Custom Vacation Planning for Orlando & Central Florida
Custom Vacation Planning at Zero Cost to You
Sometimes you know exactly where you want to go. Other times, you just know you’re ready to go somewhere.
I can help with both.
I’m Cindy Lajoie, an IATA-accredited independent travel advisor and vacation planner serving Central Florida. I help travelers plan personalized beach vacations, all-inclusive resort stays, romantic island escapes, African safaris, National Park adventures, scenic rail journeys, family vacations, and more. Whether you already have a destination in mind or need help narrowing down your options, we can create a vacation built around what you genuinely want to experience.
I’ll take the time to understand your travel style, interests, budget, and priorities, then help you find destinations and experiences that make sense for you. I serve travelers throughout Orlando, Orange County, Volusia County, and beyond, and my travel planning services are free of charge to my clients.
So, if your vacation ideas currently consist of a dozen saved photos and “somewhere warm,” that’s perfectly fine.
We can start there.
Why Plan Your Destination Vacation With Me?
The internet can give you thousands of vacation ideas in seconds.
That isn’t always helpful.
The challenge is figuring out which destination, resort, hotel, tour, or experience fits your priorities.
That’s where I come in.
As an IATA-accredited independent travel advisor, I help you narrow the choices and plan around your budget, travel style, interests, and preferences. You work directly with me, so you have someone who actually knows what we’ve planned and why we chose it.
I’m also available to provide support before, during, and after your trip.
And I don’t charge my clients a planning fee. I’m compensated by travel suppliers, which means my travel planning services come at no additional planning cost to you.
All-inclusive resort getaways
Where Do You Want Your Next Vacation to Take You?
There is no single perfect destination.
Maybe your idea of paradise is waking up to turquoise water outside your resort. Maybe it’s watching wildlife on an African safari, seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time, riding a train through the mountains, or checking into a beautiful boutique hotel for an anniversary getaway.
What matters is finding the experience that feels right for you.
I can help plan everything from relaxing vacations where doing absolutely nothing is encouraged to trips built around exploration, wildlife, food, culture, scenery, and adventure.
Here are a few places your next escape could take you.
Beach Escapes & Tropical Destinations
If you’re happiest with warm weather, beautiful water, and sand between your toes, we already have a great place to start.
Beach vacations can be as laid-back or active as you want them to be. Spend your days reading beside the water, book a snorkeling excursion, explore a nearby town, take a sunset catamaran cruise, or do a little of everything.
Popular beach and tropical destinations include:
- Caribbean islands
- Cancun and Riviera Maya
- Punta Cana
- Jamaica
- The Bahamas
- Aruba
- Turks and Caicos
- Hawaii
- Florida Keys
- U.S. Virgin Islands
- Bermuda
- Costa Rica and Central America
I can help you compare destinations based on travel time, resort style, activities, atmosphere, budget, and the kind of beach vacation you have in mind.
Activities & Excursions That Make the Trip Yours
You don’t have to spend your entire resort vacation beside the pool—unless, of course, that’s exactly what you want to do.
Depending on your destination, you might add experiences such as:
- Snorkeling or scuba diving
- Catamaran and sunset cruises
- Zip-lining and eco-tours
- Spa and wellness experiences
- Cultural tours
- Local sightseeing
- Wildlife excursions
- Guided outdoor adventures
I can help you think through how much you want to do rather than packing your itinerary just because activities are available.
Sometimes the best schedule has plenty of empty space.
Scenic Rail Journeys Across America
Not every great vacation requires getting somewhere as quickly as possible.
Sometimes the journey is part of the experience.
Scenic rail vacations offer a completely different way to see North America, taking you through mountain ranges, forests, deserts, river valleys, small towns, and landscapes you might otherwise fly right over.
Rail experiences can include:
- Amtrak Coast Starlight
- California Zephyr
- Rocky Mountaineer
- Grand Canyon Railway
- Alaska Railroad adventures
- National Parks by rail packages
A scenic train journey can work as the centerpiece of a vacation or as one part of a larger itinerary.
