“Travel is not a reward for working, it’s education for living.”
— Anthony Bourdain
70th in Santorini and Croatia
Our 20 day excursion to Croatia and Greece was a trip of a lifetime. The itinerary and planning were exceptional. Our 8 day, 7 night cruise from Dubrovnik to Split offered a wonderful chance to explore the islands along the coast and discover their unique charm. Once we disembarked from the ship, our adventures took us to a wonderful afternoon in Klis for a special tour and Dalmation feast, then to Plitvice National Parks with private transfers and guides; followed by time in Zagreb. Then it was on to Santorini. Our Santorini experience was exceptional. From the wonderful accommodations and expert planning we were able to check one more thing off my bucket list. All hotel accommodations on the trip were outstanding; nestled in the city centers we had access to each of the city's charm. Every transfer was executed to perfection. We never had to wait for a driver and everything was very well communicated and extremely helpful with the help of The VIAKU Pocket Travel App. Karen was so responsive to any questions we had. Thanks Karen for the making this a trip of a lifetime. Looking forward to many more adventures.
Dan & Donita B, Tuscon, AZ. Traveled September, 2024
Perfection in Puglia
Our 10 day excursion to Puglia was exceptionally well planned, and flawlessly executed. We saw the major sites and cities, enjoyed the beautiful Adriatic and Ionian coastlines, and drove through much of the countryside laden with olive trees and vineyards. Our guide Giovanni was a delight….funny, smart, empathic, kind, always on-time and well prepared. Our hotel accommodations were stellar. We stayed in two different trullis on masserias in the countryside, using them as a base for several day trips. We luxuriated in a palace within the walled city of Gallipoli, and spent two nights in a Spa Cave in the Sassi area of Matera. We enjoyed boat rides, wine tasting, gourmet meals, a ceramic making demonstration, and a Puglian cooking class. We never felt like tourists…we were welcomed and treated as guests. That is the beauty of a private tour guide and driver….you enjoy the place as a local, avoid the crowds, find the perfect spots for memorable photos, all at your own pace. Thank you, VIAKU, for a PERFECT adventure—can’t wait for the next one!
Robyn W and Gary S. Tucson AZ. Traveled October 2024
Yorkshire Dales Anniversary Trip (Take 2)
TAKE 1: In May, after many months of planning with Karen, we left on our dream vacation to the Yorkshire Dales and neighboring areas as a wedding anniversary gift to ourselves. The VIAKU Pocket Travel App was immensely helpful to have all of our details at our fingertips. Sadly, only three days into our adventure, an injury required us to immediately return home. Karen swiftly and compassionately pulled out all of the stops to change our flights, activate our travel protection, cancel our remaining reservations, and get us home. We did get to see some of York and Grassington (aka Darrowby in the All Creatures Great and Small new series) before leaving the UK, but there was so much more we wanted to see and do. Karen’s wealth of knowledge, professional experience and connections, and exceptional attention to detail before and after our short trip left us knowing who we were going to call when the time was right to go back.
TAKE 2: Fast forward to July. We reached out to Karen and our excellent Yorkshire tour guide, Tim to see about going back in September. We knew the short time frame would present logistic challenges, but with Karen’s realistic yet optimistic attitude, the pieces came together, and we were off once again. And what a trip it was! We saw beauty everywhere in the scenery, people and animals. Each time we said this is the best view ever, we’d round a corner or climb a hill and be wowed all over again. The days passed quickly and it was time to return home. A landing gear sensor on our Amsterdam to Minneapolis connection added a day to our itinerary and a bit of stress, but one message to Karen provided the assurance we needed to know things were going to be just fine.What Anita Desai wrote is true – “Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow.” How blessed we will forever be to have a piece of Yorkshire in our hearts. Many thanks, Karen.
Bill & Lori, Osage, Minn. Traveled May AND Sept. 2024
URBAN SPAIN - MADRID AND BARCELONA
Karen planned a wonderful 10 day trip for us to Madrid and Barcelona in Sept 2024. We didn’t want group travel - instead we opted for private tour guides and time to explore on our own. She arranged 3 half-day trips to cities outside of Madrid and Barcelona. We think vacation should include exploration, education and relaxation. Karen listened to our needs and expectations and created a fabulous itinerary. Her support team in Europe was incredibly responsive and helped us resolve a few questions we had along the way. We will definitely use Karen for our future travel experiences.
