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Browns Mills, NJ Travel Agent· 17 Years of Experience
Always an Adventure Travel, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
11 reviews
100% Recommended
17 Years of Experience
5.0
(11)
100% Recommended
Our Hawaii trip to Maui and Oahu was absolutely unforgettable, thanks to Des! From start to finish, she made planning so easy. From finding the perfect... Read More >
About
Reviews
Certificates & Awards
My Places
Areas of expertise
Destinations:
Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Worldwide, At Sea
Interests:
Honeymoons, Destination Weddings, Luxury, Cruises, European Culture
Suppliers:
Classic Vacations, Sandals and Beaches Resorts, Inclusive Collection – World of Hyatt
About Me
Seville, Spain
Hi, I’m Des! I’m the founder of Always an Adventure Travel, and I’m passionate about helping my clients turn their travel dreams into meaningful, unforgettable experiences.
Travel and planning have always been at the heart of who I am. I hold a degree in Travel and Tourism and have earned numerous industry certifications and specializations that allow me to thoughtfully design vacations for couples, families, and groups celebrating life’s most important moments.
In my early days in the industry, I worked in corporate travel, as well as in event planning for non-profits, coordinating large-scale events such as golf tournaments. That background taught me how to manage all the moving parts that go into creating seamless and memorable experiences, a skill that translates perfectly into planning complex trips, destination weddings, honeymoons, and group travel.
I’m also a proud member of the Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialist Association, where I serve on the Research Committee and participate in the Honeymoon Special Interest Group. These roles allow me to stay closely connected to industry trends and continually expand my expertise.
I love getting to know my clients and designing trips that feel personal and meaningful to them. Whether it’s a luxury honeymoon or bucket list trip in Europe, a destination wedding in the Caribbean, a magical Disney vacation, a relaxing beach escape, or a milestone celebration at sea, I approach every itinerary with the same care and excitement as if it were my own.
My goal is to make the planning process enjoyable and stress-free while helping you create memories that will last a lifetime. Many of my clients return year after year, and it’s truly an honor to be their trusted travel partner as they continue exploring the world.
Favorite Destinations
Favorite destination: Spain—because there’s nothing better than vibrant cities, rich culture, incredible food - and the glass of sangria with a view is always a plus!
Reviews
Certificates & Awards
My Places
Areas of expertise
Destinations:
Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Worldwide, At Sea
Interests:
Honeymoons, Destination Weddings, Luxury, Cruises, European Culture
Suppliers:
Classic Vacations, Sandals and Beaches Resorts, Inclusive Collection – World of Hyatt
REVIEWS
Rating: 5.0
11 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 11 reviews
Awesome Hawaii trip
Reviewed By jessandaaron2018 - Palo Alto, CA | Traveled to Hawaii | USA
Our Hawaii trip to Maui and Oahu was absolutely unforgettable, thanks to Des! From start to finish, she made planning so easy. From finding the perfect resorts, activities, and even the best way to split our time between the islands. Every detail was spot on, and her recommendations made our trip even more special. If you’re dreaming of Hawaii, let Desiree plan it - you’ll be in the best hands!
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Amazing River Cruise!
Reviewed By celticlover - Weston, MA | Traveled to Germany | Europe
Our AmaWaterways river cruise was absolutely amazing, and we couldn’t have done it without Des! She made everything so easy, from helping us choose the perfect itinerary to handling every little detail. Her knowledge, communication, and care made the whole experience seamless. We’ll definitely be planning our next adventure with her!
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Disney magic!
Reviewed By mrsjay2001 - Blackwood, NJ | Traveled to Fort Lauderdale | Florida | USA
We just got back from our Disney Cruise, and it was absolutely amazing, all thanks to our incredible travel agent, Desiree from Always an Adventure Travel! From the very beginning, she made the entire planning process so easy and stress-free. She helped us choose the perfect itinerary, answered every question (even the random late-night ones!), and made sure we didn’t miss a single detail.
Desiree went above and beyond to make sure everything was taken care of from dining times and excursions to special surprises for our kids. Her Disney knowledge is unmatched, and you can tell she truly loves what she does. Because of her, our family was able to just relax, have fun, and make the most of every moment.
If you’re planning a Disney vacation do yourself a favor and reach out to Desiree. She’ll make sure your trip is nothing short of magical!
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Incredible Service – A Seamless European Journey!
Reviewed By MrsGranger - Yardley, PA | Traveled to Budapest | Hungary | Europe
I can't say enough good things about my experience working with Des! She was highly recommended to me by a colleague. From the moment I reached out with interest in a European river cruise, she took the time to understand exactly what I was looking for and curated an unforgettable trip that exceeded all our expectations.
