Group Travel and European Destination Specialist

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Virginia Barthel, Travel Agent in West Hurley, NY

Virginia Barthel

West Hurley, NY Travel Agent

Virginia Barthel

West Hurley, NY · 21 Years of Experience

European Travel Whisperer, an independent agent with Nexion, LLC, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
5.0
(8)
100% Recommended
After a couple of leg surgeries which limited my mobility I was hesitate to travel to Europe. Fortunately my wife and I meet Virginia who explained... Read More >
About
Reviews
Certificates & Awards

Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Europe, Italy, France, Spain, Paris

Interests:

European Culture, Groups, Culinary & Foodie, River Cruises

Suppliers:

Avalon Waterways, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Tauck, Abercrombie & Kent

About Me

Enjoying Pont du Gard in France
Enjoying Pont du Gard in France

My passion for travel started with my first trip to Paris as a teenager, where I fell in love with exploring different destinations and cultures. There is no greater joy than sharing that passion with others!

Clients appreciate that European Travel Whisperer is run with attention to detail, cultivated by my background in business, and that personal attention is given to every aspect of their vacation.

I opened my agency in 2007 and moved to our current storefront location in 2015. Our commitment is to provide the best professional and caring customer service in the area and we strive to exceed our clients’ expectations.

I specialize in Europe, especially Italy and France, but our staff has varied experience and can help with most any destination.

I have achieved the certification of Certified Travel Associate from the Travel Institute; Master Cruise Counselor and Luxury Cruise Specialist from CLIA (Cruise Lines International Assoc.); and the designation of Destination Specialist for France and the Caribbean from the Travel Institute. I am also a Verified Travel Consultant agency through ARC (Airlines Reporting Corporation).

European Travel Whisperer

As the European Travel Whisperer I offer customized itineraries for groups and individuals with a focus on the culture, food and wine of Europe. I have partnered with other local professionals, like chefs and art organizations, to help them offer great trips to Europe with their clientele. I have also plan our own agency group travel experiences and have worked with extended families on their travel arrangements.

REVIEWS

Rating: 5.0
8 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.
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Showing 8 reviews

River cruising through Europe
Reviewed By Jack - Hurley, New York | Traveled to Europe
After a couple of leg surgeries which limited my mobility I was hesitate to travel to Europe. Fortunately my wife and I meet Virginia who explained the process and made it easy for us. We have had the pleasure of experiencing 5 European trips with Virginia. We have always found her to be professional, knowledgeable, caring and fun!!! Her trips are not cookie cutter typical tourist trips but well planned , interesting and informative. We can not thanks Virginia enough for opening our world to Europe. I do not give out many 5 star reviews but Virginia has earned it and deserves it.
Virginia Barthel responded
"Thanks Jack!! It is always a pleasure traveling with you. Looking forward to our next adventure!"
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
9 of 13 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Fantastic trip and support during an emergency
Reviewed By David - Woodstock - Woodstock, NY | Traveled to Budapest ~ Hungary ~ Europe
My wife and I signed up for a trip organized by Virginia that included several days of private tours in the Budapest before an Avalon cruise from Budapest to Nuremberg.

At our lengthy stop-over at the Amsterdam airport, Virginia had arranged for us to use a comfortable lounge between flights.

All the transfers were very convenient, going from the airport to the Budapest hotel, to the cruise ship and then to the airport at the end.

The private tours that she organized in Budapest were very interesting and worthwhile. The hotel was in a great location at the top of Buda Hill which allowed interesting walks of historic sites in the area by ourselves.

The cruise on Avalon was absolutely first class, great food, service and activities on the ship.

Due to a medical emergency, Virginia worked with the cruise director to get me to an Austrian hospital where I spent two nights. She organized contacts with the travel insurance company and found a room for my wife to stay nearby.
Virginia Barthel responded
"David I will never forget how hard it was to see you wheeled off the ship in pain and how grateful to see you upright again two days later in another country! Avalon indeed stepped up to the plate to assist and I was happy to help with the claim forms on our return. I look forward to traveling with you and Carmen again in the future!"
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
14 of 24 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
All the river cruises have been great.
Reviewed By terry - Hurley, NY | Traveled to Rhine Valley ~ Germany ~ Europe
Accessible, always provides pertinent information and great to be with when she joins the river cruises with her group. Also makes sure all details of traveling are covered.
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
10 of 17 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Fabulous travel times
Reviewed By Adrianna - New York, New York | Traveled to Amsterdam ~ Netherlands ~ Europe
Virginia Barthel is an outstanding travel/tour guide. She's excellent at planning and providing the optimal experience for her clients. She always looks out for out-of-the-ordinary places and experiences that make her trips so special. She takes a very personal interest in each traveler and tries her very best to let that traveler have the best trip possible. I have been on numerous trips with her and have always been more the satisfied with her expertise and caring. She is a great Travel Agent!!
Virginia Barthel responded
"Thanks Adrianna! Look forward to our next trip together!! V"
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
12 of 21 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
A wonderful time!
Reviewed By Joann - Shokan, NY | Traveled to Danube ~ On the River ~ At Sea
I have traveled with Virginia Barthel a number of times and each time was special but the cruise she led on the Danube stands out as one of the best. We were able to see and experience places that an average tour guide would not bother with, but these sites made all the difference for the trip. She keeps the group size small so you really feel part of a select group and you make lasting friendships.
Virginia Barthel responded
"Thanks Joann! Traveling with the group is such a joy, especially when we have repeat guests each year. We're like a little traveling family and I look forward to our next adventure together!"
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
9 of 16 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO

Certifications & Awards

ASTA is the leading global advocate for travel agents, the travel industry and the traveling public.It is the world's largest association of travel professionals.Our members include travel agents and the companies whose products they sell such as tours, cruises, hotels, car rentals, etc.Expand your world. Go with the pros.
Circle of Excellence - sales award w/Nexion