Meet Denise Burcksen
Your Expert Travel Advisor
When I was a little girl growing up in a suburb of NYC, I looked forward to devouring the New York Times Travel section every Sunday, because it magically transported me to someplace exotic. I longed to be like my favorite storybook character Eloise, who lived on the top floor of Manhattan’s impossibly posh Plaza Hotel. It didn’t get chicer than the Plaza!
Now that I have a teenager at home, I sometimes still wish I could live in a luxury hotel (hello, Housekeeping!).
So after 18+ years in Marketing and Sales with Time Warner and National Geographic Television and traveling to over 50 countries, I left corporate life behind to start Luxury Travel Adventures to live and work my true passion: creating incredible adventures for people who want magical, memorable and authentic experiences.
Today, I still love luxury—but with a touch of adventure. Which explains why my all-time favorite destination is Africa.
Now, the jungles of Uganda are a long way from the concrete jungle of NYC … but my approach to travel hasn’t changed:
The ideal itinerary is equal parts comfortable luxuriousness and immersive experiences—and always tailored to individual tastes.
And that’s exactly the approach I take with my clients today.
Wherever your adventure takes you,
I’m here to ensure you get the personalization and comfort you crave and the VIP experiences that showcase the very best of your destination.
By tapping into my exclusive network of worldwide travel contacts, I’ll craft an itinerary that speaks to what excites and astounds you—and I’ll stitch it all together so your escape feels absolutely seamless.
I also draw on my corporate career in media and marketing, where I learned the importance of nurturing relationships and negotiating on behalf of my clients.
In fact, I’d say fostering relationships is at the very heart of what I do today—building rapport with my suppliers, building trust with my clients, and building bridges to other cultures, so you can discover all the wonders the world has in store for you.
And, I am certified as a Verified Travel Advisor by ASTA (American Society of Travel Advisors), a member of CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) and a proud member of Virtuoso, the by-invite-only luxury travel network of the best agencies and suppliers in the world.
I’m also a certified South Africa Specialist and New Zealand Specialist.
Ultimately, my breadth of experience and boutique “one size does NOT fit all” approach results in a vacation that is truly and extraordinarily personal.
This is travel inspired by YOU.
Get to Know Denise: 5 Fast Facts
- I started my marketing career as a TV Media Buyer at a NYC ad agency, and being responsible for millions of dollars of clients' ad budget money honed my negotiation skills and attention to the smallest details.
- I’ve lived in Europe: my husband is Dutch, and we travel regularly back to Holland, Belgium, and Germany to see family
- I’m one of only 90 Virtuoso advisors in North America selected to be a “Priority Travel Specialist” and work with high-net-worth clients
- I am obsessed with hotel bathrooms! The first thing I do when I enter a new hotel room is check out the bathroom for its toiletries, a (hopefully lighted) makeup mirror and then check to see if the hairdryer works!
- Africa may be my favorite destination—but Europe and especially Italy is a very close second!
“I haven’t been Everywhere, but it’s on my list.”
— Susan Sontag
Benefit by Our Virtuoso Connection
My agency Luxury Travel Adventures is an independent affiliate of Travel Experts, a Virtuoso member agency. Virtuoso is an elite, invitation-only network of luxury travel agencies and travel suppliers—and I couldn’t be prouder to be affiliated with them.
What does the Virtuoso connection mean for you? That you’ll always travel like a VIP. Through Virtuoso, my clients enjoy access to exclusive experiences, special values, and complimentary perks at best-of-the-best properties. Perks vary based on availability, though they may include:
- Complimentary breakfast for two
- Spa or resort credits
- Shopping credits
- Early check in and/or late check out
- Upgrades upon booking or check in
- Exclusive cocktail receptions and shore excursions on Virtuoso Voyages cruise sailings
- … and more!
Ready to experience luxury + adventure your way?
I invite you to get in touch—click below to reserve your complimentary consultation call. Getting to know you on this 30-minute call is the first step toward stress-free travel that leaves you and your family with incredible travel experiences and lasting memories:
