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Expert Journeys Travel, LLC logo
 

✆: 630-803-4311 
✉: 

Christie Kruchten

My love of travel hit hard at age 6 when I went to DisneyWorld for the first time in 1975.  I grew up near a small airport and marveled daily at the airplanes taking off and landing.  Fast forward to the 90's where I went to travel school, worked for a major airline, traveled the globe and discovered the joy of building and creating amazing vacations and holidays!

With over 30 years in the travel industry my experiences have provided me the ability to council clients on choosing the right vacation. I have traveled extensively and use this knowledge to provide my clientele with the best possible travel experience. Whether its to enjoy the beach and relax, try a new adventure or envelop yourself in history, I can create the perfect holiday.
 

Phone:   630-803-4311

Email:   

Schedule an appointment with Christie

Kelly Brazis

Kelly believes that there is no single best anything out there. There's no one best cruise line, tour operator, or airline. But....there IS a best fit for each client. Getting to know a client's interests, style and travel goals helps her craft personalized vacations that ARE the perfect vacation for that client.

Kelly herself is a life-long lover of travel and has visited 6 continents. Personal interests are regional cuisine and wine, local culture, especially architecture and music..and any cuddly local wildlife. With three teens and a husband of her own, she is well versed in creating family and multi-generational travel itineraries.

In Spring of 2023, she was one of the first 16 in the world to become a Platinum Kenya Specialist. She has also been awarded a 2024/2025 Premier Aussie Specialist designation.

Kelly is certified by ASTA (American Society of Travel Advisors) as a Verified Travel Advisor. She also holds many regional certifications, including: Aussie Specialist and a Gold Level "100% New Zealand" Specialist, along with a Hawai'i Destination Specialist with certification in all the islands. Tahiti, Fiji, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Kenya, Peru, South Africa, and Costa Rica. Kelly holds certifications with most ocean and river cruise lines along with most of the major hotel and resort brands.

Phone:   847-208-0173

Email:     

 

Jeremy Eaton

Jeremy started traveling back in 1997 courtesy of the US Government.  As A US Marine stationed aboard a Naval vessel, he’s had the opportunity to travel to over 23 countries around the world, some on leisure time and others for specific military missions.

In 1999, Jeremy got certified to SCUBA dive in Phuket, Thailand and ever since then his passion for adventure and SCUBA travel has grown tremendously.  Jeremy’s passion and specialty is adventure travel and whether SCUBA diving the Great Barrier Reef or kayaking with Orcas in Alaska, his goal is to help you plan an amazing trip with a lifetime of memories.  Some of Jeremy’s favorite places to travel are the Seychelle Islands, Thailand, Australia, Singapore, and Hawaii.

Jeremy is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration with a concentration in travel and tourism management and if you don’t know how to dive or need a refresher course before your trip, he can help.  As a PADI IDC Staff Instructor he has trained hundreds of students to become open water divers over the years.  Customer service, safety, and your happiness are his primary goals.

Life’s full of adventure, let me plan your next one.

Contact Jeremy directly:

Phone: 331-333-9480

Email:

Schedule an appointment with me here

 

Benna Hermanson

“Traveling - it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller” ~Ibn Battuta

Benna’s love of travel began at a young age when her family embarked on many cross-country RV trips (seeing 43 of the 50 states so far) and continued planning trips after college for friends and family. She remembers the joy and awe in seeing a mountain, ocean or iconic destination like the Grand Canyon for the first time and was hooked on travel ever since!

She looks at travel as a way to enrich one’s life by going to new destinations, learning about different cultures and realizing that we are all more alike than different. Her most recent favorite trips have included touring South Africa (including a lifelong dream of going on safari) and experiencing the other-worldly architecture of Dubai. Favorite past travel highlights include Australia’s Great Ocean Road, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef and magical Kauai. Closer to home, she has traveled extensively to Mexico, the Caribbean, and loves Michigan beach towns and lake getaways in Wisconsin.

Benna specializes in customized itineraries including: beach getaways, honeymoons, experiential travel, intergenerational trips and has helped several clients rent fabulous villas in Europe for a vacation of a lifetime. She also plans to put together more groups for ancestral & religious-based trips, family reunions, golf trips and yoga/girl’s getaways.

