Leisure and Group Travel

Linda Gartner – Leisure and Group Travel Consultant Interests: Europe, California Wine Country, San Francisco, Mexican Riviera, Caribbean Cruises I am beginning the second chapter of life as a travel consultant with Prestige Travel of Cincinnati, Ohio. I have traveled to 12 European countries and over 44 cities as well as Canada and Mexico. As an agent with Prestige Travel I hope to share my knowledge and passion for travel with you. I will do my absolute best to insure that YOU have a love of travel, too! Thanks to my affiliation with Travel Leaders, I can get you the best possible pricing, travel advice and experiences that are available. My varied background in travel also makes me a great resource for you and your group—of any size! As a former Choral Director, I have taken literally thousands of students, staff members and parents throughout the Mid-West, to Washington D.C, and to 9 countries and 32 cities in Europe. (Group travel is unlike anything you have ever experienced; there is always someone different to talk with at breakfast!) I have led groups of 2-8 charter buses, navigating to attractions in cities like Chicago, Atlanta, Nashville, St. Louis and Cleveland. AND I have taken 7 tours of Europe. Most recently and most memorably, I took a group to sing a mass at St. Peter’s in Rome – a true highlight of my travel career. I will forever cherish the memory of leading in song this group of 108—inside the World’s largest cathedral—and then escorting them to sing, once again, for thousands of people on the piazza outside! Besides leading large groups, I’ve planned trips with my husband and sons to Hawaii, Italy (four trips!), Greece, San Francisco, Wine Country, Seattle, the San Juan Islands, the Canadian Rockies, Mexican resorts in Playa del Carmen, Cabo San Lucas and Cancun, on cruises in the Caribbean, and for an extended stay on St. John, USVI. Because of my varied experiences in trip planning, I would like to help plan your ideal vacation—whether you are a family of two or twenty. If I had to pick a favorite destination, it would be Italy. Not only have I led choral groups throughout this wonderful country multiple times, but my family has vacationed there four times, as well. Our most recent Italian trip was a three-week experience that highlighted pasta, wine, cappuccino, olive oils, balsamic vinegars, gelato and, of course, some Italian history! Cities like Bologna and their famed arches, Ravenna and the breathtaking mosaics, Siena with its magnificent cathedral, and Lucca home of the BEST opera composer, Giocomo Puccini, should be included on everyone’s Italian travel list! And, obviously, Rome, Florence, and Venice shouldn’t be missed; but what about Verona the home of Juliet, Sorrento and its football size lemons that soon become Limoncello, Montalcino in the heart of Tuscan vineyards and Orvieto, a hidden gem? We’ve had fabulous experiences and made wonderful memories in all of these locations. The Italians are like no other! It would truly be my pleasure to help you plan your trip—from the very beginning to the very end of your travels. I will treat your wants as if they were my wants, researching the best possible pricing for the best possible experience! If you’re on a tight budget, I will help find you the most outstanding experiences available within that budget. If you want a luxury vacation, I will help find you the most sumptuous accommodations and unique opportunities. I look forward to meeting you and helping you learn about the world through travel. Where would you like to go first? Testimonial #1 All I had to say in my initial conversation with Linda was "I need a warm place with a beach" and she sent four options to me within hours. Not only was she responsive, but she had thought of all of the logistics that would need to be addressed without me asking! The venue she chose was exceptional and the other details fell right into place due to her thoroughness. We will never use anyone else for our travel planning!! - Karen B Testimonial #2 Linda recently booked our family trip to Hawaii including air fare, hotels and rental car. The vacation was a dream thanks to Linda’s attention to detail and wonderful service. Linda did all the hard work to make sure our trip came off without a hitch. I would highly recommend her for your next vacation. - Bob W.