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Informed Explorer Kris Allen, CTA. Adventure//Family//Unique Travel Advisor
6 continents and 35 countries.

Virtuoso member and certifications with over 30 destinations and suppliers. I am passionate about helping others with their travels because those memories last a lifetime. As a full service travel advisor, I specialize in Adventure, Family and Unique experiences and I’m partnered with local experts. ’m ready to customize your journey with destinations and attractions tailor-made for you because th

at's what you deserve. My goal is to help you to become an Informed Explorer so I’ll be there with you, through every step of the process:
-Rediscovering your dream destinations
-Mapping out all the possibilities,
-Planning those details,
-Booking the travel
-Supporting you while you explore!

Amazing opportunity to not only experience a European river cruise but you would also get to visit Normandy during the 8...
12/06/2024

Amazing opportunity to not only experience a European river cruise but you would also get to visit Normandy during the 80th anniversary of D-Day. You also will be lead by a talented French chef👏🏼Email or message me for more details!

We were so excited to be at the Keukenhof Flower garden on opening day! So stunning, can’t recommend enough putting this...
29/03/2024

We were so excited to be at the Keukenhof Flower garden on opening day! So stunning, can’t recommend enough putting this experience on your travel bucket list
🌺🌹🌷🌸

Rotterdam, Netherlands - The tour guide can make or break the experience for you, luckily ours was great and we loved ou...
24/03/2024

Rotterdam, Netherlands - The tour guide can make or break the experience for you, luckily ours was great and we loved our morning! We then had time to explore a fun food hall, cube houses, flour windmill and so much more on our own.

The Chef’s Table - this was a yummy “tasting dinner” onboard the AmaSerena River Cruise and it’s a speciality experience...
21/03/2024

The Chef’s Table - this was a yummy “tasting dinner” onboard the AmaSerena River Cruise and it’s a speciality experience that’s included when you travel with

Went on a fun boat tour on the canals that run through the town of Giethoorn today!
19/03/2024

Went on a fun boat tour on the canals that run through the town of Giethoorn today!

For the next week, I’ll be at the ASTA River Cruise Conference! Most people don’t know that there are so many kinds of c...
12/03/2024

For the next week, I’ll be at the ASTA River Cruise Conference! Most people don’t know that there are so many kinds of cruise lines and each is different, which means there’s something for everyone! I’d love to help you find the right one for you🌎🛥️🏔️🗼Can you guess how many river cruise companies there are??

We had some extra time in Buenos Aires- had to switch airports (50 minutes apart) so we checked out a few of the cool Bu...
28/12/2023

We had some extra time in Buenos Aires- had to switch airports (50 minutes apart) so we checked out a few of the cool Buenos Aires sites - theatre turned bookstore, Bridge of the Women and the LDS Temple. Flying home tonight

The Drake Passage - has been called the Drake lake or The Drake Shake.    We had the lake on the way down - and now on o...
26/12/2023

The Drake Passage - has been called the Drake lake or The Drake Shake. We had the lake on the way down - and now on our 3rd day (Sunday - Tuesday) of the Drake Shake. We left Antarctica to get ahead of the huge storm coming up - thank goodness for great captains and crew. Couple of firsts: spent more time lying down on my bed than ever before, held my glasses at dinner so they wouldn’t slide off the table, understand why there are handles on your bed (2:30 am), why there are hand holds all over the ship. After all these firsts - still worth it in order to experience the wonder and awe of Antarctica

Roberts Island - part of the South Shetland Islands Our last stop - Elephant seals, both chinstrap and Gentoo penguins- ...
26/12/2023

Roberts Island - part of the South Shetland Islands

Our last stop - Elephant seals, both chinstrap and Gentoo penguins- have a photo of babies penguins staying warm and being fed. Grey seals are the baby seals - have to love the eyes What a beautiful place!

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love sent to me... twelve drummers drumming!Did you know that New Orleans played...
24/12/2023

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love sent to me... twelve drummers drumming!

Did you know that New Orleans played a central role in the development and popularization of drums? Unlike other places during the early history of the United States, New Orleans allocated space for people no matter their ethnicity to play music together! This unprecedented cultural sharing of music was called Congo Square.

Today drums still have a prominent role in the cultural diversity of New Orleans!
Brass bands are an integral part of parades, funerals, and many other events within the city. Second line parades are when drums play a syncopated rhythm that encourages people to get up and dance to join the parade. Finally, drums provide the rhythmic foundation for chants and the songs that the Mardi Gras Indians perform.

As you can see the diverse drumming traditions found in New Orleans are something to behold and pay homage to the city’s African, European, Caribbean, and Creole influences. The rhythmic complexity, improvisation, and celebratory nature of New Orleans drumming have left an indelible mark on the city’s musical landscape.

