Home Page - American Express Travel Insiders

Chris Kieffer

Italy

1-877-828-2246
chris.kieffer@thetravelauthority.com

Interests:
Architecture, Decorating, Food, Hiking, Local History & Culture, Museums, Scuba/Snorkel, Sightseeing, Spa, Theater & Concerts, Wine Enthusiast

"For a true "insider" experience... learn how to row through the canals of Venice!"

Having traveled to Italy since I was a child, I've come to feel as if this is my second home! In fact, in 2010, my son took his first steps along the Zattere (a popular waterfront promenade in Venice), while my most recent trip to Italy during the summer of 2017 - marked my 80th trip! Travel has always been my passion. During the past 17 years, I have planned over a thousand custom itineraries for groups ranging from 2 to 30. My groups included babies as well as travelers with severe disabilities. My group's interests ranged from strict museum goers to active adventure seekers. I have designed itineraries that included hand-picked restaurants, cooking classes and foodie experiences catering to all dietary concerns. During my career, I have partnered with the best guides, drivers, chefs, as well as other professionals to include art historians, architects, art history professors, wine makers, and sommeliers to ensure my clients have the best possible experiences during their visit here. On my most recent trip, I learned not only how to row a gondola through the canals of Venice, but also visited an 18th century loom studio where amazing silk tapestries were still being made using 300-year-old looms. (This studio is not open to the public, but is now open to my clients.) In addition, I picked and pressed olive oil at an interesting family farm in Tuscany and discovered "new" hidden gems in Rome and on the Amalfi Coast. I would love to help you plan your incredible trip!

Rena Harris

Honeymoon/Romance

1-877-779-8592
rharris@ciazumano.com

Interests:
Architecture, Arts & Crafts, Beach, Boating, Decorating, Fishing, Food, Gardening, International Sporting Events, Local History & Culture, Mountains, Museums, Photography, Reading & Writing, Scuba/Snorkel, Sightseeing, Spa, Technology, Theater & Concerts

"Experience counts and having been there done that makes a huge difference when planning a destination wedding or that once in a lifetime honeymoon."

Call me a hopeful, not hopeless, romantic: as a travel professional with over 34 years experience in the business, my favorite thing about being a travel counselor is booking destination weddings, honeymoons and romantic getaways. There is something so special about planning these trips - they are different from the ordinary vacation one may take, as you're guaranteed to remember these for the rest of your life. Not only have I successfully planned countless destination weddings for clients, but I have been lucky enough to attend a few as well, including my own! It is a truly wonderful feeling to see all the components that I helped plan come together into one beautiful event. Contact me today, and let me share my passion and certified experience for this most romantic and memorable event in your life with you!

Susan Pinabel

Iceland

1-877-851-7994
susan@artatravel.com

"Have lunch right inside a tomato greenhouse at Fridheimar, located on the Golden Circle route."

Iceland is a wonder to behold, with so many nooks and crannies to explore. As an Iceland Travel Insider, I can bring these wonders into view. Did you know that Iceland has over 17 golf courses? Consider playing golf at midnight surrounded by lava fields! From the black sand beaches near Vestrahorn to the multicolored mountains of Landmannalaugar to the 8-course 5 star dining at Nostra or perhaps a small restaurant known only by the locals---there are so many choices. Take a tent with you on your hike or stay in a 12-room hotel with a helipad; Iceland has it all. I work with the locals of each destination to create unique experiences and make bucket list dreams come true. Whether you are wanting a full trek experience in the ice caves or simply want to savor the beauty at a 5 star dining experience, I can bring Iceland to life for you.

Kara Morris

Peru

1-877-798-4744
kara@artatravel.com

Interests:
Arts & Crafts, Beach, Food, Hiking, Local History & Culture, Mountains, Museums, Music, Photography, Sightseeing, Spa, Speaks a foreign language, Theater & Concerts, Wine Enthusiast

"Arequipa's boutiques, on Calle Santa Catalina, are the best places to find quality silver and hand-crafted baby Alpaca wool sweaters and scarves."

Of all the places I have visited, Peru is the most unique! All Peruvian adventures start in Lima and take off from there. I have traveled throughout the country with a private guide and experienced it like a local. We've dined in upscale restaurants and local cafes, stayed in 5-star accommodations and family inns, traveled using all modes of transportation, and have stayed in cities as well as remote areas of the country. I haven’t seen everything yet, but Peru’s landscape and diversity continues to excite me. I can’t wait to go back! I know the ebb and flow of travel within the country. I have real-world advice on what to pack, when to visit, where to get guides and when you can go it alone. I have enjoyed amazing experiences in this country and look forward to sharing these opportunities with you so that you, too, can experience and enjoy authentic Peru! The culture offers something for everyone - including live folkloric dancing performances, rich Incan and pre-Incan history, museums, UNESCO world heritage sites, food and wine tours, sand-surfing in the dunes, ocean-surfing off the Pacific, hiking, fishing, sightseeing, shopping and so much more!

Jason Hedrick

Kenya

1-877-779-8593
jhedrick@ciazumano.com

Interests:
Arts & Crafts, Beach, Food, Football, Hiking, Local History & Culture, Mountains, Museums, Music, Photography, Reading & Writing, Scuba/Snorkel, Sightseeing, Speaks a foreign language, Sports & Fitness, Theater & Concerts, Wine Enthusiast

"Use a reputable tour guide so you know your safety is top priority; ask for my tips on the best in the business."

