Four Ker & Downey Designers Named Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialists 2025
Ker & Downey is excited to announce that four of our Travel Designers – Trista Gage, Catherine Brown, Mary-Jean Eraci, and Nicole Porto – have been named as Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialists for 2025.
The annual list of Top Travel Specialists represents the best global experts in luxury travel. Those chosen by Condé Nast Traveler are chosen for their specialized knowledge, travel experience, customer service, and overall value-add.
Indeed, this prestigious recognition underscores their comprehensive and unique expertise. Day after day, they craft personalized itineraries for their clients, transporting Ker & Downey's travelers beyond the crowds into some of the world's most breathtaking destinations.
Join us as we congratulate Catherine Brown, Mary-Jean Eraci, and Nicole Porto on their first year being recognized.
Catherine Brown![]()
Catherine Brown specializes in planning family trips specifically in Asia, the South Pacific, and parts of Europe. Some of her favorite countries to send clients to are Iceland, the Azores, and Greenland.
Read Catherine's complete Condé Nast profile here.
Mary-Jean Eraci
Mary-Jean Eraci excels at creating itineraries based in Africa and the Middle East, Central and South America, and Europe, with particular emphasis on South Africa, Botswana, and Kenya.
Read Mary-Jean's complete Condé Nast profile here.
Nicole Porto
Nicole Porto specializes in multicounty journeys around the world, though especially loves any opportunity to plan trips to Egypt, Türkiye, Malta, or any other Mediterranean destination.
Read Nicole's complete Condé Nast profile here.
“What an honor to be in such good company on this list!” states Brown, Eraci, and Porto in a joint statement. “At Ker & Downey we are all passionate about our regions and love to share our love of travel with our clients to create truly unique and memorable experiences around the globe.”
Trista Gage
This is Gage’s fifth consecutive year in a row being recognized. Gage specializes in Central and South America and her passion for the region is reflected in the quality of work she produces.
Read Trista's complete Condé Nast profile here.
“I’m excited to see my fabulous colleagues joining me in this amazing group of dedicated and knowledgeable travel professionals," states Gage. "Between us we truly cover the world! We then apply that passion and expertise to every itinerary we create—no matter the destination.”
The Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist List can be found online at www.cntraveler.com. The list will also appear in the April 2025 issue of the print magazine, which outlines the many reasons why readers should book with a travel specialist and shares some of the unique experiences their Top Travel Specialists have put together for their clients.
The Condé Nast Traveler recognition accompanies several Ker & Downey accolades including Travel + Leisure World’s Best Tour Operator in 2020 and Best Adventure Travel Company for Luxury Tour Operators by National Geographic Adventure. Several Ker & Downey itineraries have also received the prestigious recognition as National Geographic Traveler’s 50 Tours of a Lifetime.
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From Condé Nast Traveler. Used under license.