McKenzie with Susan's Travel Services

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McKenzie with Susan's Travel Services Chief Strategy Officer | Luxury Travel Advisor
Susan's Travel Services. Based in Scottsdale, AZ Let me take you there.

As a luxury travel advisor, I specialize in crafting bespoke itineraries for honeymoons, romantic escapes, and once-in-a-lifetime journeys. I believe that travel is one of the greatest investments you can make in yourself—opening doors to personal growth, cultural connection, and unforgettable memories. Through my passion for exploration and dedication to detail, I curate experiences that reflect not just your desires, but your dreams. As proud members of Virtuoso, an exclusive, invitation-only network, the Susan's Travel Services team has the privilege of collaborating with the finest hotels, guides, and travel experts across the globe to ensure every trip exceeds expectations. To me, travel is more than luxury—it’s a right, a path to discovering both the world and yourself.

I've stayed at a lot of beautiful places for work, and honestly, The Brando is miles ahead of all of them.I was there in...
10/05/2026

I've stayed at a lot of beautiful places for work, and honestly, The Brando is miles ahead of all of them.

I was there in December 2024. When I walked up to check in, the staff greeted me by name before I'd shown them any ID. I was blown away. My villa was massive, with its own pool and its own beach, and the whole stay felt like I had my own private island.

It's also one of the only all-inclusives in French Polynesia, and it runs on solar power and seawater air conditioning. It even won a sustainability award at Virtuoso Travel Week, and I was so proud of them.

Here's how I plan it: I always save Bora Bora for the end of a South Pacific trip, with one exception. If The Brando is on your itinerary, it's the finale. It's only 20 minutes from Tahiti by private plane, so getting there is the easy part.

If you (or a couple you know) are dreaming about The Brando, even for a few years from now, send me a message or book a complimentary consultation. I'd love to plan it with you.
[email protected]

Fiji looks pretty simple to plan from the outside. Find a gorgeous resort, book your flights, and start counting down th...
09/14/2026

Fiji looks pretty simple to plan from the outside. Find a gorgeous resort, book your flights, and start counting down the days until you're sitting beside that ridiculously blue water.
But there’s a little more to it than that.

With more than 300 islands, completely different resort experiences, and transfers that can involve boats, seaplanes, helicopters, or additional flights, where you stay can completely change the kind of Fiji vacation you have. And the resort with the prettiest photos isn't necessarily the resort that's right for you.
Having traveled to Fiji myself and becoming a certified Fiji Specialist, I've learned just how much the little details matter here. I wrote a new article about what I wish more travelers knew before planning a trip to Fiji, from choosing the right island and resort to making sure all of those logistics work together seamlessly.

If Fiji has been sitting on your travel wish list, this one's for you.
Read the full article here: https://susanstravelservices.com/2026/09/what-i-wish-more-travelers-knew-before-planning-a-trip-to-fiji/

Tahiti or Fiji? Which South Pacific destination is actually right for you?At first glance, they seem to offer many of th...
09/10/2026

Tahiti or Fiji? Which South Pacific destination is actually right for you?

At first glance, they seem to offer many of the same things: turquoise water, beautiful beaches, incredible resorts and the opportunity to completely disconnect. But having traveled to both, I can tell you that the experience of visiting Tahiti is very different from the experience of visiting Fiji.

Tahiti might be the right fit if you’ve always dreamed of an overwater bungalow, want to experience several islands in one trip or have Bora Bora firmly planted on your bucket list. Fiji, on the other hand, can be incredible for travelers who want to settle into an exceptional resort, experience genuine Fijian hospitality and feel like they’ve escaped into their own little corner of the world.

Neither is “better.” The right destination depends on what you want your trip to feel like.

As a Fiji, Tahiti and South Pacific travel specialist, this is one of my favorite conversations to have with clients. I’ve experienced both destinations firsthand, and there are so many details beyond simply choosing Fiji or Tahiti that can completely change your trip, including which islands you visit and which resort you choose.

I broke down some of the biggest differences in my latest article, “Tahiti vs. Fiji: Which South Pacific Destination Is Right for You?” And if you had to choose today, which one would you pick: Tahiti or Fiji?

Read the full blog post here: https://susanstravelservices.com/2026/09/tahiti-vs-fiji-which-south-pacific-destination-is-right-for-you/

My hot take of the day: Australia and New Zealand should be two separate trips.I completely understand the temptation to...
09/05/2026

My hot take of the day: Australia and New Zealand should be two separate trips.

