Office Manager and Travel Consultant

BACKGROUND AND TRAVEL EXPERTISE

My very first trip to Europe was when I was eight years old and from that point, my life’s ambition was to save enough money to go back. By the time I was a teenager I had enjoyed two summers in Europe and have not looked back since. Travel was in my blood!
My intent had been to become a flight attendant but when I graduated from high school, I was too young for this career and attended college for travel and tourism. While still in college, I started working in the travel industry and have been in the travel industry for over 40 years.

Throughout these years I have traveled extensively with diversified travel interests ranging from camping to cruising to seeing Europe. Our family has roamed North America with a tent trailer creating many of our best family memories. We have flown to amazing destinations, taken cruises and have introduced our children to some unforgettable travel experiences. Most recently we have just returned from a relaxing cruise along the Danube with extended family – very enjoyable for all ages.

For the past 29 years I have worked with Verstraete Travel & Cruises. With the dual roles of Office Manager and Travel Consultant, I have handled all aspects of the business from managing and organizing groups to Europe and the Caribbean, to booking every aspect of travel from flights to hotels, complete packages and cruises.

The most unforgettable memories I have are of being involved with organizing and escorting Veteran tours to Holland and France. I had the opportunity to get to know the most wonderful people. I treasure their stories, both tragic and funny, from their time fighting to free my parents’ homeland of Holland in WWII. I was also able to convey back to them my parents’ tales of gratitude.

Over the years I have built a loyal clientele and love to assist my clients in planning an enjoyable trip and being introduced to new people with whom I can share my expertise. It is especially rewarding when people come back and tell me what a wonderful trip they have had.

TRAVEL INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION
 Humber College of Applied Arts – Honors Degree: Travel and Tourism
 TICO Agent accredited
 TICO Approved Proctor
 River and Ocean Cruise Line Specialist

PLACES VISITED
Europe and Africa – over 40 times: The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, Monaco, England, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Luxembourg, Austria, Slovakia, Tunisia, Morrocco.
Caribbean and Central America: Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, St. Maarten, Bahamas, Barbados, Cozumel, Jamaica, Grenada, Puerto Rico, Grand Cayman, Turks & Caicos Islands, Panama, Costa Rica, Dominica, Tortola, U. S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands
Canada: PEI, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia
United States: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming

CRUISES TAKEN
We really enjoy cruising and have cruised the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, the Rhine, Mosel, Danube, Soane and Rhone rivers. Cruise lines I have sailed on include:
 Holland America (my favorite)
 Emerald Waterways (a favourite river line)
 Celebrity
 Princess
 Royal Caribbean
 Norwegian Cruise Line
 Carnival Cruise Line
 Feenstra Line

 Nikko Cruises
FUTURE TRAVEL PLANS
My husband and I love traveling and plan to see even more of Europe, New Zealand, South America and Australia as well as the rest of North America.

MY CONTACT INFORMATION
Please contact me at the office on Monday, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Email: anne@verstraete.com
Local: 416-969-8100
Toll free: 1.800.565.9267
Verstraete Travel & Cruises
300-14845 Yonge Street, Aurora, ON L4G 6H8