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 | Donna Wilkinson, CTA
Interests & Specialties
Donna specializes in luxury travel for individuals, is a Sandals All Inclusive Specialist, a Bahamas Specialist and a Disney Specialist. She has earned the designation as a Certified Travel Associate and a Certified Cruise Counselor.
Expert Bio
Mike & Donna are the Owners of Sue Smith Vacations, purchasing the company some seven years ago from the founder, Sue Smith. Prior to purchasing the company they owned First Discount Travel of North Little Rock, which was managed by Donna. Mike is a Certified Travel Associate and a CPA with 26 years experience as an executive in the insurance industry prior to entering the travel industry. In January, 2001 Mike and Donna also purchased Cruise Advisor's Internatioanl Inc. In Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. Cruise Advisors was merged into the Sue Smith Vacations Hot Springs VIllage office and now operates as Vacation Valet. Vacation Valet also owns Jazz Club at Sea which specializes in organizing jazz cruises.
donna@vacation-valet.com or donna@suesmithvacations.com
My Recent Trips
During the past year I have sailed the Mexican Riveria on Crystal Cruise Lines, the Baltic on Holland America, Alaska and the Western Caribbean on NCL, spent a week at the Mauna Lani Bay Resort on the Big Island of Hawaii, a week at the Walt Disney World Resort and several days in Santa Barbara, California touring various wineries and enjoying the weather and the food. My next trip will be a cruise from Monte Carlo to Rome on board the Seabourn Legend in April, 2007. .
|  | Mike Wilkinson, CTA
Interests & Specialties
Mike specializes in planning luxury trip for individuals and group trips for associations, churches and civic organizations, affinity groups and companies that want that special trip for an incentive or company trip. Mike's interests include golf, fly fishing and history. Mike has been to Hawaii more than twenty times and cruises three to four times a year.
Expert Bio
Mike & Donna are the Owners of Sue Smith Vacations, purchasing the company some seven years ago from the founder, Sue Smith. Prior to purchasing the company they owned First Discount Travel of North Little Rock, which was managed by Donna. Mike is a Certified Travel Associate and a CPA with 26 years experience as an executive in the insurance industry prior to entering the travel industry. In January, 2001 Mike and Donna also purchased Cruise Advisor's Internatioanl Inc. In Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. Cruise Advisors was merged into the Sue Smith Vacations Hot Springs VIllage office and now operates as Vacation Valet. Vacation Valet also owns Jazz Club at Sea which specializes in organizing jazz cruises.
mike@vacation-valet.com or mike@suesmithvacations.com
My Recent Trips
During the past year I have sailed the Baltic on Holland America, Alaska and the Western Caribbean on NCL, spent a week at the Mauna Lani Bay Resort on the Big Island of Hawaii and several days in Santa Barbara, California touring various wineries and enjoying the weather and the food. My next trip will be a cruise from Monte Carlo to Rome on board the Seabourn Legend in April, 2007.`
|  | Pat McPheters, CTC
Interests & Specialties
Luxury Travel
Expert Bio
Pat is the manager of the Hot Springs Village Office of Sue Smith Vacations. Pat graduated from the Airline Division of Central Technical Institute in Kansas City in 1959 and started her career with Ozark Airlines when DC3's were still the primary mode of transportation. Pat became a Travel Agent when Ozark Airlines created a centralized reservation office in Peoria, Illinios. Over the years, Pat has managed several travel agencies ranging from small leisure agencies to large corporate agencies. Pat and her husband relocated to Hot Springs Village in 1995. Pat earned the designation of Certified Travel Counselor in 1984 and has traveled to many corners of the world. Let Pat share her vast travel experience with you and help make your "travel dreams a reality".
pat@vacation-valet.com
My Recent Trips
My most recent cruise was aboard Holland America's ms Oosterdam, sailing to the Eastern Caribbean.
|  | Lisa Balcom
Interests & Specialties
Luxury Travel
Expert Bio
Travel Consultant
lisa@vacation-valet.com
My Recent Trips
My most recent cruise was aboard Holland America's ms Oosterdam, sailing to the Eastern Caribbean.
|  | Kristol Simpson, CTC, DS
Interests & Specialties
Kristol's specialties include luxury cruises, group travel and independant land arrangements. She is a Certified Travel Counselor, certified as a Southern European Destination Specialist, small ship expert with Cruise West, a Princess Cruises Expert, Norwegian Cruise Line top accounts, a Shamrock Specialist and is certified by the Canadian Tourism Council as a Canadian expert. Jazz Cruises are a large part of what Kristol does, working with various lines to arrange for jazz theme cruises.