The river cruise itself was absolutely delightful. Every detail was taken care of, from the itinerary to the excursions, and I felt completely confident knowing that everything had been arranged with utmost care. What really stood out, though, was the thoughtful planning of my post-cruise stay in Budapest. Des recommended the perfect hotel in a great location, suggested amazing local experiences, and made sure we had everything we needed for a smooth transition from ship to city.
Her knowledge, responsiveness, and personal touches truly made a difference. I felt supported and cared for every step of the way, and I never had to worry about a thing. Thanks to her expe
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
The Best Destination Wedding Planner!
Reviewed By The Phelans - Cherry Hill, NJ | Traveled to Barbados | Caribbean
Working with Des was one of the best decisions we made for our destination wedding in Barbados. From start to finish, Des was an absolute superstar—knowledgeable, responsive, and incredibly thoughtful about every detail.
Planning a wedding can be stressful, but Des made the entire process feel effortless. She helped us choose the perfect island and venue in Barbados, coordinated all the travel arrangements for us and our guests, and was always available to answer questions or troubleshoot anything that came up. Her local expertise and connections in Barbados were invaluable, and she made sure everything ran smoothly from the moment we landed.
Our guests raved about how easy and organized everything was thanks to Des. Flights, transfers, accommodations—she handled it all with professionalism and warmth, allowing us to fully enjoy our special day without worrying about the logistics.
Because of Des, our wedding was not just beautiful, it was stress-free—something I never thought I’d s
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Perfect honeymoon
Reviewed By photo_guy10001 - New York, NY | Traveled to Kenya | Africa
Desiree Hand did an incredible job planning our African safari. This was a bucket list trip for us and we were completely overwhelmed with the planning on our own. As soon as we connected with her, we found her to be knowledgable, warm and very organized. She created a seamless itinerary and guided us to amazing lodges and experiences that we never would have found on our own! Her recommendation to focus on Kenya for the wildlife we were hoping to see, and the beautiful lodge and tented camp we stayed at made the trip truly once in a lifetime. Everything was perfectly organized, and we felt completely taken care of from start to finish. We’re so grateful for her expertise and highly recommend Desiree to anyone planning a special trip.
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Great travel agent for Italy!
Reviewed By mrandmrsjays - Rhode Island | Traveled to Italy | Europe
Amazing experience! Desiree planned the perfect Italian honeymoon for us - beautiful hotels, incredible food experiences, and stress-free travel from start to finish. We’ll definitely be booking our next trip with her!
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Perfect family reunion trip
Reviewed By grammyh - Cape May, NJ | Traveled to Turks and Caicos Islands | Caribbean
We recently returned from an unforgettable family reunion at Beaches Turks & Caicos, that was expertly organized by Desiree. From the initial planning stages to our arrival, Desiree ensured every detail was tailored to our family's needs and helped ease our stress about traveling with a child with special needs.
The resort offered something for everyone—large villa accommodations, a pristine beach, and activities that kept both kids and adults entertained. The highlight was the Pirate’s Island Waterpark, which was a hit with the children.
Thanks to Desiree, our reunion was seamless and stress-free. We highly recommend her services to anyone planning a special getaway.
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Thailand Honeymoon - Above and Beyond
Reviewed By J&D - Philadelphia, PA | Traveled to Thailand | East and Southeast Asia
We wanted a mix of culture and relaxation, and this honeymoon delivered perfectly. Exploring Bangkok’s temples, taking a cooking class in Chiang Mai, and unwinding on the beaches of Koh Samui—it was the ideal balance. We never had to worry about a thing. Des knocked it out of the park and even added in some surprises for us. Thank you for making it so unforgettable!
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Dream Jamaica Wedding
Reviewed By jessi_t - Wall, NJ | Traveled to Jamaica | Caribbean
Planning a destination wedding felt overwhelming at first, but Des made everything so easy. She helped us choose the perfect resort in Jamaica, handled all the travel logistics for us and our guests, and made the whole experience stress-free and fun.
Our wedding day was truly a dream, and we couldn’t have done it without her. She was organized, responsive, and genuinely cared about making everything perfect. We’re so grateful for her expertise and support—we wouldn’t change a thing!
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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The best honeymoon experience!
Reviewed By diana_c - Minneapolis, MN | Traveled to Jamaica | Caribbean
We wanted a romantic getaway to Jamaica, and Des delivered beyond our expectations. The resort was stunning, the excursions were unforgettable, and every detail was taken care of. It was the perfect start to our married life! We refer her to everyone and can't wait to plan our anniversary trip.
