Esther Alvarez

Travel Specialist

Areas of Expertise: Caribbean | Europe | South America |

Born and raised in Venezuela, Esther began her travel career in 1980 at one of the most prestigious travel agencies in Caracas, Venezuela before relocating to Naples, Florida in 1993. Esther is very involved in the Spanish Community in Naples, writing in the D'Latinos Magazine and appearing on the D'Latino television show.

With Esther's vast knowledge of Venezuela, South America, the Caribbean and Spain, she can provide you with local history, language and customs to help you have a very memorable holiday. Esther is an expert in arranging custom itineraries to paradors in Spain, chateaus in France, and river cruises throughout Europe. Her favorite historic Parador is in Santiago de Compostela, "Hostal Los Reyes Catolicos", considered to be the oldest and most luxurious hotels in the world.

Click here to see the latest video clip from Esther's D'Latinos travel television segment.

Contact Esther via email -- click here.

Linda Aubel

Travel Specialist

Areas of Expertise:

Starting off her career in the New York headquarters of Scandinavian Airlines, Linda was later recruited, to work with the Sales Development and Tour Department at Alitalia Airlines. She became Supervisor and remained with the Italian carrier for nine years.

Linda and her husband, a travel industry executive, started their own company in the mid-1970s, operating escorted motorcoach and self-drive tours throughout Europe. Their business grew considerably when they acquired the accounts of a large Dutch tour operator, and became the U.S. general sales agent for several European airlines, operators, transportation and hotel companies.

Relocating to the Naples area in 1988 Linda and her husband moved their business operations to southwest Florida. Eight years later they sold their company. After only a year of trying retirement, Linda became a retail travel business, and joined Preferred Travel of Naples in 2010.

Linda has enjoyed traveling extensively through Europe, especially in France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Switzerland, Austria, Greece and Belgium. She has also visited Russia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. In addition to Europe, Linda's travels have taken her to North, East and South Africa, Israel, Egypt, Brazil, Argentina, Central America, Mexico, most islands in the Caribbean and throughout the United States. She can even "boast" at having toured Uzbekistan.

Some of her most enjoyable trips have been on the numerous cruises she has taken, especially on the popular cruise ships of Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival, Princess and Celebrity. Linda is also an experienced river cruise passenger, having sailed the waters of the Rhine, Moselle, Main, Neckar, and Danube Rivers of Europe.

Linda counts herself as very fortunate to have spent her entire career in an industry that she absolutely loves!

Contact Linda via email -- click here.

Manfred Baehr

European Travel Specialist

Areas of Expertise: Business Travel | Cruises | Europe | Europe - Central | Europe - Cruises | Europe - Western | Family | Luxury Cruises | Mediterranean | Sport |

Manfred's career has encompassed a combination of wonderful travel agencies, tour operators and airlines. He has traveled very extensively throughout the world, and has specialized in planning tours and vacations to nearly every country in Europe. Manfred's clients value his expertise, wealth of insider information and numerous industry resources.

Manfred's greatest skill is creating individual and group custom itineraries. Born and raised just north of Frankfurt, Germany, Manfred has traveled extensively throughout the world. He has skillfully executed travel for groups of 50 to 1800 including pharmaceutical and healthcare conferences, sporting and musical events with particular attention to important details.

Manfred can plan your tour of Germany, Spain, France, Italy or England. Allow him to help you plan a glorious drive through the beautiful countryside of Ireland, Norway or Poland. Leisurely cruise the Rhine, the Moselle, the Danube, the Rhone, the Volga, or the Norway coast. Visit Europe's historical cities of London, Paris, Rome, Florence or Prague. Manfred, with his valuable resources, knowledge and passion for arranging custom European packages, will help you to see, feel and experience the world at its best!

Contact Manfred via email -- click here.

Diane Becker

Cruise Specialist

Areas of Expertise: Bahamas | Caribbean | Cruises | Cruises - Canada | Europe - Cruises |

For over 25 years, Diane has been selling and delivering specialized cruises to a wide variety of upscale travel destinations. She will put together a collection of worldwide destinations customized to enhance your travel experience.

Diane takes pride in having cruised to The Mediterranean, The Mexican Riviera, Canada, New England, and the Panama Canal. Also, Bermuda, the Bahamas and the beautiful eastern, western and the southern caribbean islands.

Contact Diane via email -- click here.

Karen Berger

Senior Travel Specialist

Areas of Expertise: Adventure | Africa | Alaska | Australia | Caribbean | Central America | Cruises | Europe | Groups | New Zealand | South America |

Karen has been in the travel industry for over 30 years, providing travel arrangements for both leisure and business clients. She has visited 6 continents and traveled to more than 30 different countries. She is an expert at planning customized personal travel around the world. She previously owned her own travel agency, and managed other agencies throughout her career. With Karen's experience and attention to detail, she delivers the trip of a lifetime, time and time again! When not traveling, she enjoys Florida and its wonderful nature, kayaking and camping or just staying in Naples enjoying her family and granddaughter.

Contact Karen via email -- click here.

Louise Brand

Travel Specialist

Areas of Expertise:

After ten years with a retail agency in Long Island, NY, Louise moved to southwest Florida and began her working partnership with Linda Aubel at 'Extra Value Vacations'. As their reservations and marketing director, one of her primary jobs was promoting 'Minotels Europe', an association of 750 independently owned and operated small hotels in 25 different European countries.

As her client base increased, Louise initiated a business offering self-drive vacations through Europe featuring the 'Minotel' product.

Louise has enjoyed traveling extensively through Europe, especially France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Germany, and the U.K. She has also journeyed through Switzerland, Austria and Greece.

Louise has cruised the Danube on riverboats including the Saone and Rhone in France, the Rhine and the Moselle in Germany.

Her many travels have taken her to Belgium, Holland, Russia and Uzbekistan and Ireland. She has traveled to Brazil and Argentina, as well as Central America, Mexico and many numerous islands in the Caribbean.

Louise has toured Bangkok, Thailand, visiting the major temples and landmarks. She has also toured Morocco.

Some of her most exciting and fun trips have been on numerous cruises planned on Holland America, Carnival, NCL and Royal Caribbean.

Contact Louise via email -- click here.