Found our third kind of penguins today - Chinstrap- they like very high rocky homes.  We kind of looked like penguins cl...
23/12/2023

Found our third kind of penguins today - Chinstrap- they like very high rocky homes. We kind of looked like penguins climbing the hill today.

Today we had to climb up to find the Chinstrap penguins - we looked a bit like penguins climbing the hill.
23/12/2023

Today we had to climb up to find the Chinstrap penguins - we looked a bit like penguins climbing the hill.

What difference a day makes - weather and location - still under the Antarctic circle - we got to stand on sea ice.  Als...
22/12/2023

What difference a day makes - weather and location - still under the Antarctic circle - we got to stand on sea ice. Also saw black ice - this is thought to be almost 100,000 years old - how crazy is that!!!!

On the ninth day of Christmas my true love sent to me... nine ladies dancing!Although you can see dancers in many parts ...
21/12/2023

On the ninth day of Christmas my true love sent to me... nine ladies dancing!

Although you can see dancers in many parts of the world, we want to focus on ballet in Vienna! The Vienna State Ballet or Wiener Staatsballett, believe it or not is considered one of the world’s top ballet companies! This ballet company can be found at two locations: the Vienna State Opera and the Volksoper. Their season runs yearly from September to June and highlights an extensive repertoire.

Ballet in Vienna dates all the way back to 1622 when Eleonore Gonzaga first danced. It was practiced solely by those of the nobility class. Over time, professional dancers were slowly accepted, and it wasn’t until after the early 18th century that a purely professional troupe existed!

This morning’s excursion on Horseshoe Island - we are south of the antarctic circle.  A couple of seals and penguins alo...
20/12/2023

This morning’s excursion on Horseshoe Island - we are south of the antarctic circle. A couple of seals and penguins along with an old post building only added to the incredible scenery!!!! #

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me... seven swans a-swimming!!!The Boston Public Garden established...
19/12/2023

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me... seven swans a-swimming!!!

The Boston Public Garden established back in 1837 is land that was at one time tidal marshes. The Swan Boats at this fabulous garden date all the way back to the 1870s when a man by the name of Robert Paget was granted a boat by the city of Boston and began rowing on the lagoon. It soon became a popular pastime for visitors to the garden.

Fast forward to today, the Swan Boats are maneuvered by a driver pedaling and steering with two ropes connected to the rudder. Each boat has a capacity of 20 guests and the leisurely row around the lagoon is a quarter mile in length.

An interesting fact about these handmade boats is that the current fleet is made up of boats that were constructed between 1910-1992! Historic parts of each boat are well maintained to ensure everyone’s safety.

Let me know if you want to enjoy this historic experience in the beautiful city of Boston!

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love sent to me... six geese a-laying!!Today we are taking a trip to Sumner, Misso...
19/12/2023

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love sent to me... six geese a-laying!!

Today we are taking a trip to Sumner, Missouri which is affectionately known as the goose capital of the world! Although there aren’t many people living there, 78 to be exact as of the 2020 census, there are plenty of geese!

Sumner is located along the migratory flyway, and has attracted upwards of 100,000 geese. The city holds a yearly Goose Festival in October, which includes music, food, a parade, and a queen contest.

In 1976 a sculpture was commissioned by the Sumner residents to memorialize the geese. This fiberglass and metal goose has been dubbed the name “Maxie” and believe it or not is over 40ft tall, has a wingspan of 65ft and weighs over 5,000 pounds! Definitely a sight to see!

The US is not the only place that makes delicious food for the holidays🥧In honor of Thanksgiving tomorrow, here are popu...
22/11/2023

The US is not the only place that makes delicious food for the holidays🥧In honor of Thanksgiving tomorrow, here are popular dishes from different countries around the world! I’m so grateful to be part of your travel lives. Happy Thanksgiving!💛🧡
1. Thai Turkey Meatballs - Thailand
2. Hasselback Potatoes - Sweden
3. Turkey Meatloaf w/ Fig Gravy - England
4. Potato Gnocchi - Italy
5. Sweet & Spicy Braised Turkey - Korea
6. Dora Wat - Ethiopia
7. Beans & Rice - Cuba
8. Tourtiere - Canada
9. Maple Glazed Rutabaga - Finland

Have you ever wondered what river cruising is and whether it’s for you? - No seasickness - Access to remote locations th...
17/11/2023

Have you ever wondered what river cruising is and whether it’s for you?
- No seasickness
- Access to remote locations that most tourists don’t get to see
- There are less people onboard than are on a cruise ship
- Calm waters
- Every room has a view

If any of these sound appealing, then this Black Friday Sale is for you!
- Enjoy 2 for 2 Fares - plus up to $15,000 savings per suite with Scenic and up to $6,000 savings per suite with Emerald Cruise

Booking window:
Nov 15 -Nov 30, 2023
Sailing window: 2024-2025

This amazing 2024-2025 Princess Cruises Black Friday Sale starts TODAY and ends November 30th! Don’t miss out. - Up to 5...
14/11/2023

This amazing 2024-2025 Princess Cruises
Black Friday Sale starts TODAY and ends November 30th! Don’t miss out.
- Up to 50% off cruise fares
- Up to 50% reduced deposits
- 3rd and 4th guests sail FREE
Destinations include:
- Alaska
- Asia
- Australia and New Zealand
- California Coast
- Canada and New England
- Caribbean
- Europe
- Hawaii
- Mexico
- South America
- Tahiti
And more!


