One of my earliest travel memories is my parents deciding, almost on a whim, “Hey, let’s get in the car and drive to the mountains.” No reservations. No itinerary. Just a full tank of gas, a little curiosity, and the excitement of finding one of those old-school VACANCY signs along the way.
Those spontaneous trips taught me to appreciate the magic of leaving a little room for the unexpected. The unplanned stops, the small discoveries, and the moments that become the stories you tell for years are often what make a trip truly memorable. I still love that sense of adventure - and it’s something I hope to pass down to my own kids.
But as a busy mom, I also know how valuable thoughtful planning can be. I like to have about 80% of a trip figured out and leave the remaining 20% open for spontaneity. Having the important pieces in place means less time spent researching, coordinating, and wondering what comes next, and more time enjoying the people you’re with and the place you’ve traveled so far to experience.
That’s where I come in. I love finding the right hotel and room, arranging transportation, planning memorable experiences, securing restaurant reservations, and taking care of the details that can easily become overwhelming. My goal is to create a trip that feels personal, seamless, and well-thought-out without filling every minute of your day.
Because the best travel experiences have both: a thoughtful plan and room for a little magic. I’ve got the details covered, so you can check in and enjoy the trip.
Hi, I’m Jess Walton.
My journey into travel planning
After 20 years in big tech, working in sales and marketing, I never really expected travel planning to be my next chapter- but looking back, it makes a lot of sense. I’ve always loved the details of a great trip: finding the hotel that feels just right, discovering the hole-in-the-wall restaurant you’ll be talking about afterward, and figuring out how all the pieces fit together.
My career taught me how to listen well, build relationships, understand what people are looking for, negotiate, problem-solve, and keep many moving pieces on track. Those skills have carried over more than I ever imagined.
The biggest difference? Now I get to use them doing something I genuinely love. Travel planning brings together my experience, my curiosity, and my love of a really great resort, and I couldn’t be more excited about this next chapter!
The Perks Are Just the Beginning
As a Fora Pro Travel Advisor and Virtuoso member, I have access to preferred partner benefits at more than 4,500 hotels and resorts worldwide, including complimentary upgrades, daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and hotel or resort credits when available. These aren’t perks you have to negotiate for; they’re part of the relationships I have access to as your advisor, and the best part is that they are at no additional cost to you!
But the real value goes beyond the extras. It’s having relationships with the people on the ground - the hotel teams who know their properties inside and out, GMs who will pick up the phone, and trusted local partners who know what’s actually worth your time. That kind of access can mean the difference between a good trip and a truly great one.
The upgrade is nice. Knowing who to call is even better.
