Anyone can find a flight. A website can spit out a hotel. But who's going to tell you that the most delicious olive oil you'll ever taste is at a small farm on Crete, nowhere near any "top ten" list? Or that you really don't need to pack four pairs of shoes for a cruise?

That's where a travel agent who actually travels makes all the difference.

Travel isn't just about the photos. It's about the moments that stick with you long after the post is buried in your feed. The conversation with a stranger at a local market. The view you almost didn't stop for. The meal you still think about years later. Those are the experiences worth planning for, and they don't happen by accident.

I've experienced the magic and the mishaps. I know what it feels like to land somewhere new and feel completely unprepared, and I know what it feels like when everything clicks perfectly. That firsthand experience is what I bring to every trip I help plan. And when I don't have the answer, I have the resources to find it. Travel with Sheridan is proudly partnered with TripMoxie, a partnership that gives me access to top-tier supplier relationships and industry connections well beyond what any single advisor could offer alone.

Beyond the bookings, I can tell you what to pack, what to skip, what's worth waking up early for, and what the reviews won't tell you. I'll share the things I wish someone had told me, because I've either learned them the hard way or been lucky enough to discover them firsthand.

A mass booking site will take your money and send you a confirmation email. I'll actually help you prepare, and I'll be there if anything goes wrong along the way.

What does a travel advisor actually do that you can't do yourself?

Technically? Nothing. You can book anything I can book. The question is whether you want to spend twelve hours researching cruise line differences, decoding all-inclusive fine print, comparing cabin categories, and cross-referencing reviews — or whether you'd rather hand that part to someone who does it constantly and just show up.

I also have access to supplier relationships and preferred programs through TripMoxie and Ensemble Travel Group that aren't available to the general public. That can mean onboard credits, room upgrades, early check-in, or amenities that simply don't show up when you book direct. Not always. But often enough that it's worth asking.

Does using a travel advisor cost more?

Usually no. In most cases my fee comes from the supplier, not from you. For certain complex itineraries I do charge a planning fee, and I'll always tell you upfront if that applies. But for cruises, resort stays, and most package travel, my base services cost you nothing extra and sometimes get you more than you'd get booking alone.

When does it make the most sense to use one?

Anytime the stakes are high and the variables are many. A week at an all-inclusive in Cancun? You could probably figure that out. A river cruise through Portugal with a pre-cruise stay in Lisbon and a post-cruise extension to the Douro Valley? That's where having someone who knows the routing, the properties, and the seasonal considerations actually saves you real money and real headaches.

Also: when something goes wrong. Flight cancellations, missed connections, a resort that doesn't match what you booked. Having someone in your corner who can make calls and advocate for you is worth a lot more than it sounds in the abstract.

Who I work with and what I'm approved to book

I'm an independent travel advisor affiliated with TripMoxie and backed by the Ensemble Travel Group consortia. I'm trained and approved to book Adventures by Disney, National Geographic Expeditions, Belmond, Hyatt, and IHG, among others. That's not a complete list, but it gives you a sense of the range.

If you have something specific in mind and want to know whether I can help, just ask.