Testimonials

Dyane is an incredible partner. Been my agent for years. Won't use anyone else. Attentive, detailed, flexible and knowledgeable

Tarie | Agent: Dyane Shanahan

Linda is always great to work with as she is thorough and hard-working. Very pleasant personality and she is very knowledgeable. Highly recommend her.

Glenview Travelers | Agent: Linda Clark

The Viking cruise was very nice, but I prefer their river cruises. They did not seem quite ready for a trans-Atlantic cruise. But the ports were interesting and service etc. was very nice. Your associates that set up a pre-trip to Oslo-Bergen did an excellent job with hotel selections and locations, with good tips for airport transfers etc.

papi | Agent: Monica Varri, CTA

Monica did a terrific job helping plan our trip to Prague! Her local contacts there proved to be wonderful, extremely knowledgeable. With our changing days, times and numbers of participants, I know we tested her patience. But she was always attentive and responsive and we ended up seeing everything we wanted. I hope to be able to use her skills again for some future adventure!

Deb52 | Agent: Monica Varri, CTA

Our 14-day trip to Italy was meticulously arranged by Monica. And, Monica was very accommodating and responsive with the changes that we requested during the planning process. The flights, hotels, guides, drivers - everything was perfect. It was truly the trip of a lifetime! LF Travel and IC Bellagio exceeded our expectations. Grazie mille!!

JB | Agent: Monica Varri, CTA

Our recent European trip was outstanding from star to finish. The hotels in Amsterdam and Paris were elegant, well located with spacious rooms and the Virtuoso amenities were abundant and much appreciated. Our trains bookings were perfect, good schedule, good connection time and excellent value to cross through three different countries . Monica always plans the perfect trip!

MFG | Agent: Monica Varri, CTA

Monica is always gracious and helpful regardless of the length and complexity of the trip. She attends to every detail even for an overnight stay.

KJ | Agent: Monica Varri, CTA

Monica helped me set up my honeymoon to Croatia and the Amalfi coast. Private tours, car transfers, and 5 star hotel bookings were all handled by Monica with perfection. Not a single thing went wrong the entire trip. I didn't have to stress or worry at any point. Would highly recommend and will absolutely use Monica's services again.

Cbrady | Agent: Monica Varri, CTA

Monica understands and remembers what's important to us and always has good suggestions. Her follow-up with details and responses to questions is quick and thorough.

KJ | Agent: Monica Varri, CTA

For this trip, we had different specifications for our hotels from previous trips we booked with Lake Forest Travel. We thought it would be a challenge to find the right hotels, because we traveled to Switzerland, where everything is quite expensive. Monica found us terrific accommodations at good prices and in great locations. I couldn't have been more pleased with her suggestions and follow-up with details.

MJ | Agent: Monica Varri, CTA

Great trip. All the details were taken care of. Food, accommodations, and logistics were terrific. Would highly recommend this to anyone looking to do an African Safari.

Raydee | Agent: Monica Varri, CTA

Once again, Monica has exceeded our expectations for a terrific trip to Thailand and Hong Kong. During the planning process, she presents good options promptly and specifically addresses our needs and interests. She always has good suggestions and recommendations. Once the trip is booked, Monica puts together a package for us with all travel materials and confirmations. We know as we set off on our trip that everything will go very smoothly. She has checked and double-checked all the arrangements and details before we depart, so that when we're on our trip, we can focus on travelling, not logistics.

KJ and family | Agent: Monica Varri, CTA

This was a wonderful trip from beginning to end as we were celebrating our grandsons 10th year birthday. Charlie was greeted by name for the entire 3 days we were in the delightfully small and charming resort. Fishing was our goal and our guides were perfect for a young fisherman. BRAVO to all and to our travel agent, Helen Varri, at Lake Forest Travel.

Janet | Agent: Helen Varri CTC

Helen takes care with every detail and has great judgement. Everything we plan works like clockwork. The only glitch in this trip was something she couldn't have predicted. The mattress in our room at the Widder Hotel in Zurich was not "inflated" the first night, so it wasn't comfortable to sleep on. After inflating, it was fine the 2nd night. With that exception, we liked the Widder very much. But our favorite hotel was the 4 Seasons in Milan...we loved everything about it...one of our favorites in all our years of travel. We enjoyed the Majestic in Bologna and the Villa d'Este, as well. Were very glad we were at Villa d'Este rather than Como or Bellagio.

