Chris Rakes, Travel Agent in Union Hall, VA

Chris Rakes

Union Hall, VA Travel Agent
Super Agent

Chris Rakes

Union Hall, VA · 14 Years of Experience

Total Experience Travel, an independent agent with Cruises & Tours, Unlimited, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
5.0
(79)
100% Recommended
We love Chris, she's very attentive and responsive! Read More >
About
My Travel Specialties
Reviews
Certificates & Awards
My Places
Travel Stories & Media

Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Caribbean, Europe, Alaska, Tuscany, Mexico

Interests:

Honeymoons, River Cruises, Luxury Cruises, Overwater Bungalows, Small Ship Cruises

Suppliers:

Sandals Resorts, Viking, Le Blanc Spa Resorts, Seabourn, Silversea

About Me

River and Small Ship Cruises & Luxury Resorts

I help travelers get the BEST EXPERIENCE and VALUE on vacation! I travel multiple times per year to stay up to date on latest OPTIONS, in addition to participating in continuous formal training. River Cruises, Small Ship Ocean & Expedition Cruises, Custom Land Tours, Luxe Suites & Over-the-Water Bungalows - I've done them ALL. I've seen the places, slept in the beds and sampled the fare! Looking for unbiased PROFESSIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS and/or HELP comparing options? YOU are in the right place! Visit Total Experience Travel online at www.totalexperiencetravel.com and wedding wire to learn more. Offices in Raleigh, NC and Union Hall, VA. Contact me today to start planning your dream vacation!

My Travel Specialties

River & Luxury Cruises

River & Luxury Cruises
River, Ocean and Expedition CRUISES are luxury vacation options using small-mid size ships. They are culturally immersive and travel to popular, far-away and exotic destinations on EVERY CONTINENT. Their capacity...Read More ▶

Honeymoons, Anniversaries and Family Vacations

Honeymoons, Anniversaries and Family Vacations
Dreaming about staying in one of those incredible over-the-water thatched roof huts? Watching fish swim by your glass bottom floor? Looking out at the vast horizon from you spacious king size bed? Swimming in your private infinity pool or napping on your private hammock? How about lounging high a...Read More ▶

The Best All Inclusive Resorts

The Best All Inclusive Resorts
There is SO MUCH OUT THERE and they are NOT ALL THE SAME. Some are huge, others are small.  Some have great beaches, others have great views.  Some have stellar service, others leave you to fend for yourself.  Some are adult-only, others are family friendly.  You...Read More ▶

Small Ship Cruises and Luxury All Inclusive Trips

Small Ship Cruises and Luxury All Inclusive Trips
I am Chris Rakes; Owner and Personal Travel Advisor at Total Experience Travel with offices in Raleigh, NC and Union Hall, VA.  I am an organizational freak and planner, by nature!  I've always been passionate about travel and like to think about the details.  Those things, combined with my previ...Read More ▶

REVIEWS

Rating: 5.0
79 reviews
100% Recommended
Your trust is our priority. Every review is submitted by verified travelers after they have booked and completed their trips. Learn more about our review guidelines.
Search reviews:

Showing 79 reviews

Excited for our first cruise!
Reviewed By Whitney - Mebane, NC | Traveled to Amsterdam ~ Netherlands ~ Europe
We love Chris, she's very attentive and responsive!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
25 of 37 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Couldn't have planned a more perfect honeymoon.
Reviewed By Alex - Brooklyn, N Y | Traveled to New Zealand ~ Australia & New Zealand
Christine helped us plan a very long, activity-packed honeymoon to New Zealand and Fiji. What could have been a very complicated and time consuming process of planning, turned out to be a very simple and straight forward task. With one phone call and a few back and forth emails, our two week adventure was planned and booked. We had so much time to get excited and look forward to it. Christine worked within our budget and planned a trip that was a great combo of sight seeing and relaxation. If ever a change or question was brought to her attention, she handled it right away. During our trip we only had one activity hiccup due to weather and Christine answered our email right away even from a different time zone. We had the most amazing time and would do it all over again in a heartbeat I would highly recommend using Christine for your next vacation, especially if planning a long trip.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
34 of 55 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Thank you Chris for helping to ensure our family had a fabulous vacation!
Reviewed By Mandy - Raleigh, NC | Traveled to
Chris provided several vacation options for our consideration and was great at helping us select the perfect vacation for our family. She took care of all the reservations so we did not have to worry about anything leading up to the trip. She was very organized and promptly answered all of our questions. We had such a great time in Punta Cana. We did not want to leave!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
54 of 95 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Honeymoon planning
Reviewed By Adam and Megan - raleigh, nc | Traveled to Fiji ~ South Pacific
Chris was great to work with getting our honeymoon planned. She was able to take our interests and plan out a trip that highlighted everything we were interested in. She is very timely and had our best interest in mind. In the end, she made planning much less stressful for us.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
27 of 43 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Working with her is a pleasure.
Reviewed By Laura & David - Raleigh, NC | Traveled to
Chris is a true professional and I would recommend her to any of my friends. She was very helpful and made planning the cruise much easier for us.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
47 of 83 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO

