ABOUT US
Kristine Nations, CTC
Luxury Travel Advisor
Event Planner
Kristine is the founder and Chief Executive Officer. She is a Certified Travel Consultant with in-depth training and experience as a customized international itinerary specialist and luxury travel advisor. Kristine holds a Masters degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Project Management as well as a Bachelor's degree in Economics and International Relations. She has lived in both the United States and the United Kingdom. She has 30+ years of experience in meeting and event planning for groups from 10 people to over 3,000. Kristine is the senior corporate travel planner for key accounts.
Kay Hubbard
Leisure Travel Advisor
Specializing in leisure sales, world-traveler Kay is a certified cruise counselor with Virgin Voyages, Princess Cruise Lines, Cunard Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Lines, and Norwegian Cruise Lines. Over the past 20 years with Nations Travel, Kay has held roles as a travel consultant, assistant meeting planner, onsite event coordinator, and group specialist.
Melanie McCoy, VTA
Independent Travel Advisor
Melanie creates customized itineraries for both domestic and international travel. Her personal globetrotting experiences help influence creative and detailed holidays for clients looking for specifically tailored experiences. Melanie holds a Bachelor's degree from CSU Long Beach in Marketing. Her recent professional training through ASTA includes completion of the Verified Travel Advisor program. She is an excellent resource for finding the next perfect group tour or cruise to fit your dream vacation.
Ellie Nations
Operations Management & Leisure Travel Advisor
Ellie brings a wealth of experience to the agency, having visited over 60 countries. Ellie holds a Juris Doctorate from USC Gould School of Law and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Alabama Honors College with a B.A. in anthropology and minors in business and French. She is a member of the California Bar. Her love of culture and languages shows with fluency in French, Mandarin, and Japanese. Her area of expertise at the agency is creating customized itineraries to Europe.
Madeline Nations
Travel Advisor
Madeline has journeyed around the world having visited over 65 countries. At the agency, she assists with market research, document management, and event planning. Madeline holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Administration from University of the Pacific class of 2024. She is currently in graduate school pursuing her MBA with a concentration in Healthcare Leadership while working part time at the agency. She has completed specialty training with Virgin Voyages, the Disney College of Knowledge, Marriott Corporation, and Princess Cruise Lines. Madeline has traveled extensively in 6 of the 7 continents and plans events as well as both individual and group travel.
Laura Rettinger
Independent Travel Advisor
Laura began her Travel and Tourism career with a 4-year position with Norwegian Cruise Line managing the children’s department onboard the SS Norway. She has a Bachelor of Science in Travel and Tourism and a Master’s in Education and is currently working full time as a teacher and pursuing her travel passions with Nations Executive Travel Services. She has experience traveling in England, Scotland, Greece, Turkey, Italy, France, and Thailand and holds a Masters of Adventure from Royal Caribbean University.
Sara Budde
Independent Travel Advisor
Sara has always had a passion for adventure and travel. She has traveled much of Australia, parts of western Europe and the US. Residing in her home state of Minnesota she enjoys planning action-packed itineraries as well as relaxing getaways from Minnesota winters. Sara holds a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development & Family Science and International Studies with a minor in Extension Education. Experiencing new cultures, languages, climates and landscapes drives her excitement of new places.
Jon Ingraham
Independent Travel Advisor
Jon’s travels include The Netherlands, Greece, Australia, Peru, The Caribbean, New Zealand, Asia, Italy, England, Spain, Wales, and France among others. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Family and Children’s Ministry as well as a Master of Arts in Education from William Jessup University. Jon has extensive experience in events and directing tours. For the past three years, he has been the Director of Children’s Ministry while spending any free time he has traveling or planning travel for others. Jon’s current certifications include Princess Commodore, Masters of Adventure with Royal Caribbean, Master’s for NCL, and is a Disney College of Knowledge graduate.
Arlene Handler-Smith, CTC
Independent Travel Advisor
Arlene has over 25 years of experience in the travel industry and loves creating dream vacations around the world. In addition to living in both Southern California & Northern California, Arlene has lived in Phoenix, Houston, Oahu, Salt Lake City, New York City, Toronto, Mexico City, and Brighton, UK. Her passion for travel has brought her to 18 countries. She has been scuba diving in Mexico, Hawaii, the Caribbean & Australia’s great barrier reef. She is certified with the Disney College of Knowledge, Virgin Voyages, Ama Waterways, Princess, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines as well as Viking River Cruises. Arlene specializes in active adventure travel & tours as well as high-end cruising. Her destination specialist courses include Switzerland and Australia among others. Arlene is also a graduate of the intensive product courses with Marriott and Hilton hotels.