I completely understand the temptation to combine them. If you’re already flying all the way across the Pacific, it seems logical to visit both while you’re there. But unless you have several weeks to work with, I usually wouldn’t recommend it.

Australia is HUGE, and there is so much more to experience than most people realize when they first start planning. New Zealand may be smaller, but it isn’t a destination that deserves to be tacked onto the end of an Australia trip for a few days either. Part of what makes New Zealand so special is having the time to actually travel through it and enjoy the scenery along the way.

I would much rather plan an incredible two-week trip to Australia and save New Zealand for another vacation than try to fit both into those same two weeks and spend half the trip packing, flying and checking into another hotel.

Sometimes doing less really does mean experiencing more.
So, if you had to pick just one first, which would it be: Australia or New Zealand?

I went into a little more detail about why I recommend treating them as separate trips on the blog: https://susanstravelservices.com/2026/09/australia-and-new-zealand-deserve-separate-trips-heres-why/

Schedule your complimentary consultation here: [email protected]" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://book.nylas.com/us/17c481fa-c6ec-46c3-8e01-c7f0024cc234/mckenziestsconsultation?organizer_email=[email protected]

Sometimes the best reason to travel isn't the destination. It's the experience.On August 2, 2027, a total solar eclipse ...
08/26/2026

Sometimes the best reason to travel isn't the destination. It's the experience.

On August 2, 2027, a total solar eclipse will cross parts of Spain, Morocco, and Egypt, creating one of the most unique travel opportunities we'll see in our lifetime. While the eclipse itself will only last a few unforgettable minutes, it's the journey surrounding it that has me excited.

Imagine pairing this incredible event with a luxury Mediterranean cruise, exploring the streets of Seville, wandering Morocco's colorful markets, or sailing the Nile through Egypt. The eclipse becomes the highlight of a vacation you'll remember for years.

If this sounds like your kind of bucket list trip, it's worth starting to plan sooner rather than later. The best itineraries and accommodations are already generating interest.

So, where would you want to experience it? 🌘✈️

Schedule your complimentary consultation here: [email protected]" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://book.nylas.com/us/17c481fa-c6ec-46c3-8e01-c7f0024cc234/mckenziestsconsultation?organizer_email=[email protected]

It’s official... I’m a FIJI Specialist! 🇫🇯Earlier this year, I was incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to exper...
08/21/2026

It’s official... I’m a FIJI Specialist! 🇫🇯

Earlier this year, I was incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to experience Fiji firsthand thanks to Classic Vacations, who sent me to these beautiful islands in April to learn, explore, and experience the destination for myself. (And yes, these photos are from that trip! 🥰)

Getting to actually BE in Fiji taught me so much. I was able to stay at and visit incredible resorts, travel between islands, experience the different ways of getting around, and, most importantly, meet some of the wonderful people who make Fiji such an incredibly special place.

I came home with an even bigger appreciation for the destination... and wanting to learn MORE.

So, after slowly chipping away at my training between planning trips, traveling, and a very busy few months, I can FINALLY say I’ve completed the Fiji Specialist Program through Tourism Fiji! 🎉🇫🇯

For me, earning a specialist designation isn’t just about adding another certificate to the wall. It’s about becoming a better travel advisor for my clients.

There is tremendous value in experiencing a destination firsthand, but even after traveling there, there is always more to learn. Continuing my education helps me better understand the different islands and regions, experiences, logistics, and all of those little details that help me determine which Fiji experience is the right fit for each individual client.

That combination of firsthand experience, continued education, and the relationships we build within the travel industry is such an important part of what we do at Susan’s Travel Services. When you trust us with your vacation, we want to have the knowledge and resources to make thoughtful recommendations based on YOU, rather than simply booking something because it looks pretty online.

A huge THANK YOU to Classic Vacations for giving me the opportunity to experience this incredible destination firsthand and introducing me to a part of the world I absolutely fell in love with. ❤️

Fiji, I think it’s safe to say I know you a little better now. 😉🇫🇯

And next up on my specialist training list? Australia! 🇦🇺

There is nothing better than hearing, “We had an incredible trip!” from clients after they come home. 🥹❤️Marsha and Bria...
08/20/2026

There is nothing better than hearing, “We had an incredible trip!” from clients after they come home. 🥹❤️

Marsha and Briana just returned from an AMAZING adventure through Thailand to celebrate Briana's birthday, and I have absolutely LOVED seeing their photos and hearing about how much they enjoyed their trip!

