Welcome! I’m Lesli.
Travel writer, agent, Alaska expert, group expert, mom, and all-around travel enthusiast.
All in all, I’m here to help you create vibrant, lasting adventure memories with the people you love!
How I became a travel professional.
I began writing in 2016 as a homeschool writer, but our family’s 2017 Alaskan adventure changed everything. My husband and I took our three kids and my mother-in-law, and made her bucket list dream of seeing glaciers come true.
It was a pivotal moment for our family, and for my career. I wanted to work with families to give them the opportunity to make incredible memories. In 2018 I joined Charming Travels, LLC as a travel agent and began booking trips and learning the ropes as a travel professional.
In the years since, I’ve sent clients around the world from Japan to Scotland, Anchorage to Aruba, and Seattle to St. Kitts. I’ve honed my travel management skills through the pandemic, and I’ve completed multiple courses and certifications. I’m now here to help you and your family build your memory banks through bucket list fulfilling adventures.
My travel planning role.
At my core, I am a planning professional. I believe that planning an adventure begins through learning about the destination, having a plan, and then having options should a travel gremlin arise.
It’s my job to build an itinerary that checks off your “must-dos” while also leaving room for exploration, rest, and the little experiences that give you good stories to tell later on.
My specialties as an agent.
I specialize in three different areas as a travel agent.
My primary specialty is booking groups of people with differing needs and expectations on cohesive trips. Whether it is a group of family members of different ages, or I’m working with 8 couples with different fitness levels, I work to create an itinerary that brings everyone together for the big moments while giving space for each member to enjoy their own adventure. I am also certified through Travel Leader’s Network as a Group Travel Specialist.
My secondary specialty is Alaska bucket list trips. When I say our 2017 trip changed everything, I mean it! I fell head-over-heals, totally, deeply, and fully in love with Alaska and all her majesty on that trip. I’ve been back multiple times since, every trip has had different adventures and experiences, and I’m eagerly anticipating my next Alaskan adventure. I now hold the designation of Alaska Travel Expert from Travel Alaska, multiple cruise line Alaska expert certifications, and am currently writing an Alaska travel course that will be available in Spring 2025. If Alaska is on your travel list, you’ve found the right person to guide your travels.
My third specialty neatly dovetails the first two as a travel planner, as I have become a cruise specialist through multiple trainings, bookings, and groups I’ve managed. As a traveler with teens, cruising is something I love, and it’s a way that many families I work with enjoy seeing the world. You will see a lot of cruise related articles on this site, as my clients and I sail as often and as far as our schedules and budgets allow.
Why I Write
My ultimate goal as a travel professional is to be a resource to make travel easy and accessible for each individual that comes across my platform.
While I have the ability to book and plan your travel, even if someone only interacts with an article I’ve written or a list I’ve published, my hope is that your travel adventures are easier and more pleasant due to what I’ve shared.
Travel by Lesli is my one-stop-shop for all that I know and can share about exploring the world around us.
Follow My Socials
My Agency
I am an independent travel agent through Charming Travels, LLC. Charming Travels is a boutique travel agency based out of Mooresville, NC. The agency specializes in Disney Destinations, Family Vacations, Cruise Lines, and All-Inclusive Resorts. I am one of 9 agents working to build magical family adventures.
My Travel Journal for Kids
Where I’ve Been Featured
Modern Trekker Fun Learning Adventures Your Kids Will Love In North Carolina & Virginia
Modern Trekker Fun Activities In St. Louis That Your Kids Will Really Love
Modern Trekker 5 Places You Simply Must Take Children In Washington D.C.
The Family Backpack 3 Amazing Days of Adventure in Central Alaska….with Kids!
My Travel Leader’s Network Agent Profile
Lesli Gibbs’ profile on Travel Leader’s Network
My Travel Certifications and Awards
Certified Group Travel Specialist
Graduate of AMA Academy – AMA Waterways
Viking River Cruises Specialist
Holland America Line Academy Specialist
Holland America Cruise Line Alaska Specialist
Princess Cruise Line Specialist
NCL University – Master’s Degree
Royal Caribbean University – Master of Adventure
Australia Specialist Agent – Tourism Australia
Hawaii Destination Expert
My Current Personal Bucket List
Canada
Banff and the Canadian Rockies
Prince Edward Island
Ice Skate in the Quebec Forests
General USA
Washington State and Mt. Rainer National Park
Alaska
Snorkel in Ketchikan
Flightseeing Tour of Denali
Fairbanks Winter Trip for the Aurora
Week on the Kenai Penninsula
Week on Kodiak Island
Spend a Summer in the AK Interior
Mexico and the Caribbean
Dive in Cozumel
Cruise to St. Croix
South America
Peru – Lima and Machu Pichu
Patagonia in Chile and Argentina
Visit Uruguay
Europe
Norway Cruise and Summer Hikes
Norway Winter Exploring
Iceland 2 Week Road Trip
Loire Valley in France
Christmas Market River Cruise
Danube Cruise
North Europe Cruise from Rotterdam
Western Mediterranean Cruise
Switzerland Hikes
Food Tastings in Italy
Visit Spain and Portugal
Africa
Climb Kilimanjaro
Safari Tour and Stay
Madagascar Tour
Asia
Japan 2-3 Week Trip with Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hiroshima
Himalayas Trek
Dive in Indonesia
Oceania
2 Months in Australia with a focus on Perth, Tasmania, and Queensland
Diving on the Great Barrier Reef
2 Months in New Zealand, primarily on the South Island
Antarctica
Expedition Cruise to the Continent
A Personal Thank You
Thank you for visiting and joining me on this journey through life. Safe travels wherever your road may lead!
- Lesli