Specializing in Ireland & Scotland

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Michael Santalucia, Travel Agent in Hamburg, NY

Michael Santalucia

Hamburg, NY Travel Agent
Super Agent

Michael Santalucia

Hamburg, NY · 17 Years of Experience

SantaLucia Travel, LLC, an independent agent with Nexion, LLC, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
5.0
(37)
100% Recommended
Mike SantaLucia organized our family trip to Ireland and did a superb job. He kept our interests in mind when planning out... Read More >
About
Reviews
Certificates & Awards
My Places
Client Testimonials

Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Ireland, Scotland

Interests:

Solo Travel, Coach Tours, Castles & Cathedrals, Adventure, Groups

Suppliers:

CIE Tours, Adventures By Disney , Globus, Cosmos, Celebrity Cruises

About Me

"Hogwarts Express" crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct
"Hogwarts Express" crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct

Journey Through the Magic, Myths & Majesty of Ireland and Scotland

From rugged coastlines and ancient castles to cinematic landscapes and centuries-old legends, Ireland and Scotland offer travelers a richly immersive experience like no other. These two Celtic nations hold a very special place in our hearts—and once you visit, it’s easy to see why. Brimming with history, culture, and jaw-dropping natural beauty, they deliver unforgettable moments around every corner.

Whether you’re drawn to the echoes of ancestral footsteps, the romance of castle ruins, or the excitement of walking in the shoes of your favorite TV and movie characters, Ireland and Scotland never disappoint.

Explore History Woven in Stone and Story

In Northern Ireland, don’t miss the legendary Giant’s Causeway, a dramatic coastal formation of hexagonal basalt columns that has long inspired myths of warring giants building a bridge across the sea. The same basalt formation appears across the Irish Sea on the Isle of Staffa, Scotland — fueling legends that bind the two nations in stone and storytelling.

While folklore abounds, the real history is just as captivating. Scotland brings tales of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, epic battles like Falkirk and Stirling Bridge, and the dramatic Jacobite uprising led by Bonnie Prince Charlie — culminating in the haunting fields of Culloden. Cross over to Ireland, and you’ll find a timeline stretching back more than 10,000 years, marked by Viking invasions, monastic settlements, the Great Famine, and the poignant political changes of the 20th century — from the Partition of Ireland to Bloody Sunday.

Walk the Lands of Legends — and Film!

Film and TV lovers will find countless familiar scenes across both countries. In Northern Ireland, fans of Game of Thrones can explore dozens of shooting locations — such as the Dark Hedges, Ballintoy Harbor, and Castle Ward — many of which are clearly marked with onsite plaques featuring behind-the-scenes images.

In Scotland, Outlander enthusiasts can walk in Claire and Jamie’s footsteps at locations like Doune Castle (Castle Leoch), Midhope Castle (Lallybroch), Blackness Castle, and Culross, the real-life Cranesmuir. And while the mystical Craigh na Dun stones may be fictional, the Calanais Standing Stones on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides make a breathtaking — and real — substitute.

Star Wars, Steam Trains & Once-in-a-Lifetime Moments

Did you know the Star Wars universe collided with Irish legend on the small, sacred island of Skellig Michael, located eight miles off Ireland’s southwest coast? Featured in The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi, this ancient monastic site perched above the crashing Atlantic served as the site of the first Jedi Temple and Luke Skywalker’s self-imposed exile. A visit to the island includes a challenging climb of over 600 steps — but the views and energy at the top are absolutely worth it. Landing permits are highly limited and released in winter — often selling out for the entire summer season in less than 24 hours!

And for fans of a certain famous wizard, Scotland offers one of the most magical train rides in the world: the Jacobite Steam Train, aka the Hogwarts Express. Journey between Fort William and Mallaig, passing over the dramatic Glenfinnan Viaduct, made famous in the Harry Potter films. You can even hike to the perfect viewpoint and capture your own cinematic shot of the train crossing the viaduct.

A Destination for Every Traveler

Whether you're a history buff, a genealogy enthusiast, a film lover, or simply in search of breathtaking scenery and warm hospitality, Ireland and Scotland offer rich, rewarding experiences that leave a lasting impression. From the windswept cliffs of Moher to the tranquil waters of Loch Ness, from the lively streets of Dublin and Edinburgh to the serene villages of Killarney and the Isle of Skye, there’s something for everyone.

Let me help you craft the perfect journey — whether it’s a self-drive adventure, a guided group tour, or a custom itinerary that blends culture, history, nature, and cinematic magic.

Contact me today to begin planning your personalized exploration of Ireland, Scotland, or both — and prepare to fall in love with these unforgettable lands, just as we have!

