Sandee Hughes

New Orleans, LA Travel Agent

BucketList Travel Advisors

24 Reviews

100% Recommended

8 Years of Experience

Additional Languages

English

Advisor Specializing in Custom Luxury Europe

Hi there, I would like to introduce myself.

I am Sandee Hughes, your trusted advisor for custom-crafted, luxury travel experiences with unique experiences to inspiring destinations.

Dreaming of an unforgettable European adventure? Look no further. Combining the magic of France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and iconic river cruises, I create personalized journeys that unveil hidden gems, indulge your senses, and leave you with memories that last a lifetime.

A certified luxury travel specialist, I delve into your travel dreams, crafting journeys that perfectly match your interests and lifestyle. Whether you seek romantic escapes in Provence, family adventures in Spain, or wine immersion in Tuscany, I weave your desires into a tapestry of unique experiences.

I can guide you along the rivers of Europe or independently through countries. As a luxury destination specialist for France, Italy, Portugal & Spain and a river cruise specialist, I can match you with immersive and customizable luxury journeys. My expertise goes beyond just visiting the sites, encompassing the richness of each region's culture and hidden gems. I also have the ability to pair travel with wine tourism through the "Old World" European wine regions.

As a Society of Wine specialist, I unlock the magic of Europe's diverse wine regions. Imagine private tastings with renowned winemakers in Bordeaux, discovering hidden bodegas in Rioja, or enjoying private picnics paired with local delicacies amidst picturesque vineyards.

Why do I love being a concierge travel agent? Plain and simple, because I too love to travel. The richness a well-planned journey brings to personal growth as a human is unmeasurable. Seeing this firsthand with service to you, my clients, brings me enjoyment and excitement.

A verified travel advisor, I have spent years educating myself, familiarizing myself with and understanding luxury travel around the world. My in-depth knowledge of these captivating destinations goes beyond guidebooks. I collaborate with trusted local partners, ensuring exclusive access to hidden gems, authentic cultural experiences, and VIP access to exclusive sites.

Let me orchestrate your unforgettable European escape. Contact me today, and together we'll design a journey that transcends expectations, leaving you with memories that forever capture the magic of Europe.

For more information visit www.BucketListTravelAdvisors.com

Ready to get started? Copy and paste trips.info.bucketlisttraveladvisors.com/travelrequestform into your internet browser.

-sandee

My Travel Specialties Reviews Certificates & Awards My Places Travel Stories & Media Itineraries

Areas of Expertise

Destinations:

France

Italy

Portugal

Spain

Portugal, Lisbon

France, Bordeaux

Italy, Florence

Portugal, Porto

Spain, Barcelona

France, Normandy

Italy, Milan

Portugal, Algarve

Spain, Madrid

Austria

France, Paris

Italy, Positano

Portugal, Azores

Spain, Seville

Germany

France, Provence

Italy, Rome

Portugal, Madeira

Spain, Costa del Sol

Interests:

Castles & Cathedrals

Premier Concierge Services

Solo Travel

Culinary & Foodie

European Culture

Luxury

Food & Wine

Christmas Markets

River Cruises

Suppliers:

AmaWaterways

Avalon Waterways

My Travel Specialties

Back to All Specialties

Uncork Portugal's Magic

Bespoke Travel through Portugal

Step into the sun-drenched charm of Portugal with Sandee, your certified travel specialist crafting unforgettable, bespoke adventures.
With firsthand knowledge honed through extensive travel through the country, I curate personalized itineraries for exploration, relaxation, and indulging in Portugal's renowned wines and ports.Forget generic tours and crowded hotspots.
I unveil the authentic heart of Portugal, from its vibrant cities to idyllic coastlines. Imagine trekking through ancient cork forests in Alentejo, exploring vibrant street art in Lisbon, or soaking up the sunshine on secluded Algarve beaches.I design journeys that match your unique desires.
Picture yourselves learning to surf in world-famous waves, participating in traditional tile-painting workshops, or embarking on private tours of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.For discerning wine and port enthusiasts, I curate exquisite experiences. Imagine private tastings with renowned Douro Valley winemakers, unearthing hidden wineries in hidden countryside gems, or indulging in gourmet picnics paired with local delicacies amidst breathtaking vineyards.
What truly sets me apart is my certified expertise and my collaboration with an in-country partner. Together, we provide unparalleled guidance and local insights, ensuring every step of your journey is effortless and enriching. Think VIP access to exclusive experiences, local recommendations beyond the tourist trail, and 24/7 support for a worry-free adventure.
From charming pousadas steeped in history to contemporary boutique hotels offering stunning views, your journey exudes Portuguese charm and comfort. Imagine relaxing in infinity pools overlooking turquoise waters, indulging in fresh seafood under starlit skies, or experiencing the warmth of Portuguese hospitality at every turn.As you are ready to embark on a journey that tantalizes your taste buds, fuels your wanderlust, and leaves you with unforgettable memories?
Contact Sandee and let me design your personalized Portuguese escape, where exploration, relaxation, and wine/port experiences seamlessly intertwine.
See a sample itinerary on my website:
https://bucketlisttraveladvisors.com/bespoke-travel-through-portugal/