Sandy and Bob M Redwood City CA. Traveled September 2024
2024 PARIS OLYMPICS
We had the pleasure of working with Karen Listgarten at VIAKU who made planning our trip to Paris for the 2024 Olympics simple. In the past, we liked to do our own planning, but after working with Karen, we appreciate and prefer the benefits of working with an experienced professional. Karen listens well and knows how to utilize her network and resources to solve problems. We found her to have great follow-through and a sense of urgency. The hotels were wonderful; each one a beautiful property, ideally located and staffed with people who truly know the meaning of hospitality. The private tours Karen arranged were informative and fun – the guides were personable, professional subject matter experts who really enjoy people and their work.The VIAKU Pocket Travel App, containing an itinerary and all relevant documents or tickets, was a valuable tool and easy to use. We highly recommend Karen for positive and reliable help with travel plans – we will certainly use her services again for our future trips.
Paul and Lynn H, Eden Prairie, MN. Traveled July 2024
Norway and (unexpectedly) France, Aug. 2023
When my family was unexpectedly stranded in Paris for two days due to a delayed flight out of MSP and a missed connection, Karen worked tirelessly to salvage our Norwegian vacation. She was immediately accessible when I reached out to her from the Paris airport, speaking (in French) with the Delta agent about rebooking and, when it became clear that we would not be leaving Paris that day, securing a delightful hotel in a wonderful location and recommending an excellent nearby restaurant for that evening. Every element of our Norway trip - hotels, car rental, activities - had to be rescheduled and, because of availability issues, to some extent re-routed. Karen worked around the clock to get that done, providing frequent real-time updates and welcome reassurance. The outcome, the result of a tremendous amount of work and tenacity by Karen, was superb! And, when we had a hiccup at check-in at our last destination, Karen was again immediately available to resolve the issue with the front desk.
Gretchen K, Edina MN - Traveled August 2023
Spring Break - Italy, April 2023
Karen/Viaku is an absolute dream to work with! She planned the ultimate spring break trip to Italy for me and my three sons (it was their first trip to Europe) and I cannot wait to work with her again. I was first impressed by Karen's candor; she was not afraid to advise against my proposed destination (this was due to political unrest and safety concerns that were just unfolding) even if it meant losing a client. From there she was quick to offer alternative options but not before taking the time to learn about me, my children, and what was important to us. It was clear that she did not view our interaction as a one-time transaction; Karen was investing in a long-term, client relationship. She also recognized the urgency to get items booked quickly as it was a popular travel time. Within just days she had put together and locked in a multi-city itinerary that met all our goals; unique excursions, amazing hotels, safe transportation and adequate time in each city transfer. And all well below my proposed budget. It didn't end there. She maintained contact prior to, during, and after our trip - providing tips and assistance throughout. She also organized all of our travel documents on a mobile app that made finding information (schedules, tickets, hotel vouchers, etc.) when we most needed it simple and stress free. When the opportunity came up to attend Easter Mass at the Vatican, Karen happily helped rearrange items in our trip so that we could fit that in too. Karen is so knowledgeable and well connected that I really believe we had the very best local guides and accommodations possible. Thanks to Karen, it was the trip of a lifetime for me and my kids.
Gretchen S., Minnetonka, MN Traveled April 2023
Amalfi Coast, July 2023
“The end of July and early August we went to Barcelona and then onto Italy, basing in Sorrento. Karen put together a wonder itinerary from touring Pompeii, to a private pizza class at a family villa, to touring the Amalfi Coast and Positano. It was a dream come true and fit with our group of older adults, middle aged adults, and younger kids. We did not have to worry about a thing; flights, transportation, tour guides, charter boats, just everything. I can’t say enough. Each day was a unique and meaningful experience. An extensive portfolio was provided prior to the trip that was all inclusive; itinerary, flight information, names, numbers, recommendations for important things like words we might need to know in Italian, tipping, who to call and where to go if we find ourselves in trouble, places to see, etc. During our trip they went above and beyond, checking in to make sure everything was going smoothly, asking if we needed assistance with anything. Everything that we were told was accurate. Recommendations were spot on. Every aspect of our trip was reviewed prior to departure. I have not experienced a more professional and organized operation”.
Bonnie P, Alexandria MN. Traveled July 2023
Southeast France, June 2023
We are writing this review as a resounding endorsement of Karen and her expertise in the travel business. If you have been searching for someone to tailor the perfect vacation for you and carry you through that experience from planning all the way to last minute changes while you’re away, you can stop looking now. We have planned a few trips with Karen since we were first introduced in 2022 and now we are nearly incapable of planning anything without her, since we know how much value she adds. She knows what we would like better than we do. She has incredible insight on the best places to stay, access to locals to help coordinate important logistical details, and extensive experience to draw on when advising you on how to select a destination and efficiently use your precious vacation time.
As soon as we get to the airport we know everything is taken care of. We have been impressed with her suggestions - truffle hunting in Croatia, a bear tour in Vancouver, private tour of the Getty in LA and e-biking in southern France to name a few. She has also been available and flexible with changes. For example we wanted to flip flop two of our activities in Croatia because of rain and she was able to facilitate that for us while we were there, a day before the activities were to take place.
Planning a vacation can be hard and stressful but Karen makes it exciting and enjoyable. We are so happy you to be able to work with her and we know you will be, too.
Desiree and Appesh, Minneapolis, MN. Traveled June 2023
Family Adventure Iceland, June 2023
Our trip to Iceland was low stress and full adventure! (You) took our interests and must sees and our budget and created a personalized experience. The Glacier Encounter was a highlight… We are so grateful that we used you! Our family had a great time and we can't wait to go back! Erica D and family. Minneapolis, MN. Traveled June 2023
MIDNIGHT GOLF & FISHING ICELAND, June 2023
A wonderful trip — terrific country to explore — a great adventure for the three of us. Weather never prevented us from doing anything. Our guided fishing 2 days was everything we hoped for — exceptionally beautiful remote location — obliging and hard working guide — fishing was decent — one day of sun and one day of cloud and mist. Golf? Wonderful venue for a golf course - tremendous coastal views. Golfed at 9PM - sunny, cold and windy. We can check off that our life time to do list. Bonnie enjoyed her time with her guide — visiting some villages, museums and learning about life in Iceland. Blue Lagoon Retreat was exceptional — one of the most interesting hotels I have ever stayed in — in the top 3 or so. Not to be missed by seasoned travelers. Spa lovers will love this place. Golden Circle — easily navigated — a lot of natural sights. Iceland was a surprising gem for us — love the place and people — and now thinking about doing a self drive circumnavigation of of the island! Jim, Bonnie and Chris P. Minneapolis, MN. Traveled June 2023
NORTHERN FRANCE, May 2023
“Thanks to the meticulous and creative planning by Viaku, we spent almost two weeks exploring Paris, Brittany and Normandy. Of special note was our stay in the town of Bayeaux, where we spent four nights and connected with local guides arranged for us in advance. Whether biking through Norman farmland or exploring the food and wine culture of the region via car, Viaku arranged for private tours that took our visit from enjoyable to extraordinary. With hotels and train travel arranged in advance, we were able to relax and immerse ourselves in the history and traditions of the region. Thanks for everything! It was a GREAT trip.” Ken and Terry, Minneapolis, MN. Traveled May 2023
AMA RIVER CRUISE, May 2023
Prague - Paris
We recently returned from a river cruise with pre and post programs with AMA that began in Prague and ended in Paris. AMA overwhelmed us with service and amazing food the whole way. Every detail was taken care of from transfers to the hotel from the airport (an AMA representative met us) to well planned tours and excursions. Meals were gourmet with appetizers, complimentary wines and beer, and scrumptious deserts. Each night brought different high quality entertainment in the majestic lounge. Each day there were multi tours with different levels ( choices) of exertion to round out our days. There was also lots of free time in Paris and Prague in between tours. One thing we truly appreciated was the on board tour manager who was consistently present on and off the ship. He answered every question no matter how trivial….thought of every detail imaginable down to double checking our luggage to make sure it was with us through the journey ( transfers etc). All in all we couldn’t be more pleased with our investment in this trip. Scott and Becky B., Minneapolis, MN. Traveled May 2023
RHINE RIVER CRUISE, May 2023
Amsterdam - Basel (UNIWORLD)
