Monday, April 6, 2026

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More Info Viking River Cruises

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More Info Regent Seven seas Cruises


More Info Tauck Tours

More Info Seabourn Cruise Line


More Info Paul Gauguin Cruises


More Info Oceania Cruises

More Info Trafalgar Tours


More Info AMAWaterways


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Destinations

North America

Canada (Brochure)
Polar Bears of Churchill, Canada (Website)
The U.S. & Canada (Brochure)
Alaska, Canada & New England (Brochure)
Hawaii (Brochure)
Las Vegas (Brochure)
Mexico (Brochure)

Caribbean

Caribbean Islands (Brochure)
Dominican Republic (Brochure)
Jamaica (Brochure)
Puerto Rico (Brochure)
Sandals Resorts (Website)
Beaches Resorts (Website)
Cuba (Brochure)

Central & South America

Central & South America (Brochure)
Costa Rica & Panama (Brochure)

Europe

Europe (Brochure)
Britain, Ireland & Scotland (Brochure)
Scandinavia (Brochure)
Italy (Brochure)
Spain (Brochure)
Mediterranean, Adriatic & Greek Isles (Brochure)
France (Brochure)
Switzerland (Brochure)
Germany (Brochure)
Russia (Brochure)
Bike, Hike, Canoe, Cook, Learn through Europe! (Brochure)

Asia

China (Brochure)
Maldives (Brochure)
Vietnam, Cambodia & Mekong River Cruises (Brochure)
Israel & Dubai (Brochure)
India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka (Brochure)
Vietnam & Cambodia (Brochure)

Cruises

First Timer’s Guide to River Cruising (Brochure)
Disney Cruise Line (YouTube)
Tauck Small Ship Cruising (Brochure)
Tauck European River Cruise (Brochure)
Land Journeys and Small Ship Cruises (Brochure)
Avalon River Cruises (Brochure)
Royal Caribbean Cruises (Brochure)
Luxury Yacht Cruises (Brochure)
Azamara Cruises (Brochure)
Book (Shore) Excursions here!

Africa

Africa (Brochure)
Kenya, Tanzania & South Africa (Brochure)
Egypt (Brochure)

Australia & South Pacific

Australia (Brochure)
South Pacific, French Polynesia (Brochure)
Australia & New Zealand (Brochure)

Antarctica

Antarctica (Brochure)
Antarctica & The Artic Fjords (Brochure)

Specialty

Oberammergau Christ Passion Play - TBA for 2030!
Bike, Hike, Canoe, Cook, Learn through Europe! (Brochure)
Luxury Travel (Brochure)
Family Travel (Brochure)
WWII Tour Travel (Brochure)
Grand Canyon Railway (YouTube)
Vacations By Rail – Worldwide (Brochure)
Walt Disney World Vacations (Brochure)
Adventures by Disney (Brochure)
Tour the National Parks (Brochure)
Ski Vacations (Brochure)
Spa & Golf Vacations (Brochure)
Abercrombie & Kent Small Group Journeys (Brochure)
Blue Roads Small Group Tours (Brochure)
G Adventures Small Group Travel (Brochure)

Romance

Sandals Honeymoons and Weddings (Websites)
Romantic Retreats (Website)
Mexico Weddings (Brochure)
Caribbean Weddings (Brochure)
Central America (Brochure)

Resorts

Sandals Resorts (Website)
Beaches Resorts (Website)
Gluten Free Resorts (PDF)
Ultimate Villa Vacations (Brochure)
Hyatt Inclusive Collection (Brochure)
Palace Resorts (Brochure)
Hard Rock Hotels (Brochure)
El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels
Azul Hotels
Azul Villa Carola
Generations Resorts, by Karisma

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Thursday, April 2, 2026

Collette Tours

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Shades of Ireland
September 11-September 23, 2026 
Learn more: Shades of Ireland


Wonders of Thailand
January 2-17, 2027
Learn more: Wonders of Thailand

 

Iceland’s Midnight Sun: Glaciers, Geysers, and the Golden Circle
June 13-22, 2027
Learn more: Iceland's Midnight Sun


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Meet Tina Willson

Tina Willson

Office Assistant

Contact Info:

BIO: 

Hello, I am Tina!