Expert Bio
Kristol has been with Vacation Valet for over 14 years. During that time, she has cruised with many lines including Regent Seven Seas, Holland America Line, Cunard Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and INTRAV. She has traveled to Israel, Tahiti, Western Europe and Alaska for which she has a great passion.
Kristol travels each year with the Jazz Club At Sea. The 2009 departure is scheduled for November 15 - 22, 2009 aboard Norwegain Cruise Line's Norwegian Jewel. This 9th Annual Jazz Party At Sea is scheduled in conjunction with JAZZIZ magazine's 25th Anniversary and is a celebration of a both traditional and contemporary jazz styles. She invites you to join her for this musical extravaganza.
Manager of Jazz Programs
kristol@vacation-valet.com
My Recent Trips
My most recent cruise was aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines m/s Norwegian Dawn, sailing to the Caribbean with fantastic jazz aritsts including Joey DeFrancesco, Freddy Cole, Junior Mance, Larry Coryell, Sherrie Maricle and the DIVA Jazz Orchestra, Bobby Hutcherson and many others.
|  | Ingrid Gehrung, CTC
Interests & Specialties
A native of Germany, who lived in Switzerland before coming to the US, Ingrid Gehrung is a Certified Travel Consultant. She has 28 years experience in the Travel Business , and has been with Vacation Valet 9 years. If you want to experience Europe, a River Cruise, Safari, or just a few days of relaxation on a Cruise, Ingrid knows how to plan the best vacation for you.She has traveled worldwide, Europe, Africa, China, Russia, Tahiti, and many more.
Expert Bio
Travel Consultant
ingrid@vacation-valet.com
|  | Mary Clago
Interests & Specialties
Mary has been with Vacation Valet for 3 years, has been a travel consultant for 15 and is a Certified Travel Associate. Mary's specialties include cruises and group travel. She has sailed with Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean. Mary has a passion not ony for travel but also for people. She enjoys planning travel that creates lifetime memories. Mary has visited all of the Caribbean islands, Alaska, Hawaii, Australia, China, Germany, Tahiti (her personal favorite) and most recently Italy.
Expert Bio
Travel Consultant
mary@vacation-valet.com
|  | Kathy Primm
Interests & Specialties
Kathy is the Sue Smith Vacations specialist for Honeymoons and Destination Weddings. She has earned Specialist Certifications for Cancun, the Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Sandals all-inclusive Resorts and Italy. She has also earned her designation as a Disney Specialist. Kathy is very interested in Faith Based Travel, specifically related to the Catholic Faith
Expert Bio
Kathy has 15 years in the travel business with 10 of those years at Sue Smith Vacations. She has traveled extensively throughout Hawaii and made several trips to the Caribbean as well. Kathy is also the company specialist for Honeymoon and Wedding travel. Kathy has sent couples on dream honeymoons and has planned weddings in exotic destinations around the world. Kathy also specializes in the Caribbean, Mexico and Hawaii. Kathy said, "The reputation of Sue Smith Vacations is based on the quality of the Sales Staff here at Sue Smith Vacations. I believe that all trips should be special and worry free and would love to help you plan your next special occasion."
My Recent Trips
This past year I escorted two Pilgrimages to Italy with emphisis on Rome. My greatest thrill was seeing the Pope in person and having my clients shake his hand and have their picture made with him. I have put together Catholic Pilgrimages to Poland and Fatima and Lourdes in 2007.
|  | Donna Brown
Expert Bio
Donna joined the Sue Smith Vacations in the fall of 2003, bringing with her thirteen years in the travel industry. She has served as a travel consultant and manager for several different agencies in her thirteen years. Donna can help you with you Mexico, Europe, Canada and U.S. travel. She loves people and helping match them to their dream vacation.
|  | Carol Bajorek, CTC
Expert Bio
In 1980, I joined the Sue Smith Vacations team, answering phones & delivering airline tickets. Sue & I worked together in opening the first cruise only agency in the state, becoming one of the first in the nation to specialize in cruising. I was active in the formation of NACOA, the National Association of Cruise Only Agencies. I served as manage of the cruise department for over 15 years, then took over as manager of the entire operation in NLR while Sue concentrated on developing the business in Hot Springs Village.
