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Nora Blum
Nora Blum

Nora Blum

Minneapolis, MN Travel Agent

Travel Leaders

80 Reviews
100% Recommended
25+ Years of Experience
Additional Languages
English

Small Ship Cruising and Privately Guided Vacations

I have over 25+ years of experience providing safe and worry-free vacations for my customers.  I am a specialist in Latin America and Europe, but never hesitate to search out new vacation experiences around the world for my clients. My specialty is privately guided vacations along with small ship cruising that I customize to suit each travelers wishes and desires. I love privately guided touring because the guides are so friendly and knowledgeable, and you can eliminate a lot of the hassles of travel.

Understanding your preferred travel style allows me to focus my recommendations to you on the most important aspects of each trip. Perhaps you enjoy active adventures by day, but prefer a luxury hotel to rest your head at night. Or maybe you prefer a eco-friendly and sustainable hotel with access to great restaurants. Some clients love independent travel with the services of a local host while others prefer the history and cultural information they get from traveling with a private guide.

It's important to understand that there are unique opportunities all over the world for travel that is truly special and meaningful to YOU. I can help you explore these interesting and sometimes off-the-wall options for experiencing more in a way that enriches your life. I like to think you come home from every trip as a different person.

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller 

Areas of Expertise

Destinations:

Costa Rica
Alaska
Peru, Machu Picchu
Hawaii, Maui Island
Germany
Peru
Costa Rica, Arenal
Quintana Roo, Cancun
Peru, Lima
Alaska, Inside Passage
France
Arizona
Costa Rica, Monteverde
Peru, Sacred Valley
Alaska, College Fjord
Costa Rica, Peninsula Papagayo
Peru, Cuzco
Alaska, Skagway
Nevada, Las Vegas
Jamaica
England
Costa Rica, Tamarindo Beach
Alaska, Juneau

Interests:

Adventure
Couples & Romance
River Cruises
Spa & Fitness
All Inclusive
Luxury Hotels
Small Ship Cruises
Wellness
Adult Only
Bespoke Travel
Celebration Travel
Culinary & Foodie
Beach Vacations
Escorted Tours
Honeymoons
Luxury Cruises

Suppliers:

Abercrombie & Kent
Alexander & Roberts
AmaWaterways
Palmaia
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Avalon Waterways
Delta Vacations
Monograms
Silversea
Small Luxury Hotels
G Adventures
Globus
Insight Vacations
Seabourn
Atlas Ocean Voyages
Avanti Destinations
Hurtigruten
Kensington
Playa Resorts
Azamara
Tauck

My Travel Specialties

Back to All Specialties
Alaska Small Ship Cruise and Adventure Specialist

Fjords and Mountains of Alaska

Alaska Small Ship Cruise and Adventure Specialist

<p>I've been to Alaska 4 times and hope to go back again and again.  On two of the trips I cruises the inside passage.  Whether you are going for the natural beauty, the wildlife, the glaciers or the midnight sun, Alaska is a place for you to discover and be curious about our world. </p>
<p> For those interested in splitting the difference between active adventure and relaxed pampering, Alaska’s adventure companies offer some of the best compromises. After a day of hiking, rafting or kayaking, you can relax in your gorgeous stateroom or luxurious hotel and take in the stunning scenery. Whatever your speed, Alaska has something to offer.</p>
<p><strong>Explore the Wilderness </strong></p>
<p>You can experience true Alaska wilderness during the day - and sleep in a warm comfortable bed at night. Guided trips and tours take you to a variety of remote (and not-so-remote) places, where you can enjoy almost any outdoor interest, from kayaking and river rafting, to fly fishing and bear watching.  And don't forget the northern lights!</p>
<p><strong>Get Up Close with Glaciers</strong></p>
<p>Come see the truly ancient, enormous rivers of ice that sculpted Alaska's mountains and calving icebergs that hit the ocean with thunderous roars.</p>
<p><strong>Watch the Wildlife </strong></p>
<p>If you want to see wildlife, Alaska is the place to visit. Bald eagles gather by the hundreds. Moose cause traffic jams. Wild Dall sheep skip along roadside cliffs. Small ship tours and day cruises are a popular way to explore Alaska’s oceans and rivers in a limited time frame, with maximum aesthetics.</p>
<p><strong>Cruise the protected waters of the Inside Passage</strong></p>
<p>The glacier-studded bays of Prince William Sound or the coastline of Southcentral and Southwest Alaska, where wildlife abounds. Brown and black bears, puffins and hundreds of other sea bird species, sea lions, sea otters, whales, moose, eagles, glaciers, and majestic mountains are all common sights while sailing in the summer months.</p>

Other Specialties

Customized guided and experiential vacations

I have over 25+ years of experience providing safe and worry-free vacations for...

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Machu Picchu and Peru Vacations

Machu Picchu is one of those trips of a lifetime you will never forget. I was fo...

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Spa Trips and Wellness Vacations

As a self-proclaimed "Spa Junkie", I understand the needs and desires of travele...

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Costa Rica Wellness Adventure

If you are considering a trip to Costa Rica, I'll help you understand the geogr...

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River Cruising and Guided Vacations

Having experiencing both River Cruising and Guided Vacations, I will use my ex...

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Reviews

80 Reviews
Nora has been helping me with my travel arrangements for over 10 years and she is absolutely THE BEST! I can always count on Nora to find the perfect destination with great accommodations - and at a price I can afford. Nora is so helpful and knowledgeable - she definitely knows Mexico and the Caribbean - my favorite places to visit! She always goes above and beyond to make sure everything goes well. And, she also asks for feedback after the trip to make sure everything went as planned. I know people who try to plan their own international trips on the internet, but are very disappointed with how it turns out. I don't have to worry about being disappointed...because Nora helps arrange my trips. She's awesome!!
Kimberly - Mexico
My husband and I knew we wanted to take a trip of a lifetime for our 15th wedding anniversary and for the first time decided to seek the help of a travel agent. Nora had come recommended and we are so glad we sought her guidance and expertise!<br/><br/>Nora was extremely helpful and knowledgeable during all phases of planning. She was patient when I couldn't make up my mind on hotels and locations and was a steady and calm force offering thoughtful feedback and pro/con arguments for various choices we had to make. She encouraged us to stick with our original Costa Rica plan when we considered alternative destinations, and I'm so glad she offered her genuine advice. She knew what we were looking for in this vacation and made the best recommendation for us.<br/>She also offered sage advice to not fill up our vacation with excess excursions but enjoy the luxurious amenities of our hotels. All along I felt she was trying to provide us exactly the kind of trip we desired and that's what we got! :)
Merkster - Costa Rica ~ Central America
We have worked with Ms. Blum since 2008 . Ms. Blum has helped arrange four trips . Ms. Blum responds to our emails within 24 hours. She has our travel information organized and easy to understand and follow.
Susan - Alaska ~ USA

Certifications & Awards

Additional Certifications

  • Alaska Travel Expert
  • Certified Travel Industry Executive
  • 2024 Agency Of The Year Award
  • Certified Luxury Specialist
  • ASTA Verified Travel Advisor
  • Travel Leaders Certified Specialist

My Places