Lori Derauf

Just over 30 years ago I had graduated high school and was deciding what to do with my life.  I always had an interest in the hospitality field and thought working at a hotel would be a good fit, so off to travel school I went. While there it became apparent that becoming a travel agent was a much better fit.  With my super organizational skills and burning desire to experience other cultures I pounded the pavement until I was offered a job in a travel agency.Fast forward 30 years and today I own a storefront on Main Street in Waunakee WI along with my business partner, Jennifer Schmitt.  We love working with our clients and designing the perfect vacations for them.  My areas of expertise include many years of planning beach vacations to Mexico and the Caribbean Islands, Hawaii and many states in the US and Canada.  Traveling to Europe is a true love of mine and I have taken a plane across the pond 32 times and I’m not done yet.  Ways that I’ve traveled around once I’ve arrived are many:  by train, by escorted motor coach, car rental and my most favorite by river cruise.  I’ve also traveled to New Zealand, Vietnam, Peru, Cuba, Belize, Costa Rica and Panama.  The question asked to me all the time is “What was your favorite trip or destination?”  I do not have an answer to this question because I truly love all the places I’ve been.  To be immersed in a different culture, its cuisine, its history is what keeps me packing my bags.Its very important that travel agents continue to increase their destination knowledge because that is what you value and need when you hire a travel agent.  One myth that I would like to dispel is that travel agents travel for free.  Its true that we often get a reduced rate but many times we are paying full price.  I’ve gone to Hawaii several times on agent training trips and never had the opportunity to put on a swimsuit.  Coming back with first hand knowledge about a destination is very important to me. Knowledge of a destination, resort and sightseeing are all great benefits when working with a travel agent.  But the best benefit is that we are looking out for you to make sure your vacation time and dollars are well spent.  I am available 24/7 when my clients are traveling so they don’t have to wait on hold with an airline or figure out a way to get home if their flights are disrupted.  The web is a great tool but it doesn’t listen to you or care if you book a resort that’s not right for you.  I do care and I make sure my clients know I’m there for them before, during and after!