We are an alliance of professional travel advisors with the shared goal of delivering value to our clients through exclusive vendor partnerships, while fostering a supportive relationship between our members.
about us
Preferred Travel Alliance, LLC, is a group of elite travel professionals invested in elevating their individual businesses through peer support and education. Collectively, the group’s annual sales total over $20 Million, consisting of over 150 destination wedding groups, 200 incentive and escorted groups and thousands of luxury FIT trips.
Located throughout the USA, the 11 members collaborate at an annual meeting, educational fam trips, and weekly webinars and zoom sessions. The group strives to establish strategic alliances with vendor partners to offer their clients exceptional service, special amenities and unique experiences.
EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & EDUCATION
Consistently working together with our Preferred Travel Suppliers to continue educating ourselves on the latest resorts & destinations.
Our leadership team
Kim Grammer
President
Janet Caraker
Vice-President
Cindy Lorenz
Secretary
Linda Gatton
Treasurer
Meet Our Agents
Year Established: 2013
Specialties: Destination Weddings, Honeymoons, Romance Travel, Luxury Travel, Group Travel. Mexico, Caribbean, Central & South America, Western Europe, South East Asia and South Pacific.
Beth Mills
Travel By Beth
Beth@TravelbyBeth.com
www.TravelbyBeth.com
Year Established: 2010
Specialties: Romance Travel, All-Inclusive Resorts, Cruises, Multi-Gen Trips, Sports Travel
Awards and Designations: CTA, DWHSA, GIVC Vacation Consultant, GIVC Honeymoon and Anniversary Consultant, Funjet 500 Gold Award Agency, Disney Vacations Authorized Vacation Planner (Earmarked Award), Sandals Preferred Agency
Why I Love the Travel Business: I love to travel and to explore new destinations while meeting new people. I also believe that life’s best memories are made through travel and I would like to share this with my clients.
Christina Ernst
VIP Travel & VIP Southern Tours
VIPalpinetours@gmail.com
www.vipalpinetours.com
Year Established: 1993
Specialties: Europe Travel, independent and group with focus on Western and Eastern Europe, Luxury River and ocean cruises, Caribbean and All-Inclusive, Culinary, Family, group travel, honeymoons, Eco- and adventure travel specialist
Awards & Designations: Delta Vacations Diamond Club Agency since 2011, Vacation Express President’s Club, Entrepreneur of the Year (local Chamber of Commerce, 2014)
Why I Love the Travel Business: Nothing brings me greater joy than planning someone’s vacation. I truly enjoy planning the small extras and special surprises and the best part? Getting to know my clients. I have clients that have been with me for decades, and now I am planning their children’s honeymoons! I have visited over 75 countries and love experiencing new destinations and learning about new cultures. The business is very dynamic and this is what brings me joy. I stay on top of destinations and trends for my clients and take great pride in what I do. I started out with the first Christmas Market Tours to Europe in 2004 and have taken over 500 travelers to Europe to experience the wonderful holiday traditions in Europe. In 2013 I opened up the first all-inclusive wine tour company in the Southeast and work with many North Georgia businesses to make it successful for everyone. It is the number one wine tour experience in Georgia. However, my passion is definitely in international travel and I simply love my career and clients.
3 items I always keep in my carry-on: scarf to use for blanket or pillow, change of clothing and a collapsible silicone water bottle.
Cindy Berre
Cindy Berre Travel
Cindy@CindyBerreTravel.com
www.CindyBerreTravel.com
Year Established: 1996
Specialties: Luxury River and ocean cruises, adult only, all inclusive, Culinary, Family, group travel, honeymoons, AMA Waterways river cruises specialist, Jamaica specialist, Viking River cruise specialist, Aruba specialist, St. Lucia specialist, Hard Rock resorts, AMResorts.