Ann | Agent: Helen Varri CTC

Lake Forest travel always goes above and beyond with whatever arrangements they make. We continue to engage with them because they plan and execute from start to finish. We have never had a disappointment in travelling when we have secured Lake Forest travel! We just returned from an amazing trip to London and LF Travel made all the arrangements. Once again job well done! Highly recommended!

LF Traveler | Agent: Helen Varri CTC

Helen has been my "go to" travel consultant for the past 15 years. I am a frequent business traveler but when I have really complicated trips or vacations to consider, I hand them over to Helen. Not only is Helen knowledgeable, she gets to know her clients, our preferences and what might be terrific suggestions to make. Helen recently organized a trip we took to Maui--it was last minute but Helen handled everything efficiently and the arrangements were so special. When we checked into our hotel, there was a wonderful note from Helen with some goodies to munch on. And that was just one example of how Helen does very special planning for her clients!

chris | Agent: Helen Varri CTC

Helen and her firm set us up to have a wonderful visit to the Taj Mahal. The guide they set us up with was very knowledgeable. He knew to get us there early, where exactly to have us take photos, great historical information, bug spray in hand, excellent English, wonderful knowledge of local vendors and accompanied us to shop, but didn't push and helped us by giving me his email address to follow up in case anything went wrong on our rug purchase. We also had a driver who was excellent and got us to and from the airport - a drive I would never consider doing on my own. Fabulous trip, very enjoyable, interesting and well organized. Couldn't have been better!

SusanIndia | Agent: Helen Varri CTC

As always, Gwen gave great advice, booked a wonderful hotel where we were able to upgrade at check-in and helpful in every way. Wonderful time. Thank you!

Monica S | Agent: Gwen Pullman Trucco

Gwen is always fun and quick to arrange our travel. She presents alternatives and knows the properties. We love working with her. If she is not available, she makes sure that a trusted colleague is. Our travel is planned with great dispatch.

TravelGal | Agent: Gwen Pullman Trucco

Gwen was very helpful in putting together a spectacular cruise and trip to Alaska that was memorable an breathtaking. We appreciated all the help that she gave us and will definitely use her again in the future for our next trips. She explored different options for us and made the choices so easy. Thank you!

MonicaS | Agent: Gwen Pullman Trucco

Our trip was perfect!!. My Grandchildren and I had a Beautiful and happy trip to Great Britain, and it was definetly because of the help from all of you people!!

Mary 87 | Agent: Gwen Pullman Trucco

The Kimpton Monoco in Washington D.C. was an excellent suggestion by Gwen. It is full of history and is actually owned by the Smithsonian Institute but managed by the Kimpton Hotel Company. Perfect location directly next door to the International Spy Museum and 4 blocks from the National Mall. All Tourist sights are within walking distance. Thank you Gwen.

OrlandoPaul | Agent: Gwen Pullman Trucco

Gwen booked our tour of Normandy France and then the Champagne region and both were excellent! We had the same driver on all 3 days and he was outstanding. Everything went perfectly. Thank you.

Ger | Agent: Gwen Pullman Trucco

Marylou suggested the Raffles hotel and it was an excellent choice. It's a beautiful older hotel with outstanding service. It was within walking distance to major sites, an incredible shopping street and the exotic night market. Marylou also included a tour package and I am so happy she suggested it. There was no way we would have been able to enjoy all there was to do in Beijing without a guide and a car. Marylou has helped me many times in the past and I have always been happy with her choices.

Tim | Agent: Marylou Calnin-Sek

Everything on our trip went smoothly, all details such as transfers and pickups were covered perfectly by Marylou, the rooms were fantastic, and as a result our entire family had an amazing vacation. Can't wait to book our next trip through Marylou.

Mark H | Agent: Marylou Calnin-Sek

Mary Lou was very helpful in arranging a cruise, shore excursions, ground transportation, tours, and special meals for our large family group. She is a winner!

