| Meet our extraordinary staff!
Interests & Specialties
Woodlake Travel has an incredible staff to serve you. Our average travel industry tenure is 25 years, with 81 percent over 2 decades. We have traveled to an average of 35 countries and one-third have journeyed to 90+ countries. Over 75 percent of our agents have visited more than 20 countries. We have 3 CTC and CTA agents who have completed intensive industry training. An incredible 94% of our agents have attended college and 50% have a 4-6 year degree up to and including three masters degrees. Our agents with less tenure developed skills in their pre-travel life to prepare them as well.
Expert Bio
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|  | Linda de Sosa, MCC, CTA, MBA
Interests & Specialties
Linda specializes in upscale travel all around the world. Chances are good that she has been to where you want to go! She also has several niche specialties, based on personal interests, including ski (she's been to most of the resorts in the US and Canada), singles travel, honeymoons and destination weddings, and family travel. She has written articles and given talks on the joy of traveling with children. She is also an expert in group travel.
Expert Bio
Linda fulfilled her lifelong dream and joined the travel industry in early 1995 after many years in marketing where she was known as an expert on understanding her consumers. Combining that experience and her Stanford MBA to help her understand her travel clients with her personal knowledge developed during extensive travel to all 50 states and 90 countries on 6 continents, she has proven to be very skilled at designing the perfect trip. She has visited the Caribbean, Canada, Hawaii, and Mexico from 5-10 times each. She tries to visit a different area in Europe every year. She has also experienced South and Central America, Africa, Australia, and most areas of Asia. Her favorite spots in the world to date are Russia and Australia, mostly because of the wonderful people. After much study, over 70 ship inspections, and 18 cruises, she earned the rank of Master Cruise Counselor from CLIA. She is a graduate of the College of Disney Knowledge. In 2005, she was named the Ultimate Travel Agent in Houston by the Houston Chronicle.
You can contact Linda at lindad@woodlaketravel.com or call at 713-499-7105.
My Recent Trips
In 2005, I visited the Amazon, China, Tanzania, Vancouver Island, and the Cumberland River.
My photo of the Tarengire received an Honorable Mention in Abercrombie and Kent's Photo Contest.
In 2006, I enjoyed a trip to Scandinavia as well as a wonderful Mediterranean cruise and exploration of Spain.
In 2007, I escorted a group to South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana as well as to the Black Sea.
I am excited to announce that in March 2008, I will be going to Timbuktu!!
|  | Dolly McGarrah, B.A.
Interests & Specialties
Upon completion of acquiring her degree in marketing from the university of Texas Dolly said, "hello Houston" and of course, naturally, Houston said "hello Dolly!" she entered the exciting energy industry, met a beau, married and became a professional housewife raising her pride and joy, their two sons. When the boys started moving into their own lives, Miss Dolly moved into volunteer work with various fund raising events for the Red Cross, hospices, etc.
Expert Bio
She also started working part time for Transcontinental Travel and became so intrigued and involved it became a full time vocation. As the song states, "it's so nice to have you (back) where you belong" truly describes how fortunate the travel industry is to have this smiling, happy veteran consultant with a lilting laugh and a ton of travel knowledge. Dolly is willing to assist one and all. Over the years she has had fun sending her various corporate accounts all over the world. One of her accounts, of twenty-five years standing, is a perennial award winning local television station. In point of fact, she accompanied a TV crew to Vietnam to pick up and return two children to their father who resides in Houston. She does corporate or leisure with such grace and fun you will be the fortunate one to say, "Hello Dolly!" by telephone or e-mail.
You may contact Dolly at dollym@woodlaketravel.com.
|  | Karen Bavoso
Interests & Specialties
Karen was with our favorite tour operator for 16 years so we decided to invite her to work directly with our clients. She has an in-depth knowledge of all areas related to sun and fun, especially Mexico, the Caribbean, and Hawaii. Weddings and honeymoons are a specialty. She also is experienced in group travel. She would love to hear from you! Call 713-499-7101 or email karenb@woodlaketravel.com .
My Recent Trips
My most recent trip was to South America, I spent 4 days in Rio de Janeiro and 5 days in Buenos Aires. I stayed at Caesar Park in both cities and the hotels were wonderful, large bathrooms, King beds, flat screen tv’s, dvd player, sitting area, writing tables, no need to bring your hairdryer or bathrobes, there’s already one in the room for you, the staff was incredible and always willing to help find the best hot spots. After a great nights sleep and next afternoon I had lunch at the hotel’s famous “Feijoada” at the Galani Restaurant with live music and tons of food to choose from. Then I had a chance to visit the H. Stern Museum and watched them create a beautiful polished gem stone out of an ugly rock. Walked on the famous Ipanema beach, which was full of locals and tourists of all ages. The weather was just right, their spring starts in November, so the perfect time to go is November – March. For dinner that night, I went to the Aprazivel restaurant, Brazilian artisan cuisine. Located in Santa Teresa, one of Rio de Janeiro’s most charming neighborhoods, where the city’s pace is slower. Streetcars still circulate on picturesque cobblestone streets. This restaurant was not easy to get to but once you’re there, you’ll understand why you went, the view from your seat is the most beautiful view I have ever experienced, and it looks out over the city center and Guanabara Bay. And of course the food was delicious.
