(66 Reviews)
100% Recommended

Nora Blum

Minneapolis, MN

Small Ship Cruising and Privately Guided Vacations

As a fan of fabulous hotels and luxurious ship staterooms, I have traveled throughout the world enjoying the views, history and local specialties that make each destination unique. Maybe, like me, you also enjoy good food and cultural experiences when you are traveling. I love working with curious travelers who really want advice to maximize their own travel experiences by consulting with me and collaborating on the details of their trip that will make it extraordinary. Whether you are looking for a restorative retreat or a grand adventure, my connections and years of experience will help you create travel memories you’ll remember for years to come.

My Travel Specialties

Customized guided and experiential 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...
Read more from my Customized guided and experiential vacations bio.

Melk Abbey

Alaska Small Ship Cruise and Adventure Specialist

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. 

 For those...
Read more from my Alaska Small Ship Cruise and Adventure Specialist bio.

Fjords and Mountains of Alaska

Machu Picchu and Peru Vacations

Machu Picchu is one of those trips of a lifetime you will never forget. I was fortunate enough to make this trip in December 2013 and had the chance to experience Lima, Sacred Valley, Cuzco and Machu Picchu first hand. To make the most of the experience, I was privately guided throughout Peru with...
Read more from my Machu Picchu and Peru Vacations bio.

Arriving at Machu Picchu

Spa Trips and Wellness Vacations

As a self-proclaimed "Spa Junkie", I understand the needs and desires of travelers looking for the stress reduction, pampering and relaxation of a spa vacation. Whether it is a couples retreat, a girlfriend getaway or solo travel, there are many ways to spa and every one of them are fantastic. Spas...
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Qua Spa at Caesar's Palace Las Vegas

Costa Rica Wellness Adventure

If you are considering a trip to Costa Rica, I'll help you understand the geography and also the many options you have for both adventure and wellness.  These trips are for families, solo travelers and couples of all ages and abilities.

Each region is fascinating and my customers favorite trips...
Read more from my Costa Rica Wellness Adventure bio.

Koora Hotel - Monteverde, Costa Rica

River Cruising and Guided Vacations

Having experiencing both River Cruising and Guided Vacations, I will use my experience to match you to the right trip that will meet your vacation desires and wishes. It can be pretty complicated to organize a big European or Latin American adventure and with so many choices it's hard to know what...
Read more from my River Cruising and Guided Vacations bio.

Danube River

My Travel Albums

North Shore
Caption

My Travel Stories

Do More in the Canadian Rockies

I work with local tour companies to curate custom vacation packages in different Canadian Rockies destinations, making it easy to continue exploring using Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper or Vancouver as your base.  These are amazing journeys to add on to your Rocky Mountaineer train journey.

Here...Read more.

Customer Testimonials

Exceeded my hopes and expectations

Hi Nora, The trip was perfect. Exceeded all of my hopes and expectations. We had 2 beautiful days in Machu Picchu...pictures and descriptions simply do not fully capture how amazing it all is. We're still mulling over our next trip, but since this trip was so flawlessly planned...I will be calling you when we decide. Can't thank you enough for setting up such an awesome trip for us! Kelly
Kelly H., MN

Always planning a new adventure

Nora, your expertise and diligence has made it possible for your clients to explore the world, knowing that every aspect of their journey has been reviewed and detailed. I sincerely appreciate every ocean voyage and land excursion, together with the journeys that we have coordinated throughout every continent.. The trips have been fulfilling my gallavanting dreams.... Knowledge brings understanding....and I have learned ''volumes"....
Renee B., Richfield, Minnesota

My Reviews

116 of 202 people found this review helpful
NORA IS THE BEST!!
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!!
By  Kimberly  from  New Brighton, MN
Traveled to  Mexico
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Nora Blum responded:
Thank you for your kind words. It certainly does help that I've been to many of your favorite places, and I do try to make sure everything goes well on all of our trips.

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76 of 127 people found this review helpful
Fabulous 15th Anniversary Trip!
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!

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.
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! :)
By  Merkster  from  Lakeville, MN.
Traveled to  Costa Rica ~ Central America
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Nora Blum responded:
I'm thrilled your anniversary trip to Costa Rica was so fantastic and I look forward to working with you again on the next one.

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47 of 76 people found this review helpful
Amazing Family Trip
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.
By  Susan  from  Macon Missouri
Traveled to  Alaska ~ USA
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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46 of 75 people found this review helpful
Dream vacation to Hawaii
Our experience with Nora was great! My wife and I finally were able to have our dream vacation to Hawaii. Nora's experience and attention to details made our trip worry free and very enjoyable. Nora's knowledge of the islands made our decision to visit Honolulu, Kauai, & Maui something we will never forget.! I would highly recommend Nora for anyone planning their vacation.
By  Randy  from  Mendota Heights, MN
Traveled to  Honolulu, Oahu ~ Hawaii ~ USA
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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55 of 94 people found this review helpful
A new adventure in scotland
Always excellent, plans trips according to her knowledge of site and knowledge of my likes and style
By  On the go  from  Houlton
Traveled to  Scotland ~ Europe
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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Destination Expert:

  • Costa Rica
  • Alaska
  • Machu Picchu
  • Maui Island
  • Europe
  • Germany
  • Peru
  • Arenal
  • Cancun
  • Lima
  • Inside Passage
  • France
  • Arizona
  • Monteverde
  • Sacred Valley
  • College Fjord
  • Peninsula Papagayo
  • Cuzco
  • Skagway
  • Las Vegas
  • South America
  • Jamaica
  • England
  • Tamarindo Beach
  • Juneau

Travel Specialist:

  • 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

Top Travel Partners:

  • 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 Tours
  • Playa Resorts
  • Azamara
  • Tauck

Certifications/Awards:

  • CTIE
  • Certified Travel Industry Executive
  • Travel Leaders Certified Specialist
  • Certified Luxury Specialist
  • ASTA Verified Travel Advisor

Industry Affiliations:

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