Desiree Hand responded
"Thanks, Diane! It was wonderful planning a honeymoon for you and Mark, I'm so glad you had an amazing trip! Your referrals mean the world to me. :-)"
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Certifications & Awards
Globus family of brands Specialist
Holland America Line Academy Specialist
Hurtigruten Expeditions Certified Agent
NCL University - PHD Degree
Pleasant Premier Ambassador
Princess Commodore Certified
Regent Seven Seas Luxury Cruise Expert
Royal Caribbean University - Master of Adventure
Seabourn Academy Graduate
Seacademy - Violet Certification
AMA Academy
AmaWaterways Specialist
AMResorts Master Agent
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Celebrity Learning Certification
Viking Expeditions Expert
Viking Expert
Viking Oceans Expert
Viking Rivers Expert
Windstar Star Specialist
World Azamara Academy
Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialist
Travel Agent of the Year/Rising Star 2024
Elite Advisor - Sandals and Beaches Resorts
Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Assoc
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.
Europe
Booked It 25 Times
Been There 7 Times
Our AmaWaterways river cruise was absolutely amazi... Read more
At Sea, At Sea
Booked It 6 Times
Been There 6 Times
Planning a destination wedding felt overwhelming a... Read more
Africa
Booked It 5 Times
Desiree Hand did an incredible job planning our Af... Read more
South Africa, Africa
Booked It 5 Times
Desiree Hand did an incredible job planning our Af... Read more
Australia & New Zealand
Booked It 5 Times
We just got back from our Disney Cruise, and it wa... Read more
Australia, Australia & New Zealand
Booked It 5 Times
Desiree Hand did an incredible job planning our Af... Read more
New Zealand, Australia & New Zealand
Booked It 7 Times
Our Hawaii trip to Maui and Oahu was absolutely un... Read more
Canada
Booked It 8 Times
Been There 2 Times
We wanted a mix of culture and relaxation, and thi... Read more
Antigua & Barbuda, Caribbean
Booked It 3 Times
Been There
Working with Des was one of the best decisions we ... Read more
Aruba, Caribbean
Booked It 7 Times
Been There 2 Times
Working with Des was one of the best decisions we ... Read more
Bermuda, Caribbean
Booked It 6 Times
Been There
Working with Des was one of the best decisions we ... Read more
Grenada, Caribbean
Booked It 5 Times
Working with Des was one of the best decisions we ... Read more
Jamaica, Caribbean
Booked It 20 Times
Been There 9 Times
Planning a destination wedding felt overwhelming a... Read more
Curacao, Netherlands Antilles, Caribbean
Booked It 4 Times
Working with Des was one of the best decisions we ... Read more
St. Kitts and Nevis, Caribbean
Booked It 10 Times
Been There
Working with Des was one of the best decisions we ... Read more
Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, Caribbean
Booked It 10 Times
Been There 2 Times
Working with Des was one of the best decisions we ... Read more
Turks and Caicos Islands, Caribbean
Booked It 11 Times
Been There 3 Times
We recently returned from an unforgettable family ... Read more
Costa Rica, Central America
Booked It 5 Times
Been There
We recently returned from an unforgettable family ... Read more
East and Southeast Asia
Booked It 3 Times
We wanted a mix of culture and relaxation, and thi... Read more
China, East and Southeast Asia
Booked It 3 Times
We wanted a mix of culture and relaxation, and thi... Read more
Thailand, East and Southeast Asia
Booked It 3 Times
Been There
We wanted a mix of culture and relaxation, and thi... Read more
Croatia, Europe
Booked It 7 Times
Our AmaWaterways river cruise was absolutely amazi... Read more
England, Europe
Booked It 5 Times
Been There 4 Times
Our AmaWaterways river cruise was absolutely amazi... Read more
France, Europe
Booked It 7 Times
Been There
Our AmaWaterways river cruise was absolutely amazi... Read more
Iceland, Europe
Booked It 4 Times
Our AmaWaterways river cruise was absolutely amazi... Read more
Ireland, Europe
Booked It 5 Times
Our AmaWaterways river cruise was absolutely amazi... Read more
Italy, Europe
Booked It 20 Times
Been There 2 Times
Amazing experience! Desiree planned the perfect It... Read more
Spain, Europe
Booked It 3 Times
Been There
Our AmaWaterways river cruise was absolutely amazi... Read more
Mexico, Mexico
Booked It 13 Times
Been There 3 Times
Working with Des was one of the best decisions we ... Read more
South Pacific
Booked It 5 Times
Amazing experience! Desiree planned the perfect It... Read more
Fiji, South Pacific
Booked It 5 Times
We wanted a romantic getaway to Jamaica, and Des d... Read more
Alaska, USA
Booked It 8 Times
Been There
Our Hawaii trip to Maui and Oahu was absolutely un... Read more
California, USA
Booked It 8 Times
Been There 4 Times
Our Hawaii trip to Maui and Oahu was absolutely un... Read more