The next morning we went on a city tour of Corcovado, at 2230 feet, this is where the Christ Redeemer statue stands, recently voted one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. The view from here is like no other. You can either drive up the mountain via taxi or take a ride on the train. Then we went to Sugar Loaf Mountain, Rio’s most famous landmark. Ride up on cable cars, approx $17.00 US per person. It stands 396 meters high, the best place to gain a dramatic perspective on how sea and mountain range confront each other to create natural beauty.
The flight over to Buenos Aries took 2 ½ hours, checked into another great hotel room at the Caesar Park Buenos Aires had another great nights sleep, next morning had breakfast at the hotels Agraz restaurant. Took a city tour and visited the city’s neighborhoods, each with its own characteristic colors and forms. The local money here is the Peso, 3 to 1, so our money goes further then in Rio, which was 1.75 to 1.00. That night I went to a dinner and Tango show at the famous “Esquina Carlos Gardel”, for $100.00 per person you will get a 3 course meal, drink and a great show, well worth it, but reservations should be made at least 1 month in advance.
The next morning we headed out the “Estancia Santa Susana”, Fiesta Gaucha, about an hour and half drive. Very large ranch where you’ll experience folk dance, music groups, ride a horse or a horse drawn carriage. After your finished eating all of the exquisite local specialties, and after the folk dance show, the show continues outdoors where the Gauchos show us their Creole horse-back skills.
The next tour I took was the Evita City tour approx 3 hours. The Evita museum provides a tour through different moments in her life, photos, and projections provide old footage of her speeches and of her funeral. La Recoleta Cemetery is where she finally came to rest.
Next we went shopping in the Palermo Soho Neighborhood. Lots of shops, you’ll be able to find what ever you are looking for at a great value.
This was such a wonderful experience for me. I will always remember my short time there, and hope to go back in the future.
| | Bette Prochaska
Interests & Specialties
Bette loves to travel and work in the travel industry. She enjoys hearing about the trips her clients have taken and what made them special. Bette plans all types of vacations for all ages, individuals and groups, to all destinations, but honeymoon and destination weddings are her specialty; and she has planned hundreds of them. Easing her clients' worries and stress, she brings important professional guidance to one of the most significant events in a couple's life.
Expert Bio
Bette jumped right into the travel industry immediately after graduating from college in 1972. She was a corporate and leisure agent, as well as an agency manager before taking time out to raise a family. During that time she traveled extensively with her children and became an expert in family travel. She returned to the industry in 1996. Some of the places she has visited are Ireland, Scotland, England, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Croatia, Costa Rica, Asia, all over the Caribbean, Canada, Hawaii, and most of the US states.
Bette's clients find her persistent and attentive to their needs. She listens closely to understand the dreams they want to realize. Because of her vast knowledge of destinations and great relations with resort and hotel managers, she can get her clients that "something extra" we all want when we travel. Bette's service continues until the clients are safely at home, dreaming of their next getaway.
You can contact Bette at bettep@woodlaketravel.com or call 713-499-7116.
My Recent Trips
Recently, I traveled extensively in Croatia and eastern Germany, finding both areas to be clean, safe, and incredibly beautiful. They are two wonderful areas that are relatively unknown to Americans and I recommend visiting them before that changes. Other trips last year included a cruise on RCCL's Mariner of the Seas, a quick trip to Grand Cayman (Sting Ray City is a blast!), and a weekend at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island where Somewhere in Time with Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour was filmed. In December, I went with a group of ladies to the Aventura SPa Palace in the Riviera Maya for a Spa Weekend getaway. It was marvelously relaxing and fun!
|  | Lorna Greenway
Interests & Specialties
Adventure travel is Lorna Greenway's passion. She has been experiencing adventure travel since 1982. Her specialty is hiking and multisport trips. She has hiked and biked extensively in the western and southwestern United States, Alberta and British Columbia, Canada, and has led hiking and biking trips in the western and southwestern United States. She has plans to hike and lead groups to Macchu Picchu, Kilimanjaro, the Jungfrau region, and the Milford Track by 2012.
