(34 Reviews)
94% Recommended

Lia Pontarelli

Cedar Rapids, IA
European Travel Specialist

I'm enjoy being a travel agent with a strong focus on creating exceptional travel experiences throughout Europe. With an in-depth understanding of the diverse cultures and breathtaking destinations that Europe has to offer, I take great pride in c...
Learn more about me.

Hawai'i Destination Expert

Aloha! Hawai'i, for many great reasons, is typically high on peoples bucket list. It's beautiful beaches, lush greenery, volcanoes, sea life, people and rich history make it a dream vacation location.  


Personally, I love the islands so much that I became a certified Hawai'i Destination Expert through the Hawai'i Visitors and Convention Bureau. It's a great place for a romantic beach getaway or an adventurous trip for the whole ohana. And each of the islands have their own personalities.


I'll give you a small taste of some of the variety of things you could do: snorkeling (one of my favorites!), zip lining, visit the only royal palace in the U.S., learning how to surf, exploring the Road to Hana, hike through lava fields and tubes, visit historical locations, eat some delicious foods, definitely attend a Lu'au and learn how to hula, see the mighty cliffs of the Napali coast, go kayaking, and even whale watching! 


One great way to see Hawaii is on the Norwegian Cruise Line inter-island cruise. This gives you a chance to fly directly into Hawaii and spend the entire week visiting 4 of the islands, versus sailing from the mainland and spending those extra days at sea.  We took the whole family on this for Thanksgiving one year and everyone from grandma to my young nieces had an amazing time! 


There is so much to do and beauty to see that after your first trip to Hawai'i, you'll just want to keep going back! 

My Travel Albums

Hawai'i & NCL

My Reviews

9 of 10 people found this review helpful
International travel without the stress
Lia provided our family with several options to choose from, ranging from destination, transportation, excursions etc. Once we made our decision, Lia made sure all details were covered and verified all arrangements prior to our departure. Lia made sure all aspects of our adventures went as planned and communicated any changes (including last minute changes) in a timely manner. Lia was fun to work with and her expertise in travel gave us full confidence, relieving us of any vacation planning stress. Lia is awesome to work with!!
By  Sherm  from  Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Traveled to  Ambergris Caye ~ Belize ~ Central America
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
Was this review helpful to you? YES | NO
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Trip to Alaska
Lia was fantastic to work with! Her communication was timely and informative. Payments were explained thoroughly and options were given.
She accommodated our requests and truly made our dream trip come true. Lia was available to ask questions even during our travels and followed up to inquire about our experience. We will definitely use her again for big trips!
By  JT  from  Riverside, Iowa
Traveled to  Alaska ~ USA
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
Was this review helpful to you? YES | NO
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Highly satisfied!
Lia took time to find out what we were looking for in a vacation and then provided us with many options and choices. She answered all of my questions promptly and made our vacation planning a breeze! I had a concern with an excursion while on my trip and she responded immediately and was right there to help!
By  Jen  from  Washington, IA
Traveled to  Riviera Maya ~ Quintana Roo ~ Mexico
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
Was this review helpful to you? YES | NO
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Alaska adventure
Very helpful, listened carefully, made good suggestions, very prompt
By  JL  from  Garnavillo iowa
Traveled to  Inside Passage ~ Alaska ~ USA
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
Was this review helpful to you? YES | NO
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Best Honeymoon Experience!
Lia did a great job helping me plan my honeymoon to Nashville. She provided us with different options based on type, our interests and price. She was very diligent in her follow up when I was the one dropping the ball! The trip was so smooth and she helped make it a trip to remember. I would highly recommend you working with her to make your life that much easier!
By  Alisha   from  Marion, Iowa
Traveled to  Nashville ~ Tennessee ~ USA
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
Was this review helpful to you? YES | NO
Go to my main profile

Destination Expert:

  • Hawaii
  • At Sea

Travel Specialist:

  • Beach Vacations
  • Nature
  • Photography
  • Honeymoons
  • Family Vacations

Top Travel Partners:

  • Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
  • Funjet Vacations
  • Norwegian Cruise Line
  • Viator
  • UnCruise Adventures

Certifications/Awards:

  • Travel to Italy Specialist - Italian Tourism Board
  • Switzerland Travel Expert - Switzerland Tourism
  • 2024 Agency of Excellence
  • Apple Leisure Group Vacation Certified Specialist
  • Travefy Certified

Industry Affiliations:

©  Travel Leaders Group