Other Specialties

Tailor Made Italy Luxury Travel

As a certified Italy travel specialist with 5+ years of experience in Italy, Sa...

Luxe French Travel Itineraries

Welcome to the art of unforgettable French experiences with Sandee, your Luxe F...

Spain Itineraries by Design

Passionate about Spain? Step into an unforgettable adventure with Sandee, your e...

The Rivers of Europe in Luxury

Follow the waterways through countries on Europe's rivers. As the backbone of ci...

Elevate Europe with a Custom Travel Specialist

Hi there, I would like to introduce myself. I am Sandee Hughes, your trusted ad...

Reviews

24 Reviews

Our trip to Madrid and Barcelona in June 2025 was truly a trip of a lifetime. Sandee took the time to understand that we wanted a blend of culture, cuisine and history. We asked her to pack as many tours and activities into this vacation as possible. She did just that! Every detail was thoughtfully customized just for us! The boutique hotels were charming and ideally located, the transfers were smooth, and the activities she planned for us were absolutely amazing! I cannot say enough about the private tours and the fantastic tour guides that Sandee booked for us! Every tour felt intimate and insightful! We toured cathedrals, palace’s, architectural marvels, had dinner on a private catamaran in the Mediterranean, and had a blast watching flamenco dancers. Every experience felt uniquely ours! Sandee was always just a message away, though everything was so well planned we were able to relax and enjoy every moment. Sandee, thank you so much for every unforgettable memory that we will ha

HappyTraveller7 - Madrid | Spain | Europe

Sandee helped pull off one of our dream vacations to Morocco, Barcelona, Nice and Monaco. So many positives, we loved so many aspects of the trip from the activities to sites to hotels and quite a few delicious meals.

WMAdventures - Europe

Every detail for our Italy vacation was perfect, and Sandee's recommendations were so amazing and helpful. Thank you again for helping make our trip of a lifetime so incredible! I appreciate you and I am giving your name to friends!

LoveMeT - Amalfi | Italy | Europe

Sandee has helped us plan multiple trips for both just us and for our entire family. She listens to what we like to do and coordinates the perfect trip for us. Our last trip to Spain and Italy was exactly what we wanted- part land and part cruise. Sandee follows up on how we are doing during the trip and helps us with any questions. Everything has gone smoothly for every trip she’s helped us plan. Her knowledge of travel in different countries was so valuable. We look forward to working with Sandee with all our future travel plans!

Nancy - Italy | Europe

We were trying to plan our long overdue honeymoon that included our now teenage boys. We wanted to explore a French canal on our own boat and our boys wanted to see the 24 hour Le Mans race and Paris. Sandee made it all work for us by reserving a canal boat on the Sarthe River in close proximity to Le Mans. Following the race we spent a few days exploring the villages along the Sarthe river, including taking in Vespers at an amazingly beautiful monastery. Sandee arranged private drivers and private tours for us as well. This included a drive to Mount St Michael and a tour of the interior. We had a private driver and tour of Normandy which was not part of our original plan in France, but was an amazing addition that Sandee recommended for us. Standing on Omaha Beach and Utah Beach was an experience my two boys will never forget. Sandee also arranged tours for us in Paris that included the Louvre and Versailles. We stayed in a beautiful hotel close to the Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay. Sa

Stacey - France | Europe

It was wonderful! We knew any given day what we would be doing and the contact who would guide or drive us. Sandy provided us with a trip which we will not forget! Thank you!

Garners - Europe

I reached out to Sandee to organize a 10-day family reunion in northern Italy. There were a total of 19 of us from 8 states across the US. Sandee arranged drivers, tickets to several attractions, personal tour coordinator who traveled with us and a variety of other services. She would respond in a timely manner and did so in a kind and courteous manner. I would not hesitate to use Sandee again and again. Highly recommend her!!!