Expert Bio
Lorna is passionate about giving her clients superior adventure travel experiences that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. She has strong relationships with preferred adventure travel providers to ensure the highest quality experiences for her clients, and is a member of the Virtuoso Active and Specialty Travel (VAST) sales team. Call her to plan your next adventure travel experience at 713-499-7107 or email lornag@woodlaketravel.com .
| | Joe Galloway
Interests & Specialties
Joe has extensive travel experience, including living in Santiago, Chile, Amsterdam, Netherlands, London, England, Jakarta, Indonesia and Bombay, India as well as New York and Houston.
Expert Bio
Joe was born in Houston, Texas, and grew up in Huntsville, Texas, a small town north of Houston. He received a B.A. from Tulane University in New Orleans. He joined the army and attended the Army Language School in Monterey, California, where he studied Russian and then served in Turkey and Germany. He then returned to Tulane for graduate school. After receiving an M.B.A. in finance Joe joined Citibank in their international division. Over fourteen years he lived in Santiago, Chile, Amsterdam, Netherlands, London, England, Jakarta, Indonesia and Bombay, India as well as New York and Houston. He took advantage of these assignments to travel extensively in each area.
In 1983 Joe left Citibank and bought a travel agency in Houston. In addition to managing the travel agency he became active in the American Society of Travel Agents where he was president from 1998 to 2000. In the fall of 2002 Joe was pleased to combine his agency with Woodlake Travel Services.
You can contact Joe at jgalloway@woodlaketravel.com.
|  | Beverly Fish
Interests & Specialties
Her particular specialties are Italy, France, Switzerland, and the British Isles since she has been there many times. She has also been on all of the five star cruise lines, with destinations to the seven continents.
Expert Bio
Beverly Fish has been in the luxury leisure travel business for the past 23 years, the last 15 of which has been at Woodlake Travel. She has visited all seven continents, with extensive traveling around the world, experiencing first hand all aspects of high end travel. Her passion is customizing individual holidays, designed especially for her clientele, making each trip indigenous to the person’s specific interest. Her resources are her vast knowledge of the many destinations, and the influential contacts she has made, who assist her in “making it happen”. Those in the industry know her unrelenting ways to achieve the very best for her clientele.
Her rewards are the many satisfied clients who return year after year to experience the joys of her planning their next dream trip.
You may contact Beverly at beverlyf@woodlaketravel.com.
My Recent Trips
In April we experienced the Civil War Destinations on the (then) American Orient Express…now known as Grand Luxe Railway. A wonderful trip visiting Richmond, Charleston, and Savannah.
In August we took a Peter Deilmann River Cruise on the 5 star MV Mozart down the Danube, revisiting cities we had not seen in years…Vienna, Budapest, Melk, Bratislava, Passau, and Durnstein…a wonderful way to see these fabulous and charming cities.
In November, we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary aboard the Silversea Cruises “Silver Cloud” from Port Said, Egypt, through the Suez Canal, to Jordan, Oman, and ending in the incredible Dubai, at the world famous hotel Burj Al Arab, an experience we will never forget.
| | CORPORATE AGENTS
Interests & Specialties
Our corporate agents can send you to Dallas or send you to Dubai for the best value. We also have special corporate rates for hotels and cars of which you can take advantage.
Expert Bio
Our agents have worked in the field for years and look forward to hearing from you.
| | Dolores Evans
Interests & Specialties
Dolores is primarily a corporate agent.
Expert Bio
Dolores has been in the travel industry over 30 years. She worked for 10 years for three international airlines - Pan American World Airways, South African Airways and
Aerovias de Mexico. She has lived abroad in England, Belgium, Italy and The Ivory Coast. Though a native Houstonian, she has lived and worked in California, Arizona, Colorado and Texas.
Se habla espanol.
| | Sandra Ortiz
Interests & Specialties
Sandra comes to us with 14 years of experience. Her specalities are all aspects of family leisure travel, including worldwide cruises, guided tours, and many other types of adventures. Being a mom of an 11 year old she can give you then in and outs of traveling with children. Sandra enjoys establishing enduring relationships with her clients, who rely on her experience and attention to detail when they plan their vacation adventures. Helping families plan unforgetttable vacation adventures is one of Sandra's greatest joys, and she takes great pride and satisfaction in helping even the most demanding clients achieve their travel and leisure goals.
Expert Bio
Sandra began her career in travel in 1994, and has held leisure and corporate travel agent positions for a variety of firms running the gamut from multinational corporations (American Express, Walmart) to small, individually owned travel agencies. During her tenure in the travel industry, Sandra and her family have traveled extensively all over the U.S., Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Fiji, and Australia. She is a Commadore cruise agent with Princess and Cunard cruiselines and is a graduate of Disney’s College of Knowledge.
Se Habla Espanol.
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