Meet Michelle

Thoughtful planning. Personal service. Travel designed around you.

Hello, I’m Michelle Christensen, founder of Buckets & Dreams Travel.

Before starting my travel business, I spent 25 years working in Alberta’s oil and gas industry, followed by a career as a legal assistant. Throughout my corporate career, one of my responsibilities was coordinating logistics for employees, something I discovered I had a natural ability for. I’ve always been someone who pays attention to the details, works hard, and wants to make sure everything is taken care of properly.

Looking back, that experience feels like a natural fit for what I do today.

A Love of Travel That Started Long Before the Business

Travel has always been an important part of my life, especially the experiences I’ve been able to share with my family.

When my two daughters were young, we had the opportunity to travel to Italy together. We spent a week exploring Rome with private tour guides, giving the girls the chance to experience the city at their own pace, ask questions, and really become involved in what they were seeing.

From Rome, we travelled south and boarded a private ship for two weeks exploring the Aeolian Islands. We spent our days visiting different islands, discovering new places, and simply enjoying being together.

It remains one of those trips we still talk about years later.

One of my favourite memories came on the day we were originally scheduled to leave. It happened to be the FIFA World Cup Final between France and Italy. Our captain agreed to remain in port for the night so we could watch the match at a local pub.

Italy won.

For the next several hours, the streets came alive with celebrations. We found ourselves right in the middle of it all, experiencing a moment we could never have planned and will never forget.

To me, that is part of what makes travel so special. Sometimes the experiences you remember most are the ones you could never have anticipated.

More Than Simply Visiting a Destination

Later that year, our family purchased a timeshare in Mexico.

It wasn’t an all-inclusive resort, and that was intentional. I wanted my daughters to experience more than a swimming pool and resort. I wanted them to experience Mexico itself, learn about the culture, meet people, explore different places, and understand a little more about the world around them.

We returned many times over the years and visited several different areas of the country. My daughters are grown now and still enjoy returning, and I love that Mexico has become part of our family’s travel story.

My husband and I have also enjoyed travelling together, including trips to Cuba and relaxing adults-only getaways. Whether I’m discovering somewhere completely new or returning to a place I already love, I’ve always believed there is something more to experience.

Turning a Passion Into Buckets & Dreams Travel

Eventually, I came across an opportunity to become a travel agent and thought, why not?

I already loved travelling, researching destinations, organizing the details, and creating memorable experiences. The idea that I could help other people experience more of the world felt like a natural next chapter.

That first opportunity ultimately wasn’t the right fit, but it led me to something better.

Buckets & Dreams Travel was born.

Today, one of my favourite parts of this business is getting to know my clients and hearing about the places they want to experience.

But I also like to go a little deeper.

Why do you want to take this trip? What kind of experience are you hoping to have? What matters most to you while you’re away? What would make you come home feeling like the trip was everything you hoped it would be?

Those conversations help me understand the person behind the itinerary.

From there, my job is to take care of the details, think about the things that can easily be overlooked, and make the planning process as straightforward as possible.

I especially enjoy helping clients plan European river cruises and extended stays, where there can be a lot of choices and moving pieces to consider. My goal is to make those decisions easier and create a trip that feels right for you.

Because by the time your departure day arrives, the work should already be done.

You should be able to simply show up, settle in, and enjoy the experience.

- Michelle

An experience built on trust.

~ Complimentary Initial Consultation