Meet Our Staff

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.

Valerie Cooper, CTA

Travel Specialist

Areas of Expertise: Hawaii | Luxury Cruises |

With over a decade as a flight attendant for a major American airline, Valerie's passion for travel and the travel industry as a whole is unsurpassed. Her ability and skill to research the best of the best has lead her repeatedly to win/win situations again and again. She has a strong interest and growing expertise in theme-based travel such as culinary cruises, family reunions, and church group travel. She has always enjoyed meeting new people and exploring new places.

Contact Valerie via email -- click here.

Peter Hartnedy

Travel Specialist

Areas of Expertise: Africa | Caribbean | Cruises - Canada | Europe | Hawaii |

Following his career in corporate finance, and as Chief Financial and Operations Officer for a New York City based international financial services firm for the last 25 years, Peter earned a Le Cordon Bleu Associates degree from the California Culinary Academy. While traveling extensively for business and pleasure, Peter began working in the travel and hospitality industry in 2005 with jobs at the Metropolitan Club in San Francisco, the Sheraton Kannapoli Beach Hotel on Maui, the Keauhou Beach Resort on the Big Island and at the La Playa Beach Resort in Naples, FL.

Peter has rented villas in the Chianti Region of Tuscany, Luca, the Veneto and in Province, visited all of the major European capitals, toured Normandy, Province, Lake Cuomo and throughout Italy, Germany, Greece, Switzerland, western Ireland, the Costa Brava, and crossed the English Channel by ferry. Peter has enjoyed a culinary tour of the Amalfi Coast , a safari in Kenya , and toured Venezuela , Puerto Rico and the south island of New Zealand.

Having sailed throughout the Caribbean on Carnival, Celebrity, Norwegian and Princess Cruise Lines, Peter has visited, Aruba, Curacao, Bermuda, Nassau and the Bahamas, San Juan, Barbados, St. Maarten, St. Kits, St. Thomas and Cozumel.

His travels have also taken him to Venezuela, Costa Rica, Panama and Mexico; and if you're interested in adventure and travel, Peter can plan and customize a white water rafting, snorkel, scuba or fun ski vacation, where ever they can be found.

Areas of expertise: Caribbean and European cruises, Europe, Africa, California, Hawaii, New Zealand and the northeast United States.

Contact Peter via email -- click here.