(46 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.

Tahiti Luxury Travel Expert

Champagne Sunsets in Bora Bora
Champagne Sunsets in Bora Bora

I am a certified Tahiti Travel Specialist with the Tahiti Tourism Board. I recently had the amazing opportunity to travel the islands and attend the Tahiti Travel Exchange. 


Overwater Bungalow Bliss


I had the incredible opportunity to inspect and stay in multiple overwater bungalows, each more stunning than the last. Waking up to the sound of gentle waves beneath me, stepping right into the turquoise lagoon from my private deck, and watching the sunset with a nice glass of champagne—it’s an experience everyone should have at least once in their life! Whether you're looking for a romantic getaway or a relaxing retreat, I can personally recommend the best options for your stay.


Snorkeling with Giants


One of the most breathtaking moments of my journey was snorkeling alongside an 18-foot-wide manta ray in the crystal-clear waters of Bora Bora. It was an experience I’ll never forget. We also saw a fever of over a hundred stingrays and swam with reef sharks, stingrays, and schools of fish in the lagoons.


A Hidden Gem Compared to Hawaii


Many people ask me how French Polynesia compares to Hawaii, and the biggest difference is the seclusion and exclusivity. Tahiti welcomes 240,000 each year while Hawaii sees that many visitors in 2 days. This means fewer crowds, more pristine beaches, and a true sense of serenity. Fight time wise, Tahiti is also only 2 hours farther from LAX than Hawaii. If you love the idea of untouched paradise, overwater bungalows, and world-class snorkeling without the hustle and bustle, French Polynesia is the perfect escape.


Attending a Travel Conference in Paradise


Of course, this trip wasn’t just about relaxing—I also attended a travel conference, connecting with top resort managers, excursion providers, and tourism experts to bring back the latest insights on planning the perfect trip to Tahiti. I’ve gathered exclusive offers, insider tips, and the best recommendations to make your dream getaway truly unforgettable!


Planning Your Own Tahitian Adventure


If you’ve ever dreamed of visiting French Polynesia, let’s start planning your trip! Whether you’re looking for a romantic honeymoon, an adventurous escape, or a peaceful retreat, I’m here to help craft the perfect itinerary for you.


Feel welcome to reach out to me, and we can discuss all the exciting possibilities and practical tips to make your adventure truly unforgettable.

My Travel Albums

Tahiti

My Reviews

5 of 5 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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4 of 4 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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4 of 4 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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4 of 4 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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4 of 4 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:

  • Tahiti
  • Moorea Island
  • Bora Bora
  • French Polynesia
  • Raiatea

Travel Specialist:

  • Bespoke Travel
  • Adventure
  • Couples & Romance
  • Family Vacations
  • Scuba

Top Travel Partners:

  • Abercrombie & Kent
  • Kensington
  • Pleasant Holidays
  • Windstar Cruises
  • National Geographic Expeditions

Certifications/Awards:

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

Industry Affiliations:

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