Fueled by a great love of travel, my first cruise was on the Queen Mary, at age 2, continuing on to sail on over 60 cruises to approximately 50 islands, visited 17 sea/oceans, 30 countries and 5 continents.
The answer to the often asked question of my favorite destination is usually the one last visited! European destinations are definitely high on my list, with a trip across the Atlantic each year. Cruising the European waterways and touring the countryside are among my favorite modes of travel. England is the most visited, due to family living there, but Italy and Greece are my favorites (so far!)
However, the sunny beaches and scenic mountains of Australia, Tahiti, Hawaii and the Caribbean are beautiful memories! The ease of travel to Mexico makes it my most visited destination – for the beaches, friendly people & great food!
My greatest distance traveled would be Singapore, but there are many memorable places within the good old USA, such as New York, Key West & the California Wine Country.
Please call me for your next vacation. Let’s work together around your interests and dreams. If I do not have first hand knowledge of the destination, we can take advantage of our many onsite experts to avoid any pitfalls & maximize your valuable vacation time.
Remember, a travel agent is a valuable ally as you explore the world. You call your friend or neighbor in times of need, not the travel websites. Sue Smith Vacations has been in this location for almost 30 years serving our community. Let us be your ally!
| | Renee Taylor
Interests & Specialties
Renee has been with Sue Smith Vacations for 3 years and is now working as an outside consultant from her home. She is eager to assist with your travel needs.
| | Cynthia Porter, CTC
Expert Bio
Cynthia is a native of California, but has been fortunate enough to live in the Pacific Northwest, the Midwest and two years in Great Britain. She became a travel agent in 1976 and received her CTC (Certified Travel Consultant) designation in 1991.
Cynthia has traveled throughout Europe, the Middle East, South Pacific and some parts of Asia and South America. Her cruising experiences have taken her through the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Mexican Riviera and the Hawaiian Islands.
In her own words..."travel is my first love and I enjoy sharing that with other potential travelers." Let Cynthia share her knowledge in helping you plan that trip of a lifetime!
|  | Sue Smith, CTC
Interests & Specialties
Sue now specializes in group travel with an emphasis on incentive travel for businesses, special interest groups and fundraising for organizations and family reunions. Sue has recently organized a new travel group called the First Ladies of Travel, a classy getaway group geared towards women who travel alone. Sue is currently working on a part-time basis out of our Hot Springs Village Office.
Expert Bio
Sue has 25 years experience in the travel industry as both an Owner and Agent. Sue founded Sue Smith Vacations in September 1978. She has traveled extensively throughout her career and is active in both local and national travel industry organizations. Sue has served on the advisory boards of Walt Disney Attractions, Maupintour and Delta Vacations. Sue has earned the designation of Certified Travel Counselor from the Institute of Certified Travel Agents.
suetravels@aol.com
My Recent Trips
My most recent cruise was aboard Holland America's ms Oosterdam, sailing to the Eastern Caribbean.
|  | Ann Workman
Interests & Specialties
Luxury Travel
Expert Bio
Ann is the "voice of Sue Smith Vacations" on the local radio stations in Hot Springs Village. Ann enjoys writing and recording radio spots for the agency that also includes traveling tips. Ann began her travel career with Eastern Airlines working both in reservations and as a ticketing agent. Prior to becoming a travel agent, Ann worked with a tour company. Ann has also worked as a Cruise Manager and Group Coordinator for retail travel agencies. Ann moved to Hot Springs Village from Indianapolis 7 years ago and soon after began working for Sue Smith Vacations. Using Sue Smith Vacations as her base of operations, Ann continues to take care of her travel clients from throughout the U.S. Ann is especially fond of sailing vessels and considers adventure travel her favorite of all venues.
aworkman@cox-internet.com
My Recent Trips
My most recent cruise was aboard Holland America's ms Oosterdam, sailing to the Eastern Caribbean.
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