REVIEWS

Rating: 5.0
37 reviews
100% Recommended
Your trust is our priority. Every review is submitted by verified travelers after they have booked and completed their trips. Learn more about our review guidelines.
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Showing 37 reviews

Four girls in the Emerald Isle.
Reviewed By Lynne - Hamburg, NY | Traveled to Ireland ~ Europe
Mike SantaLucia organized our family trip to Ireland and did a superb job. He kept our interests in mind when planning out everything. His guidance and suggestions as to the choice of airlines, the hotel accommodations and places of interest to see helped us make the most out of our trip. He even recommended alternate activities if the weather was unsuitable on a particular day. We will definitely use him again.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
29 of 45 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Best trip of our lives
Reviewed By Anthony and Viviana - Telford | Traveled to Playa Mujeres ~ Quintana Roo ~ Mexico
Mike was extremely helpful. He helped us plan our honeymoon to meet our specific needs, and found us the perfect vacation spot. He was always prompt in getting back to us to answer our questions, and touched base with us several times leading up to the trip with specific advice to make our travel easier. He also took the time to set up a package for our honeymoon that made it extra special. We were referred to Mike through a mutual friend, and we're glad we went through Mike to book our trip because it far exceeded our expectations and truly was the best trip of our lives.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
33 of 53 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Best Travel Agent Ever
Reviewed By Patty - Orchard Park, NY | Traveled to Caribbean Sea ~ At Sea ~ At Sea
Mike goes above and beyond. He's not finished with his job helping you enjoy a great vacation, until your home again.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
20 of 31 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Wonderful visit to Ireland
Reviewed By Mom K - Elma, NY | Traveled to Ireland ~ Europe
Hi Mike,
Our trip to Ireland was great. As you know, Ireland is a wonderful place. We enjoyed many beautiful sights, exhibits and museums. We spent time walking around touristy areas as well as non- touristy neighborhoods and loved them all.

I especially want to thank you for your suggestion for me to purchase additional car insurance to cover the wheels, mirrors and glass. While filing out the paperwork, I listened to several Hertz employees tell costumers that the extra insurance was available, but “not really necessary”. Once on the roads, it was very obvious that the extra insurance is important! And, by the way, to my relief, the inspector upon my returning the car did not mention the new scratches, and neither did I!!

The first Hotel we stayed in, the Granville Hotel, was lovely. Everything about it was wonderful. The room was pretty, comfortable and the hotel restaurant pub was equally lovely and the food was great. All the staff was eager to do anything to make our
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
31 of 53 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
knows cruise industry inside out, and lots of tricks to make my experience the best!
Reviewed By Pete - orchard park, NY | Traveled to
I cant say enough good things about SantaLucia travel. Mike will bend over backwords to get thing done and knows his business better than any agent I have ever dealt with (any I travel A LOT, and have very high standards!). Mike even took time away from this years Suberbowl to ensure I could get in on a cruise special that was expiring that night! Mikes customer service and travel knowledge is truly outstanding!!! He works very hard at what he does, and is very dedicated!!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
35 of 61 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO

Certifications & Awards

ASTA is the leading global advocate for travel agents, the travel industry and the traveling public.It is the world's largest association of travel professionals.Our members include travel agents and the companies whose products they sell such as tours, cruises, hotels, car rentals, etc.Expand your world. Go with the pros.
Certified Travel Associate (CTA)
CLIA Elite Cruise Counsellor (ECC)
Luxury Cruise Specialist (LCS)
Ireland Specialist
SCOTSagent Destination Specialist

My Places

When it comes to travel planning, real-world experience makes a huge difference. Check out the map below to see all the places I have personally visited or booked for my clients. I know these destinations well and can give you reliable guidance.

Client Testimonials

PRIDE OF AMERICA HAWAII - Norwegian Cruise Line
Jamaal and I had a WONDERFUL time on our cruise. We wanted to thank you for the Bon Voyage package, which started our trip off well, as well as urging us to link up with Kaj (he says to tell you 'Hello'). We got to meet with Felix, Director of Outlets, who ensured that Jamaal's allergies were looked after. We were treated as VIP's on this trip and it REALLY made Jamaal's first cruise memorable. We were even invited to dine with Kaj and his assistant, Jason. It was an amazing trip!!!!! We have mentioned to anyone who will listen that we went with Mike SantaLucia from SantaLucia Travel, so hopefully your line will be ringing off the hook! I know our mothers and aunt had a great time as well. We really loved the Ultimate Dining Package and the onboard credit was a great way to treat ourselves guilt-free! Again, many MANY thanks for all your help in coordinating this trip. We had a ball and can't wait to book our next trip.
Erinn & Jamaal S.,Tamuning, Guam
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