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your perfect romantic travel getaway.
My mother Sue Shimkus owns Lake Zurich Travel & Cruise, so I guess you could say that I grew up in the business. When I was young, our family took a lot of wonderful driving trips across the country, and when I reached my teen years we started going on Caribbean cruises with other families, which provided me with great memories. At age 16, I started doing odd jobs around the travel agency. Then, after my freshman year of college, I went on a familiarization trip to Jamaica. I completely relished that experience, and by the time I returned, I knew that I wanted to be a travel consultant.
Of all the types of travel I sell, my favorites are destination weddings and honeymoons. Each of them is a once-in-a-lifetime trip, so I encourage couples to think outside of the box and come up with ideas they might not have thought of. For instance, if they want to go to the Caribbean, I might suggest Peter Island, a private island with just one hotel for a real sense of luxury and privacy. A few years back, my husband and I went to Costa Rica for our honeymoon. Ever since then, that destination has been one of the places I sell the most, because I’m able to share my insights and help clients know what to experience there. As I bring up my own stories about places I’ve been, it gives them a clear picture of what they can expect if they choose the same place.
Wherever I go, I enjoy meeting people, whether they are fellow travelers or residents of the destination. Besides Costa Rica, I love Spain, and I’ve spent quality time in Mexico, Hawaii and the Riviera Maya. During a terrific cruise to Alaska last year, I did such amazing activities as dog-sledding, whale watching and walking on glaciers. One of my favorite traveling companions is my mom, because no matter how much we see each other in the office, travel brings out a different – and fun – side to our relationship. We took a delightful trip to Ireland, staying in castles and learning how to drive on the other side of the road. While in Hong Kong together, we discovered a fabulous local-style dim sum place. I like to try new destinations as much as possible to stay on top of what’s happening around the world. Better yet, all of the agents in our office make a point of sharing with each other what we’ve learned during our travels , which translates into a truly comprehensive agency for our clients.
Lake Zurich, Illinois 60047