Travel Expertise

Favorite experiences
  • Education swim with dolphins in Moorea
  • Taking the Ghan train from Alice Springs to Adelaide
  • A birds of prey encounter in Ireland
Most recent trips
  • Cruise to Alaska
  • River cruise along the Mississippi
  • Hawaii
  • Ireland
Specialties Certifications
  • Certified Travel Counselor

Many of my travel memories are in tandem with experiencing the food of the destination. There is usually a story of the place that goes along with the tastes and flavors of the culinary event.

Gloria Heckenlaible
Signature

Gloria's Story

I am a fourth-generation California girl, but I’ve also resided in France, South Carolina, Honolulu, and Las Vegas. My step-grandfather was a member of an old Kamaaina family in Hawaii, and I was fortunate to have him teach me about his Hawaiian and Chinese traditions, foods, and customs, which initially drew me into this field.

The world of travel became interesting to me when my grandmother, who lived in Hawaii, took me traveling with her on the mainland for three months one summer. I had just turned 17, and she took me on my first Caribbean cruise, followed by an excursion to Tennessee and Florida. From this young age, I enjoyed assisting her in planning our itineraries, and I’ve now been planning trips professionally since 1977.

On my own vacations, some of my most memorable experiences have been scuba diving in Bora Bora, riding in a jet boat in New Zealand, sailing on small ship throughout French Polynesia, visiting a dude ranch in Tucson, and going for a hot air balloon ride in Arizona. I treasured seeing a turtle laying eggs on the beach in Tortuguero, Costa Rica, visiting Pearl Harbor with two survivors who signed my book, “From Fish Ponds to Warships,” and kayaking in Monterey Bay with a harbor seal who jumped up on the boat and rode along!

I enjoy putting details and special touches together for your vacation. I’m dedicated and detail-oriented and enjoy making your vacation experiences interesting and fun. I have a love for travel and get so much joy out of sharing it with others. I give advice and offer my expertise and recommendations so you’re able to make informed decisions regarding your vacation plans. I use reliable and consistent travel suppliers in order to provide you with the best possible trip. Through our affiliations, I’m able to provide you with excellent value and additional amenities.

Plan your trip
with Gloria

800-850-3224 ext. 15506

    • Abu Dhabi & Dubai
    • Alaska
    • Antarctica
    • Arctic
    • Argentina
    • Australia
    • Austria
    • Belgium & the Netherlands
    • Belize
    • Bermuda
    • Bhutan, Nepal & Tibet
    • Bolivia
    • Botswana
    • Brazil
    • British Isles
    • Cambodia
    • Canada
    • Caribbean
    • Central Europe
    • Chile
    • China
    • Colombia
    • Costa Rica
    • Croatia
    • Cuba
    • Czech Republic & Slovakia
    • Denmark
    • East Africa
    • Eastern Europe
    • Egypt
    • England & Wales
    • Ethiopia
    • Fiji
    • Finland
    • France
    • Galapagos & Ecuador
    • Germany
    • Greece & Greek Isles
    • Greenland
    • Guatemala
    • Hawaii
    • Hungary
    • Iceland
    • India
    • Indonesia, Bali & Borneo
    • Ireland & Northern Ireland
    • Israel
    • Italy
    • Japan
    • Jordan
    • Kenya
    • Laos
    • Malaysia
    • Maldives
    • Mediterranean
    • Mexico
    • Morocco
    • Myanmar
    • Namibia
    • United States
    • New Zealand
    • Norway
    • Panama
    • Patagonia
    • Peru
    • Philippines
    • Poland
    • Portugal
    • Puerto Rico
    • Russia
    • Rwanda & Uganda
    • Saudi
    • Scandinavia & Nordic Countries
    • Scotland
    • Singapore
    • Slovenia
    • South Africa
    • South Korea
    • South Pacific & Oceania
    • Southeast Asia
    • Southern Africa
    • Spain
    • Sri Lanka
    • Sweden
    • Switzerland
    • Tahiti & French Polynesia
    • Tanzania
    • Thailand
    • Türkiye (Turkey)
    • Uruguay
    • Vietnam
    • Western Europe
    • Zambia & Zimbabwe
    • Adventure Travel
    • Custom Travel
    • Cycling Vacations and Bike Tours
    • Destination Weddings
    • Escorted Tours
    • Expedition Cruises
    • Family Vacations
    • Food and Wine
    • Genealogy Travel
    • Group Travel
    • Honeymoons and Romance
    • Hotels and Resorts
    • Incentive Travel
    • LGBTQ Travel
    • Luxury Travel
    • Ocean Cruises
    • Private Travel
    • Rail Vacations
    • River Cruises
    • Social Impact & Voluntourism
    • Solo Travel
    • Spa Vacations & Wellness Travel
    • Space Travel
    • Sports Travel
    • Villas and Homes
    • Wildlife Encounters
    • Yacht Vacations