Italian/American - Italy ~ Europe

Sandee was a pleasure to work with. Excellent communication during the entire planning process to ensure every detail is planned perfectly to our desires.

Bob A - Italy ~ Europe

We have booked several amazing vacations with Sandee. This last one to Italy certainly tops the list. Every detail was handled from drivers, tours, guides, transports and beautiful hotels. There's no way we could have planned a trip like this on our own. It made it completely stress free to have everything planned in advance with a contact in Italy to make everything completely seamless. The memories from this trip will last a lifetime. We wanted to do something very special since our kids are getting older we wanted to cherish this time together. Thank you Sandee for planning this trip to perfection. We loved every minute!! Bravo!! Italy was magical and the trip was beyond anything we could have imagined.

Lisa - Italy ~ Europe

Sandee has been great to work with in arranging our travel. She has helped us book several cruises and has been helpful and knowledgeable. Sandee has made our trips much easier and carefree. Love working with her.

June - Rhine Valley ~ Germany ~ Europe

Every time we have worked with Sandee she always gets it right! The right Hotels, the right guides the right restaurants. Always love Sandee planned trips!

Carl - Paris ~ France ~ Europe

Sandee planned our dream trip starting in Germany and ending in France. She planned an itinerary that exceeded our expectations. I would highly recommend Sandee and she will definitely be planning our next adventure.

Sherry A. - Europe

Sandee was an outstanding travel agent for us. She helped us book an AMA Waterways Danube tour and little did we know she would be working with us on the itinerary for three years through Covid, scheduling and rescheduling twice! Sandee has excellent communications skills, responds promptly and shares her expertise on the different locations. Such a pleasure to work with and we plan to use her again for another European trip next fall. Sandee handled our booking well, but friends from Hong Kong used an international travel agency and had a mediocre experience. Our friends relied on Sandee’s communications with us to stay on top of rescheduling insurance policies, booking deadlines and last items to handle before travel.

Betty W - Danube ~ On the River ~ At Sea

As a wedding gift, we were gifted a honeymoon (location of our choosing) from a family member who has worked with Sandee many times. After working with her, it is obvious why clients keep returning. Everything was PERFECT. There was not one thing about our trip that we would change. Each day we had a planned itinerary that was perfectly detailed, the only stress we faced was making sure our suitcases weren't over 50 pounds! I cannot thank Sandee enough for planning THE most perfect honeymoon. We will forever cherish the memories we made with the help of Sandee. Side note- I want to mention Sandee was extremely easy to get in contact with even with the 7-hr. time zone difference!!

Rollison - Greece ~ Europe

As always, Sandee's thoughtful approach to planning our trips leads to amazing adventures. Many thanks for making memories on another perfectly planned 14 day adventure in France with our adult children.”

John F - France ~ Europe

Working with Sandee was very relaxing to the mind and stress free in the planning process. She recommended in detail places to go, tours to go on, eateries, wineries....the works

Lindsay - Rome ~ Italy ~ Europe

Sandee takes care of everything and really works to understand what type of vacation your looking for. We’ve used her for several big vacations now and will continue!

amber - Italy ~ Europe

My wife and I have experienced numerous river cruises on over three continents, as recommended and managed by Sandee. We became familiar with her via the recommendation of good friends who had also traveled with AmaWaterways. Her focus on detail and customer service has resulted in fantastic trips and experiences. In addition, we have recommended her to other friends who were delighted with her planning and execution of their travels. For 2024, Sandee is currently planning a trip for us to Egypt and Jordan and, in 2025, to Israel and Greece. Both trips will be with friends we met who also use Sandee. That says a lot.

DHooks - Africa

Sandee is a great agent. She is knowledgeable, organized, and most of all patient. My favorite thing about working with Sandee is how proactive she is about everything. She reaches out and makes sure you have all of the information you need and that everything is taken care of.

Andrew - Vietnam ~ East and Southeast Asia

Sandee was a life saver in helping us plan all the details of our trip/cruise to Italy in the Fall of 2021. She was very knowledgeable and experienced with creating the perfect itinerary for us. She understood what our goals were and she connected us with the transportation and tour guides we needed while in Rome so our trip was completely stress free. She checked in with us while on trip to make sure everything was going well and followed up once we arrived back home. We love the services that Sandee offers and use her as our go to for all our big trips!

