip through Venice, Florence, Naples/Pompeii/Sorrento, and to Rome so that we felt we'd seen the highlights and enjoyed some relaxation time as well. We will definitely ask Lesley to arrange our next trip!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
9 of 16 people found this review helpful
SAFE and FUN family vacation
Reviewed By Jess Rozier - Osage Beach, MO | Traveled to Riviera Maya ~ Quintana Roo ~ Mexico
She’s a communication and travel guru. Thorough, honest, and helped us with the perfect vacation.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
10 of 18 people found this review helpful
Gluten Free vacation
Reviewed By KI - Tulsa, Oklahoma | Traveled to Playa Del Carmen ~ Quintana Roo ~ Mexico
I was spending many nights trying to find quality all-inclusive resort that can accommodate gluten free dining . I found Lesley on the internet. I gave her a call and she made things simple. We talked through 5 options then I reviewed with family and picked her top recommendation. The rest of the process was simple. The resort was ready to accommodate us. On the way home my wife missed a flight due to TSA and she called Lesley's office and a co-worked helped to find a quick way home after the airport desk was unhelpful. Lesley had many other favorite travel suggestions and I will start with her next time and not waste time researching.
Thanks, Lesley!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
Lesley Hayden-Hock responded:
Thank you for your kind words!!!
Thank you for your kind words!!!
12 of 22 people found this review helpful
Atlantis is a must!
Reviewed By flynnster - Johnstown, CO | Traveled to Bahamas ~ Caribbean
Lesley is extremely knowledgeable about gluten free travel and has helped us book 2 fabulous trips.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
19 of 36 people found this review helpful
Beautiful Alaskan Trip of a Lifetime!
Reviewed By NoVa Retiree - Alexandria, VA | Traveled to Alaska ~ USA
Lesley has been our travel agent over many years and for a number of cruises in the Caribbean and this year to Alaska. We always go back to her because she finds us the best deals on rooms, gives us wonderful tips on which ship line to use,which ship to take, what to see, what to pack, what to sign up for on the cruises, and finds us wonderful hotels as well. For this trip, Lesley recommended a balcony which turned out to be a fabulous idea - Cruising through Glacier Bay, we could view the glaciers unobstructed, hear the naturalist's commentary on our room's TV, and dash inside our room when we got cold. Following her tips we brought binoculars, dressed in layers, and reserved all of our land tours as soon as we could.
We rely on her for travel advice which has always been spot on!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
34 of 66 people found this review helpful
The BEST Agent
Reviewed By Roxie - NY, NY | Traveled to Botswana ~ Africa
We have had the pleasure of working with Lesley for many, many years. She's booked trips for us all around the world -- from Alaska to the Amazon, Milan to Myanmar, Belgium to Botswana -- and every time, without fail, she has worked her magic. We could not be more pleased with her recommended hotels, tours, and itineraries. Plus, Lesley knows the world well enough to advise her clients when and where it's safe to travel unescorted and when it's not.Lesley makes it a point of getting to know her clients well, asking about their preferences, interests, and budgets. We can't imagine booking our leisure travel with anyone but Lesley. We would highly recommend Lesley to anyone who wants to make sure that their trip turns out to be exactly what they hoped -- and more. In addition, Lesley is a lot of fun to work with during the trip planning/booking process!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
36 of 71 people found this review helpful
Many Ballroom Dancing cruise on Crystal Serenity
Reviewed By Andy K - Framingham, MA | Traveled to Barcelona ~ Spain ~ Europe
We have been working with Lesley for many years. She has always returned my calls promptly and addressed our vacation needs as they have changed over the years. I would recommend Lesley to all my friends and acquaintances.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
34 of 67 people found this review helpful
Best Trip Ever thanks to my Awesome Travel Agent L
Reviewed By Rockin Robin - Hampton, VA | Traveled to Riviera Maya ~ Quintana Roo ~ Mexico
My experience was wonderfully awesome!!! She eased all my fears about travelling to Mexico and about my dietary restrictions (Celiac/Diabetes). I would recommend her to anyone with Celiac.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
19 of 38 people found this review helpful
Best Cruises Ever!
Reviewed By Caroline - Oxford, MA | Traveled to Caribbean
We have consulted with Lesley for many years for our personal and professional travel needs.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
35 of 70 people found this review helpful
Gluten free travel
Reviewed By Jan - St. Paul, MN | Traveled to Jamaica ~ Caribbean
Lesley is extremely knowledgeable and a one-stop resource for booking GF travel. We trust her recommendations and feel fortunate to have found her.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
38 of 76 people found this review helpful
Trip of a lifetime!
Reviewed By Kathy - Utah | Traveled to Italy ~ Europe
Lesley was great! She had great suggestion, ideas and knowledge about the cities on my travel route. Great insights about gluten free travel abroad.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
21 of 43 people found this review helpful
One of our best trips.
Reviewed By Jude - Okla. City, Ok. | Traveled to Amsterdam ~ Netherlands ~ Europe
Lesley is such a joy to work with and we will highly recommend her to our friends.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
18 of 37 people found this review helpful
Leslie Hayden-Hock is the best Travel Professional
Reviewed By pjwahoo - Naperville, IL | Traveled to Havana ~ Cuba ~ Caribbean
Wonderful - she had every detail organized flawlessly, she followed up responsibly, and made herself available for any and all questions!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
21 of 43 people found this review helpful
Truly the Trip of a Lifetime - Italia
Reviewed By leelee - Peabody, MA | Traveled to Italy ~ Europe
Lesley listened to what we wanted in our trip & customized our vacation to Italy that was truly a trip of a lifetime for us! We were able to visit various cities & sites and able to customize a day to meet family in the Avellino area!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
18 of 38 people found this review helpful
Small Ship Sailing
Reviewed By Bob - Framingham, MA | Traveled to Mediterranean ~ At Sea ~ At Sea
Lesley has been assisting us with our travel since 2003. From Heli-hiking the glacier in British Columbia, to Stockholm, Auckland or Melbourne she has been a valuable resource to plan and execute a trip. She even custom made a trip to South Africa complete with safari when we were unable to find a package tour that meet our needs. We wouldn't think of planning a trip without her.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
33 of 70 people found this review helpful
african safari
Reviewed By Sorin - sudbury ma | Traveled to South Africa ~ Africa
absolutely phenomenal and a pleasure to work with Leslie.Excellent recommendations,great suggestions and vast knowledge of all destinations
Every places she ever recommended has been outstanding and absolutely as described by Leslie.
She is our travel agent for life, and the best we ever used and we would not travel without Leslie doing the planning for our vacations.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
29 of 71 people found this review helpful
great travel suggestions
Reviewed By sharon - Natick Mass/ | Traveled to Caribbean
Lesley takes time to learn preferences and tastes before suggesting travel so that clients are comfortable knowing that a particular destination will suit their needs. Lesley follows through even when trips are confirmed, always seeking potential savings or better pricing.
When a trip is over, Lesley seeks feedback to insure that experiences were positive and that goals were met.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
37 of 94 people found this review helpful