Meet the J5Travel Team
I am excited to be able to share this knowledge and expertise with our clients by offering a tailored travel experience complemented by the support of our host
agency, Gifted Travel Network. And after just over 8 years since founding J5Travel, I have been named to the global list of Condé Nast Traveler's Top Travel Specialists for 2021, 2022, & 2023.
We have relationships with hundreds of travel suppliers and attention to detail and individualized customer service are our trademarks.
Meet John
Owner & Chief Travel Tailor
British native, I worked in the banking industry for many years, but also owned a restaurant for 5 years, before moving to the USA in 2002.
Food and travel have always been my passions and it has been a priority to ensure our two children be educated and inspired by the trips and travel experiences we have enjoyed as a family.
Meet Kendall
Director of Luxury Sales
Having grown up with close connections to the travel industry, Kendall has a strong passion for helping people enjoy new experiences through luxury travel. She has traveled extensively throughout Europe and Hawaii with her favorite destinations being Italy, Ireland, Netherlands, Maui and Kauai. Throughout her time at J5Travel, she has created relationships with many top luxury properties and suppliers that allow us to elevate our clients’ travels. Kendall continues to develop important relationships in the luxury realm that will make the difference to your itineraries.
Meet Shanna
Director of Travel Planning
Shanna's long time passion for travel and constant desire to experience new cultures brought her to J5Travel. She has an extensive background in event planning, digital marketing, and social media management. As an avid foodie with an adventurous spirit, a few of her favorite destinations are Thailand, Iceland, and Costa Rica. During her time with J5Travel, she has established close relationships with various suppliers while specializing in Caribbean, Central America, Spain, Portugal, France, and U.S. travel. As Director of Travel Planning, she is excited to continue to tailor luxury and memorable trips for our clients.
Meet Kanise
Director of Luxury Cruises
Kanise has enjoyed an extensive travel background. She has experience working in the airlines as both a flight attendant and customer service specialist, and most importantly she brings us luxury cruise industry knowledge from her recent time as a cruise consultant with Silversea Cruises. Her passion for travel has taken her all over the world and she enjoys all things cruises with her favorite being Virgin Voyages.
Meet Morgan
Luxury Cruise Specialist
Morgan has a background in event management and social media marketing. She has helped countless businesses create engaging and successful events and social media campaigns. Morgan has a passion for travel and now as an assistant travel advisor, she uses the J5Travel team's extensive knowledge of destinations and travel planning to help create unforgettable trips for clients. Outside of work, Morgan loves to travel and has visited 48 of the 50 states in the US. Her travels have given her a deep appreciation for different cultures and a broad perspective on life.
Meet Sarah
Director of Marketing
After working for J5Travel’s host agency, Gifted Travel Network, for 5 years Sarah decided to go back to school and pursue her passion for nutrition. Sarah loved working with amazing travel advisors and couldn’t quite leave that chapter behind her. She has been the J5Travel’s Virtual Assistant for almost 6 years now and is the designer behind the J5Travel website, as well as our sister company’s site, World Cruise Advisors. Sarah has a deep love for travel and enjoys collaborating with the J5 team on new projects and creating a social presence to inspire clients.
Meet Kristin
Client Care & Operations Specialist
Kristin’s passion for travel began in the late 1990’s when her husband was transferred to the Netherlands. During those years she sought out the unique and sometimes out of the way places for their weekend adventures in a quest to discover the authentic essence of each location. She has continued to share her passion for travel with her children and family. Leaving her career in finance and program management she has joined the J5 team as a European specialist. She is looking forward to creating awe-inspiring journeys for you and your family.
Meet Sara
Client Care & Operations Specialist
After working in healthcare for six years, Sara decided to follow her longtime desire to travel and join the J5Travel team. Sara’s husband, who has visited 24 countries, and her grandparents have always inspired her to seek out new food experiences and unique places. One of her favorite places to frequent is Canada to visit extended family and enjoy the temperate climate. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her two dogs at their home in West Jefferson or out on Lake Norman during the warmer months. Sara shares her passion for cooking and craft cocktails with J5Travel and loves collaborating closely with the team to bring clients the best culinary experiences possible.
A note from John
We love travel and we love travel planning just as much. It took a long time to align my careers with my passions, but now we are here for you. Your personal travel tailors - award reservation and custom itinerary experts. We provide a bespoke service, imagining and creating itineraries for independent minded families and groups.
As we continue to explore our passion in travel even further we are proud to announce our newest addition to J5Travel, our sister company, World Cruise Advisors, where we can happily provide expertise on world cruise adventures.
Why the name J5Travel?
It's a golf thing!
Our company name comes from the shortened version of John's longtime nickname "Johnny Fivewood" which refers back to a time when he could play quite well with a certain golf club. The day at Pebble Beach was not one of those days. Yet the one at St. Andrews (pictured below) was a much better day.
J5Travel now has a sister company, World Cruise Advisors. Planning a world cruise can be daunting. With a world cruise advisor you will know exactly the value of your significant investment & receive personalized, travel tailor services from point of contact right through until you have completed your voyage.
Proud Member of
Gifted Travel Network
Our host agency provides tremendous support in order for us to serve you at the highest level, whilst allowing us to remain fiercely independent with everything we recommend to our clients.
J5Travel is proud to be a Virtuoso Member. As Virtuoso travel advisors we can secure special benefits that you can’t get on your own. We are here to help you think creatively about where to go & what to do while you're traveling. Let us expand your horizons and take the stress of travel planning off your hands.
J5Travel is a proud member of the American Society of Travel Advisors, ASTA.
A society that not only provides resourceful tools for us to provide our clients with the best services but also advocates for the entire travel agency community!
We are very proud to be certified as East and South Africa Specialists with Abercrombie & Kent. We undertook an 18 month long webinar and test program in order to obtain this prestigious certification. We now have an in-depth knowledge of Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
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