River Cruising and Guided Vacations

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Nora Blum, Travel Agent in Minneapolis, MN

Nora Blum

Minneapolis, MN Travel Agent
Super Agent

Nora Blum

Minneapolis, MN · 25+ Years of Experience

A full-service Travel Leaders Associate Agency
5.0
(88)
100% Recommended
Nora has been helping me with my travel arrangements for over 10 years and she is absolutely THE BEST! I can always count on Nora... Read More >
About
Reviews
My Places
Client Testimonials

Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Europe, Germany, France, South America, Peru

Interests:

River Cruises, Small Ship Cruises, Bespoke Travel, Culinary & Foodie, Escorted Tours

Suppliers:

AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, Insight Vacations, Kensington, Tauck

About Me

Danube River
Danube River

European River Cruise & Guided Tour Specialist | Custom Itinerary Designer

With personal experience on both European river cruises and guided vacations across Europe and Latin America, I match travelers to the perfect tour style for their preferences. Planning a multi-country European vacation or Latin American adventure involves countless decisions—I simplify the process and ensure you choose the right fit.

River Cruise Vacations

European river cruising offers unmatched ease and relaxation. Wake up in a new historic town daily without unpacking once. Your floating hotel glides peacefully through countryside scenery while you enjoy guided walking tours, cultural excursions, and ample free time to explore independently. River cruise itineraries let you experience multiple destinations without the rush—perfect for travelers seeking comfort and cultural immersion.

Popular river cruise destinations: Danube River cruises, Rhine River cruises, Seine River cruises, Douro River cruises, and Latin American river expeditions.

Guided Tours (Escorted Tours)

Prefer deeper exploration of each destination? Guided European tours and escorted vacations offer extended stays in historic and cultural cities with zero logistical stress. No navigating foreign roads, parking challenges, or language barriers—just immersive sightseeing with expert local guides and free time for independent adventures.I specialize in small group tours perfect for families and friends seeking semi-private experiences, plus custom group tours tailored to your interests.

Pre- and Post-Cruise Extensions

Maximize your journey with customized pre-cruise and post-cruise hotel stays. Want to explore beyond the standard itinerary? I design personalized extensions featuring:

  • Culinary experiences and cooking classes
  • Expert-led behind the scenes tours
  • Local market shopping excursions
  • Authentic "live like a local" experiences

These custom additions transform standard tours into uniquely personal adventures.

Private Guided Tours Worldwide

For ultimate flexibility, I arrange fully private guided tours and custom itineraries anywhere in the world. Complete personalization, your pace, your interests.

REVIEWS

Rating: 5.0
88 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 88 reviews

NORA IS THE BEST!!
Reviewed By Kimberly - New Brighton, MN | Traveled to Mexico
Nora has been helping me with my travel arrangements for over 10 years and she is absolutely THE BEST! I can always count on Nora to find the perfect destination with great accommodations - and at a price I can afford. Nora is so helpful and knowledgeable - she definitely knows Mexico and the Caribbean - my favorite places to visit! She always goes above and beyond to make sure everything goes well. And, she also asks for feedback after the trip to make sure everything went as planned. I know people who try to plan their own international trips on the internet, but are very disappointed with how it turns out. I don't have to worry about being disappointed...because Nora helps arrange my trips. She's awesome!!
Nora Blum responded
"Thank you for your kind words. It certainly does help that I've been to many of your favorite places, and I do try to make sure everything goes well on all of our trips."
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
117 of 203 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Fabulous 15th Anniversary Trip!
Reviewed By Merkster - Lakeville, MN. | Traveled to Costa Rica ~ Central America
My husband and I knew we wanted to take a trip of a lifetime for our 15th wedding anniversary and for the first time decided to seek the help of a travel agent. Nora had come recommended and we are so glad we sought her guidance and expertise!

Nora was extremely helpful and knowledgeable during all phases of planning. She was patient when I couldn't make up my mind on hotels and locations and was a steady and calm force offering thoughtful feedback and pro/con arguments for various choices we had to make. She encouraged us to stick with our original Costa Rica plan when we considered alternative destinations, and I'm so glad she offered her genuine advice. She knew what we were looking for in this vacation and made the best recommendation for us.
She also offered sage advice to not fill up our vacation with excess excursions but enjoy the luxurious amenities of our hotels. All along I felt she was trying to provide us exactly the kind of trip we desired and that's what we got! :)
Nora Blum responded
"I'm thrilled your anniversary trip to Costa Rica was so fantastic and I look forward to working with you again on the next one."
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
78 of 129 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Amazing Family Trip
Reviewed By Susan - Macon Missouri | Traveled to Alaska ~ USA
We have worked with Ms. Blum since 2008 . Ms. Blum has helped arrange four trips . Ms. Blum responds to our emails within 24 hours. She has our travel information organized and easy to understand and follow.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
48 of 77 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Dream vacation to Hawaii
Reviewed By Randy - Mendota Heights, MN | Traveled to Honolulu, Oahu ~ Hawaii ~ USA
Our experience with Nora was great! My wife and I finally were able to have our dream vacation to Hawaii. Nora's experience and attention to details made our trip worry free and very enjoyable. Nora's knowledge of the islands made our decision to visit Honolulu, Kauai, & Maui something we will never forget.! I would highly recommend Nora for anyone planning their vacation.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
46 of 75 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
A new adventure in scotland
Reviewed By On the go - Houlton | Traveled to Scotland ~ Europe
Always excellent, plans trips according to her knowledge of site and knowledge of my likes and style
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
55 of 94 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO

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

Exceeded my hopes and expectations
Hi Nora, The trip was perfect. Exceeded all of my hopes and expectations. We had 2 beautiful days in Machu Picchu...pictures and descriptions simply do not fully capture how amazing it all is. We're still mulling over our next trip, but since this trip was so flawlessly planned...I will be calling you when we decide. Can't thank you enough for setting up such an awesome trip for us! Kelly
Kelly H., MN
Always planning a new adventure
Nora, your expertise and diligence has made it possible for your clients to explore the world, knowing that every aspect of their journey has been reviewed and detailed. I sincerely appreciate every ocean voyage and land excursion, together with the journeys that we have coordinated throughout every continent.. The trips have been fulfilling my gallavanting dreams.... Knowledge brings understanding....and I have learned ''volumes"....
Renee B., Richfield, Minnesota
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