Awards and Designations: Karisma Diamond level, Vacation Express PePe Club, Destination specialist for Hawaii, South Africa, Costa Rica, England, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, Matai specialist (Fiji)
Why I Love the Travel Business: I love to make people happy, and planning my clients trips with special details, that I know will make them happy, is very rewarding. The business affords me the opportunity to travel to learn and experience different cultures and is rewarding and fun. Helping my clients fulfill their dreams and make lifelong memories is the best feeling!
3 things always in my carry-on: toothbrush/toothpaste, chewing gum, change of clothes
Cindy Lorenz
Infinite Journeys Travel Cindy@InfiniteJourneysTravel.com www.InfiniteJourneysTravel.comYear Established: 1990
Specialties: Groups; Honeymoons; Destination Weddings; Italy; Ocean & River Cruises; Caribbean; Mexico; Hawaii; Costa Rica; South Africa
Awards & Designations: Best of the Best Jamaica Agent 2010; Pepe Club w/Vacation Express 2015; Palace Pro Silver 2017; Gold Certified Sandals Specialist; AMRResorts Master Agent. TRUE; IATA
Why I Love the Travel Business: I have had a passion to see the world since I was a teenager! I love to experience new destinations, new cultures, seeing amazing things and having incredible experiences all over the world. Being a Travel Consultant has enabled me to have these opportunities. Its my goal to use my experiences to motivate my clients to think outside the box. Try something new & different. I love being the one to help clients travel dreams come true regardless of their budget.
3 Items always found in my carry-on: laptop; snacks; phone
Cindy Watty
Alfresco Travel
Cindy@AlfrescoTravel.com
www.AlfrescoTravel.com
Year Established: 2008
Specialties: River Cruises; FIT’s in Europe; Tropical Vacations
Awards & Designations: River Cruise Specialist; AMA Waterways Specialist; Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Specialist; Avalon Waterways Specialist; Scenic Cruises & Tours Specialist; Viking River Cruises Certified Specialist; Gold Certified Sandals Specialist; AMResorts Master Agent; Specialist for Mexico; Jamaica; St Lucia; Club Med; Barbados Elite Club; Italy; Hyatt Preferred Agent; TRUE; CLIA; IATA. Top 10 in sales for Cruises & Tours Unlimited (Outside Agents) for 2yrs; Top 20 for 5yrs.
Why I Love the Travel Business: I’ve always loved to travel and I found that I enjoy sharing that love with others. It’s so much fun to see clients’ faces light up when they’re talking about their trip, whether during the planning process or after they’ve returned. I get excited for them and sometime wish I could go on the trips with them! The travel business has been good to me. It’s allowed me to see parts of the world I may not have had the chance to see and has provided me with an income to pay for that travel.
3 Items always found in my carry-on: Umbrella; comfortable shoes; make-up bag
Janet Caraker
Island Jack’s Travel and Custom Vacation Designer Janet@CustomVacationDesigner.com
www.IslandJacks.com
www.CustomVacationDesigner.com
Year Established: 1987
Specialties: Luxury All-Inclusive Resorts; Honeymoons & Romantic Travel, Ocean & River Cruising, Escorted Tours & European Independent Itineraries
Awards & Designations: Certified Travel Counselor, CTC; Gold Certified Sandals Specialist; AMResorts Master Agent; Destination Specialist – Jamaica, Mexico, Dominican Republic, St. Lucia, Bahamas
Why I Love the Travel Business: Travel is all about a passion for people, culture and adventure. I love meeting new people, exploring the world as seen through a local’s eyes, try new & unusual experiences or cuisines and going to parts unknown. Taking the chance to fully immerse yourself in another culture expands your whole world!
3 Items always found in my carry-on: Baby Wipes/Anti-Bacterial Wipes; Electronics bag full of needed wires/ports/converter/battery pack; Tablet for entertainment on the plane
Kim Grammer
i-travelagent
Kim@i-travelagent.com
www.i-travelagent.com
Year Established: 1974
Specialties: European river cruising; Customized European independent travel; Group travel; Wine and Culinary Experiences; Destination Weddings and Honeymoons; Premium and Luxury Ocean Cruising.
