(37 Reviews)
100% Recommended

Gabrielle Estel

Cedar Rapids, IA
International Travel Leisure Specialist

I live to travel. I’ve invested over 4 years of my life living abroad.

I lived in Taiwan and explored Asia. Then, I moved to Egypt and explore the Mediterranean and the Sahara. From living with a host family in Spain as you...
Learn more about me.

International Travel Leisure Specialist

Forbidden City in Beijing
Forbidden City in Beijing

I live to travel. I’ve invested over 4 years of my life living abroad.


I lived in Taiwan and explored Asia. Then, I moved to Egypt and explore the Mediterranean and the Sahara. From living with a host family in Spain as young teenager to honeymooning in Italy, travel has always marked my life milestones. Now I’m back in my Iowan home state to help others plan their own dream experiences across the globe. Travel is my life.


Let me share my life with you. 


ARTS & CULTURE


My husband is my main travel buddy. He’s a history guy; I’m a literature girl. Between the both of us, we have to see every museum, temple, cathedral, statue --- you name it!


Over my years of travel, I’ve learned art and culture is more than the highlight real. It’s also exploring a local Greek market, listening to a Korean grandmother describe her love of fan-painting, trying homemade Italian dishes at a rooftop dinner party, having a quiet moment in a café watching uniformed King’s College students rush through Canterbury to their morning classes, bargaining for a brick of tea in China.


These little moments of life are art and culture. 


FOOD & WINE


Food is the heart of a country. Food tours are journeys to the heart of a place---and the locals. Local food tour guides know every alley, and cooking instructors always welcome travelers into their family. They’re the best to ask for any last minute recommendations and to have a better understanding of culture through the kitchen. Sometimes the kitchen is the desert, like roasting chicken in Egyptian with a side of koshari. My personal favorite are moon cakes to celebrate Mid-Autumn festival and Scottish eggs in Bath.


Nothing is as engrained in a place as food. It an easy way to experience a place’s every day.


EXPLORATION & ADVENTURE


Let’s take the path less traveled.


That path might be a horse ride through the mountains, a dune buggy through the dunes, a hike up an along the spine of a mountain, a gondola ride above the jungle outside Hong Kong, or a peak at North Korea at the DMZ.


Whatever type of heart racing you’re looking for, I can find.

Customer Testimony - Customized Itinerary Expert

Working with Gabrielle Estel on our first trip to another continent was an absolute pleasure. She is responsible for making this trip to Egypt the best trip my family has ever taken. She was super patient, knowledgeable and kind throughout the planning process. Gabrielle was always there to take my calls before our departure on this elaborate trip. We were a little nervous that everything would work out as planned. The trip was flawless, and Gabrielle made that possible. I called her often during planning and she was always there to answer her phone and she did so cheerfully. My wife and two children had a wonderful time. Next time we plan a trip, we will be calling Gabrielle for sure!

My Reviews

4 of 4 people found this review helpful
The best experience and best planned trip ever!!
Working with Gabrielle Estel on our first trip to another continent was an absolute pleasure. She is responsible for making this trip to Egypt the best trip my family has ever taken. She was super patient, knowledgeable and kind throughout the planning process. Gabrielle was always there to take my calls before our departure on this elaborate trip. We were a little nervous that everything would work out as planned. The trip was flawless, and Gabrielle made that possible. I called her often during planning and she was always there to answer her phone and she did so cheerfully. My wife and two children had a wonderful time. The resort in Cairo and Luxor were beautiful. The private tour guides were prompt, very accommodating and knowledgeable. The private tour was the best decision we made. Next time we plan a trip, we will be calling Gabrielle for sure!
By  William  from  1376 Hanover Street Yorktown Heights NY 10598
Traveled to  Cairo ~ Egypt ~ Africa
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Gabrielle Estel responded:
Thank you so much for taking time to write this review, William! I had a great time getting to know your family as we planned your perfect trip to Egypt. I look forward to helping your family create many amazing memories during your future travels!

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3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Food and Family Fun in Italy and Greece!
Gabrielle-

We had a great trip. All hotels were perfect. The tours were great and the transportation worked great. I was impressed that even with flight delays they were waiting for us. Greece had an added benefit that both in Athens and Mykonos we were met by a travel representative and driver. The rep gave us a personal number if we needed anything and they were fast to respond. The cooking classes were prefect. It was hot the whole time we were there, but we completed almost everything.

Thanks so much for your hard work!
By  Melinda  from  Iowa City, Iowa
Traveled to  Italy ~ Europe
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Gabrielle Estel responded:
Thank you for your review, Melinda! I loved getting to know your family as we planned your amazing Italy and Greece trip to Rome, Athens, and Mykonos. I hope your daughter has a great experience studying in Greece later this year.

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3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Business travel plus R&R!
Gabrielle is focused on meeting your needs, including budget! What sets her apart are her attention to detail and engaging personality.
By  Iowa Mark  from  Iowa City, IA
Traveled to  Vietnam ~ East and Southeast Asia
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Gabrielle Estel responded:
Thank you for your review, Mark. I had a wonderful time finding the best relaxing spot in Vietnam for you to unwind and explore after your work trip. I look forward to adding personal value to more of your future work trips.

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3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Great trip
We were very happy with the service and planning that Gabrielle provided. Th e trip went smoothly and the one small problem was resolved promptly I would use her services again
By  Mike  from  Washington Iowa
Traveled to  Nuremberg ~ Germany ~ Europe
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Gabrielle Estel responded:
Mike, Thank you for your review! I had a great time hearing about what you learned from the excellent guides in Nuremberg, Prague, and Vienna. I look forward to helping you explore another part of the world soon! Best, Gabrielle

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3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Perfect Options!
Thank you so much for helping with my winter vacation. I was at a real loss on where to go and stay. I really appreciate you finding a wonderful location and given me some options for personal preferences. Your help with lodging, flights, transportation and excursions were on point and made this vacation the best. I will be contacting you again for my next vacation.
By  Curtis  from  Palo, Iowa
Traveled to  Dominican Republic ~ Caribbean
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Gabrielle Estel responded:
I appreciate your time for this review! I had a wonderful time getting to know your family and what makes a vacation perfect for you. I look forward to booking many amazing trips with you in the future!

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Go to my main profile

Destination Expert:

  • Europe
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Japan
  • United Kingdom

Travel Specialist:

  • Independent Travel
  • Food & Wine
  • Historical Sites
  • Literature
  • Adventure

Top Travel Partners:

  • Avanti Destinations
  • Kensington
  • CIE Tours
  • AmaWaterways
  • Globus

Certifications/Awards:

  • Certified Sandals Specialist
  • CIE Tours' Shamrock (Ireland) Certification
  • Avanti Certified Specialist
  • Aussie Specialist

Industry Affiliations:

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