“We've had an exhausting and fun trip so far, strolling through fairy tale, medieval villages and climbing the heights of castles! Our favorite day was the leisurely cruise down the Rhine with an onboard guided commentary of the stunning castles dotting the shoreline. We truly could not have experienced these views by land! We will explore more Alsatian villages tomorrow and then prepare for disembarkation. On a different note, the Pulitzer in Amsterdam is fabulous - exactly what I wanted - with a perfect location.” Maria and Sean, Detroit, MI. Traveled May 2023
ITALIAN SPRING HOLIDAY, May 2023
We had a great trip in Italy………but about half way through the trip Mark contracted Covid. We had just arrived in Syracusa, Sicily and fortunately our beautiful room was surrounded by an extensive private patio, providing plenty of isolation with sea views. We continued our trip being mindful of others, masking and maintaining separation. Fortunately, our itinerary provided rooms with private balconies where we were able to dine on room service. We were also able to dine at isolated tables in outside gardens. We spent a full day on a large private boat touring the Positano-Amalfi coastal area, just the two of us with a captain and the sea breezes. Our transports were by private vehicles, frequently 9 passenger vans which allowed us separation from the drivers. We were able to consult a doctor in Positano and were able to get some medications which helped a lot. We missed some of the planned events but continued to have a wonderful time. This was a great trip and will be remembered with great fondness. Mark and Barbara, Minneapolis, MN. Traveled May 2023
SPRING BREAK IN JAPAN, March 2023
“The trip was absolutely amazing. Our tour guide in Kyoto was fabulous and the cherry blossoms were just starting to bloom.” JJ, Cristina and Family, MInneapolis, MN. Traveled with friends March 2023
ANTARCTICA ADVENTURE, January 2023
Truly something amazing and special. Turn around and you see another remarkable thing. We were lucky with our timing - no fog, no wind and relatively warm weather. Lovely designed boat - nordic designed, simple luxury. Crew was fantastic - outgoing, engaging. The captain had an open bridge policy so we could see the ship from her perspective. Lots of wildlife - penguins, whales, birds, seals. The ship could turn on a dime so we were able to see whales coming and going. It was important to the crew that everyone have positive wildlife experiences. The pre and post service by A&K was excellent and our guide for the Andes day hike was terrific. Thank you for an another amazing adventure! Jim and Bonnie, MInneapolis, MN. Traveled January 2023
FESTIVE SEASON IN BARCELONA December, 2022
I want to thank you for putting together a wonderful vacation for us. The hotel was stunning and absolutely perfect for 3 adults who didn’t want to eat out every day. And all of the activities were informative and fun - particularly liked the hike on Costa Brava, the paella cooking class and the tapas tour. And because the weather was so perfect, we got a lot of miles in walking all over the city! And I really like Fabio who did most of the tours for us - he gave up his entire holiday week to take us around and I truly appreciated it. I am always so impressed with how great your trips are and I thank you for your efforts! Linda F, Paris, France. Traveled December 2022
FESTIVE SEASON IN FRANCE December, 2022
“Loving it. The pace is nice - not too much scheduled so it's relaxing, but enough to keep it interesting. The house is nice. The weather is great so we are able to walk around largely without coats. We love Valbonne -cute town. The Friday market and the Christmas market are both fantastic, and restaurants are great. We went to Nice and did some shopping and walking along the coast one day - took one of your restaurant suggestions for La Tire Bouchon - great meal (thanks!). Yesterday we went to Grasse and the perfume tour was really fun. Today we hiked the trail at Cap d’Antibes- it was spectacular- and then went into the Christmas market at Antibes, and came home and made dinner.” Shelly and Brennon and family, Minneapolis MN. Traveled December 2022
BARCELONA-VENICE CRUISE AND FLORENCE WITH FRIENDS
July 2022
Karen is so good at making sure we see and do everything and do it in style! After a cruise that included private tour options Karen presented to enhance our adventure, she made our extension of 4 days in Florence so memorable. Our wish list was impossible to fulfill, or so we thought. But, Karen managed to schedule our complete list of “wants” into doable and relaxed days of touring. Way to go!! Jean W. , Minneapolis. Traveled July 2022
MY 3 SONS - MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE, July 2022
“Karen is a true rockstar! After our initial conversation she distilled the disparate travel histories, inclinations and interests that I and my three young-adult boys brought to the table into a trip to Rome and the Mediterranean that included the perfect mix of ancient history and present-day pampering. Everything came off without a hitch, but what I appreciated most was the thoughtful and knowledgeable guidance Karen had immediately at the ready for both our planning discussions and our last-minute inquiries and concerns. Extraordinarily prompt and professional but also friendly and fun! “ Gretchen C, Minneapolis, MN. Traveled July 2022
