ABOUT US
Kristine Nations, CTC, MBA
Luxury Travel Advisor
Event Planner
Kristine is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Nations Executive Travel Service. A Certified Travel Consultant with more than 30 years of experience, she specializes in customized international itineraries, luxury and ultra-luxury travel, private touring, premium and luxury cruising, and complex multi-destination journeys. As a Complete Global Traveler, having visited all seven continents, Kristine brings extensive firsthand destination knowledge and a global perspective to each journey she designs.
Her expertise ranges from luxury hotels and resorts and unique private experiences to milestone celebrations and highly customized international travel. Kristine has lived in both the United States and the United Kingdom and enjoys helping clients discover exceptional places and experiences around the world.
Kristine holds an MBA with a concentration in Project Management, is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), and holds a bachelor's degree in Economics and International Relations. She also has extensive experience planning groups, meetings and events and serves as the senior corporate travel planner for key accounts.
Ellie Nations, JD
International Travel Advisor & Legal Counsel
Ellie brings an exceptional global perspective to the agency, having traveled to more than 65 countries and every continent. She specializes in thoughtfully customized itineraries throughout Europe and Asia, with particular expertise in creating enriching journeys for solo female travelers. Her extensive firsthand travel experience, curiosity about other cultures, and attention to detail allow her to design trips that are both immersive and carefully considered.
Ellie holds a Juris Doctor from USC Gould School of Law and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Alabama Honors College with a B.A. in Anthropology and minors in Business and French. She is a member of the California Bar and is fluent in French. In addition to serving as the agency's in-house Counsel, Ellie draws upon her international experience and cultural knowledge to create highly personalized journeys for her clients.
Madeline Nations, MBA
Travel Advisor
& Business Operations Manager
Madeline brings extensive firsthand travel experience to the agency, having visited more than 66 countries and all seven continents. As a customized travel specialist, she designs thoughtfully planned domestic and international journeys tailored to her clients' individual interests and travel styles. She also works with the agency's corporate clients and manages day-to-day business operations.
Madeline holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Administration from the University of the Pacific and an MBA with a concentration in Healthcare Leadership. She has completed specialized travel industry training with Virgin Voyages, Disney, Marriott, and Princess Cruises.
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Miryam Rosello
Travel Advisor
Travel isn’t just Miryam’s profession—it’s her passion and a way of life. Originally from Berlin, Germany, Miryam began her career as a travel advisor, building more than 15 years of experience in the industry. She later expanded her expertise by working as a reservation agent with Lufthansa and as a flight attendant for two airlines. This unique combination gave her firsthand knowledge of aviation, destinations, and hospitality.
Miryam lived and studied in the Netherlands for four years, earning her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. As a native German and fluent Dutch speaker, she brings a international perspective to every journey she creates.
Whether you’re dreaming of an off-the-beaten-path adventure, an immersive cultural experience, or a luxurious escape, Miryam takes the time to understand what inspires you and turns those ideas into thoughtfully crafted journeys—with the insider knowledge and personal touch that make all the difference.
Melanie McCoy, VTA
Independent Travel Advisor
Melanie is an experienced travel advisor specializing in customized domestic and international vacations, cruises, and group cruise travel.
​Her own extensive travels inspire creative, thoughtfully planned itineraries tailored to each client's interests and travel style. She is especially skilled in coordinating group cruises, helping families, friends, and other groups navigate the many details involved in planning a shared vacation at sea.
​Melanie holds a bachelor's degree in Marketing from CSU Long Beach and has completed ASTA's Verified Travel Advisor program. Her destination knowledge, attention to detail, and cruise expertise make her an excellent resource for clients seeking everything from a personalized getaway to the perfect cruise, escorted tour, or group travel experience.
Kay Hubbard
Leisure Travel Advisor
Specializing in leisure sales, world-traveler Kay is a certified cruise counselor with Virgin Voyages, Princess Cruise Lines, Cunard Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Lines, and Norwegian Cruise Lines. Over the past 20 years with Nations Travel, Kay has held roles as a travel consultant, assistant meeting planner, onsite event coordinator, and group specialist.
Laura Rettinger
Independent Travel Advisor
Laura is a group travel specialist, bringing both professional cruise industry experience and a passion for creating memorable journeys for groups. She began her travel and tourism career with Norwegian Cruise Line, spending four years aboard the legendary SS Norway, where she managed the ship's children's program. Today, she specializes in coordinating group travel and cruises, helping bring together the many details involved in traveling with family, friends, organizations, and other groups.
Laura holds a Bachelor of Science in Travel and Tourism and a master's degree in Education. She has traveled extensively throughout Europe as well as Thailand and holds a Masters of Adventure from Royal Caribbean University.
Sara Budde
Independent Travel Advisor
Sara has always had a passion for adventure and travel. She has traveled much of Australia, parts of western Europe and the US. Residing in her home state of Minnesota she enjoys planning action-packed itineraries as well as relaxing getaways from Minnesota winters. Sara holds a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development & Family Science and International Studies with a minor in Extension Education. Experiencing new cultures, languages, climates and landscapes drives her excitement of new places.
Jon Ingraham
Independent Travel Advisor
Jon’s travels include The Netherlands, Greece, Australia, Peru, The Caribbean, New Zealand, Asia, Italy, England, Spain, Wales, and France among others. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Family and Children’s Ministry as well as a Master of Arts in Education from William Jessup University. Jon has extensive experience in events and directing tours. For the past three years, he has been the Director of Children’s Ministry while spending any free time he has traveling or planning travel for others. Jon’s current certifications include Princess Commodore, Masters of Adventure with Royal Caribbean, Master’s for NCL, and is a Disney College of Knowledge graduate.
Arlene Handler-Smith, CTC
Independent Travel Advisor
Arlene has over 25 years of experience in the travel industry and loves creating dream vacations around the world. In addition to living in California, Arlene has lived in Phoenix, Houston, Oahu, Salt Lake City, New York, Toronto, Mexico City, and Brighton, UK. Her passion for travel has brought her to 18 countries. She is certified with the Disney College of Knowledge, Virgin Voyages, Ama Waterways, Princess, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, and Viking River Cruises. Arlene specializes in active adventure travel as well as luxury cruising. Her destination specialist courses include Switzerland and Australia. Arlene is also a graduate of the intensive product courses with Marriott and Hilton hotels.