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Maureen Johnson

West Covina, CA
Independent Luxury Travel Specialist

My fascination with Spain began when I started studying Spanish at the age of 12. Learning the language opened the door of discovery to a new culture rich with unique people, foods, and experiences. This launched my lifelong journey of exploration...
Learn more about me.

Independent Luxury Travel Specialist

Overlooking the Kasbah in Morocco
Overlooking the Kasbah in Morocco

My fascination with Spain began when I started studying Spanish at the age of 12. Learning the language opened the door of discovery to a new culture rich with unique people, foods, and experiences. This launched my lifelong journey of exploration, leading me to earning a degree in foreign languages. 


I spent a year living in Spain for my studies, exploring languages and countries beyond Spain, including Portugal, France, Germany, Italy and more.  My thirst for learning about other countries and cultures has continued as an adult and expanded to include more exotic locals such as Morocco, Peru, and Tahiti.


I find that the key to creating unforgettable experiences is the relationship you make along the way.  That is why throughout my travels, I have established meaningful relationships with people all over the world who are passionate about their home and sharing it with visitors.  This has afforded me the opportunity to provide my clients with unique experiences designed to be authentic to the cultures and experiences of each destination.


One of my most favorite things to focus on during my travels, and those of my clients, is cuisine.  The heart of a culture can be found in its food, which is why I recommend at least one special food experience everywhere you go.  From the unique but lesser-known wineries of Germany to truffle hunting in France, olive farms in Spain and cheese making dairies in Italy, food experiences are fun and tasty ways to explore how the locals really live.


I also have a passion for art and history, and in Europe and the Mediterranean, we are generally talking about hundreds of thousands of years of both.  As your agent, I will get to know you and your interests to recommend the right balance of art, history, and fun to include in your custom itinerary.  Maybe it is exploring ancient Roman ruins, perhaps you want to experience the Socialist Realism art movement prevalent during the cold war.  Allow me to share my personal recommendations for the best castles to explore, where you can find pre-historic cave art, or combine it all in centuries old spas that are still operating today.


For those who have seen their fill of Europe, I cannot recommend enough the adventure and excitement that is Morocco.  I started my own love affair with this special country only about ten years ago, and it has truly stolen my heart.  Culturally ancient and fully modern, Morocco is a country of beautiful contradictions.  In one moment, see the authentic ancient Roman ruins, the next “fake” ancient city movie sets in the desert.  Travel by luxury car with air conditioning to the Sahara Desert, only to ride a camel as the sun sets fire to the sands. The ancient city of Marrakech, famous for its thousand-year-old medina of shops, contrasts amazingly with the more modern Casablanca, whose heart is its incredible Mosque completed in 1993.  Let me help you design a unique itinerary featuring Morocco or adding it to an exploration of other European stops.


As Americans, we are pulled to these wonderfully older countries to see a contrast from what we have at home.  Buildings built before any European had stepped foot on the American continent, food cultures that continue unchanged for a thousand years, art that many of our own artists have studied to build upon.  My job is to bring these stories to life for you and your family, matching your idea of perfectly balanced adventure, exploration, relaxation, and fun.  Give me a call, your next discovery awaits!

Testimonials From Satisfied Customers

"Maureen listened to our requests & fulfilled our upcoming trip." Louis A.

"Maureen was knowledgeable about Germany. She asked a number of good questions in order to understand my interests. She also properly set expectations." Dennis G. 

"I just wanted to send a note to let you know how much we enjoyed our trip to Spain and Portugal.  Everything you planned was on time and handled by very professional guides and drivers.  There really isn’t anything that we can think of to improve or change." Steve G.

"Thank you Maureen. We LOVED our trip to Spain and Portugal! Thanks for arranging a great adventure for us." Mike U.

"I want you to know what a wonderful time we had and how much we appreciate your attention to detail." John A.

My Travel Albums

Spain 2022: Northern Images
Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona
Eating my way through Spain 2022
Churros and Chocolate at San Gines in Madrid

My Reviews

2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Saved my Ireland Trip!
Maureen at AMT really helped me plan my trip to Ireland for myself, husband and in Laws. I was crazy enough to insist that I would rather drive in Ireland than pay the high cost of a private chauffer. And when my father in law dropped the bomb that his drivers license expired, making him unable to drive the manual transmission van only 3 hours before we landed in Ireland, a quick email to Maureen saved the day. She canceled our van and rebooked two automatic cars (which is apparently rare in Ireland) so that my brother in law could drive one and I the other. By the time we landed at the airport, the cars were there, correctly booked, and the money for the van had already been refunded to my credit card. WOW. Then when the London air traffic control CANCELED our flights home for a full day, she helped us book a hotel for the night, and helped us file an insurance claim to cover the cost. Even for the most experienced traveler, she is an invaluable resource.
By  Gigi K.  from  Glendora, CA
Traveled to  Ireland ~ Europe
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Maureen Johnson responded:
Dear Georgia, thank you for the kind words. Since that fateful trip you have used my services for travel planning instead of travel rescuing. We make a great team and I look forward to working with you in the future.

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2 of 2 people found this review helpful
My New Favorite Place!
Maureen worked with our group of six to arrange THE BEST experience! She was able to accommodate all our collective needs while ensuring each individual was listened to. We explored the glorious Scottish Highlands from our home base in Inverness and ended in the majestic and magical city of Edinburgh. I don't think Maureen could have done any better in organizing this diverse experience.
By  JC  from  Long Beach, CA
Traveled to  Scotland ~ Europe
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Maureen Johnson responded:
Thanks Julie! You were all so gracious. I had as much fun putting this trip together as you did experiencing it.

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4 of 6 people found this review helpful
Always available. Good local spots.
Five or more trips.
By  Keith  from  Manhattan Beach, CA
Traveled to  Vienna ~ Austria ~ Europe
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Leave your worries at home!
My wife and I have been working with Maureen now since 2015 when we started planning our first European vacation. After dealing with the frustration of trying to book it ourselves, we happened across an American Express travel website. The site was open to non-card members so we elected the country we wanted to visit and were given four agents to reach out to. We decided on Maureen and have never looked back. Maureen made the experience very easy for us since, at the time, we were both working full time. We were sent a short questionnaire which helped her to focus on what worked best for our time, destinations, budget, etc. Our trip was to travel the Northern coast of Spain in a car over a two week period. Maureen and her team handled all the details seamlessly, from the car, to the hotels, to the sites she recommended in each of the five cities we touched. We still talk about that trip! We recommend her to our friends and family constantly.
By  Cakes  from  California
Traveled to  Spain ~ Europe
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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1 of 1 people found this review helpful
So very knowledgeable.
Maureen was always available whenever I needed her and I had a LOT of questions.
By  SusieQ!  from  Florida, NY
Traveled to  Yellowstone National Park ~ Wyoming ~ USA
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends

Maureen Johnson responded:
Thanks Susan. Looking forward to another great year and another great trip! Maureen

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Go to my main profile

Destination Expert:

  • Spain
  • France
  • Portugal
  • Italy
  • Morocco

Travel Specialist:

  • Arts & Culture
  • Food & Wine
  • Luxury
  • Independent Travel
  • Family Vacations

Top Travel Partners:

  • Kensington Tours
  • SITA World Tours
  • Abercrombie & Kent
  • Tauck
  • Avalon Waterways

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