50th BIRTHDAY PARTY (x2), JAMAICA July 2022
“Just wanted to check in to let you know the trip was amazing, the house beautiful and the staff was incredible. The kids loved hanging out by the pool and I loved all the family together time. We would definitely do this type of vacation again!” Jackie and Chris, Atlanta GA. Traveled July 2022
EDINBURGH WEDDING & IRELAND, July 2022
“Karen was wonderful in organizing travel arrangements at a very busy time . The trip coincided with the 150th Anniversary of the Open Championship at St. Andrews. The hotels and guides that Karen suggested were excellent . In spite of travel difficulties , once we and (finally) our luggage arrived , we had a great time celebrating and touring Northern Ireland, Dublin, and the Wicklow area. Karen is a true travel expert that customizes our trips based on careful listening to what we are looking to do and experience.” Scott and Mary Ann, Minneapolis, MN. Traveled July 2022
BELATED HONEYMOON - SPAIN&PORTUGAL, June 2022
“This was truly a trip of a lifetime. I didn’t know I wanted everything we did. What made a HUGE difference were the guides and the private touring. I didn’t realize what a difference having personalized private tours would make in how we experienced these countries. All of our guides were 5* and became more like friends introducing us to their countries.” David and Chelsea, Minneapolis, MN, Traveled June 2022
PLANES, SHIP, TRAINS, FUNICULARS & AUTOMOBILES - Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and Italy, June, 2022
“Mad props to our travel advisor Karen for organizing this trip. It’s been absolutely fantastic.” “Karen, WOW… I mean the WHOLE trip… but Como is a show stopper. Thank you. For ALL of it!” Sam and Sylvia G, Denver CO., Traveled June 2022
NOTE: Trip included a Rhine River Cruise and customized private touring in the Berner Oberland in Switzerland and Lake Como Italy
USVI SAILING CHARTER - USVI, May 2022
“We couldn't have asked for a more perfect vacation for us and our kids. The boat was immaculate and perfect layout for us. We were able to sail to St. Croix the latter part of our trip and had perfect weather for our voyage. We rented jeeps on St. Croix and had a great time exploring the island. We went on shore hiking a couple of days, but the highlight was the bioluminescence we experienced while snorkeling at night. Dan and Jessi were great and extremely responsive to our preferences. Very laid back vacation and just what we needed. Thank you for helping us find Azulia II, we truly hope to do it again some day. “ Curt and Nicole S, Minneapolis, Traveled May 2022
50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY - Italy, May 2022
“We had a wonderful time on our Trafalgar tour of Italy. We were able to see all the major cities and sites in a good period of time. The bus was modern and comfortable, the hotels were all centrally located and very nice (older but clean and in some cases actually “roomy”) and the food was excellent (it IS Italy). It was nice to have multiple nights in the hotels. But what we were most grateful for was your assistance in Frankfurt when we knew we would miss our connecting flight. Frankfurt Airport is big and it was great to know where we needed to go. Thank you again for the 24/7 communication, getting us a hotel room for the night at the airport and making sure we were taken care of and had a flight out the next day.” Ray and Yang R., Riverside, CA Traveled May 2022
HONEYMOON - Mexico, May 2022
“We had one goal for our honeymoon - a luxury all-inclusive resort where we could do absolutely nothing. Mission accomplished. UNICO 20°87° was the perfect suggestion. Our room on the 3rd floor had gorgeous ocean views (loved the day bed), the restaurants were all excellent and we just hung out and relaxed. The pools here are great. We loved working with you - you made it so easy and you were right about the limo to the airport… we didn’t need it!” Mira M. Las Vegas Traveled May 2022
SPRING BREAK - Spain, April 2022
“Our trip to Spain was wonderful! We all got home so grateful. All of the arrangements that you made for us were perfect and the resources you shared very helpful. We had so much fun exploring Barcelona and Madrid, and the kids got to practice a lot of Spanish too. The food tour in Madrid was definitely a highlight! We also did end up taking the train from Madrid to Toledo for a day trip. This was another great recommendation! The train was easy and it was such a neat place to see. We spent about 5-6 hours there which was a perfect amount of time for us. We just loved the history and architecture. Thank you again and again for your help and expertise planning the trip .And Bella our Brittany was very happy to see us when we got home.” Rachel B, Minneapolis. Traveled March 2022