With a professional background in commercial property management, Benna pays close attention to how resorts, hotels, cruise ships, etc. are physically maintained and designed. Benna holds the professional credential of LEED GA (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design - Green Associate). As such, she is interested in how tourism helps the local economies around the world as well as the various green initiatives and sustainability efforts. She thrives on attending travel industry events to keep up to date on travel trends, networking with our travel partners and learning of new offerings/destinations.

Contact Benna directly:

Phone: 847-322-8270

Email:

Schedule an appointment here

Heidi Nugent

After many years working in finance and leadership roles, the opportunity presented to become a travel agent and join Expert Journeys Travel. She jumped right in! Heidi is a native of Pennsylvania, (currently living in the Chicago suburbs) a wife and the mom and bonus mom to three adult children. Heidi is excited to combine her passion for planning, organizing and traveling to help you experience your best trip to Walt Disney World, your first or tenth cruise, a destination wedding, an all-inclusive beach resort, group travel or a multi-generational trip to celebrate life’s milestones. The sky is the limit with what she can plan.

Prior to joining Expert Journeys Travel, Heidi planned and enjoyed many Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, Celebrity cruise, Royal Caribbean cruise, Caribbean Islands, Puerto Rico and Hawaii vacations. Now it is time to share that knowledge with you. Naturally, specializing in Disney travel was a good fit, but she has also completed many travel certifications and will always continue to stay current on the latest training available so she can provide the most accurate information possible while planning your vacation.

Heidi is excited to help others experience the destinations she has experienced. You can rest assured she will take great care in planning your trip as if it were her own. Contact Heidi to get started planning your next travel experience.

Contact Heidi directly:

Phone: 814-688-6067

Email:

Schedule an appointment HERE

Karen Brandt

Karen discovered her love for travel while on a two week trip to Germany, Austria and Switzerland with her high school German class. She and her family also got to enjoy hosting exchange students from both Sweden and Spain and were able to visit them abroad. One of her favorite adventures included visiting Norway with her family to learn more about her heritage. 

She has recently planned her own family excursions to Europe. 

After years of experience working as a physical therapist in a hospital setting, she has excellent listening skills to understand the needs of her clients. She will use the same expertise in planning your dream vacations. 

Now that she is a certified travel advisor, she is excited to be able to help people create their best travel experience. As a mother of three, she understands how overwhelming and time consuming planning a trip can be. She would love to help take some pressure off using the resources she now has at her fingertips.

 

Contact Karen Directly:

Phone: 312-806-6168

Email:

Schedule an appointment with Karen here

Ruby Espinosa

 

Introducing:
Ruby Espinosa, a distinguished luxury travel professional with an impressive 15-year track record in the industry. Having honed her expertise with renowned companies like American Airlines Frocsh Travel and Abercrombie & Kent, Ruby has decided to embark on a new venture, by launching —Bespoke Journeys Travel, affiliated with Expert Journeys Travel. With a passion for exploration, she has personally visited numerous coveted destinations worldwide, experiencing the pinnacle of hospitality in top-tier hotels. and adventures, Ruby's wealth of knowledge and commitment make her the ideal choice when planning your next adventure or checking off those bucket-list destinations. Choose Ruby Espinosa for an unforgettable journey tailored to your unique preferences.

Contact for Ruby:

phone: 630-410-9853

email:
 

Carrie Grover

Carrie has traveled throughout the United States, Canada, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, France, England, Bermuda, and the Caribbean which led to her desire to become a travel advisor. 

Carrie lives in Hartford, WI with her husband and 2 dogs.  She is a bonus mom to 3 wonderful adult children and a Gigi to one adorable granddaughter.  She is mortgage underwriter by trade and now a travel advisor by choice.  Her attention to detail in both arenas will help to craft your next dream vacation!  

With every reservation that she makes, she gives special attention to exactly what her clients are looking for and what is important to them. Excellent beach? Activities? Great food? Relaxation? Let her know and she will tell you what the pink sand in Bermuda feels like between your toes, she will describe to you what jerk chicken tastes like in Jamaica, the view from the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris or how flavorful a pint of Guinness in Dublin is and how amazing the sunset is from Rick’s Café in Negril.

Contact Carrie now and let her transform your travel ideas into reality for memories that will last a lifetime!

Contact Carrie directly:

Phone:  262-416-7979

Email:  

Kamryn Talarico

Kamryn has always had a love for travel ever since her sophomore year of high school. 

She was able to be a translator on multiple trips including Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Puerto Rico. Immersing herself into the culture of each place she visits is one of her favorite things about traveling. 

