Meet the Team
Established in 1958, Around the World Travel Service is one of the oldest businesses in downtown Nanaimo. With over 100 years of combined experience, we offer very thorough travel knowledge. For the vacationer or the Corporate traveller, we offer competitive fares for domestic, trans-border and international flights. We also provide medical and cancellation insurance, detailed itineraries and contact information for whatever part of the globe you may be visiting. Our specialized Group Programs are competitive in price and unmatched in service. You can choose to be accompanied by a travel expert or venture out alone, the choice is yours and the possibilities are endless. At Around the World Travel, customer service is our priority.
Meet the Agents:
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Raelene CormierOriginally from the Ladysmith/Nanaimo area, I have recently returned to this Island Paradise after many years working in the travel industry on the mainland. I am happy to have joined Around the World Travel, Nanaimo's oldest travel agency, yet we have the newest travel ideas! I have sailed on over 20 cruises and enjoy both ocean and river cruising. The white sand beaches and turquoise water in the Caribbean especially appeal to me, and in Europe I like the quaint towns which you will see on a river cruise. Did you know you can even bike between the towns and catch the ship at the next port? I love Italy and enjoyed the spectacular Amalfi coastal scenery, people watching while sipping wine at an outdoor café, and of course the food is amazing! One of my favorite destinations is Costa Rica which offers great adventures for everyone. There is nothing like the natural alarm clock of being awakened by howler monkeys at 4:30am! Destinations visited include Hong Kong, Kiribati, Australia, Fiji, Cook Islands, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco, Cancun, Riviera Maya, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Bermuda, most Caribbean Islands, Sandals Jamaica, Ireland, Britain, Wales, Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Alaska, California, Phoenix, New York, Boston, and numerous trips to Florida and the Hawaiian Islands. On our home turf, I have travelled from coast to coast as far as Halifax. Looking forward to seeing Newfoundland one day! My 2 recent trips included a repeat visit to Italy taking in the Amalfi Coast, Tuscany, Cinque Terre, Lake Maggiore, Venice and much more. Since that trip was busy, in November of 2018 I returned to a favorite resort in the Mayan Riviera, the Excellence Riviera Cancun. This is a perfect spot to relax in a tranquil adults only setting, with great food and service! I specialize in cruising, travel to Europe, sunspots and planning Destination Weddings. |
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Karen MalutaKaren Maluta hails from Northern Alberta, where she was born and raised. Karen has been involved in the Travel industry for over 25 years. She has owned and operated a successful Travel Agency in Alberta. In 2010 she moved to Vancouver Island to enjoy the mild weather (and her grandchildren) and now escorts groups all over the world. She loves planning every holiday and is meticulous with details. She works tirelessly from the inception of a destination, booking airfare and seeing the sights and the sounds of each destination.
Karen has travelled extensively. She just returned from Brazil, Argentina and Chile and hopes to take a group there in the next few years. Her love of country music has found her taking numerous groups to Nashville. Karen loves cruising and her favourite was a 3 week cruise through the Panama Canal. Karen has visited most of Asia and has great stories of the month she spent in Thailand. Auntie Karen (as she is often called) has a loyal following. Many of her clients and friends have been on numerous trips with Auntie Karen and will not travel with anyone else. Karen is always planning her next destination. She listens to her clients and is often asked “Where are we going next time?” We suspect Karen is going to all the destinations that she wants to visit! Stay tuned, subscribe to Auntie Karen’s Travel newsletter and you may find yourself on your next adventure! |
Phone: (604) 984-4120
Phone: (250) 468-2013 Email: nancy@atwt.ca Certifications Certified Travel Counsellor, Master Cruise Counsellor, Travel and Tourism Administration diploma, qualified to sell travel insurance in British Columbia Favourite Destinations Antarctica, Iceland, Orient Express and Indian Pacific Train Journeys, European River Cruise, Beautiful British Columbia: The best place on earth! Travel Interests Cruising, Hiking, Cycling, Fishing, Kayaking |
Nancy McFarlane
Nancy McFarlane has worked as a full time travel agent since graduating in 1980 with her Travel and Tourism Administration Diploma from Confederation College. Nancy continued her studies to earn her CTC (Certified Travel Counsellor) and MCC (Master Cruise Counsellor) designations.
