Meet Nora Sommerkamp, VTA, CCC

Founder & CEO Travelkunst LLC

  • VTA - ASTA Verified Travel Advisor

  • CCC - CLIA Certified Cruise Counselor

  • IATA Accredited Travel Agent

  • B.A. Hospitality & Restaurant Management, University of Cooperative Education, Ravensburg, Germany

  • B.A. Business Administration, Open University, London

Originally from the Black Forest in Germany, Nora Sommerkamp has always been drawn to travel, culture, and food—a passion that led to a 15-year career in luxury hospitality, including being part of the opening team at The Jefferson, Washington, DC. With a deep appreciation for exceptional service and memorable experiences, she built a career dedicated to crafting meaningful and immersive journeys for discerning travelers.

As a Certified Travel Advisor (VTA, CCC) and a top-producing luxury travel expert, Nora founded Travelkunst to design tailor-made journeys beyond the ordinary. She believes that travel should be more than just an itinerary—it should be a transformative experience filled with unforgettable moments. Among her most cherished travel experiences are exploring Iceland’s dramatic landscapes, from lava fields to glacier lagoons, standing in awe of Machu Picchu and Peru’s Sacred Valley, and witnessing Tanzania’s breathtaking wildlife, where she experienced the Big 5 up close. These moments continue to fuel her passion for creating deeply personal, once-in-a-lifetime journeys for her clients.

With her expertise, insider knowledge, and commitment to authentic experiences, Nora curates seamless luxury travel that blends adventure, culture, and indulgence. Whether it’s a private safari in Africa, an intimate culinary exploration in Japan, or a handcrafted European getaway, she ensures every journey is immersive, thoughtful, and stress-free.

At Travelkunst, every trip is designed with a deep understanding of each client’s unique travel style, ensuring unforgettable experiences. For Nora, it’s not just about the destination—it’s about creating memories, one journey at a time.

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Meet Shelley Kissel

Independent Travel Advisor

  • Certified AmaWaterways Specialist

  • Certified Amtrak Vacations Specialist

  • B.A. Anthropology, University of Pittsburgh

  • AOS Culinary Arts, New England Culinary Institute

With a deep-rooted passion for travel and cultural exploration, Shelley Kissel is an Independent Travel Advisor for Travelkunst, joining longtime friend and former colleague at The Jefferson, Washington, DC - Nora Sommerkamp. With a background in hospitality and restaurants and degrees in cultural anthropology and culinary arts, Shelley brings a unique perspective to curating unforgettable travel experiences.

Her love of travel began in childhood, inspired by her parents' postcard books from Europe in the 1960s and family road trips through Canada and New England. Having lived in some of the most beautiful places in the U.S., including Napa Valley, Santa Fe, Montpelier, and Washington, DC, she has cultivated a deep appreciation for the transformative power of travel.

Some of her most cherished travel moments include indulging in a Turkish bath at Süleymaniye Hamamı in Istanbul before witnessing a whirling dervish performance and strolling back to the Four Seasons Sultanahmet as the call to prayer filled the air; waking up in Cappadocia to hot air balloons drifting past at sunrise; watching the sun set over Croatia’s thousand islands from a hilltop in Dubrovnik; savoring a multi-course meal at Monte in Rovinj before wandering the town’s deserted waterfront streets; capturing the magical sunrise at Machu Picchu as clouds cascaded over the peaks; walking among fearless wildlife in the Galápagos; and hiking Japan’s Nakasendo Trail during peak fall foliage before staying at the Park Hyatt Tokyo, the setting of Lost in Translation.

For Shelley, travel is more than just a journey—it’s about the moments shared with loved ones and the cherished memories that last a lifetime. Now, as a travel advisor, she is dedicated to creating those same unforgettable experiences for her clients, helping them discover the beauty of different cultures, cuisines, arts, and history through thoughtfully curated journeys.