Exploring Europe One River At A Time

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Mitch Koester, Travel Agent in Hudson , WI

Mitch Koester

Hudson , WI Travel Agent
Super Agent

Mitch Koester

Hudson , WI · 2 Years of Experience

Ted Blank Luxury Travel and Adventure, an independent agent with Travel Leaders Maple Grove, MN
5.0
(27)
100% Recommended
We loved Alaska! Thank you Mitch for all your insight and recommendations. Read More >
About
Reviews
Certificates & Awards
My Places
Travel Stories & Media
Client Testimonials

Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Budapest, Vienna, France, Europe

Interests:

River Cruises, Luxury, Groups, Small Ship Cruises

Suppliers:

Viking, AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways

About Me

They say ocean cruising takes you to amazing destinations, but river cruising takes you through them. The interior of Europe is home to some of the world’s most captivating rivers, each offering a journey into the heart of the continent. From a sun-soaked sailing on the Douro River in Portugal to the majestic castles on the hills of the Rhine River in Germany, and the historic cities of Vienna and Budapest along the Danube, river cruising offers a truly immersive experience.

What makes river cruising so amazing? One of the biggest perks is the ability to unpack just once. Settle into your floating luxury hotel, then explore multiple cities, countries, and regions without ever having to repack your suitcase. Go to sleep in bustling Vienna and wake up to the charming views of a small town or picturesque vineyards. With river cruising, every morning brings a new destination and a new adventure, right to you.

River cruise ships are much smaller than ocean ships, and their intimate atmosphere and fewer passengers allow for a more personalized experience. These ships can access smaller ports and dock right in the heart of cities, bringing you closer to local culture and the center of each destination. Whether it’s the city center of Budapest or the vineyards of Bordeaux, you’ll step off your ship and be right in the heart of the action.

Does a river cruise sound appealing to you? Reach out to me, and we can sort through all the different ships, itineraries, and destinations to find the perfect cruise for you!

REVIEWS

Rating: 5.0
27 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 27 reviews

Great Alaskan Cruise!
Reviewed By Mark Tiler - Hudson WI | Traveled to Alaska ~ USA
We loved Alaska! Thank you Mitch for all your insight and recommendations.
Mitch Koester responded
"Thank you for the kind words. Looking forward to your next adventure!"
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Mediterranean cruise
Reviewed By CruiseFan - Chanhassen, MN | Traveled to Mediterranean Sea | At Sea | At Sea
Mitch helped set everything up, gave advice and made sure everything was great before, during and after our trip. His support was reassuring as we set out on our first cruise
Mitch Koester responded
"It was a pleasure to help you with that first cruise and always glad to hear things went well! "
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Trip of a lifetime!
Reviewed By JMBrost - Strum, WI | Traveled to Alaska ~ USA
Mitch is great to work with and he's very knowledgeable about traveling. Went the extra mile to make sure our trip ran smoothly and memorably. Booking a second trip through him.
Mitch Koester responded
"It was a pleasure to help you with your trip and make sure it all ran smooth. Excited to help with your next one! "
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Honeymoon Happiness
Reviewed By Mike - Minneapolis, MN | Traveled to Alaska ~ USA
Mitch was great to work with. He was personable, answered our questions quickly, and helped us select a wonderful vacation spot for our honeymoon. We were choosing between several destinations and he was knowledgeable about the locations we had in mind, and helped us come to a decision that worked out perfect for us! We will definitely call on him for our next adventure, and highly recommend him.
Mitch Koester responded
"I appreciate all of the kind words! I am very happy to hear your trip worked out great and looking forward to helping you again in the future!"
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Short getaway trip that went flawlessly
Reviewed By Travelling Retirees - Chisago City, MN | Traveled to Bahamas | Caribbean
We have sailed on Royal Caribbean many times so are quite familiar. This is the first time though that we used a travel agent. Even so, we did have questions about it and Mitch was always quick to respond with an answer. We are glad we hired him to help and know we ar3 in good hands now with the 3 other international cruises we have scheduled through him.
Mitch Koester responded
"So great to hear that the trip went well! I am looking forward to your other trips coming up and working through the process of each one with you. Cheers!"
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
0 of 0 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.
Certified Leisure Travel Specialist: During this certification program Travel Agents study several key components including: Sales and Service, Cruise Sales, Destination and Lifestyle Knowledge,  Programs and Preferred Supplier Knowledge. This is a two year study program.
Viking Rivers Expert
Viking Rivers Expert
AmaWaterways Specialist
AmaWaterways Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist

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

Waltzing Through Vienna
View Album

    My Travel Stories

    The Beautiful AmaSofia

    River Cruising With Amawaterways: The Perfect Pace

    AmaWaterways makes river cruising feel effortless in the best way—blending discovery, comfort, and just the right pace. Sailing along the Danube, what I loved most was how each day unfolded naturally, with time to explore and time to simply enjoy where you are. One morning, I wandered through a local Austrian market, sampling fresh bread ...
    Read more

    Client Testimonials

    Amazing Cruisetour to Alaska
    I just wanted to say THANK YOU! You did not steer us wrong with the Princess Alaska Cruisetour. From the included meals, to doing both lodges with a full day, and doing the land portion first! Other people have even told us we did it right, and it's all thanks to your guidance!
    Nicole B. Minneapolis, MN
    First Time Cruise to Alaska Success!
    Our trip was really great and I am truly glad we did it! Above all else, we appreciated Mitch's excellent service. If it were not for him we would never have done this trip. He handled everything to perfection which we appreciate so much. You were always available and handled everything and answered all of our questions. There is no doubt that Mitch is our official travel agent and we would highly recommend him to anyone thinking of taking a trip and needing guidance!
    Ann G. Hudson, WI
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