Travel Advisor
Shawn Van Der Putten
Certified Travel Associate, Verified Travel Advisor
Serving Washington
Recently inspected: Waldorf Astoria Versailles
Specialties
Certifications
My Why
Why I plan travel
My love affair with travel began during a life-changing year studying abroad in Nice, France. Falling in love with the culture and the thrill of exploration, I knew I couldn’t settle for a desk job. I spent the next 17 years as an international flight attendant, traversing the globe, navigating foreign airports, and discovering the world's hidden gems firsthand. When that chapter ended, transitioning into a travel advisor was entirely organic. After years of informally designing and executing flawless itineraries for friends and family, I realized my true calling: using my decades of global expertise to design stress-free, unforgettable adventures for my clients.
Approach
Planning philosophy
As an ASTA Verified professional, I don't believe in one-size-fits-all itineraries. I collaborate closely with my clients upfront to audit their travel expectations, learn their personal style, and determine exactly how much involvement they want to have in the planning phase. From there, I build a seamless, stress-free adventure tailored entirely to how they love to explore.
Difference
The Exquisite difference
I act as a fiduciary for your precious leisure time by engineering zero-friction itineraries that online search engines simply cannot replicate. By aligning with your exact expectations and desired level of involvement, I transform the overwhelming chore of planning into a seamless, custom-tailored partnership that guarantees peace of mind.
In the moment
A save-the-day story
While I have been fortunate to avoid catastrophic emergencies, I regularly manage the operational 'micro-crises' that can derail a trip if left unaddressed. For example, I frequently field 2:00 AM calls to resolve immediate logistical failures, such as tracking down a late driver in a foreign time zone, re-routing a client after a canceled tour, or directly negotiating with a hotel manager when a reservation seems to be missing from their system. I view these high-stress, middle-of-the-night interventions not as interruptions, but as a core element of the elite, end-to-end service and peace of mind I guarantee to every client.
Insider tip
What I tell every traveler
Skip the long boat ride and take a helicopter transfer from Port Douglas straight to the outer Great Barrier Reef. Pair it with a guided snorkel led by a marine biologist for the absolute best first-time experience.