Certifications & Awards

The Book with Confidence logo tells you that this Travel Advisor has direct access to comprehensive resources for safe and healthy travel, available at their discretion for sharing with clients.  This includes vetting the details on the health and safety protocols implemented by each travel provider in order to recommend the ideal itinerary for each client’s unique needs.
Honeymoon Specialist
River Cruise Specialist
Viking Cruises Certified Specialist
Sandals & Beaches Resorts Specialist
Silversea Cruises Certified Specialist
Small Ship Luxury Cruise Specialist
Viking Cruise Specialist
River & Small Ship Luxury Cruise Expert
Over-the-Water Specialist
Regent Seven Seas Cruise Specialist
All Inclusive Resort Expert
All Inclusive Luxury & Boutique Resorts Specialist
Honeymoon & Romantic Travel Expert
Seabourn Cruises Certified Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Ritz Carlton STAR Agent

My Places

When it comes to travel planning, real-world experience makes a huge difference. Check out the map below to see all the places I have personally visited or booked for my clients. I know these destinations well and can give you reliable guidance.

My Photo Albums and Videos

Columbia & Snake Rivers
View Album

    My Travel Stories

    American River Cruise Specialist Chris Rakes

    History & Scenery on the Columbia & Snake

    Our Columbia and Snake River cruise was an unforgettable journey through time, nature, and human ingenuity. From the moment we stepped aboard, my husband and I were immersed in stories of the Lewis and Clark expedition, Native American heritage, and the shaping of the Pacific Northwest. Each bend of the river revealed dramatic scenery—basalt cli...
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    Caveman does Quebec

    Chasing Fall Foliage and Coastal Charm Afloat

    My husband and I set sail on a popular New England–Canada fall itinerary, drawn by the promise of autumn color and the quiet luxury of an unhurried voyage. We were NOT disappointed. From the moment we stepped aboard, the experience felt intimate and refined—champagne welcomes, ocean-view suites, and service that anticipated every need.  E...
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    Chris Rakes - Sandals & Beaches Resorts Specialist

    My Latest Sandals Resorts Trip

    Even if you are not in the market for a honeymoon or anniversary trip, every couple should carve out time for a Sandals & Beaches Resorts vacation to refresh and revitalize. My hubby and I go every year and we continue to be big fans! We always manage to have a wonderfully relaxing time and can't wait to get back the next year.  As...
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    Chris Rakes Jackson and national parks

    Jackson and Grand Tetons Mother–Daughter Adventure

    My adult daughters and I traded our routines for rugged peaks, wild rivers, and the open skies of Wyoming. Our trip to Jackson and Grand Teton National Park was the perfect blend of adrenaline, laughter, and those quiet moments that remind you why time together matters so much. We started in Jackson, a mountain town that feels equal parts...
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    Italy - hiking Cinque Terre

    12 Nights of Pure Luxury Cruising Italian Riviera

    Just returned from the most breathtaking 12-night Seabourn cruise with my husband — and honestly, reality has a lot to live up to now. From the moment we stepped on board, everything was elegant, effortless, and completely indulgent. Each morning, we woke up to a new slice of the Italian Riviera — from charming fishing villages to glamoro...
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