Happy Halloween! Whether this is your favorite holiday or not, it’s a great time of year to travel and see how different...
31/10/2023

Happy Halloween! Whether this is your favorite holiday or not, it’s a great time of year to travel and see how different countries celebrate!
🎃👻👩🏻‍🎤🤠🦸🏾‍♂️☠️
China
Italy
Guatemala
Ireland
Japan
Cambodia
Salem, Massachusetts
Hong Kong
Korea
Mexico

If Fall isn’t already your favorite season, it will be after you visit one of these stunning locations during the Autumn...
23/10/2023

If Fall isn’t already your favorite season, it will be after you visit one of these stunning locations during the Autumn season. “Leaf” it to me to plan your dream Fall time trip! 🍁🍁🍁
-Japan
-France
-Austria
-Germany
-Amsterdam
-Scotland
-Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
-Colorado
-Alaska
-North Carolina & Virginia

Good luggage makes the world of a difference when traveling. My favorite brand is Away. They are durable, spacious, and ...
05/09/2023

Good luggage makes the world of a difference when traveling.
My favorite brand is Away. They are durable, spacious, and easy to pull.
Something a lot of people don’t know is the allowed size for carry on luggage differs between airlines. For example, the US size is much bigger than what is allowed for Europe.
Trying to sneak your US carry on can cause you to pay airport luggage prices ($60-$80) so make sure to know what size your airline allows!

Always leave room for the unexpected on your trip!  We noticed lots of athletes at breakfast at our hotel the past sever...
27/08/2023

Always leave room for the unexpected on your trip! We noticed lots of athletes at breakfast at our hotel the past several mornings. We saw some Friday night with rackets sticking up for their bags. Recognized they were badminton rackets. Checked it out on the web and turns out the badminton world championship was taking place in Copenhagen. We got seats and spend the morning watching amazing badminton. It was a great change of pace from tourist spots. The reaction time is incredible. The unspoken communication between the pairs team is fascinating. Never miss a chance to see world class athletes!! Owen Allen

Heritage Travel (going where your family is from).I had these instructions Sparrebrohuset, Sengelose, in Hoje Taastrup K...
26/08/2023

Heritage Travel (going where your family is from).

I had these instructions

Sparrebrohuset, Sengelose, in Hoje Taastrup Kommune. Near the estate of Katrinebjerg.

We found the town of Sengelose

Owen found a road outside of town called Sparrebro

We went to the church first in Sengelose then got a taxi to drive us to the address

Knocked on the door and the women there had researched who had lived on the property and confirmed this was where he had lived.

You might not know an address - but just being in the town and area where your relatives were feels wonderful.

It is kind of like finding one more piece to the puzzle of who my relatives are.

Such a great way to add a meaningful element to your travels ❤️

This week I’m in Stockholm with my family! There are so many buildings, museums, and beautiful alley ways to explore.   ...
14/08/2023

This week I’m in Stockholm with my family! There are so many buildings, museums, and beautiful alley ways to explore.


Torup Castle in Svedala Municipality Scania, in southern Sweden. I loved the stories of how when it was built in 1600’s ...
03/06/2023

Torup Castle in Svedala Municipality Scania, in southern Sweden. I loved the stories of how when it was built in 1600’s there were no any interior stairs, the only stairs were in the inner courtyard to get inside each room, there were no connecting rooms. There was also a nature reserve next to it with beautiful camping spots.

A great way to see Malmo Sweden is on a biking tour. We had an amazing time and they have bikes for all abilities! You g...
02/06/2023

A great way to see Malmo Sweden is on a biking tour. We had an amazing time and they have bikes for all abilities! You get to see incredible sights all over the city.
Thanks to Bike and Experiences by Travelshop!




Soderasens National ParkWe had a guide who helped us experience the park with our 5 senses.  I got to walk bare foot (fi...
01/06/2023

Soderasens National Park
We had a guide who helped us experience the park with our 5 senses.  I got to walk bare foot (first time), we focused on what we heard, smelled, etc.  I even got to hug a tree for 30 seconds. Such an amazing way to truly experience and appreciate a national park.




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