Kamryn decided to take her future into her own hands after a trip to Aruba, which she single handedly planned for herself and the rest of her family. She also planned a beautiful honeymoon for herself and her husband to enjoy after they tied the knot!

After years of experience in the recruiting world, she wanted to take the next steps in combining her love for travel with her love for helping people and planning. 

Now that she is a certified travel agent, Kamryns’ main goal is to plan unforgettable trips for families, eliminating the hassle of everything that goes into the travel planning process. She is so excited to start helping families reach their travel goals while providing top notch and 100% personalized services! 

Contact Kamryn directly:

Email:

Phone: (910)248-4909

Schedule an appointment - Click HERE

Mary Nelson

Traveling to a new destination often requires extensive planning, but the cherished memories you create will last for years. Planning a journey to an unknown destination takes time and careful preparation.  However, the valued treasures you gather will be with you for years to come. Whether you crave a cozy local pub, a family retreat, a hidden gem, or an immersion in foreign cultures, I'm here to simplify the planning process for you, your family, or your group. As your travel advisor, I'll leverage my expertise to ensure you have the best possible experience, allowing you to savor the sights without any worries. As a passionate traveler myself, I look forward to being your companion on these unforgettable adventures.

Remember, traveling to an unknown place, or places you have visited before is an adventure waiting to unfold. Embrace the uncertainty, stay curious, and savor every moment!

Please contact me at

Phone:  815-685-6969

Hima Chandan

As a family, we often mark the years by the destinations we've explored together—"the year we went to Iceland," or "the year we visited Egypt." These travels have become our milestones, replacing material gifts with memories that last a lifetime. While my family may not remember the presents they received for birthdays or holidays, they vividly recall the adventures we've shared. Travel has been a vital part of our bonding process, helping us reconnect and recharge from the demands of work, school, and everyday life.

 

Over the years, I’ve planned our family trips to diverse destinations, including Japan, Bali, India, Italy, Egypt, Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Germany, Iceland, and Turkey, as well as many incredible journeys within North America. I’ve watched my family’s eyes light up with wonder at new sights, hearts open to unfamiliar cultures, palates awaken to new flavors, and minds expand through exposure to new ideas. Travel has profoundly shaped our worldview, deepening our appreciation for diversity and fostering a sense of adventure.

 

It was through these experiences that my passion for travel planning was born. Friends and family began reaching out to me for travel advice, and soon I realized how much joy I found in creating personalized itineraries and helping others explore the world. As a certified travel advisor, I take pride in learning about my clients’ unique interests and crafting custom travel experiences tailored to their needs.

 

I understand that planning a trip can feel overwhelming, with so many details to consider. My goal is to remove the stress of travel planning, ensuring that your trip is not only seamless and worry-free but also filled with wonder, comfort, and adventure. I want you to feel confident in your travel plans, knowing that every detail is taken care of, leaving you to focus on creating memories that will last a lifetime.

 

Please contact me at 

Phone : 224-424-9866

Patricia Clarke

Patricia caught the travel bug and sense of adventure from her parents, who took the family on road trips in the US.  She traveled to Europe for the first time in 1997 with her husband, and got hooked on international travel.  Patricia began to plan trips for family and friends, and discovered she enjoyed the research as much as the travel!  And the rest, as they say, is history.  

One of the things that makes Patricia happiest is when she is traveling the world, taking notes to pass on to her clients, and designing custom itineraries with experiences suited to her clients’ interests.  As a former accountant and wedding planner, Patricia pays attention to the details and loves working to make memorable moments happen.  Her love of adventure, nature, the arts, history, and learning about different cultures and languages help in curating unforgettable experiences for her clients.

Phone: 847-528-4949

Email:  patricia@expertjourneystravel.com

Cindy Ray

With over 30 years in the travel industry, I bring a wealth of experience to help you craft unforgettable travel experiences. My journey began at the age of 19 when I worked for a major airline, giving me the opportunity to travel extensively and gain invaluable insights into the world of travel.
I have now embarked on an exciting new chapter as a certified travel advisor with Expert Journeys Travel. I understand that planning a trip can be overwhelming and time-consuming, which is why I would love to take the stress out of the process and handle all the details for you. With my expertise, I’m dedicated to creating seamless, personalized journeys that will help you make lasting memories.
Let’s work together to turn your travel dreams into reality!

Phone:  919-417-997

Email:   cindy@expertjourneystravel.com