Judi Faas
Ankeny, Iowa Travel Agent
Journey to Paradise Travel & Tours, an independent agent with Travel Leaders Roswell, GA
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Romance, Group, Family & Cruise Specialist
I love creating your unique and personalized journey to paradise- whether it's a tropical destination, a country steeped in history, or a once-in-a-lifetime adventure! I am a Certified Leisure Travel Specialist with a BA in Tourism and Event Planning who specializes in romance travel, group and family travel, custom itineraries, and cruise vacations. Having visited more than 40 different islands and countries in the Caribbean, Central America, and Mediterranean/Europe, I use my knowledge, destination certifications, and my past travel experiences to create your perfect get-a-way. Whether you are looking to book your next family vacation, group get-a-way, Caribbean, European or Hawaiian cruise, or planning your upcoming destination wedding or honeymoon, I will design the perfect travel experience for you. Travel, Explore, Relax and Unwind when I plan your travel.
Family Vacations
Family vacations create life-long memories! I can suggest the best options and put together your family trip of a life time. Explore tropical islands by plane or ship, spend family time interacting with animals, exploring theme parks or ancient ruins, hiking, diving, fishing, or just soaking up the sun. Contact me to create your unique memory-filled family vacation.
My Areas of Expertise
CERTIFICATES & AWARDS
University of Northern IA Tourism Certification
University of Northern IA Event Planning Cert.
Sandals Certified Weddingmoon Specialist
St. Lucia Specialist
Costa Rica Specialist
Related Travel Stories
Anniversary Celebration in Paradise
Celebrating 40 years of marriage is a milestone and calls for a memorable and special vacation experience. Travel can be complicated without calling on a trusted planner to assist and find a romantic and idyllic destination and resort. Spending the last 12 years planning romantic vacations, honeymoons and destinations weddings I knew ... Read more from my Anniversary Celebration in Paradise story.
Venice and Dolomites
A pre-cruise tour of the Dolomite Mountains is a must do. The Dolomite mountains are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and may be Europe's most beautiful range of mountains. You will travel through miles of vineyards and through mountain tunnels on a sometimes curvy highway in search of these beautiful mountains. There are numerous ... Read more from my Venice and Dolomites story.
Couples Get-a-way
Vacation with your significant other is a time to unwind, relax and recharge as a couple. There are thousands of options for couples get-a-ways and as a certified travel specialist, and avid traveler to more that 30 islands and countries, I am ready to help you research, plan and prepare you ... Read more from my Couples Get-a-way story.
Best trip wver
Reviewed By Nicole - Masonville, IA | Traveled to Cancun ~ Quintana Roo ~ Mexico
She was great to work with. Answered all questions and worries we had easily and in a very timely matter if I emailed her
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
37 of 67 people found this review helpful
Judi made it possible for us to travel again!
Reviewed By M and P - Iowa | Traveled to Alaska ~ USA
Judi took very good care of us on our Alaskan cruise I am Handicapped andd she set us up with "comfort plus" seating it was just great and at every terminal she had a wheel chiar waiting for me to take me to the next gate. At every port had a wheelchair to get me to the dock so I didn't have to walk down or up the steep ramps. Thank you Judi for making it possible for us to vacation again I haven't traveled for 10 years and with Judi's help now I know we can do it again????
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
Judi Faas responded:
It was a pleasure to plan your Alaska cruise vacation.Thank you.
It was a pleasure to plan your Alaska cruise vacation.Thank you.
36 of 68 people found this review helpful
Perfect Honeymoon Planning
Reviewed By SaraFJ - Des Moines, IA | Traveled to Dominican Republic ~ Caribbean
Judi is great about finding the best trip options for our budget and I appreciate that she takes care of all the details. We had her book our honeymoon in February 2022 and the resort was lovely, plus she was able to get us a room in a great spot where we were close to the amenities that were important to us. The transportation she arranged was quick and friendly and we appreciated how she took care of all the details so that we could focus on enjoying ourselves and relaxation.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
8 of 13 people found this review helpful
Wonderful to work with!
