About Us
Hi! I’m Valerie Mendez, CEO & Founder of The Wander and Travel. I started this business with a dream and a deep passion for travel. Originally from Puerto Rico, I now call Seattle, WA home, where I live with my partner and our two kitties. When I’m not planning incredible trips, you’ll find me enjoying Halloween year-round, sipping coffee, reading, or geeking out over Star Wars and Marvel.
I can’t wait to help you plan your next adventure—whether it's a dreamy getaway or a bucket-list trip, I’m here to make it effortless and unforgettable!
How it Works
Planning your trip with The Wander and Travel is easy and stress-free. Here’s how it goes:
Book a Free Travel Planning Call: We start with a complimentary call to talk through your destination ideas, travel dates, budget range, and the type of experience you want.
Trip Proposal & Estimate: If we’re a good fit, I’ll move forward with a custom trip proposal. A $200 travel planning fee is required to begin research and design. This includes curated flight options, accommodations, and itinerary ideas tailored to your trip.
Approve & Refine: You’ll review the proposal and request any changes. Once everything feels right, we move forward.
Detailed Itinerary & Booking: I handle the bookings and create a detailed itinerary with day-by-day plans, logistics, and helpful travel notes.
Travel Support: You’ll receive all final travel documents, and I’m available for concierge support before and during your trip.
Ready to get started? Let’s turn your dream vacation into reality!
Who I Am For:
The Wander and Travel is for travelers who:
Want a thoughtfully planned, stress-free trip
Value personalized recommendations over generic itineraries
Prefer working with a real human instead of spending hours researching
Are planning honeymoons, romantic getaways, adult-only trips, or meaningful vacations
Who It’s Not For:
This may not be the best fit if you:
Are looking for the cheapest possible trip
Prefer to plan every detail yourself
Want instant quotes without a planning process
If that sounds like you, I’d love to help you plan something unforgettable.
Book Your Free Travel Planning Call!
This is a relaxed, no-pressure conversation where we’ll:
Talk through your destination ideas, budget, and travel goals
Discuss your travel style and what matters most to you
Determine whether we’re a good fit to work together
If we’re a good fit, I’ll walk you through the next steps, including the travel planning fee. There’s no obligation to move forward.
Ready to let us plan your trip?
Reviews.
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![Tropical beach scene with palm trees and ocean view]()
Dee; Puerto Rico 2024
“We have worked with travel agents in the past, but we have never had a more professional experience than we enjoyed with The Wander and Travel. Every detail was world-class, from the magazine-quality itineraries to the personal concierge communications along the way. We were delighted with the level of detail provided for every experience and had a superb trip as a result. We look forward to working with Valerie at The Wander and Travel again in the future!”
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![Elegant indoor lounge area with large glass windows, palm trees, potted plants, and seating, with the BC Hotels logo on a pool of water in the foreground.]()
Maritza; Live Aqua, Punta Cana 2025
“Our overall trip experience was amazing and stress free. TWT made/kept it stress free to where we just had to show up to the airport and get to our destination without having to think (book) anything.”
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![A resort pool area with thatched umbrellas, lounge chairs, palm trees, and a large white building in the background, partially framed by palm fronds in the foreground.]()
Robert; Catalonia Royal Bavaro, Punta Cana 2022
“I guess I loved the savings, but more importantly the personal touch. Our agent was in continual contact with us to make sure everything was going accordingly. So grateful for the phone call that prompted maintenance to get to our room to take care of the Air Conditioning. Just exceptional service right up to our arrival home. Will be booking again through you not just for the savings, but because of your thoroughness from beginning to end. Thank you for the excellent care and we will be booking our next vacation through you as well.”
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![Cityscape of Madrid, Spain at sunset with historic buildings, bustling streets, and the Metropolis building with its ornate dome in the foreground.]()
Rafael; Barcelona and Madrid 2023
“TWT took care of my entire trip … awesome experience. 5 STAR ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”
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![A large sea stack rock formation rising from the ocean, with a boat and smaller boats nearby.]()
Joe; Dreams Los Cabos, Cabo San Lucas 2022
“Location and amenities were fantastic. Service was a bit slow in the restaurants but food tasted great . Great views… we wished we could swim in the ocean but the experience at the beach was good enough. Due to the location we couldn’t enjoy the entire Cabo experience but TWT set us up with a few excursions that made it posible for us to enjoy the location. It was worth it staying in this location and hotel for children’s amenities. …..Presentation of information was great. We felt like we had a good understanding of what options we had and what to expect. Communication is key especially when you are traveling with small children.”
Travel Itineraries
Book Direct
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![Interior of an airplane cabin filled with seated passengers, with text overlayed reading 'Book Your Flight' and 'Affiliated Link by Expedia'.]()
Book Flights.
Book your flight today with Expedia for a seamless and budget-friendly journey. Enjoy exclusive deals and easy booking with Expedia’s user-friendly platform.
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![A nighttime scene of a tropical hotel with palm trees, lit windows, and a swimming pool in the foreground, promoting hotel booking with overlay text.]()
Book Hotels.
Book your hotel today with Expedia for a wide selection of accommodations worldwide. Enjoy competitive prices, easy booking, and exclusive deals. Start planning your next getaway now!
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![A cruise ship sailing on the ocean at sunset with on-screen text promoting booking a cruise, affiliated with Virgin Voyages.]()
Book Cruises.
Experience luxury at sea with Virgin Voyages. Step aboard a yacht-inspired boutique hotel and explore over 45 itineraries. Don’t miss out!
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![Group of hikers walking on a dirt trail through green hills, with mountain scenery in the background and a small cluster of buildings on the hillside.]()
Book Excursions.
Discover top activities with Viator! With the world’s largest selection of high-quality experiences, find guided tours, unique activities, and cultural experiences for an unforgettable trip.
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![Travel insurance promotional graphic with a beige background, a palm leaf, a straw bag, a hat, and clothes, emphasizing the purchase of travel insurance.]()
Purchase Insurance.
Invest in worry-free travel with TravelSafe’s comprehensive coverage. Protect your investment with benefits like trip cancellation, medical emergencies, and more. Get peace of mind today!