I am retired with a passion to travel.  I have been fortunate enough to travel the corners of the world and have been to some pretty spectacular places. My motto is “we travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us”.

The world is full of beautiful places and we can help plan your next adventure!

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Meet Sara (Pietan) Raygor

Sara (Pietan) Raygor

Office Assistant

Contact Info:

Bio:

I have been a Travel Assistant at APTA since January of 2015. I was born and raised in the Mankato area all my life. I graduated from Mankato East High School in 1991 and married my husband two weeks later. We have four children and seven grandchildren. I graduated from Rasmussen College in December of 1996. I have a degree in Sales and Business Administration. I have my own business called Virtually Social. I am a Virtual Assistant/Social Media Manager. I love helping others accomplish their dreams! My favorite task to do for Amber is making Travel Insurance Quotes. I have traveled all over the United States. My favorite place to travel is the Grand Tetons in Wyoming. I also adore the North Shore in Minnesota along Lake Superior.

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Meet Neil Kaus, Disney Specialist

Neil Kaus, Disney Specialist

Contact Info: 

Bio:

Neil brings 30 years of firsthand experiences at the Disneyworld Parks and hotels. He is committed to building a highly personalized trip that are based on the wants and needs of each client. He is dedicated to making sure each member of the party has the most magical experience possible. Neil will take you from the airport and layout each day, hour by hour in detail. This will include meal plans, fast passes, water parks, Downtown Disney, on site resorts, off site resorts, Boardwalk area, photo pass option and much more. Neil will walk you thru the different times of the year that brings important factors to your trip like weather, crowds, buses and waiting lines. Navigating is very important in making your trip a magical experience. Neil will help you plan your Disney experience. He is not a Mickey Mouse operation.

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Meet Nancy Vogel

Nancy Vogel 

Contact Info:

Bio:

Hi, I’m Nancy, a travel consultant specializing in tailor-made adventures. I help families, couples and singles create unforgettable holidays without the stress of planning. My love for travel began when I traveled to many parts of Mexico in my twenties. To this day, I’ve encountered parts of Europe, many US destinations, and many cruises. I realized that helping others explore new destinations would be my dream. As part of The APTA Travel Agency, I provide full financial protection on every booking, giving my clients complete peace of mind. I’d love to bring your ideas to life. Message me today for a no-obligation consultation.

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Meet Liz Voss

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Liz Voss

Contact Info: 

Certifications: 

Bio:

Hello, I’m Liz! As a Registered Nurse with an unwavering passion for travel, I believe life is meant to be explored beyond the confines of one location. My journey has taken me to some incredible destinations, including the stunning beaches of Phuket, the tropical paradise of Punta Cana, the breathtaking landscapes of Hawaii and Alaska, as well as the vibrant vibes of Florida and Cancun. With many more places on my must-visit list—Greece and Italy are next on the agenda for Summer 2025—I’m dedicated to turning your travel dreams into reality. Whether it’s a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or an adventurous retreat, I’m here to help you plan your next unforgettable adventure. Let’s make your travel dreams come true together!

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Meet Gary Zins

Gary Zins

Contact Info:

Specializing in: 

  • Pickleball Groups

Certifications: 

  • Sandals Certified Specialist
  • Couples Resort Certified Specialist 

Bio:

I’m Gary Zins. My journey with pickleball began in mid 2022 when my new love of pickleball convinced me to pivot my travel agency almost entirely towards pickleball destinations for groups, and it is called Pickleball Travel LLC (pickleballtravel.com). Since then, I have personally experienced 15+ all-inclusive resorts, sailed on 4 different cruise lines, 1 river cruise line, and 15 different countries–all with pickleball–and have played in three international tournaments, while developing many pickleball connections along the way. I am a certified PPR pickleball coach, avid pickleball player, and traveler. Together with my partners, my goal is to discover the best pickleball destinations for your group, with the best prices and amenities.

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Meet Erin Fredricks

Erin Fredricks

 Contact Info: 

Certifications:

Bio:

I grew up in Mankato out in the country on a farm, our vacations were spent at the family lake cabin, I didn’t travel outside of Minnesota until my mid-30s ,my family surprised me with a trip to Oahu for my 15th year sobriety.  Once there I experienced such excitement and wonder, I knew then I caught the” travel bug “and wanted to experience new places.  One of my favorite places to travel is Ixtapa Mexico and try to go every year with a group of friends.  I decided to become a travel agent to help other people experience new places and make memories with family and friends.