Windy City Gang | Agent: Marylou Calnin-Sek

We have used Lake Forest Travel and Marylou for several international trips for our family of 6. Without exception, the travel planning and execution is superb. Marylou understands our preferences and designs travel plans consistent with those preferences. She provides extraordinary customer service, helping with all aspects of our travel. For this trip, she helped us decide on an area based on a few we had narrowed down, and then set everything up to match the award travel we were arranging for the international flights. She carefully worked with us and A&K (patiently, through 5 drafts of the itinerary) to make sure everything was just right. We highly value her insights and recommendations. She is extremely prompt at getting back to clients. We also really appreciated her helping check mis-information we received from United when our return flight was significantly delayed and likely to be cancelled. It helped us make the decision to take a different flight. Marylou is the best!

6Wynns | Agent: Marylou Calnin-Sek

We chose Dyane to plan our honeymoon to Hawaii. She is very responsive and knowledgable. She was able to work within our schedule and budget to plan the perfect trip. We plan to work with her for future trips!

Steve | Agent: Dyane Shanahan

While we usually book our domestic, short, business and pleasure trips ourselves, this time I asked Monica if she could help a quick weekend trip. She was as prompt, thorough, and helpful as with our longer, more complex, international trips. I am so appreciative of all that she does to make our travels easier and enjoyable.

KJ | Agent: Monica Varri, CTA

Our Belize trip was beyond wonderful. Weather was incredible, water was warm and crystal clear, and seafood was unreal. I highly recommend staying at Mata Chica if you want to disconnect from your digital devices and enjoy resort life. Staff called us by name and always made sure we had everything we needed. Snorkeling is a must. Affordable pricing and just a short plane ride away.

Sarah B | Agent: Monica Varri, CTA

Monica and her staff always provide me with excellent service. Monica knows how my husband and I like to travel and always finds us the perfect spot. I can often times be indecisive, but she always is patient and very responsive with my requests for pricing, etc.

laura12 | Agent: Monica Varri, CTA

Monica's organization and wisdom of travel and accommodations made our European trip absolutely effortless! It was perfectly planned and we felt welcomed and pampered everywhere we stayed! A+

CSRS103 | Agent: Monica Varri, CTA

Our trip to The Ritz Reserve in PR was A-Mazing!!!! Thank you Monica for helping to make our trip so fabulous! All 12 of us agree - the BEST trip ever... The resort is the nicest I've ever been to in the islands....the service is impeccable...can't wait to go back!

Sheri | Agent: Monica Varri, CTA

We have traveled with Virtuoso many times in the past, but this was the first time we were given a room upgrade- Very Nice!. As always enjoyed all other amenities that comes with booking with Virtuoso (hotel credits, breakfast, late check-out, etc.)

S&E | Agent: Monica Varri, CTA

Monica and her team are amazing! Always over deliver. Love working with them, and will continue to have them help with my travel needs! Smart, kind, responsive, understanding of our needs, etc, etc.

Jennifer | Agent: Monica Varri, CTA

Monica listens to our objectives and interests for our trips and offers detailed recommendations that meet them. Her communication and follow-up are outstanding. She is a pleasure to work with during the planning process. And during the trips, I know that everything will go smoothly because of her meticulous planning.

Kevin | Agent: Monica Varri, CTA

Monica is a super travel agent. She most recently planned our trip to Antarctica. She was knowledgeable, responsive and efficient. The trip involved a number of complications (including substitution of one of the travellers, travel delays due to fog in Antarctica, and other issues). Monica successfully navigated through all of these issues and produced for us the trip of a lifetime. We are very grateful to her and we can now add this recent trip to a growing number of trips that we have made with Monica. We plan on using her as our regular agent.

Bob | Agent: Monica Varri, CTA

Monica always works hard to make sure my family has a wonderful vacation. She always spends time helping us stay at the best hotels and then works hard to get us room upgrades and more to enhance our vacations. She is wonderful!

laura12 | Agent: Monica Varri, CTA

Trip was planned perfectly. Was able to get the best room on the location with many additional amenities. Booked the same trip again a week after the return.

Sean | Agent: Monica Varri, CTA

We have worked with Monica over the last 10+ years from our honeymoon in Italy, to family getaways in the States. Monica is wonderful to work with, has so many great suggestions, unique experiences and always has great food recommendations!

Ashjoy | Agent: Monica Varri, CTA