Meet Our Staff

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.

John Burgess

Manager Leisure Division, Senior Travel Specialist

Areas of Expertise: All Inclusive | Asia | Australia | Bahamas | Bermuda | British Isles | Canada | Caribbean | China | Cruises | Cruises - Canada | Cruises - Mexico | Europe | Europe - Central | Europe - Cruises | Europe - Western | Family | Great Britain | Greece | Greek Isles | Hawaii | Hong Kong | Indonesia | Ireland | Italy | Las Vegas | Luxury Cruises | Mediterranean | Mexico | Mexican Riviera | New Zealand | Pacific | Safaris | Scandinavia | Scotland | South America | South Pacific | Spain | Tahiti | Thailand | Vietnam |

As a former travel agency owner of 'McDaniel Travel' in Naples, and after nearly 17 years in the travel business, John is familiar with all aspects of the travel industry from cruises and tours, to custom-designed upscale individual and small-group arrangements.

Having lived in Europe, he is extremely well-versed regarding travel in England, Scotland, Ireland, Morocco, France, Spain & Portugal, Italy, Greece, The Netherlands & Belgium, Switzerland & Germany, and Austria. In addition, he has traveled extensively in Australia & New Zealand, the South Pacific, Asia, Canada and South America.

His business is almost equally divided between upscale cruises (Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Seabourn, Crystal, Oceania, Celebrity) and custom designing one-of-a kind personal travel, utilizing such well known and highly respected companies as Abercrombie & Kent, Tauck, Travcoa, Micato and Orient Express.

Whether you're interested in River Cruising through the heart of Europe, visiting the Terra Cotta Warriors in Xian, China or exploring the islands of Tahiti, John's experience will help make your travel dreams become reality.

Contact John via email -- click here.

Cheryl Chegwidden, CTA

Senior Travel Specialist

Areas of Expertise: Adventure | Africa | Alaska | All Inclusive | Australia | Canada | Caribbean | Central America | China | ClubMed | Cost Rica | Cruises | Cruises - Canada | Cruises - Mexico | Disney | Egypt | Europe | Europe - Central | Europe - Cruises | Europe - Western | Family | Great Britain | Greece | Greek Isles | Hawaii | Honeymoon | Hong Kong | Ireland | Italy | Luxury Cruises | Mediterranean | Mexico | Mexican Riviera | New Zealand | Pacific | Safaris | Scandinavia | Scotland | Ski Trips | South America | South Pacific | Spain | Sport | Tahiti | Thailand |

Cheryl has been in the Travel Industry since 1991. She has been fortunate enough to have lived iand experienced Southern Africa extensively.

She is familiar with all aspects of the travel industry, from tours and cruises to custom designed independent travel.

Cheryl is an avid adventure traveler and has spent time traveling Southern Africa, (Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Africa), England, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Thailand, United States, Alaska, Bahamas and the Caribbean.

She has received her CTA (Certified Travel Agent) and DS (Destination Specialist) designations for the South Pacific and Adventure Travel from ICTA.

Cheryl has also been recognized by 'Travel + Leisure' magazine's 'A-List' of top travel agents in 2002. She strives towards providing her clients with the ultimate travel experience!

Contact Cheryl via email -- click here.

Patricia Classen

Travel Specialist

Areas of Expertise: Adventure | Africa | Alaska | Antarctica | Asia | Australia | Bahamas | Bermuda | British Isles | Cruises | Europe | Europe - Central | Europe - Cruises | Europe - Western | Great Britain | Luxury Cruises | Mediterranean | Saudi Arabia | Scotland | South America |

Pat has 16 years experience as a travel consultant with 'Preferred Travel'.

She has also volunteered in her community for 8 years as a 'Naples Community Hospital' volunteer, and has taken cherished friends to many U.S. destinations as well as Caribbean Cruises.

As President of the 'Naples Chapter of the Circumnavigators Club', Pat has escorted groups around the world on several occasions.

Contact Patricia via email -- click here.

Sharon Cumming

Travel Specialist

Areas of Expertise: Australia | Bermuda | New Zealand |

Sharon has 42 years of experience starting as a flight attendant for 'Eastern Airlines' in 1956, and then moved on to the Sales Department in New York City. Have been a travel consultant for a total of 28 years.

Her destinations include: Africa, Australia, Caribbean Islands, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greek Isles, Hawaii, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Russia, Spain, Sweden,Turkey, Venezuela and Vietnam.

Expertise: New York City, also over 30 New Zealand planned cruises.

Most memorable trips: a vacation around the world with another Flight Attendant in 1959, and flying the 'Military Airlift Command' during the Vietnam war.

Contact Sharon via email -- click here.

Susan Valentine

Senior Travel Specialist

Areas of Expertise: Africa | Australia | Caribbean | Egypt | Europe | Russia | South America |

With more than 20 years in the travel industry, Susan recognizes the importance of exceptional customer service.

As her real expertise lies in group travel, her niche specialty is gathering and escorting large groups yearly to new and exciting destinations, especially to the islands in the Caribbean.

And, for the discerning international experience, Susan is an 'Egyptian Destination Specialist' and has thoroughly enjoyed her many travels there. With service, trust and reliability, it is a pleasure for her to utilize her expertise to make your travel plans memorable.

Contact Susan via email -- click here.