SPRING BREAK - Spain, March 2022
Hola Karen, Carla and colleagues,
Thank you so much for planning a wonderful trip to Spain for my family. We got back home yesterday. Every tour and guide was perfect. We got to see and learn so much of Andalucía and we had such a good time. My son’s favorite was the buggy tour and coffee afterwards where we sat around talking in English and Spanish and felt like family. My husband’s favorite was the caminito del Rey where he took hundreds of photos. My favorite was the bike tour in Sevilla which was filled with music, yummy smells, beauty and history. It is hard for me to pick a favorite actually. There were so many amazing experiences. We have so many wonderful memories! Angie F, Minneapolis - traveled March 2022
SPRING BREAK - Costa Rica, April 2021
Hands down the best travel agent one can ask for! I have traveled to many countries both independently and with my husband and kids and have never had issue planning trips for ourselves. This time was different. This time I had to throw my hands up and give someone else a shot at planning our vacation. Life was busy. Work was busy. COVID was real and questions were many. Karen was amazing during the planning, answered questions during the trip and teamed up with us to help resolve issues we faced after our trip which really she could've have walked away from. In the end, our trip was one of our best and we have Karen and Viaku to thank. I will be working with Karen on every trip moving forward....no hesitation. Anne D. Minneapolis, Traveled April 2021
ANTARCTICA ADVENTURE, January 2023
Truly something amazing and special. Turn around and you see another remarkable thing. We were lucky with our timing - no fog, no wind and relatively warm weather. Lovely designed boat - nordic designed, simple luxury. Crew was fantastic - outgoing, engaging. The captain had an open bridge policy so we could see the ship from her perspective. Lots of wildlife - penguins, whales, birds, seals. The ship could turn on a dime so we were able to see whales coming and going. It was important to the crew that everyone have positive wildlife experiences. The pre and post service by A&K was excellent and our guide for the Andes day hike was terrific. Thank you for an another amazing adventure! Jim and Bonnie, MInneapolis, MN. Traveled January 2023
FESTIVE SEASON IN BARCELONA December, 2022
I want to thank you for putting together a wonderful vacation for us. The hotel was stunning and absolutely perfect for 3 adults who didn’t want to eat out every day. And all of the activities were informative and fun - particularly liked the hike on Costa Brava, the paella cooking class and the tapas tour. And because the weather was so perfect, we got a lot of miles in walking all over the city! And I really like Fabio who did most of the tours for us - he gave up his entire holiday week to take us around and I truly appreciated it. I am always so impressed with how great your trips are and I thank you for your efforts! Linda F, Paris, France. Traveled December 2022
FESTIVE SEASON IN FRANCE December, 2022
“Loving it. The pace is nice - not too much scheduled so it's relaxing, but enough to keep it interesting. The house is nice. The weather is great so we are able to walk around largely without coats. We love Valbonne -cute town. The Friday market and the Christmas market are both fantastic, and restaurants are great. We went to Nice and did some shopping and walking along the coast one day - took one of your restaurant suggestions for La Tire Bouchon - great meal (thanks!). Yesterday we went to Grasse and the perfume tour was really fun. Today we hiked the trail at Cap d’Antibes- it was spectacular- and then went into the Christmas market at Antibes, and came home and made dinner.” Shelly and Brennon and family, Minneapolis MN. Traveled December 2022
BARCELONA-VENICE CRUISE AND FLORENCE WITH FRIENDS
July 2022
Karen is so good at making sure we see and do everything and do it in style! After a cruise that included private tour options Karen presented to enhance our adventure, she made our extension of 4 days in Florence so memorable. Our wish list was impossible to fulfill, or so we thought. But, Karen managed to schedule our complete list of “wants” into doable and relaxed days of touring. Way to go!! Jean W. , Minneapolis. Traveled July 2022
MY 3 SONS - MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE, July 2022
“Karen is a true rockstar! After our initial conversation she distilled the disparate travel histories, inclinations and interests that I and my three young-adult boys brought to the table into a trip to Rome and the Mediterranean that included the perfect mix of ancient history and present-day pampering. Everything came off without a hitch, but what I appreciated most was the thoughtful and knowledgeable guidance Karen had immediately at the ready for both our planning discussions and our last-minute inquiries and concerns. Extraordinarily prompt and professional but also friendly and fun! “ Gretchen C, Minneapolis, MN. Traveled July 2022
