Valerie Fredericks

Hi!

I’m Valerie, a travel advisor with 12+ years experience planning unique cultural experiences and trips. I specialize in themed cultural travel and travel to Disney destinations.

They may not seem connected, but they are for me - as both bring a magical element, a complete experience, and at least one castle - to my clients' travel adventures.

I am a graduate of the College of Disney Knowledge and I currently hold specialty certificates from the tourism boards of Italy, Ireland, Great Britain and New Orleans, LA USA.

I have also traveled all over Italy and the UK and have personal knowledge and in-country relationships that help me craft the best experience for my clients. I enjoy it because it’s like a complex puzzle that comes together perfectly.

Seeing my clients happiness with what I have recommended and curated for them makes it all worth it.

Scroll down to read more about how to work with me and to see my qualifications and specialty certificates, that I have earned. You can also read some client reviews here.

Book a free consultation here

Valerie Fredericks, CTA

CLIA# 00536302

what can you expect from me?

My commitment to you is to always give you a unique experience tailored to the way you travel by listening and recommending the best experiences, as your budget allows.

Once you choose to hire me, you will be my client and highest priority. Once your trip is booked, through the process of the plans we have made together and the trip I have curated for you, I will stay in touch and provide all the necessary details, answer your questions and give any advice you will need to have the best trip possible.

I will be there during your vacation, in case any challenges come up and will advocate for you, if necessary. I hope we will develop a lasting relationship where you will want to refer your friends and family to me when the time comes.

how does this work?

My process is simple and effective.

• You'll fill out my quote form so I know some fundamentals of your dream trip.

• Next or instead, we will have a short consultation call either on video or phone whichever is most comfortable and easier for you. Schedule a Call

• We will agree to work together on your vacation.

• Then, we’ll discuss upcoming travel plans and gather information regarding travel dates, transportation, and your budget.

• You’ll tell me how you would like best to communicate if I have questions and how much involvement you would like in the actual planning.

• I’ll research and design your customized travel itinerary and arrange any transportation, and activities throughout the trip that you have indicated you want.

• I'll send you the best version of your trip based on all of the info we have discussed and we will go from there.

My Certifications

what is cultural or immersive travel?

Authentic cultural travel brings a destinations' visitors to a new level of understanding about themselves, their homes, and global culture.

Culture travel consists of visiting historical sites with a guide who will provide insights, context and a cultural approach. Through these in-depth explanations you will discover much more than you would be able to if you traveled alone.

why a cultural travelist?

Have you ever taken one of those travel quizzes that ask “What kind of traveler are you?” There are tons of them out there on the web. All you have to do is search for that phrase and pages of results come up. You can be ten different types of traveler depending on who wrote the quizz – and maybe you are.

But, if you are the kind of traveler that loves to get on the ground and immerse yourself in local culture wherever you are, the kind of traveler that has plans to see all of the historical sites in any place they go, the kind that likes to talk to local people, try local food, and maybe even learn some of their language, the kind that has a deep appreciation for the people and places of our planet’s rich past, then dear traveler, read on. Because here at The Wandering Star Travel, that is what we are all about.

People travel for a variety of reasons and usually more than one. Many people like to get away from their homes for a relaxing vacation and others do it to explore new places and see beautiful sites. Some do it to visit friends and meet new people and some do it for all of those reasons. All of these, and many besides, are equally valid. Everyone gets something different from it. No matter why it’s done, there is one thing we all get from it, without even trying. We learn new things about ourselves and the planet we live on. When we go to a new place, we learn.

I travel because I am curious and I love to learn about people and different cultures and all the history that I can. When I plan to go someplace new, I like to research and find the historic places and then plan my itineraries around them. I am especially fascinated by culture and the history of the ancient civilizations of the world and I want to experience them all.

One of the reasons that I love history is because I believe that the past gives us a unique perspective on the present as well as the future. Meeting other people who live in different places allows us a diverse and more global world-view, which can foster a more empathetic perspective and tolerance towards our fellow earthly neighbors.

more about my process &

what to expect on a Wandering Star Travel cultural trip

My itineraries always contain the following

Any included meal is at a local restaurant

Local wines or beer

Visiting of World Heritage Sites and immersive museums

Custom crafted walking tours

Public Transport for immersive cultural experience (unless otherwise requested)

I work with eco-friendly tour operators, whenever possible.

And can also include depending on focus

A local cooking class

Learn some of the language (with Italy tours)

Natural sites, ruins and archaeological areas

Typical Tour Lengths

4-9 days NOLA

8-10 days or 12-14 days for Italy, UK or Ireland

Themed Cultural Itineraries I have curated:

Renaissance Art of Florence

Fountains and Sculptures of Renaissance Florence

Architecture and Sculptures of Rome’s Old Town and the Vatican

Voodoo and Ghosts in NOLA

Greek and Roman Historical Sites of Sicily

Pubs and Castles in Ireland

Historical Pubs and Sites of Shakespeare's London

Traditional Food and Cocktails of NOLA’s French Quarter

Past Itineraries:

Language & Cooking in Tuscany

Wine Tours & Cooking Classes in Tuscany

Renaissance Art & Architecture Tours in Florence

Craft Beer & Hill Town Iconic Sites in Tuscany

Art & Architecture in Rome’s Old Town & The Vatican

Wine & Walks in Le Cinque Terre

Ancient Sites & Cooking Classes in Palermo

Castles & Pubs in Ireland

Walks of Historical London, GB (with additional choice of either York, or Stonehenge)

Shakespeare’s London & Stratford-upon-Avon

about my itineraries & process

My clients travel because they are curious and love to learn about people and different cultures and all the history that they can. When I craft a new itinerary, I include historic places and plan my itineraries around them. I look for local restaurants and work with trusted local tour operators to build tours that my clients are excited about. My clients want to be immersed. That is not as likely with a hop-on-hop-off bus as it is if you are on a Walking Tour in Florence looking at Baroque fountains and 12th century churches, or if you are on a Walking Tour of Elizabethan London.

We want to see the iconic sites, after all, that's why we like to travel with a cultural lens, but It can often be exhausting looking at art in a museum for three hours or more. I plan my itineraries with a mix of high culture and natural sites, so you’ll never see a schedule with two museums in a row, or more than three hours in any one cultural institution. You will, for example, likely see a museum in the morning and a hike or walk in the afternoon.

See two trips you’d like to combine, or perhaps you have a different interest you’d like to explore? Let me know! It would be my privilege to craft a custom itinerary and give you options for what that would entail. Let’s chat about your dream vacation!

My process is simple. Fill out my Inquiry Form here, we will hop on a consultation call so we can discuss more details, then I will send you a proposal based on your preferences and budget, and then we can make adjustments if needed. Once booked, I will be your one point of contact should anything go wrong. Then, you go on your trip of a lifetime stress-free!

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