Reviewed By Cward - Des Moines, IS | Traveled to Mexico
Judi has wonderful recommendations! We just booked our second trip and she made the process so easy and gave us a nice variety of destination options.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
Judi Faas responded:
Thank you so much!
Thank you so much!
4 of 6 people found this review helpful
Just exactly what we were looking for
Reviewed By Pemerson - Cedar Falls, Ia | Traveled to Mexico
Amazing
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
9 of 16 people found this review helpful
Most beautiful resort we have been to.
Reviewed By Sara - Urbana, IA | Traveled to Puerto Vallarta ~ Jalisco ~ Mexico
Judi got back to us in a timely manner and gave us multiple options within our budget.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
40 of 78 people found this review helpful
Perfectly Perfect
Reviewed By DaneTheyCute - Waverly, IA | Traveled to Ocho Rios ~ Jamaica ~ Caribbean
My husband and I have weird work hours between the two of us. Its almost never possible to meet up with anyone during normal business hours, but Judi made that very simple. We chatted on the phone and over email, and she was ok with the different hours we had. She took our crazy not knowing what we wanted to do exactly ideas and put them into something that we will remember forever.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
34 of 66 people found this review helpful
Smooth Sailing !
Reviewed By Bruce and Tracy - Decorah Ia | Traveled to Alaska ~ USA
Judi was very knowledgeable and answered all our questions in a timely manner . The tools she provided insured we had a flawless trip
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Friends Spring Break Trip
Reviewed By Sprattster07 - Waverly, IA | Traveled to Riviera Maya ~ Quintana Roo ~ Mexico
This is our 2nd time booking with Judi and we have loved both experiences! This one she booked us during spring break but knew we weren’t looking for the spring break crowds! She nailed it!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
The best trip of our lives
Reviewed By Jclemann - Tama, ia | Traveled to Caribbean Sea ~ At Sea ~ At Sea
Judi was amazing. She booked our cruise and made the planning part of it easy. She answered any and all questions.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
Judi Faas responded:
Thank you Josh. It was fun helping you plan your first cruise. I look forward to working you on your next vacation.
Thank you Josh. It was fun helping you plan your first cruise. I look forward to working you on your next vacation.
5 of 9 people found this review helpful
5 stars!
Reviewed By Kenzie - Waterloo, Iowa | Traveled to Mexico
Excellent! Judi had everything planned for us and even things we didn’t think about. She was so easy to get ahold of and talk to. When we missed our connecting flight (because of fog, nothing on her end), she rearranged things and made sure our plans still went smoothly! My husband and I went through Judi for our honeymoon and we’d love to book another trip with her. Highly recommended!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
Judi Faas responded:
You were a joy to work with and I loved helping you find your special honeymoon destination. Best wishes and thank you for your kind words.
You were a joy to work with and I loved helping you find your special honeymoon destination. Best wishes and thank you for your kind words.
10 of 19 people found this review helpful
The best travel agent
Reviewed By Beno - Waterloo, IA | Traveled to Playa Del Carmen ~ Quintana Roo ~ Mexico
Judi always works hard to get our flights arranged so we arrive at our destination early and so our departure for home is not too early. She remembers little things I like such as curtains around the bed. I have a handicap and she makes sure I have help at airports, and even got us seats with extra legroom on all our flights on our last trip. She goes the extra mile and includes many personal touches.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
Judi Faas responded:
It is always a pleasure to create your vacation plans. I love being able to ensure you have the best travel experience.
It is always a pleasure to create your vacation plans. I love being able to ensure you have the best travel experience.
48 of 95 people found this review helpful
Trip exceeded our expectations.
Reviewed By Stacey - Liscomb Iowa | Traveled to Mexico ~ Mexico
Very helpful with picking a trip that would exceed our expectations.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
10 Year Anniversary
Reviewed By Caitlin - Urbandale, IA | Traveled to Europe
From start to finish, Judi guided us through planning and executing our 10 year anniversary trip. She made wonderful recommendations and helped us work within our budget.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
Wonderful Winter Get Away!
