Melissa Jean
She/Her
Based in Nashville, TN
English, Portuguese, Spanish
Melissa Jean
Ask me about
My Story
I'm a mindfulness teacher, forest bathing guide and creative writing teacher who loves the way that travel shakes us awake.
Travel Style
I believe in the power of travel to help us connect with nature, build cross-cultural relationships and become immersed in a new place through encounters with people, art, cuisine and landscapes. My ideal trip is one that enhances my sense of wellness through lots of time spent outside, nourishing food and achieving the right balance between activity and rest. When I'm planning a trip for myself, I spend hours researching the quirkiest things to do in the place I'm visiting, as I love a surprising hidden gem more than anything.
I'm currently based in Nashville. I grew up in Salt Lake City and have also lived in Massachusetts, Brazil, Mozambique, the Philippines, the Marshall Islands and Russia. I speak fluent Portuguese and passable Spanish, and my current travel dream is to show my teenagers as much of the world as I can before they go off to college.
I'm interested in green/sustainable travel, socially-responsible travel and plant-based travel. I also have experience traveling with kids of all different ages--currently with highly-active teens who like adventures--and love planning romantic travel, too. I've spent most of my life doing budget travel, but I can appreciate an indulgence when the moment calls for it.
Stay connected
Reviews (5)
Liz J.
travel to Cape Town
a year ago
We were so impressed and grateful for Melissa's travel services. She put together sample itineraries for us, gave us plenty of off-the-beaten-path suggestions, and found and booked tours and restaurants for us that we never would have found ourselves. She tailored her recommendations to our specific style of travel, and even when we had free days, we referenced her itinerary multiple times to find suggestions of things to do and places to see (or eat!). I consider myself an experienced traveler, and wouldn't have previously considered using a travel advisor, but I hope to use Melissa's services for every trip I book in the future - she was so helpful and made our trip even more incredible!
Sarah P.
a year ago
a year ago
Melissa Jean's thoughtful, informed suggestions for excursions and an itinerary made my family's weeklong trip to Paris the stuff of dreams. I often get overwhelmed by options, and it was so helpful to have Melissa by my side to give the trip structure with plenty of time built in for discovery. I would work with her again in a heartbeat.
Dani B.
2 years ago
I had never worked with a travel agent before working with Melissa, and my only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner! Melissa helped us plan the trip of a lifetime to Puerto Rico and made the entire process feel fun, collaborative, and unintimidating. Melissa took the time to get to know us and how we like to travel, then created (and booked!) a trip customized just for us. I cannot over-emphasize the peace of mind we felt through the entire planning process and during the trip itself, we both remarked more than once that it was the most relaxed we’d ever felt while traveling. We can’t wait to plan our next trip with Melissa!
Shannon H.
2 years ago
Melissa is the absolute best! She was so communicative throughout the whole process of planning our honeymoon. Her attention-to-detail was amazing and she was so helpful with helping us find things to do and see and make a plan. We had such a fantastic and relaxing trip and it would not have been possible without Melissa's help! Cannot recommend her enough, we will definitely be using for all of our future travel!
Liz J.
travel to Cape Town
a year ago
We were so impressed and grateful for Melissa's travel services. She put together sample itineraries for us, gave us plenty of off-the-beaten-path suggestions, and found and booked tours and restaurants for us that we never would have found ourselves. She tailored her recommendations to our specific style of travel, and even when we had free days, we referenced her itinerary multiple times to find suggestions of things to do and places to see (or eat!). I consider myself an experienced traveler, and wouldn't have previously considered using a travel advisor, but I hope to use Melissa's services for every trip I book in the future - she was so helpful and made our trip even more incredible!
Sarah P.
a year ago
a year ago
Melissa Jean's thoughtful, informed suggestions for excursions and an itinerary made my family's weeklong trip to Paris the stuff of dreams. I often get overwhelmed by options, and it was so helpful to have Melissa by my side to give the trip structure with plenty of time built in for discovery. I would work with her again in a heartbeat.
Dani B.
2 years ago
I had never worked with a travel agent before working with Melissa, and my only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner! Melissa helped us plan the trip of a lifetime to Puerto Rico and made the entire process feel fun, collaborative, and unintimidating. Melissa took the time to get to know us and how we like to travel, then created (and booked!) a trip customized just for us. I cannot over-emphasize the peace of mind we felt through the entire planning process and during the trip itself, we both remarked more than once that it was the most relaxed we’d ever felt while traveling. We can’t wait to plan our next trip with Melissa!
Travel ideas (4)
A Weekend of Rest and Adventure in Florianópolis, Brazil
Florianópolis is a nature-lover's dream in southern Brazil. An island located just off the coast in Santa Catarina state, Florianópolis is known as a surfer's paradise, but also offers endless hiking, beaches, biodiversity, eco-conscious infrastructure and lots of fresh food (and plant-based options).
