About me

Growing up in the small village of Brentwood Bay on southern Vancouver Island, I became interested in other cultures and foreign lands as a 9-year-old researching Egypt for a grade 3 school report.  Years later, this interest was piqued when I started my 1st job at the beautiful Butchart Gardens.  At the ‘gardens’, I had the opportunity to meet thousands of people from all over the world. Listening to strangers discuss and marvel at the beauty of Canada not only grew my passion for my own country, but also stirred a curiosity in me to know more about customs, cultures and countries other than my own.

Though living just a short distance from the United States, I was 18 the 1st time I left Canada. My best friend & I had a wonderful holiday in Florida & the Bahamas. A perfect ‘taster’ for me, that holiday sparked renewed vigor to explore even further afield.

Whilst attending university, I worked, saved & studied everything travel related that I could get my hands on… even clipping and gluing the newspaper World Weather updates into my ‘pre-travel’ diary!

My next journey was to Europe at 23 with my backpack on my back and loose plans to start in Greece and somehow experience Africa.  I started off in Mykonos (Greek Islands) and this is where I met another traveler, a man from Australia, who 3 years later became my husband.  I spent 5 months backpacking throughout Europe before returning to Canada.  6 months later, and just days after my sister’s wedding, I was off to Australia for 12 months.

As well as being at opposite ends of the planet, there is immense geographical diversity between Canada with it’s mountains, lakes, flora & fauna and Australia with its beaches, outback, reefs and of course also it’s flora & fauna; however, there is a commonality both countries share with the rest of the world… people and our innate curiosity to experience ‘other, elsewhere & difference‘.

With almost 30 years working in the travel industry across many platforms, I am an expert in my field yet humbly & gratefully acknowledge each day is a new opportunity to learn more and share my knowledge with my clients as I work hard to create a platform in which you are able to experience ‘other, elsewhere & difference’.

If you are planning a holiday and are feeling overwhelmed already – it may be time to work alongside a professional – my job is to work with you, take your stress away & turn your journey back into an enjoyable experience from beginning to end.

Where I've Travelled

Destinations I'm Passionate About

Canada & Alaska (particularly passionate about creating independent journeys of the Pacific Northwest & Rocky Mountains)

USA (special interest in Route 66 & the National Parks in Utah, Arizona, Montana, California, Colorado)

Europe (love it all but some of my fondest memories include the Greek Islands and meeting Santa Claus in Finland)

Globally – I simply cannot narrow it down. I love creating itineraries across all continents!

Services I Provide

From the moment you contact me through to your return, as my client you will receive an exceptional level of personalised service with outstanding attention to detail. I’ve travelled around the world to many countries and I love to work with my clients to share and create exciting,  beautiful,  bespoke itineraries to suit their dreams and their budget.  By asking the right questions and paying particular attention to your responses, I am able to present a personalised, itinerary to match your specific wishes. Not only will I make certain that you are getting the best product and price to match your specific needs I will also give back to you the hours of painful research and the stress you would otherwise endure trying to do it yourself online.

Comprehensive and transparent financial protection for Australian travellers.

Comprehensive and transparent financial protection for Australian travellers.
Find out more
Valerie Galanou
Location
Based in Doncaster East, VIC
Trading Hours
Monday - Friday 10:00am - 3:00pm. Strictly by appointment outside of these hours.

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