50th BIRTHDAY PARTY (x2), JAMAICA July 2022
“Just wanted to check in to let you know the trip was amazing, the house beautiful and the staff was incredible. The kids loved hanging out by the pool and I loved all the family together time. We would definitely do this type of vacation again!” Jackie and Chris, Atlanta GA. Traveled July 2022
EDINBURGH WEDDING & IRELAND, July 2022
“Karen was wonderful in organizing travel arrangements at a very busy time . The trip coincided with the 150th Anniversary of the Open Championship at St. Andrews. The hotels and guides that Karen suggested were excellent . In spite of travel difficulties , once we and (finally) our luggage arrived , we had a great time celebrating and touring Northern Ireland, Dublin, and the Wicklow area. Karen is a true travel expert that customizes our trips based on careful listening to what we are looking to do and experience.” Scott and Mary Ann, Minneapolis, MN. Traveled July 2022
BELATED HONEYMOON - SPAIN&PORTUGAL, June 2022
“This was truly a trip of a lifetime. I didn’t know I wanted everything we did. What made a HUGE difference were the guides and the private touring. I didn’t realize what a difference having personalized private tours would make in how we experienced these countries. All of our guides were 5* and became more like friends introducing us to their countries.” David and Chelsea, Minneapolis, MN, Traveled June 2022
PLANES, SHIP, TRAINS, FUNICULARS & AUTOMOBILES - Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and Italy, June, 2022
“Mad props to our travel advisor Karen for organizing this trip. It’s been absolutely fantastic.” “Karen, WOW… I mean the WHOLE trip… but Como is a show stopper. Thank you. For ALL of it!” Sam and Sylvia G, Denver CO., Traveled June 2022
NOTE: Trip included a Rhine River Cruise and customized private touring in the Berner Oberland in Switzerland and Lake Como Italy
USVI SAILING CHARTER - USVI, May 2022
“We couldn't have asked for a more perfect vacation for us and our kids. The boat was immaculate and perfect layout for us. We were able to sail to St. Croix the latter part of our trip and had perfect weather for our voyage. We rented jeeps on St. Croix and had a great time exploring the island. We went on shore hiking a couple of days, but the highlight was the bioluminescence we experienced while snorkeling at night. Dan and Jessi were great and extremely responsive to our preferences. Very laid back vacation and just what we needed. Thank you for helping us find Azulia II, we truly hope to do it again some day. “ Curt and Nicole S, Minneapolis, Traveled May 2022
50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY - Italy, May 2022
“We had a wonderful time on our Trafalgar tour of Italy. We were able to see all the major cities and sites in a good period of time. The bus was modern and comfortable, the hotels were all centrally located and very nice (older but clean and in some cases actually “roomy”) and the food was excellent (it IS Italy). It was nice to have multiple nights in the hotels. But what we were most grateful for was your assistance in Frankfurt when we knew we would miss our connecting flight. Frankfurt Airport is big and it was great to know where we needed to go. Thank you again for the 24/7 communication, getting us a hotel room for the night at the airport and making sure we were taken care of and had a flight out the next day.” Ray and Yang R., Riverside, CA Traveled May 2022
HONEYMOON - Mexico, May 2022
“We had one goal for our honeymoon - a luxury all-inclusive resort where we could do absolutely nothing. Mission accomplished. UNICO 20°87° was the perfect suggestion. Our room on the 3rd floor had gorgeous ocean views (loved the day bed), the restaurants were all excellent and we just hung out and relaxed. The pools here are great. We loved working with you - you made it so easy and you were right about the limo to the airport… we didn’t need it!” Mira M. Las Vegas Traveled May 2022
SPRING BREAK - Spain, April 2022
“Our trip to Spain was wonderful! We all got home so grateful. All of the arrangements that you made for us were perfect and the resources you shared very helpful. We had so much fun exploring Barcelona and Madrid, and the kids got to practice a lot of Spanish too. The food tour in Madrid was definitely a highlight! We also did end up taking the train from Madrid to Toledo for a day trip. This was another great recommendation! The train was easy and it was such a neat place to see. We spent about 5-6 hours there which was a perfect amount of time for us. We just loved the history and architecture. Thank you again and again for your help and expertise planning the trip .And Bella our Brittany was very happy to see us when we got home.” Rachel B, Minneapolis. Traveled March 2022
SPRING BREAK - Spain, March 2022
Hola Karen, Carla and colleagues,