Stevens family - Italy ~ Europe

Working with Sandee on vacation travel is a joy. Contrary to some agents we had in the past, she is knowledgeable in all aspect of the travel she arranges from the best flights, river/ocean cruises, which are the preferred cabins, best time of year to go, what land tours/excursions are available for your desired destination, etc She is familiar with the itinerary and the vessel(s) you take. She is always available for questions and very prompt in getting your questions answered. The BEST travel agent we have ever had over the last 60 years bar none. Guaranteed she has your best interests at heart. Plus she is a VTA Certified Wine and Travel Specialist! We have been booking our trips with Sandee for many years and currently have 3 planned for 2023. She really is the best.

Frequent Traveler Paul - Europe

Made traveling seamless. She took care of everything. Our trip was canceled two times due to Covid. Sandee was able to get us rebooked and gave us the best travel experience of our lives. Our private shore excursions made the trip that much better. She only uses true touring specialist that she personally has used. If you are looking for a travel agent I cannot recommend Sandee enough. Thanks for being so awesome Sandee. Can’t wait to plan our next trip.

J.Lembo - European cruise

Working with Sandee is a five star experience

Babs - Hungary ~ Europe

Sandee is absolutely amazing! We had booked an amazing Italy and Greece trip that was impacted by covid and Sandee helped us throughout the entire covid shit down experience. Then right before the trip I got sick and Sandee booked an emergency plan B just in case I could not do the original experience. Sandee is the BEST travel agent that you want to go through. She is so knowledgeable and helpful in every area. Our excursions and transportation was top of the line and I can't wait to book our next adventure with her!!!

KatyC - Italy ~ Europe

Certifications & Awards

Additional Certifications

Certified Travel Partner For Portugal
Italia Certified Travel To Italy Specialist
Spain Specialist Certification
AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
American Society Of Travel Advisors �VTA” Verified
Uniworld River Cruise Specialist
Wine Specialist - Society Of Wine Educators
Avalon Waterways Specialist

My Places

Spain, Europe

Booked It 8 Times

Been There 2 Times

★★★★★

Our trip to Madrid and Barcelona in June 2025 was truly a tr...ip of a lifetime. Sandee took the time to understand that we wanted a blend of culture, cuisine and history. We asked her to pack as many tours and activities into this vacation as possible. She did just that! Every detail was thoughtfully customized just for us! The boutique hotels were charming and ideally located, the transfers were smooth, and the activities she planned for us were absolutely amazing! I cannot say enough about the private tours and the fantastic tour guides that Sandee booked for us! Every tour felt intimate and insightful! We toured cathedrals, palace’s, architectural marvels, had dinner on a private catamaran in the Mediterranean, and had a blast watching flamenco dancers. Every experience felt uniquely ours! Sandee was always just a message away, though everything was so well planned we were able to relax and enjoy every moment. Sandee, thank you so much for every unforgettable memory that we will ha Read More Show Less

France, Europe

Booked It 10 Times

Been There 3 Times

★★★★★

We were trying to plan our long overdue honeymoon that inclu...ded our now teenage boys. We wanted to explore a French canal on our own boat and our boys wanted to see the 24 hour Le Mans race and Paris. Sandee made it all work for us by reserving a canal boat on the Sarthe River in close proximity to Le Mans. Following the race we spent a few days exploring the villages along the Sarthe river, including taking in Vespers at an amazingly beautiful monastery. Sandee arranged private drivers and private tours for us as well. This included a drive to Mount St Michael and a tour of the interior. We had a private driver and tour of Normandy which was not part of our original plan in France, but was an amazing addition that Sandee recommended for us. Standing on Omaha Beach and Utah Beach was an experience my two boys will never forget. Sandee also arranged tours for us in Paris that included the Louvre and Versailles. We stayed in a beautiful hotel close to the Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay. Sa Read More Show Less

Bordeaux, France, Europe

Booked It 2 Times

★★★★★

Barcelona, Spain, Europe

Booked It 4 Times

Been There 1 Times

★★★★★

Europe

Booked It 100 Times

Been There 6 Times

★★★★★

Sandee helped pull off one of our dream vacations to Morocco..., Barcelona, Nice and Monaco. So many positives, we loved so many aspects of the trip from the activities to sites to hotels and quite a few delicious meals. Read More Show Less

Normandy, France, Europe

Booked It 6 Times

Been There 1 Times

★★★★★

Madrid, Spain, Europe

Booked It 6 Times

Been There 2 Times

★★★★★

Austria, Europe

Booked It 10 Times

Been There 2 Times

★★★★★