Special Certifications: CTC and B.S. in Management and B.A. in Psychology; Hawaii Specialist
Special travel expertise: Hawaii, Australia, China, Cruises, Caribbean
Traveled to: Europe (Ireland, England, Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Switzerland) Caribbean, Bermuda, Cruises, Canadian Rockies, Alaska, Hawaii, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Canada, Mexico, 35 plus states in the US
Favorite destination: I loved Hawaii for the beauty and peacefulness as well as for the variety offered on the different islands. I loved China because I love to visit new places and experience different cultures. It was eye opening and fascinating at the same time.
Favorite hotel: Kea Lani in Maui... It is an all suite property in a beautiful location on the sunny southwest shores of Maui. Located in Wailea, it offers great opportunities for golf, kayaking, windsurfing, and many other activities nearby. The resort is very beautiful and the rooms have been decorated and are presented in a way that is very welcoming.
Favorite restaurant: Just because I was there recently... I would have to say the Four Diamond Banyon Tree at the Ritz Carlton Kaplaua in Maui. The location is beautiful with panoramic views of Molakai. The food was outstanding and the service was excellent. The restaurant serves contemporary Australian cuisine. Fairly pricey but well worth it.
Favorite cruise line: Celebrity is my favorite due to the quality of the food, service, and the spas on board.
Travel Tips: When on a tour in China I found that there was a fairly even mix of sightseeing and shopping. If you see it buy it. Usually, the shopping stops are for specific things like silk rugs in Shanghai.
Profile info: Karen, who is the Vacation Department manager, has been in the travel business for 20 years. She's been with Atlas since June 2000, before which she owned her own travel agency in Rhode Island and worked for AAA. She is very enthusiastic about the travel industry...
"I love the variety of working in vacation travel whereby one minute you are booking a villa in France,
the next you are booking a 19-day trip to China and the Yangtze River, and then you are booking
an all-inclusive in Jamaica the next." ]
Special Certifications: Certified Sandals Specialist, Specialist programs for Jamaica, Bermuda, Great Britain MCC-Master cruise specialist
Special travel expertise: Europe and the Caribbean
Traveled to: Britain, Ireland, Scotland, Austria, Germany, Italy, Thailand, Hawaii, Bermuda, Bahamas, Caribbean, Canada, Panama Canal, Mexico, USA extensively, Cruises
Favorite destination: Venice. I loved the little alley ways filled with shops and restaurants. You could smell the leather and the fresh baked bread as you roamed around through the little shops.
Favorite hotel: Browns... famous for afternoon tea in the lovely Mayfair area of London.
Favorite restaurant: Carmines in NYC... Wonderful Italian served up on huge platters (you'll never go away hungry!), and you may even bump into a celebrity or two.
Favorite cruise line: NCL... I just love the entertainment. They actually do Broadway musicals on board some of the ships.The food and service is great. The freestyle cruising options are terrific too.
Traveler Tips: Best Bloody Mary's in New York are at the Warwick Hotel. If you see something you really really love buy it, you may never find it again. Travel light don't bring more than you can heft up into the overhead bin yourself.
Profile info: Sally is what we call a total "travel pro." She's been in the business for more than 20 years and simply loves to travel. She services some of Atlas' longest-standing clients and speaks authoritatively and personally about many destinations in Europe, the Caribbean and New York City. If you're planning a theater trip, she's the one!
Special travel expertise: Nepal, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand
Traveled to: Europe, Iceland, China, Vietnam, Nepal, Thailand, Japan, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Costa Rica, Mexico, Canada and US
Favorite destination: No favorites...All else pales compared to new and different cultures.
Favorite restaurant: The "Barbie" at the Ayer's Rock Property in Australia...You pick out your own meat and cook it on the grill. All different types of local meats. One other place that no one would be able to duplicate is the camp fire meals in Namibia. I was on a camping safari and our guide was the best cook.
Special Certifications: I am an Aussie Specialist and a KIWI Specialist.
Traveler tips: Go with the flow. Don't be rigid... enjoy the moment and experience. A carry-on suitcase can work for 2 weeks if packed well. Put in a bag for the return flight for the gifts and trinkets you have picked up (the Atlas boutique in Lexington has some great ones!).