A Weekend of Rest and Adventure in Florianópolis, Brazil
Florianópolis is a nature-lover's dream in southern Brazil. An island located just off the coast in Santa Catarina state, Florianópolis is known as a surfer's paradise, but also offers endless hiking, beaches, biodiversity, eco-conscious infrastructure and lots of fresh food (and plant-based options).
A Family Trip to the Magnificent Iguaçu Falls
My family just got back from an incredible visit to Iguaçu Falls, the most voluminous waterfall system in the world. My expectations were high and it was even more amazing than I could have imagined! It was the perfect destination for my nature-loving self (and for my high-adrenaline teens).
A Family Trip to the Magnificent Iguaçu Falls
My family just got back from an incredible visit to Iguaçu Falls, the most voluminous waterfall system in the world. My expectations were high and it was even more amazing than I could have imagined! It was the perfect destination for my nature-loving self (and for my high-adrenaline teens).
A Weekend of Plant-Based Delights in Salt Lake City
I grew up in Salt Lake City and my husband recently planned a birthday weekend for me to visit friends and family there, while also getting all my favorite treats. Most people are surprised at how many great options exist for vegans/vegetarians in Salt Lake--but it's a fantastic and underrated plant-based scene! Salt Lake City is also a nature-lover's paradise, with incredible natural areas and sights just a short drive away. For my birthday weekend, we combined nature and food for my ideal celebration.
A Weekend of Plant-Based Delights in Salt Lake City
I grew up in Salt Lake City and my husband recently planned a birthday weekend for me to visit friends and family there, while also getting all my favorite treats. Most people are surprised at how many great options exist for vegans/vegetarians in Salt Lake--but it's a fantastic and underrated plant-based scene! Salt Lake City is also a nature-lover's paradise, with incredible natural areas and sights just a short drive away. For my birthday weekend, we combined nature and food for my ideal celebration.
4 Nature-Loving Days in North Iceland
Most visitors to Iceland stay on the breathtaking South Coast and around Reykjavik, but even more amazing sights can be found in the North! With Iceland's second-biggest city, Akureyri, as your home base, amazing waterfalls, forests, ocean views and even the Northern Lights can all be yours. In the warmer half of the year, you can make Akureyri and North Iceland part of your roadtrip around the Ring Road. In the colder and stormier part of the year, you can fly to Akureyri from Reykjavik.
4 Nature-Loving Days in North Iceland
Most visitors to Iceland stay on the breathtaking South Coast and around Reykjavik, but even more amazing sights can be found in the North! With Iceland's second-biggest city, Akureyri, as your home base, amazing waterfalls, forests, ocean views and even the Northern Lights can all be yours. In the warmer half of the year, you can make Akureyri and North Iceland part of your roadtrip around the Ring Road. In the colder and stormier part of the year, you can fly to Akureyri from Reykjavik.
A Weekend of Rest and Adventure in Florianópolis, Brazil
Florianópolis is a nature-lover's dream in southern Brazil. An island located just off the coast in Santa Catarina state, Florianópolis is known as a surfer's paradise, but also offers endless hiking, beaches, biodiversity, eco-conscious infrastructure and lots of fresh food (and plant-based options).
A Weekend of Rest and Adventure in Florianópolis, Brazil
Florianópolis is a nature-lover's dream in southern Brazil. An island located just off the coast in Santa Catarina state, Florianópolis is known as a surfer's paradise, but also offers endless hiking, beaches, biodiversity, eco-conscious infrastructure and lots of fresh food (and plant-based options).
A Family Trip to the Magnificent Iguaçu Falls
My family just got back from an incredible visit to Iguaçu Falls, the most voluminous waterfall system in the world. My expectations were high and it was even more amazing than I could have imagined! It was the perfect destination for my nature-loving self (and for my high-adrenaline teens).
A Family Trip to the Magnificent Iguaçu Falls
My family just got back from an incredible visit to Iguaçu Falls, the most voluminous waterfall system in the world. My expectations were high and it was even more amazing than I could have imagined! It was the perfect destination for my nature-loving self (and for my high-adrenaline teens).
A Weekend of Plant-Based Delights in Salt Lake City
I grew up in Salt Lake City and my husband recently planned a birthday weekend for me to visit friends and family there, while also getting all my favorite treats. Most people are surprised at how many great options exist for vegans/vegetarians in Salt Lake--but it's a fantastic and underrated plant-based scene! Salt Lake City is also a nature-lover's paradise, with incredible natural areas and sights just a short drive away. For my birthday weekend, we combined nature and food for my ideal celebration.
A Weekend of Plant-Based Delights in Salt Lake City
I grew up in Salt Lake City and my husband recently planned a birthday weekend for me to visit friends and family there, while also getting all my favorite treats. Most people are surprised at how many great options exist for vegans/vegetarians in Salt Lake--but it's a fantastic and underrated plant-based scene! Salt Lake City is also a nature-lover's paradise, with incredible natural areas and sights just a short drive away. For my birthday weekend, we combined nature and food for my ideal celebration.
Travel photos