And this message from Marsha absolutely made my day:
“Hello McKenzie, I am back at work but I had to tell you thank you for a great trip. You made everything so easy and that allowed us to enjoy every moment even more.” ❤️

THIS is why I love what I do!

Their adventure started in Bangkok at the beautiful Banyan Tree Bangkok, where they tasted their way through the city's street food scene by tuk tuk, cruised the Chao Phraya River by longtail boat, explored incredible temples, and experienced so much of the culture that makes Bangkok special.

Then it was off to Phuket and the gorgeous COMO Point Yamu! 🌴

Here, we slowed the pace down a little, mixing time to relax and enjoy paradise with some pretty unforgettable experiences. One of the highlights was visiting an ethical elephant sanctuary, where they were able to meet, feed, walk alongside, and observe the elephants. 🐘 They also explored Phuket's beautiful temples and visited the famous giant water lilies!

This is exactly what I love about thoughtfully planned travel. It isn't about filling every minute of every day. It's about creating the right balance of incredible experiences, beautiful accommodations, seamless logistics, and enough breathing room to actually enjoy where you are.

And the fact that Marsha and Briana have already been sharing my name with their friends and neighbors since before even coming home? 🥹 That might be one of the BEST compliments I could receive.

Marsha and Briana, THANK YOU for trusting me to help plan such a special adventure and for letting me share some of your beautiful photos! And Briana, I hope Thailand made for one VERY memorable birthday celebration! 🎂🇹🇭❤️

Happy birthday, Briana, and welcome home, you two! Thailand looked VERY good on you! 🇹🇭✨

Planning Fiji? Now is an exceptional time to do it. 🇫🇯Book now through October 31, 2026 to take advantage of an exclusiv...
08/19/2026

Planning Fiji? Now is an exceptional time to do it. 🇫🇯
Book now through October 31, 2026 to take advantage of an exclusive Fiji promotion available when you plan your stay with Susan’s Travel Services.

For travel through July 31, 2027, a collection of featured Fiji resorts is offering special benefits designed to add even more to an already extraordinary escape.
Depending on the property and dates selected, your stay may include:
✨ Complimentary nights
✨ Resort credits
✨ Daily breakfast or included meals
✨ Complimentary transfers
✨ Exclusive savings and added amenities
✨ Plus a $200 instant booking credit on qualifying stays of 7 nights or longer

Imagine waking up in a private island retreat, spending the afternoon surrounded by Fiji’s impossibly blue water, and ending the day with dinner overlooking the South Pacific. The right resort makes Fiji incredible. The right added benefits make the experience even better.

Booking Window: Now through October 31, 2026
Travel Window: Now through July 31, 2027

Available at select featured Fiji properties
Each participating resort has its own promotion, inclusions, and travel dates, so we’ll help you determine which options offer the best fit and value for the experience you’re envisioning.
If Fiji has been on your list, this is a beautiful opportunity to start planning. Send us a message to explore the featured resorts and exclusive benefits available for your stay. 🌴

We just got back from Virtuoso Travel Week 2026, and what a WEEK!Susan and I each walked more than 75,000+ steps, spent ...
08/17/2026

We just got back from Virtuoso Travel Week 2026, and what a WEEK!

Susan and I each walked more than 75,000+ steps, spent our days in fast-paced 8-minute meetings with travel partners from around the world, caught up with industry friends we've known for years, made some exciting new connections, filmed TikToks between appointments, and somehow survived 7:15 a.m. to 10 p.m. days.

But through all of it, we kept thinking about our clients.
We'd sit down with a new partner and think, “I know exactly who would love this.” We'd hear about an incredible experience and immediately start imagining a trip around it. We'd reconnect with people we've trusted for years and remember exactly why these relationships matter so much.

That's really why we go to Virtuoso Travel Week. We don't come home with a list of things we want to sell you. We come home with people we can call, places we understand better, new ideas, deeper knowledge, and relationships we trust with the people who trust us.

We went to Las Vegas, but we went with YOU in mind!
Read the full story from our week in Vegas below!
https://susanstravelservices.com/2026/08/we-went-to-las-vegas-with-you-in-mind-inside-virtuoso-travel-week-2026/

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Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
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