​​Our Story

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​Our first agency started back in 1972. Through organic growth and multiple acquisitions grew to be one of the largest travel agencies in Central Florida. Having sold the original agency in 2000, we re-opened a smaller niche specialist agency in 2004 and were invited to join the prestigious Virtuoso travel Consortium, a global network of the world's best travel advisors. 
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​MEET THE TEAM

Our specialists

Mary Rose Unrue - Senior travel advisor with extensive background in both leisure and corporate travel planning for 30+ years. Lengthy experience with personalized luxury vacation travel.

Email Mary Rose

Peggy Applebee - President and luxury vacation specialist with over 40+ years of travel agency experience. Extensive cruising and European touring knowledge. 

Email Peggy

Chris Schwenk - Senior travel advisor specializing in vacation and expedition travel to Africa and Asia. 30+ years of travel agency experience with worldwide travel. 

Email Chris

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our vision

Our vision is to be the premier choice for luxury cruise travel, European river cruising and Africa travel specialist. We are known for our exceptional service and transformative travel experiences. Each journey we design is a carefully curated story, inviting travelers to explore not just destinations, but their own potential for discovery.

Our commitment is to elevate every voyage from a simple trip to a life changing expedition, where lavish comfort meets authentic exploration, and every nautical mile becomes a pathway to personal transformation. 

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our commitment to you

We are committed to providing a travel experience that exceeds your expectations from the moment you begin planning until long after your return. How we make magic happen: 
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• Tailored Just For You: We dive into your travel dreams, creating experiences that feel like they were crafted exclusively for you.
  
• Precision in Every Detail: From boarding to disembarking, we orchestrate each moment with meticulous care, so you can simply enjoy. 
  
• Your Travel Companion: Our support is your compass, guiding, assisting, and celebrating with you before, during, and after your adventure.
• Beyond Tourism, Towards Connection: We curate experiences that aren't just seen, but felt: transforming travel into meaningful, soul-stirring memories.

With Great Escapes Travel, your satisfaction and joy are at the heart of everything we do. We are honored to be a part of your travel story and are committed to making each voyage a remarkable and transformative experience.

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