Nancy has visited well over 90 countries and has cruised extensively. Only 7 more to go, to be a member of the traveller's century club! She has taken three different portions of Holland America’s annual World Cruise, as well as over twenty other cruises in various areas of the world. Here’s what Nancy has to say about her years working in travel: “I have found the greatest professional satisfaction in looking after cruises, groups and insurance matters for my loyal clientele." "I have visited all seven continents, dipped at least a toe in all 5 oceans of the world and rounded Cape Horn, Cape of Good Hope and Cape Caution." "I look forward to helping you fulfill your travel dreams and empty that bucket!" |
Recent Trips
Upcoming Trips
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Kathy MacLellan
Tel: (250) 753-2282 Direct: (778) 762-0994 Toll free 1 800-922-7221 |
Kathy MacLellan
Born and raised in Chemainus, I have lived in Nanaimo since 1997 and love it! I have been a Travel Consultant for over 30 years and joined Around the World Travel in September of 2017. Over the years I've enjoyed relaxing all inclusive vacations in Mexico, Cuba and Jamaica, cruises to Alaska, Europe and the Caribbean. and touring down-under in Australia and New Zealand. The gorgeous lagoons in Tahiti and the Cook Islands are two of the most beautiful places I've visited. My most recent trip was to Turkey in the fall of 2018 On my last visit to Europe I did a walking tour of Italy taking in the spectacular scenery of Tuscany. From the amazing statues & architecture in Florence to the very tasty Chianti wine & cheese, Italy is a fabulous destination! So far my top travel highlights were 2 trips to Africa - seeing the plentiful birdlife in Botswana and getting very close to the animals in Kenya. After seeing the graceful giraffes and varied wildlife in both destinations, I realize it will be hard to top those trips. However I vow to keep trying!! I look forward to helping you with your next fun filled vacation! |
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Joan Thistle
Our newest member to the team is Joan Thistle who joined us in April 2019. Joan was born and raised on Cape Breton Island and now lives on Vancouver Island. In between these two islands she lived in Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. Joan has been selling and travelling/exploring the world for over 25 years. Her favorite memories are travelling through SE Asia; in fact she just returned from a trip to Malaysia after spending time in Kuala Lumpur and the Island of Langkawi. The beaches in Langkawi were simply amazing with warm turquoise waters and the sunsets were spectacular…bright red/orange skies every night. The shopping is duty free…if you are a shopper you will be in retail therapy heaven! Visiting the twin towers in KL was the highlight of her trip…she enjoyed the views of the city from the 94th floor! Joan has also traveled thoroughly through Thailand, China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Italy, France, Amsterdam, Ireland, England, Spain, Budapest, Vienna and Germany. Joan also has fond memories in the Caribbean islands of Antigua, Bermuda, Jamaica, Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, Grenada, Barbados, St Lucia, St Thomas, Aruba, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica and we can't forget about the many holidays in Mexico (Cancun, Mayan Riviera, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Guadalajara, and Mazatlan). She has had countless trips to Hawaii…Maui, Honolulu, Kauai, and The Big Island. Maui is her favorite! Joan has also travelled extensively through the USA including many trips to Las Vegas (more shopping!) Joan has had the pleasure of staying at all the Sandals/Beaches Resorts which include Jamaica, Grenada, Barbados, Turks & Caicos, Antigua, St Lucia, and Bahamas. One of her favorite things about Sandals/Beaches is the food and wine pairing…the food is truly amazing. Joan is a seafood junky and raves about the lobster, prawns and snapper which is freshly prepared in a variety of ways. Joan is a group specialist and has created memories with destination weddings, sports groups, family groups, school groups and corporate incentive groups. Once she has all your details leave the rest to her while she creates endless miracles. She has worked with groups as small as 10 people and as large as 450 people. Joan has enjoyed both Ocean cruises and River cruises; as much as she likes the big open Ocean cruises she also likes the quaint stops the River cruises offer. Joan has enjoyed motor coach tours throughout Europe (Trafalgar, Globus & Cosmos). It's so nice to sit back and relax in an air-conditioned motor coach while some else does the driving! What's next on her bucket list - South America…Argentina, Chile & Columbia or maybe back to Europe…this time Croatia. Always excited to learn about new cultures and experience the local foods! |