Thank you so much for planning a wonderful trip to Spain for my family. We got back home yesterday. Every tour and guide was perfect. We got to see and learn so much of Andalucía and we had such a good time. My son’s favorite was the buggy tour and coffee afterwards where we sat around talking in English and Spanish and felt like family. My husband’s favorite was the caminito del Rey where he took hundreds of photos. My favorite was the bike tour in Sevilla which was filled with music, yummy smells, beauty and history. It is hard for me to pick a favorite actually. There were so many amazing experiences. We have so many wonderful memories! Angie F, Minneapolis - traveled March 2022
SPRING BREAK - Costa Rica, April 2021
Hands down the best travel agent one can ask for! I have traveled to many countries both independently and with my husband and kids and have never had issue planning trips for ourselves. This time was different. This time I had to throw my hands up and give someone else a shot at planning our vacation. Life was busy. Work was busy. COVID was real and questions were many. Karen was amazing during the planning, answered questions during the trip and teamed up with us to help resolve issues we faced after our trip which really she could've have walked away from. In the end, our trip was one of our best and we have Karen and Viaku to thank. I will be working with Karen on every trip moving forward....no hesitation. Anne D. Minneapolis, Traveled April 2021
HIKING ADVENTURE - Patagonia and Atacama Chile, February 2020
“This trip was over the top special. Tierra Patagonia and Alto Atacama were simply breathtaking. Lots of options for excursions, no logistics problems - the majesty of Patagonia and the beauty of the desert. We would never had made this trip without Karen’s professional guidance. She is extremely thorough and always available. The Pocket Traveler app was a godsend.” Eileen L
MILESTONE CELEBRATION - Mendoza and Iguazu Falls Argentina, February 2020
“Trip of a lifetime. Casa de Uco was outstanding and there are simply not enough synonyms for incredible to describe Awasi.” Laura W.
50TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION - Akumal Mexico, January 2020
“Enjoyed Paradise Karen. Spectacular. We are at Cancun airport waiting to head home after an amazing trip. Everything was outstanding and the resort did NOT disappoint. Thanks for the terrific planning and checking in!” Geoff T.
50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY WITH FAMILY - Big Sky MT., January 2020
“We got home last night and to a person everyone was blown away by the trip. The faces on the little girls says it all. From the moment we drove up to Swift Bear Lodge the smiles and joy everyone expressed was continuous. The people of Montana were wonderful. Yellowstone was spectacular and snow coach tour was something we’ll be talking about for years. Thanks for the quick resolution to our chef issue. Katie Dahlin was amazing. She was particularly accommodating of the little girls interest in what she was doing. The food was beyond expectations. Thanks again for the wonderful 50 year celebration.” Ron R.
“BIG” BIRTHDAY WITH BAROLO - Piedmont Italy, October 2019
“Just perfect. We loved Piedmont and were so happy that you insisted we spend more of our time there. The hotel (La Ribezza) was wonderful and their restaurant MODA was one of the best of our trip - felt like a Michelin star experience. All the guides and excursions were wonderful and the transfers and coordination, seamless.” Jennifer H.
DISCOVERING ISRAEL - Dead Sea Israel, October 2019
“A wonderful educational experience. Very personalized to our requests - you worked diligently at understanding our expectations and goals for this trip. Greatly enjoyed the unique Dead Sea boat excursion.” Jim P
ISLAND HOPPING IN GREECE - Mykonos and Santorini Greece, October 2019
“As the family “vacation planner”, this was the first time I was able to check out completely and trust that everything was taken care of. The hotels were phenomenal, the drivers/transfers, and the amount we were able to do/see stuck the perfect balance of activity and relaxation. Esperas on Santorini was my favorite hotel, not just of this vacation- of my life!” Candice S.
CRETIAN ADVENTURE, Greece Sept. 2019
Karen planned- on short notice- a trip to Greece for my husband and me that exceeded all expectations. From the well-paced itinerary to the unique accommodations to the top-notch tour guides and transfers, it was a trip precisely tailored to our needs and interests, and that unfolded with seamless perfection. We appreciated her warm manner, her careful attention to detail, her prompt response to questions, and her overall professionalism. We look forward to using her services again and again. Sally A, Minneapolis
BIG BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION - UnCruise Alaska, June 2019
We could not have made this family trip happen without Karen's expert assistance. We are 100% satisfied. Well worth the investment! Karen L, Minneapolis