Kathy Hirst
kathy@blackpearlservices.com
M, T, W, Th, F
8:00am–6:00pm
Salt Lake City–Black Pearl Office
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
Gold Club (a yearly awarded trip for top agents at Morris Columbus Travel) 12 years, member of the Signature Luxury Travel Committee, river cruise specialist, Australia specialist, Switzerland specialist, Italy specialist, South Africa specialist
Working in the Travel Industry Since 2006
Ocean Cruises, River Cruises, Land Tours, Family Travel, Romantic Travel, Luxury Travel, Adventure Travel, Expedition Cruising
I have always loved travel! Even as a little girl, I would plan imaginary trips to places I found in National Geographic. I have realized my dream and have been in the travel industry for over 26 years. I love being creative for my clients. I especially enjoy planning unique experiences that my clients would not have imagined or seen anywhere else.
My travels have taken me to France, England, Spain, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Croatia, the Netherlands, and Hungary in Europe, and I specialize in planning travel for all these countries. I have a love of Southern Africa and have visited there many times. I can help you plan the perfect Southern Africa itinerary, including your unique safari. I have traveled to and love the South Pacific and would love to help you plan your island getaway. I have a special fondness for New Zealand and the beautiful scenery there. I also specialize in Hawaii, Mexico, Alaska, and the Caribbean. I have traveled to South America and seen the amazing region of Patagonia as well as many beautiful cities and regions in Chile and Argentina. I have also been to Ecuador where I visited the cloud forest and the Galapagos Islands.
I look forward to assisting you with your next adventure.
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page “ – St. Augustine
Adventures by Disney, African Travel, AMA Waterways, Abercrombie & Kent, Apple Vacations, Brendan Vacations, Celebrity Cruise Line, Classic Vacations, Crystal Cruises, Delta Vacations, Disney Cruises, Destination Asia, Globus Family Brands, Holland America Line, Hurtigruten Voyages, Lindblad Expeditions, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruise Line, Paul Gauguin Cruises, Princess Cruises, Quark Expeditions, Regent Seven Seas, Rocky Mountaineer, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Sea Dream Yacht Club, Star Clipper, Tahiti Legends, Sandals Resorts, Silversea Cruises, Trails of Indochina, Travel 2, Uniworld, Viking River Cruises, Windstar Luxury Cruises
Hawaii, USA, Canada, Mexico, Central America, Caribbean, South America, UK/Ireland, Western Europe, Central Europe, Africa, Asia, South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand
Hawaii, Canada, England, France, Scotland, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Scandinavia, Iceland, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Virgin Islands, Cook Islands, Bahamas, Spain, Portugal, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Costa Rica, Hungary, Czech Republic, Croatia, Singapore, Thailand, India, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tahiti, French Polynesia, Kenya, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, the Galapagos, Mexico, Caribbean
"Dear Kathy,
I just wanted to thank you for your work on our recent trip to Morocco. Michael and I had an amazing time, and loved seeing so many different areas of the country and learning about the variety of cultural traditions. We did decide to change the original plan of simply backtracking across the same areas of Morocco and instead changed our flight departure city to be able to explore the city of Fes...definitely a worthwhile change!!
The medina in Fes was unique--not only different from the medina in Marrakesh, but unlike any place Michael and I have ever seen. Wandering through the shops and visiting the variety of artisans who showed us their work crafted entirely by hand with the traditions centuries old --rugs, silk scarves, silver dishes, pottery and mosaics, leatherworks, dying fabrics, etc.....was amazing. The night spent in the Sahara in an ornate tent, delicious dinner in tagines, and camel ride at sunrise was spectacular!!
I especially wanted to express how much we enjoyed our driver Slimon Chakir. He was with us the duration of the trip, and we thoroughly enjoyed his company. He offered a tremendous amount of interesting information on the people, culture, history, politics, government, economy, etc. in Morocco. He was flexible and catered entirely to our interests from morning to night all week. When we decided to rearrange our flights, hotels, and touring of Fes at the last minute the last 3 days of our trip, Chakir helped us make it happen. He arranged for the new hotel reservation, the new airline tickets from a more convenient airport, and a wonderful tour guide from Fes to show us many, many areas of the medina, which had been his home his entire life. We hope to return to Morocco with our children in the near future, and hope we can work with Chakir again.
Thank you and Olive Branch Tours for making our stay so incredible. It was a trip unlike any other we have ever had!!"
-Michele
"I just want to say Kathy Hirst is an amazing travel agent. I have always planned my own trips and this time we used Kathy after being referred to her by a friend. Our trip to Italy was fabulous!!! Kathy's travel knowledge is so valuable. The hotels, transportation, and tour guides were wonderful. Even when my mother in laws bag was stolen the travel insurance Kathy set us up with made the bad situation not so bad.
Our travel party of 11 was truly impressed with how well she organize our 2 weeks in Italy. Kathy is top notch.”
-Shauna W. P.