If sitting back, watching the scenery change outside your window, and enjoying the journey sounds like your kind of travel, let’s explore the possibilities.
National Parks & Nature Escapes
Some places remind you just how big and beautiful the world really is.
America’s National Parks offer everything from dramatic canyons and towering mountains to waterfalls, forests, lakes, wildlife, and wide-open spaces.
Destinations you might consider include:
- Yellowstone National Park
- Grand Canyon National Park
- Yosemite National Park
- Glacier National Park
- Zion and Bryce Canyon
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- Acadia National Park
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Your vacation could focus on hiking and outdoor adventure, scenic drives and sightseeing, photography, wildlife, or simply enjoying the landscape at a slower pace.
You don’t have to be an expert hiker to enjoy a nature-focused trip. I can help you explore options based on the level of activity and comfort you prefer.
All-Inclusive Resort Vacations
There’s something nice about arriving at a resort and knowing most of the vacation has already been taken care of.
All-inclusive resorts can bundle accommodations with a variety of dining, drinks, entertainment, and activities, although exactly what’s included varies by property.
The key is finding the right resort.
Some properties are quiet and romantic. Others have a lively social atmosphere. Some are designed around families, while others cater specifically to adults.
I can help you compare all-inclusive resorts in destinations such as Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, the Bahamas, and other Caribbean and tropical locations based on what matters most to you.
Instead of choosing from a few pretty photos, we’ll look at the overall experience.
Adults-Only & Romantic Getaways
Sometimes the goal is simple: get away together.
Adults-only resorts can be a wonderful option for couples who want a quieter atmosphere, whether you’re celebrating something or simply overdue for some uninterrupted time together.
Depending on the destination and property, your getaway might include spa treatments, romantic dining, beautiful pools, beach time, nightlife, excursions, or a schedule that consists of absolutely nothing.
I can help you explore adults-only resort options, including properties from brands such as Sandals, Secrets, Breathless, Excellence, and Hyatt Zilara, along with other resorts that match the experience you’re looking for.
Honeymoons & Anniversary Vacations
A honeymoon or anniversary deserves more than choosing the first package that looks good online.
These trips are personal.
Maybe you picture an overwater bungalow in the Maldives or Bora Bora. Maybe Hawaii feels more like you. Perhaps you’d rather wander through a European city, escape to a Caribbean resort, explore Santorini or the Amalfi Coast, or celebrate somewhere in Fiji or Tahiti.
I can help you sort through the possibilities and build a trip around the way you want to celebrate.
That might mean luxury and privacy. It might mean adventure. It might mean great food, a gorgeous beach, and nowhere you need to be until dinner.
Your celebration doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.
Family Resort Vacations
A successful family vacation has to work for more than one person.
The kids may want pools, waterparks, clubs, games, and entertainment. Parents might be hoping for a little relaxation somewhere in between. If grandparents or extended family are coming, accommodations and activities can become even more important.
Depending on the resort, family-friendly features may include kids’ clubs, teen programs, splash areas, family suites, connecting rooms, shows, activities, and kid-friendly dining.
I can help you explore family-focused options from brands and properties such as Beaches Resorts, Hyatt Ziva, Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts, Disney Resorts, and Aulani, as well as other destinations that fit your family.
Tell me who’s going, what everyone enjoys, and what would make the trip easier. I’ll help from there.
Wildlife Adventures
For some travelers, seeing wildlife in its natural environment is the moment that turns a good trip into an unforgettable one.
Wildlife-focused vacations can include bear viewing in Alaska, whale watching, birding and eagle tours, Yellowstone wildlife experiences, Canadian adventures, and coastal or marine wildlife excursions.
These experiences can be especially rewarding for nature lovers and photographers, but you don’t need a giant camera lens or a lifetime birding list to enjoy them.