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Meet Brandy Larson

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Brandy Larson

Contact Info:

Bio: 

My experience with traveling comes from many years of road trips, academic trips, mission trips, family vacations and of course traveling for work! Through this I learned how powerful it is to step away from the everyday and explore somewhere new. That is why I am passionate about helping others to discover new places and create lasting memories. My favorite places to explore are destinations with breathtaking mountain views or peaceful ocean shores – and I have a special love for the soft sandy beaches of Florida! 

As a stay-at-home mom to two beautiful children, family means everything to me. I also enjoy volunteering at my church and am so grateful for the opportunity to help others experience the beauty of the Lord’s creation while making cherished memories of their own. 


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Meet Alisa Schipper

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Alissa Schipper

Contact Info:

Certifications: 

Bio:

I have always enjoyed traveling, but my true love for traveling started when my husband and I got married in St. Lucia. Since then, we have traveled to numerous different Islands and are always looking forward to checking out a new place and new resort! My son’s baseball team has brought us to a yearly tournament in Arizona and that has also become a favorite destination of ours. I am a strong believer in taking trips and vacations to see and experience other cultures, reset yourself and create lasting memories. Most importantly travel helps us find gratitude in allowing us to appreciate the rest of our lives more. I look forward to helping and planning vacations for anyone and everyone! In addition to helping others plan their next traveling adventure, I have my own childcare business in my home and love to attend my kids’ sporting events!

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Meet Amber Pietan, with over 27 Years of experience

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Amber Pietan, your Travel Expert

Contact Info:

Certifications:

Awards:

2019 Outside Agents Award for Outstanding Sales Achievement

2013 Outside Agents Award for Outstanding Sales Achievement

Articles:

Bio: 

Amber has been customizing and planning personalized luxury vacations since 1999. Her amazing attention to detail and impeccable personal service have become her hallmarks in travel planning. Her dedication to each and every client is second to none.

Amber grew up and has resided in the Mankato area her entire life. She currently lives in Lake Crystal and is raising her son, Lucas. She graduated from Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount, Minnesota in 1998. She has a Diploma in Travel Planning. She is a Certified Travel Associate certified by The Travel Institute. The CTA designation, conferred by The Travel Institute, marks the pinnacle of travel industry professionalism. CTAs are required to complete a rigorous academic program and exam, possess at least five years of full-time experience, and follow a continuing education regimen to remain current on the latest travel trends. She is also a Luxury Lifestyle Specialist. Amber has been certified as a specialist from Sandals Resorts, Aruba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Disney Vacations, Holland America Cruises and Trafalgar Tours.

Her expertise is in customized itineraries, luxury cruises and tours, adventure travel, history tours, honeymoons, romantic getaways and world cruises, as well as travel for large groups, businesses, destination weddings and family reunions.

Amber was an award winning Travel Agent for over 14 years at AAA in Mankato, MN. At AAA Travel, she earned the Presidents Elite for top sales in 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2012. In 2013, Amber opened her own agency called Amber Pietan Travel Agency. She quickly established herself and began personalizing travel for her beloved clients in lower North Mankato. Since opening her agency, Amber received the Outside Agents Outstanding Sales Achievement Award in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024!

Amber is a seasoned and dedicated traveler! As a child, she and her family traveled the United States extensively. As an adult, Amber has traveled to many Mexico destinations, England, Iceland, France, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Greece, the Dominican Republic, Hawaii, Africa, Aruba, St. Martin, Costa Rica, Turks & Caicos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Jamaica. She has also enjoyed a fabulous Caribbean, Alaskan & English Channel Cruises.

Amber’s motto is “Without a Travel Agent you are on your own”. Own your own, planning a trip today can be confusing, and time consuming. However having the availability and expertise of a travel professional to assist you will guarantee you the best prices and most amazing itineraries. Her years of experience enables her to share the wealth of information she has accumulated over the years with her clients and in her own personal travels. She also makes herself available to clients for unforeseen emergencies and changes. Amber prides herself on making each vacation she plans a memorable experience.

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