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About Us
CINDY RAPLEY, CTA & OWNER OF BATAVIA CUSTOM TRAVEL Little did Cindy know that when she joined the staff of BCT back in 1991 that she would one day be the owner of the agency...proving that hard work and dedication really do pay off. In 2001 Louise turned the owner-ship of BCT over to Cindy and one day who knows, perhaps one (or both!) of her daughters will assume this role and continue in their mom's legacy. In the meantime, Cindy's area of expertise, aside from working with corporate travelers to make their hectic lives a bit easier, has expanded to Mexico, Hawaii and designing customized European itineraries. Cindy keeps current with what's happening in our industry by attending various trade shows. Most recently she was in New Orleans for the VACATION.COM convention. She was able to check out Bourbon Street and the surrounding areas for herself. Before that she was in Las Vegas, she claims it was a "business" trip but we're not so sure! At the end of November she went to Jamaica as a guest of the Jamaica Tourist Bureau, they gave her a tour of the island and the hotels so that she would be able to bring back all of the current information on the ever changing and growing island She stayed at the Holiday Inn Sunspree, the new Iberostar, Rose Hall, what a beautiful resort that is! She also stayed at the Riu Tropical another wonderful resort in Negril You know what they say about being a travel agent...."It's a dirty job but somebody's got to do it!" She was able to realize one of her dream vacations recently, when she took her family to Walt Disney World over last spring break. YES, it was busy but it was a magical experience for the entire family When she does find a few spare moments away from the office, Cindy enjoys spending some quality time with her daughters and visiting her family out in Colorado. You can reach Cindy at cindy@bataviacustomtravel.com LOUISE BRUNN-MAYWALD, CTC,
Louise has many interests outside the office, including spending as much time as possible with her nephews Joe and Sam, serving on the Board of Directors for the Elderday Center in Batavia, visiting her dear friends at Batavia Rehabilitation & Health Care Center. Louise is an active member of Christ Community Church in ST. Charles. You can reach Louise at louise@bataviacustomtravel.com ANNAMAE BEAL
Batavia Custom Travel made the travel arrangements for Annamae and her husband Mike to get married in Mexico at the wonderful Secrets Capri Resort back in 2004. So if you are thinking of going to Mexico, have questions about planning a cruise or have always dreamed of getting married in a gorgeous tropical location, give Annamae a call. Her enthusiasm is contagious, her concern for and care of her clients is evident. She will quickly become "your" personal Travel Agent. You can reach Annamae at: Annamae@bataviacustomtravel.com CTC's (Certified Travel Counselor) and CTA's (Certified Travel Associate) are dedicated and experienced travel professionals who are committed to servicing their customers and building long term relationships. These designations are earned through The Institute of Certified Travel Agents, a non-for-profit educational organization founded in 1964. Batavia Custom Travel, Inc. 232 S. Batavia Ave. Batavia IL 60510 (630) 879-2930 (800) 231-2930 [toll free] (630) 879-2985 [fax] travel@bataviacustomtravel.com |
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Louise began her travel career way back in 1979...at a time, if you can believe it, you looked up airline schedules in an OAG (official airline guide), called in reservations to the airlines, and handwrote tickets. Thank goodness those days are over! She is the original founder of BCT, opening the business in 1985 and in 2001 she turned the business over to Cindy. When asked about her almost 30 years in the travel industry she says, "Thiry years! Where has the time gone?" "I have been so privileged and blessed to work with so many wonderful families and clients over the years. I have had countless experiences and adventures all over the world!" Some of her favorites, White-water rafting on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, African safaris, sailing in the British Virgin Islands, mountain climbing in the Canadian Rockies, all of my trips to the Hawaiian Islands, exploring the Amalfi coast in Italy, all the English walking tours I have taken with clients, my week in the Riviera Maya with my family, tarpon fishing in Belize with my husband Gary, just to name a few.
We are thrilled and excited to introduce the newest addition to our staff!
Annamae joined us in April 2007 and since then she has been one very busy lady!
She already has become a Royal Caribbean Certified Expert, a Princess Cruises First Officer, in September she did site inspections of Carnival's ships the Liberty, Fascination, and the Valor. She has has been working hard and has already become a Certified Cancun Counselor and a Certified Puerto Vallarta Counselor. She has been on several "business trips" to the Riviera Maya in Mexico to do resort site inspections. She is now certified in Karisma hotels, Sandals resorts, along with her expertise in that area. What we are most excited about is her hard work in completing the Travel Agent Academy's "Honeymoon and Destination Wedding Specialist" Certification. She is excited about assisting our clients with planning their perfect wedding, honeymoon or anniversary. Ask her what her favorite romantic anniversary resort is and she will tell you El Dorado Seaside, after all she and her husband just returned from a long romantic weekend there, AGAIN!
We highly value and pursue education and personal hands on experience at BCT. Interestingly enough, Annamae used to be a client of BCT and says she was always convinced and determined that one day she would be a part of our agency.