Awards & Designations: Karisma GIVC Diamond Level 4; Palace Resorts Pro Gold; AIC Resorts Platinum Level; AmaWaterways Specialist; Uniworld Boutique River Cruising Specialist; Avalon Waterways Certified Specialist; Scenic Cruises and Tours Certified Agent; Viking River and Ocean Cruises Certified Specialist; AMResorts Master Agent; Jamaica Travel Specialist; St. Lucia Travel Specialist
Why I Love the Travel Business: What other career can boast that is all about making dreams come true? As a travel designer, every day brings new opportunities to share the world with people who want to experience it for themselves. I am passionate about travel and there is nothing more challenging and rewarding than using my expertise and resources to create experiences for my clients that turn their dreams into reality.
3 Items always found in my carry-on: Laptop, iphone and a sweater (I am always cold!)
Linda Gatton
SeaShores and More Travel Escapes
Linda@SeaShoresandMore.travel
www.SeaShoresandMore.travel
Year Established: 1985
Specialties: Romance Travel and Vacation Escapes to Mexico, Caribbean, Costa Rica, South Pacific, Europe, Luxury River and Ocean Cruises
Awards & Designations: Certified Travel Counselor; Master Cruise Consultant; Karisma Gourmet Inclusive Vacation Agent; AM Resorts Master Agent; Hyatt Preferred Agent; Certified Sandals Specialist; AMA Waterways Specialist; Oceania Cruises Specialist Special Needs Group Certified Accessible Travel Advocate; Equality Institute Certified, Member of Destination Wedding and Honeymoon Specialists Association, Member of ASTA-Small Business Network.
Why I love the Travel Business: Every day is different, and no two clients are alike. I love sharing travel experiences with my clients, to the destinations I’ve had the opportunity to visit, and some I haven’t. Creating their own personal experiences that meet and exceed their expectations is very rewarding. I enjoy the research involved in designing each individual travel adventure, knowing this is their own personal Escape.
3 Items always found in my carry-on: A wrap for cold flights, Laptop and charger, Jewelry.
Marisa Cole
Sensational Travel
Marisa@SensationalTravel.com
www.SensationalTravel.com
Year Established: 1982
Specialties: Honeymoons & Destination Weddings, River Cruises, Small Luxury Cruises, Adventure & Exotic Travel ie Africa, Cuba, Morocco.
Awards & Designations: Certified Travel Consultant (CTC) and Virtuoso Trained Luxury Ship Hostess
Why I Love the Travel Business: As a young adult I had the opportunity to ski the Swiss Alps however I became sick and was quarantine in a French-speaking hospital alone for 4 days. The friendliest folks who took care of me let me know that the world is a great place to explore & to meet new friends who are indeed just like me.
I have been selling travel for over 30 years and each day it is my honor to assist folks with their travel dreams to destinations around the world. Upon their return and learning of their experiences has become just as rewarding.
Today I am fortunate to travel the world to some exotic destinations such as Egypt, Cuba, Amazon River, Morocco along with the popular destinations of Europe, The Caribbean and Mexico.
3 Items always found in my carry-on: Camera, Pen & Journal and Lipstick!
Marissa Fontanini
Distinguished Travelers marissa@distinguishedtravelers.com www.distinguishedtravelers.comYear Established: 2015
Specialties: Luxury travel, Family travel, independent and small group European custom itineraries, Ocean and river cruises, Mexico and the Caribbean, Food and wine travel
Awards & Designations: Hawaii Specialist, AMA Waterways Specialist, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Specialist, AM Resorts Master Agent, TRUE accredited agency, ASTA Small Business Network Member
Why I Love the Travel Business: I pride myself in creating unique travel experiences for each of my clients that wish to explore worldwide destinations. As someone who is passionate about travel, I love being able to share my expertise with my clients in partnering with them to craft custom itineraries that meet their specific needs and wants and allow them to make memories that will last a lifetime.
3 Items always found in my carry-on: A blanket scarf, my power bank to keep my electronic devices charged on long haul flights, Reusable water bottle.
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