Our travel agency was built on family, experience, and a genuine love for helping others explore the world.

The agency was founded and owned for over 30 years by Ruth VanDerVeen, who—alongside her husband, Duke—turned a passion for travel into a trusted, relationship-driven business. Married for over 50 years, raising four children, and enjoying life with seven grandchildren, Ruth has personally traveled to 40+ countries, building a deep well of firsthand knowledge and trusted industry relationships.

After starting her career working part-time for a travel agency, Ruth and Duke became part-owners of a traditional storefront agency. Recognizing early on that clients wanted more personalized care and flexibility, they made the forward-thinking decision to sell the storefront and launch a home-based travel agency — a relatively new and uncommon approach at the time. That move allowed them to focus entirely on one-on-one service and set the foundation for the personalized planning model that continues today.

Over the years, the agency has helped clients fulfill lifelong bucket-list dreams, including once-in-a-lifetime journeys and custom “around-the-world” itineraries.

Today, that legacy proudly continues.

Rachel Firlit, Ruth’s daughter, has officially taken ownership of the agency after more than 13 years working within the business. Having grown up alongside the agency, Rachel has personally traveled to 20+ countries and counting, blending firsthand destination experience with modern planning tools, strong global partnerships, and a passion for creating seamless, stress-free travel experiences.

While ownership has transitioned, Ruth remains an active presence in the agency, serving as Founder & Senior Travel Advisor, and continuing to share her expertise while gradually stepping into a well-earned season of enjoying retirement.

What hasn’t changed is our commitment to personal service, thoughtful planning, and finding the right destination for each client — not just any destination.

We would be honored to help you plan your next adventure and continue this tradition of care, experience, and exceptional travel planning.

Meet Our TEAM