Sometimes you just want to see something incredible with your own eyes.
African Safari Adventures
There are bucket-list trips, and then there’s going on safari.
I can help travelers explore safari experiences in destinations such as Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.
Depending on where and when you travel, a safari may offer opportunities to see lions, elephants, giraffes, leopards, rhinos, and many other species. Certain itineraries may also provide opportunities to experience extraordinary natural events such as the Great Migration.
Accommodations and travel styles can range from tented camps to luxury lodges, with guided game drives and other activities forming part of the experience.
Safari planning involves important decisions about destination, season, itinerary, accommodations, transportation, and activity level. Rather than trying to piece it all together yourself, I can help you navigate the choices and find an experience that fits your expectations.
Guided Tours & Adventure Vacations
Want to explore somewhere new without figuring out every detail along the way?
A guided vacation may be a good fit.
Guided experiences can include hiking and walking tours, National Park adventures, photography trips, sightseeing itineraries, river and canyon experiences, and other outdoor or culturally focused journeys.
They can also be great for solo travelers, couples, friends, or groups who like the idea of having a planned itinerary and knowledgeable guides while still enjoying the experience for themselves.
Adventure doesn’t have to mean roughing it.
It can simply mean seeing somewhere you’ve never seen before.
Boutique Hotels, Villas & Elevated Escapes
Maybe you’re looking for something beyond a traditional resort.
Boutique hotels can offer a more intimate atmosphere, distinctive design, historic character, or a stronger connection to the destination. Private villas and estates can provide additional space and privacy for couples, families, and groups.
Depending on the property and destination, options can range from overwater villas and beachfront estates to mountain chalets and European countryside retreats.
Some travelers want a hotel that’s simply a comfortable place to sleep between adventures.
Others want to walk into their accommodations and immediately think, “This is part of the vacation.”
I can help with both.
Food, Wine & Memorable Travel Experiences
A great trip isn’t always defined by the hotel or destination.
Sometimes the thing you remember most is dinner.
Depending on where you travel, your vacation can include experiences such as wine tastings, vineyard tours, cooking classes, chef-led dining, local food experiences, sunset cocktails, or special celebration dinners.
Resort vacations can also offer specialty dining, private or romantic dining options, tasting menus, and other culinary experiences depending on the property.
If food is an important part of how you travel, tell me.
Those details matter when we’re choosing where you should go.
Frequently Asked Questions About Destination Vacations
What types of vacations can you plan?
I can help with beach and resort vacations, all-inclusive getaways, family trips, honeymoons, anniversaries, romantic escapes, scenic rail journeys, National Parks, wildlife adventures, African safaris, guided tours, boutique and luxury stays, and custom destination vacations.
Do you charge a travel planning fee?
No. My travel planning services are free of charge to my clients because I’m compensated by travel suppliers.
What if I don’t know where I want to go?
That’s completely fine. Tell me when you want to travel, who is going, your approximate budget, and what you want the vacation to feel like. I can help narrow down destinations from there.
Can you help plan activities as well as accommodations?
Yes. Depending on your destination and trip, I can help explore activities, excursions, transportation, dining experiences, and other components of your vacation.
Do you only plan vacations for Central Florida residents?
No. I proudly serve travelers throughout Orlando, Orange County, Volusia County, and surrounding Central Florida communities, but I can also work with travelers beyond Florida.
Where Do You Want to Go Next?
Maybe it’s an all-inclusive resort with a beach steps from your room.
Maybe it’s a train winding through the mountains, your first glimpse of the Grand Canyon, a romantic villa, or watching an elephant cross the landscape on safari.
Or maybe you have absolutely no idea yet.
That’s okay.
Tell me what you want your vacation to feel like, and I’ll help you figure out where that feeling can take you.
Personal vacation planning. IATA-accredited travel guidance. No planning fee to you.
Your next favorite place may be somewhere you haven’t even considered yet.
