European Travel Expert with Leaping Hound Travel

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Liz Holden, Travel Agent in Madison, WI

Liz Holden

Madison, WI Travel Agent

Liz Holden

Madison, WI · 5 Years of Experience

Leaping Hound Travel, an independent agent with WorldVia, a Travel Leaders Agency
About
My Places
Client Testimonials

Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Europe, Netherlands, Italy, France, London

Interests:

Historical Sites, European Culture, Groups, LGBTQ+ Travel, Gluten-Free

About Me

I've been leading group tours to Europe since 2012, starting as a short-term study abroad leader at the university where I teach (I'm a physics professor). After years of successful study abroad trips, my husband (a history professor) and I decided we wanted to be able to offer group tours to a wider audience, not just as part of a college class.

We founded Leaping Hound Travel for group tours to Europe with specialty focuses (like "vampires!" or "cakes and coffeehouses!"). As a travel agent, I further put to use my years of experience arranging all the tour details for the groups we led, years of doing detailed research on European travel (in destination as well as studying and reading), plus years of informal travel arranging for friends. 

I help people create amazing, unique European vacations that are perfectly suited to them.

How it began: I first visited Europe when I was 18, traveling to see family in the Netherlands. It was a life-changing experience, making a huge impression on me. Seeing parts of the world besides the United States, where I'd been born and grown up (and still live), opened my eyes to the world in a way that getting information from books or TV never could. I was immediately determined to make travel part of my life.

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.
Netherlands, Europe
Booked It
Been There 13 Times
Italy, Europe
Been There 5 Times
France, Europe
Booked It
Been There 8 Times
Austria, Europe
Been There 3 Times
Belgium, Europe
Been There 3 Times
Czech Republic, Europe
Been There
Denmark, Europe
Been There
England, Europe
Been There
Germany, Europe
Been There 7 Times
Greece, Europe
Been There
Hungary, Europe
Been There 4 Times
Ireland, Europe
Been There
Poland, Europe
Been There 2 Times
Slovakia, Europe
Been There
Switzerland, Europe
Been There 2 Times
United Kingdom, Europe
Been There 2 Times

Client Testimonials

Ireland Explorations
Liz at Leaping Hound Travel was amazing. Their fees are low and service is wonderful. We brought Liz an incredibly vague and last minute travel plan, and she stuck with us until we crafted a great vacation. Could not recommend more highly.
Adria B.
Solo U.K. Trip!
I just got home from a solo birthday trip to London and Liverpool and I had a blast. Liz helped me sort out all the COVID stuff and made the whole thing worry-free!
Nate B.
Relaxing French Vacation
Liz did a wonderful job planning our two week vacation to France. I didn't have enough time to do it and she put together a wonderful itinerary including locations, flights, hotels, trains, and activities. She did as much or as little as I wanted her to and provided a specific itinerary to follow. When we weren't sure about a pick-up location, she answered our questions promptly and thoroughly. When our flight got cancelled, I was able to ask her many questions as I rebooked it (I probably could have asked her to rebook it, but I was able to take care of it). She had very good recommendations all around. I will definitely use her again and hope you try her in your future as well.
Mary Ann R.
Journey Across Germany (and more!)
We found Liz (Leaping Hound Travel) online, listed as an expert travel agent for Germany and Europe. Even though she lived two hours away and we didn't know her, she provided first class service in every way. She was prompt, thorough, efficient, proactive, and best of all, she found several ways to save us money in planning our 3-week trip to Germany, France, and Switzerland. Then, when we were on our trip, we encountered some nightmare scenarios with planes, rental cars, and hotels. Liz quickly helped us through these difficulties, and she was able to secure refunds totaling several hundreds of dollars ... even though we did not purchase insurance! If I had tried to fight those refund battles on my own, I doubt if I would've been as effective as Liz was. I honestly don't know how a travel agent could be any better.
Tom W.
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