Kenya is where I fell in love with Africa; I'll paint a picture that'll make you feel as if you're standing in the Serengeti before you ever set foot on a plane. With my help, you'll visit armed with a list of highlights; as well as activities you can save for a return trip. Whether watching wildebeest migrate through the yard of your bungalow, or staying in the hotel that's a celebrity favorite, I've got excursions that will appeal to your unique spirit of adventure. Picture drinking an ice-cold Tusker-the local beer-while overlooking a hippo watering hole, or marveling at the array of pinks displayed when flamingoes take flight at Lake Nukuru National Park. I'll insist you "jump" with a native warrior and tell you what to expect during the "spitting portion" of a traditional Masai blessing. I'll even explain the why the "Kenyan massage," is not as serene as it sounds. Contact me today for the most authentic experience possible in this life-changing destination.

kathy hannon

Ski

1-800-379-9990 Ext: 83605
Kathy.Hannon@service.americanexpress.com

Interests:
Beach, Boating, Gardening, Horeseback Riding, Mountains, Sightseeing, Skiing

"Ask me about ski in/ski out accommodations and the best locations which are very important to consider on a ski vacation!"

If you're looking for an expert on the ski slopes of Colorado, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Wyoming or Canada, look no further. As one of Travel + Leisure's top travel super-agents for six years running, I can assist you in planning a complete and seamless ski vacation, from lodging and airfare to car rentals and lift tickets. And who could forget all of the ski diversions after a day on the slopes? If it strikes your fancy I can help plan it - from dinner reservations to spa appointments. Travelling with the family? I also specialize in destination family vacations. Drop me a line today and let's get started - your dream ski vacation is just a ski lift away.

Sharon Bernhardt

Cruise - Mediterranean

1-877-737-1781
sharon.bernhardt@altour.com

Interests:
Beach, Local History & Culture, Photography, Sightseeing, Theater & Concerts

"Most Europeans vacation in August, so, if possible, avoid this month from when planning your Mediterranean Cruise"

Imagine experiencing world renowned sights such as the Vatican, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the buried city of Pompeii, the Acropolis, and the Papal Palace of Avignon, all in one trip…unpacking only once and enjoying every minute of your vacation as your ship takes you, from country to country. Europe is a destination that really embodies all the advantages that a cruise vacation has to offer, It is a destination that has called to me 12 times by sea and river cruise experiences, I want to share everything I have learned about this fabulous way to see Europe with you. Having coordinated European and Mediterranean cruises for my clients, and escorted many cruise groups in Europe, I am an excellent resource on the numerous aspects that comprise a great European cruise vacation. This is a destination that has an enormous number of optional tours and being advised by someone who has been there is a major asset in the planning process. And many times, a pre- or post-cruise package is recommended to ensure that you get the most out of this special trip. Call me soon and let's get started!

Donna Winner

Destination Family

1-877-776-6035
donna.m.winner@avetravelgroup.com

Interests:
Beach, Local History & Culture, Party Planning, Wine Enthusiast

"Please be aware of height restrictions when booking a theme park or the Atlantis, so your children are not disappointed."

Family vacations provide the perfect opportunity for families to reconnect, but the planning may stress mom and dad out so much they'd just as soon stay home! Let me help - with a long history planning trips just like this and a penchant for group travel, I can help take all the headache out of your next family vacation. In addition to my professional experience, I've traveled many places with my own children (from birth through the tricky teenage years); and I've got more than a few tricks up my sleeve for planning a successful getaway. Ask me for suggestions on foolproof trips to Florida, all-inclusive cruises; and family-friendly international destinations. Adventure, relaxation, or sightseeing - you name the agenda and I'll arrange it for your family. Call or email me today!

Howard Lewis

Scotland

1-877-779-8595
hlewis@ciazumano.com

Interests:
Beach, Food, Local History & Culture, Music, Theater & Concerts

"You may be amazed to learn that Scotland has almost 800 islands!"

My goal is to create an adventure that will leave a lasting impression on my clients. I will recommend the off-the-beaten-path experiences not easily “Googled” or found on the “top ten list” of things to see. Scotland is a unique destination in that the sites are only half the experience. The other half is its people. The stories and tales they tell will draw you in, as you see their country through a personal local lens. I encourage my clients to participate in a cooking class, sporting event or visit a local festival or flea market. Engaging with Scots on a personal level will stimulate all your senses. My hope is that my clients will find a wee bit of Scottish in them, returning home with wonderful memories and a longing to return.

Jacqueline Bukovits

Honeymoon/Romance

1-877-759-7154
jacqueline.bukovits@altour.com

Interests:
Arts & Crafts, Food, Gardening, Party Planning, Photography

"It's possibly the most important trip of your life- don't trust it to just anyone."

It's possibly the most important trip of your life - don't trust it to just anyone. As a veteran travel planner of 15 years and a romance specialist, I have booked countless honeymoon and romantic getaways for couples, helping to create experiences that will last a lifetime. Destinations have included enchanting Hawaii; tropical cruises through the Caribbean and the Mediterranean; and lovely Italy. I feel I have a connection with all of my couples, having gone through the honeymooning experience myself recently - and many of my client's have become repeat customers, allowing me the unique experience of booking them through the years. Congratulations again on taking the plunge - drop me a line today and let's get started.

American Express Travel Insiders

HANDCRAFTED TRAVEL

Discover new places through tailor-made itineraries with your passions and personal interests top of mind. Travel Insiders plan your entire journey including air, transfers, hotels, dining, and the extras you crave.

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