Snokeling in Hanauma Bay, Oahu, Hawaii

A former senior information specialist, I now own and operate Vacations By Holly, a full service travel agency. Using my technical skills and natural attention to detail, I deliver outstanding service to my clients.

I have been a professional travel agent since 2010 and have planned hundreds of trips all over the world for clients of all ages.  I have helped newlyweds have the perfect honeymoon, small groups explore Alaska together, multigenerational families make special memories while celebrating fiftieth wedding anniversaries together and friends escape the snow to have a little fun in the sun.

My first flight was from Michigan to California when I was in kindergarten. I remember the nice man that sat next to me and gave me stamps from his country. I wouldn't fly again for fifteen years, but I haven't stopped since!  I have now been to thirty-two states plus the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.  I have even lived in five of the states. I spent three glorious years living in Hawaii and miss it every day. So, if you notice I like to recommend Hawaii you know why! 

My first international trip was a college spring break trip to Cancun. Instead of checking out all the bars, I headed out to Tulum, the beautiful Mayan ruins, and perhaps it was there that I was bitten by the travel bug.  Since that trip, I have been to thirty-one more countries. I have traced my family history in Ireland, been on safari in South Africa, white-water rafted down the Zambezi River, been in King Tut's tomb, scuba dived on the Great Barrier Reef, sat in the producers seats at a show in London's West End, shaken hands with Mickey Mouse and eaten the best meal of my life in Venice.  I discovered the joy of cruising in 2011 and have spent ninety-five days at sea since then.  I love waking up in a new port each morning, exploring new locations and then returning to the comfort of my stateroom on the ship.  I personally love showing the world to my family and encouraging the grandparents to travel with us.

My favorite destinations include Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Hawaii, Egypt, South Africa, Scotland, Greece and Turks and Caicos.My favorite itineraries to work on include all things Disney!  Walt Disney World is such an exciting destination and a carefully crafting itinerary is a must!  My true passion is Disney Cruise Line as it is a true vacation for everyone – from the youngest members of the family right to the grandparents.  Unpack once, enjoy meals together without having to make reservations or put the kids in a car, enjoy Broadway quality shows and first run movies onboard.  Disney Cruise Line makes it easy to explore the world together.  I have sailed on all four ships on itineraries in both the Western and Eastern Caribbean, Alaska, the Mediterranean Sea and Northern Europe with an overnight stop in Iceland.

Because I am partial to Hawaii and Disney, Disney’s Aulani Resort on Oahu is another of favorite destinations.  Located on a beautiful, calm cove for safe ocean swimming, Disney’s Aluani also has a waterpark complex with pools, waterslides, and a lazy river that is sure to entertain all members of the family.  The rooms are some of the best I have ever stayed in.

Not one to shy away from adventure, I have crossed a few things off my bucket list.  I have done safaris in both South Africa and Zimbabwe.  What an amazing experience to hear the cheetahs purring while they napped and to smell the lions as they woke up.  Spotting the beautifully bright lilac-breasted roller was a new experience for me as I had never seen such a beautiful lavender bird before.

I shared another adventure with my teenage son when we snorkeled through the Silfra Fissure which took us between two continents in Iceland.  We had full dry suits on and you quickly realized if any of part of your body was uncovered!  Clear, cold, very cold, water….definitely earned bragging rights with that one!

Holding a koala bear in Brisbane, Australia before scuba diving and snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef is definitely one of my favorite adventures.   I actually held two different koalas.  I had gone that far, why not??