Reviewed By Amber - Evansdale, Iowa | Traveled to Puerto Vallarta ~ Jalisco ~ Mexico
Judi had great communication and was very accommodating of our wants and needs!!!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
2 of 4 people found this review helpful
Mexico vacation #2!
Reviewed By Iowa Mom - Des Moines, IA | Traveled to Costa Mujeres ~ Quintana Roo ~ Mexico
Judi is great! She has wonderful recommendations and we have loved both resorts she has booked for us.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
Judi Faas responded:
Thank you for your review. I am so happy you had a relaxing time on your recent vacation!
Thank you for your review. I am so happy you had a relaxing time on your recent vacation!
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
You can feel at ease with Judi planning your trips
Reviewed By Cory S. - Oakland, IA | Traveled to Playa Del Carmen ~ Quintana Roo ~ Mexico
Our honeymoon was one of our favorite trips ever planned! Judi was wonderful at helping plan the perfect trip in a different country. We were at ease when we thought of anything honeymoon related while getting ready to get married and that was all thanks to Judi. We have since went on another trip and we instantly thought of her! She is simply the best and we will continue to use her for any of our big vacations we plan!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
5 of 10 people found this review helpful
The trip of a lifetime!
Reviewed By Natasha W - Reinbeck, IA | Traveled to Cancun ~ Quintana Roo ~ Mexico
Judi was most helpful to us. We'd become overwhelmed trying to wade thru all the vacation options on our own. We reached out to Judi with our preferences for a trip, and she quickly narrowed it down for us. She helped us come to a decision in a matter of a couple days, and it was all taken care of in a timely manner. Our trip couldn't have gone smoother, but it could've gone a lot worse had we not had Judi's help!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
Judi Faas responded:
I am so pleased your vacation was a great experience! I love working with clients to find just the right destination.
I am so pleased your vacation was a great experience! I love working with clients to find just the right destination.
41 of 82 people found this review helpful
Hassle free travel
Reviewed By Allie - Des Moines, IA | Traveled to Scotland ~ Europe
Very easy to work with. Can find great accommodations that are unique and fit into your budget. Judi create a packet with everything you need to know and who to contact during your trip. It was a great item to have traveling abroad.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
6 of 13 people found this review helpful
Relaxing getaway for two
Reviewed By TGaffney - Marshalltown, IA | Traveled to Jamaica ~ Caribbean
Judi was able to work with our busy schedule. Her communication was superb, she answered all our first-timer questions and made excellent recommendations.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
Judi Faas responded:
I am so glad you were able to get away and enjoy the beach time! I enjoyed working with you.
I am so glad you were able to get away and enjoy the beach time! I enjoyed working with you.
7 of 15 people found this review helpful
Always a Fun destination
Reviewed By Over the blue ocean - Waterloo, Iowa | Traveled to Costa Rica ~ Central America
Judi is very prompt and works hard. She will always find the best price available without taking away the extra amenites. Always looking for something out of ordinary which I like. We've traveled in groups and just the two of us.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
Judi Faas responded:
It is always a pleasure working with my clients and finding the best destination and options for a great vacation. My clients are the best!
It is always a pleasure working with my clients and finding the best destination and options for a great vacation. My clients are the best!
31 of 65 people found this review helpful
Worry free trips
Reviewed By Megan S. - Oakland, IA | Traveled to Oahu Island ~ Hawaii ~ USA
Judi has been the absolute best for our traveling needs. My husband and I have always wanted to go to Hawaii and Judi delivered one of our favorite trips. She also helped plan our honeymoon. This trip we wanted a worry free absolutely relaxing vacation and the trip was exactly that! Judi is always great at responding to our concerns right away and giving us helpful tips and tricks to each vacation. We love having her help us!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
2 of 9 people found this review helpful