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Our Travel Agents
The travel industry is the third largest in the world. Demographic trends in the United States point toward an increasing demand for travel in the next 15-20 years. While today's technology offers many options for researching and booking travel, millions of frequent travelers each year seek out the skill and assistance of a trained and competent travel agent.
Eau Claire Travel Agents
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Joel Higgins
President
Joel started working at our branch offices in River Falls and Menomonie in the early 70's. After leaving to work in the travel industry in both Hawaii and Portland, Oregon, he returned to Eau Claire in 1978 and has been working here ever since. Joel is actively involved in a number of community boards and organizations. He received his Certified Travel Counselor designation in 1986.
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Carl Higgins
Founder
Carl's Bio
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Joan Lorenz
Eau Claire Office Manager
Joan has been with Higgins Travel since July 1978. She is certified as a Disney Specialist and Sandals Specialist. She also arranges group travel. Over the years, Joan's travels have included:
Cruises — Alaska, Caribbean, Mexico, and River Cruises in Europe
Africa— Kenya
Asia— China, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Thailand
Caribbean— Antigua, St. Thomas, Barbados, Puerto Rico, Martinque, Sandals Resorts in Jamaica, St. Croix, and St. Lucia
Central America— Costa Rica
Europe— Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Iceland, Italy, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland
Mexico— Cancun, Cozumel, Ixtapa, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, and Riviera Mayan
South Pacific— Australia and New Zealand
United States and Canada— California, Canadian Rockies, Disney World, most of Flordia, Hawaiian Islands, Las Vegas, New York, Toronto, Washington DC, and many other US desitinations.
Her favorite vacations are Safari in Kenya, Sandals Antigua, and River Cruising in Europe.
Joan is available Monday through Friday at the Eau Claire office to help you with your travel plans. Email Joan Lorenz.
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Brandi Branter
Eau Claire Travel Agent
Brandi started her travel career with Higgins Travel in November of 1990 as our receptionist. She became a travel agent about a year later. She has earned the titles of Disney Specialist, Sandals Specialist, Panama Specialist, and Australia Specialist. She also plans ski vacations, weddings, honeymoons, and group travel arrangements. Her list of travels include:
Cruises— Alaska and Caribbean
Caribbean— Antigua including Sandals Resorts, Bahamas, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and St. Thomas
Europe— Austria, England, France, Germany, Iceland, Norway, and Scotland
Mexico— Cancun, Cozumel, Ixtapa, Mazatlan, Puerto Rico and Riveria Maya
United States and Canada— Alaska, Hawaiian Islands, Disneyland, Disney World, Las Vegas, New York, and other US destinations
Her favorite destinations are Europe and Caribbean cruising.
Read about Brandi's trip to Negril, Jamaica or Riviera Nayarit, Mexico.
Brandi is available Monday through Friday at the Eau Claire office to help you with your travel plans.
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Karen Hurlburt
Eau Claire Travel Agent
Karen is one of our corporate travel agents, helping business travelers with their air, hotel, and car reservations. She has been with Higgins Travel since April of 1990. She is a Disney Specialist, Family Travel Speicalist, Group Planner, and Honeymoon Planner. Karen arranges leisure travel as well. Karen's travels include:
Cruises— Caribbean and Mexico
Caribbean— Antiqua, Bahamas, and Puerto Rica
Europe— Belgium, England, Iceland, Netherlands, and Scotland
Mexico— Cozumel and Costa Maya
United States and Canada — Disneyland, Disney World, Hawaiian Islands, and Las Vegas
Her favorite destinations include Hawaii, Europe, and Disney.
Read about Karen's Trip to Alaska!
Karen is available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at the Eau Claire office to help you with your travel plans.
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Jane Kleven
Eau Claire Travel Agent
Jane worked as a travel agent for Higgins Travel from February of 1976 to February of 1978. She took seven years off to be home with her young children and came back to work in October 1985 to the present. Jane is a Wedding and Honeymoon Planner, Group Travel Planner, and a Disney Specialist. She has been to many parts of the world including:
Cruises— Alaska, Caribbean, and River Cruises in Europe
Asia— China and Hong Kong
Caribbean— Bermuda, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, and St. Thomas
Europe— Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Great Britain, Holland, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Slovania, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland
Mexico— Cancun and Cozumel
South Pacific— Australia, New Zealand, and Tahiti
United States and Canada— Disneyland, Disney World, New York, Washington DC, and many other US destinations
Her favorite destination is Europe, especially River Cruising.
Read about Jane's trip to Norway.
Jane is available Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Eau Claire office to help you with your travel plans.
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Heidi DesJarlais
Eau Claire Travel Agent
Heidi is the most recent addition to Higgins Travel joining the team this past summer. She plans leisure vacations to all destinations. Heidi's travel history includes extensive travel to all areas of the United States and Canada, as well as cruises to the Caribbean.
She is especially excited to plan Destination Weddings and Honeymoons.
Heidi is available Monday through Friday at the Eau Claire office to help you with your travel plans.
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Pam Schulist
Eau Claire Bookkeeper
Pam's Bio
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Black River Falls Travel Agents
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Jennifer Gearing
Black River Falls Office Manager
Jennifer started as a travel agent with Higgins Travel in our Eau Claire office from July of 1985-1990. In 1990, we opened our Black River Falls office with Jennifer as manager. She is a Ski Specialist, Destination Wedding Specialist, Disney Specialist, NCL Cruise Line Specialist, Australia Destination Specialty, Hyatt Resorts Specialist, Marriott Specialist, and a Las Vegas Destination Expert. Jennifer has traveled to the following destinations:
Caribbean— Bahamas, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Grand Cayman, and Jamacia
Europe— Austria, France, Great Britain, Greece, Germany, Holland, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, and Switzerland
Mexico—Cancun, Cozmel, Manzanillo, Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Maya
United States and Canada— Alaska, California, Canadian Rockies, Colorado, Las Vegas, New Orleans, and Texas
Her favorite destinations are Jamaica and skiing in Vail, Colorado.
Jennifer is available Monday through Friday at the Black River Falls office to help you with your travel plans.
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Toni Nelson
Black River Falls Travel Agent
Toni started as a travel agent with Higgins Travel in 1997. She is a Hawaii Destination Specialist, Alaska Specialist, Globus and Cosmos Touring Specialist, NCL Cruise Specialist, and Disney Specialist. Her list of destinations includes:
Cruises— Alaska, Caribbean, and Panama Canal
Caribbean— Dominican Republic and Costa Rica
Europe— Iceland Mexico—Cabos, Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, and Riviera Maya
United States and Canada— Disney World, many Flordia cities, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Seattle, and many other US destinations
Her favorite destinations are Hawaii and Riviera Maya.
Read about Toni's Alaskan Adventure.
Toni is available Monday through Friday at the Black River Falls office to help you with your travel plans.
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Beth Zadnichek
Black River Falls Travel Agent
Beth became a travel agent at Higgins Travel in November, 2004. She is a Hawaii and Disney Specialist and plans leisure vacations to all destinations. Beth's travel history includes:
Cruises— Caribbean
Caribbean— Bahamas and Dominican Republic
Mexico— Cancun, Ixtapa, and Riviera Maya
United States and Canada— Many Flordia destinations, Disneyland, Disney World, Hawaii, Las Vegas, and New York
Her favorite destination is the Rivera Maya in Mexico.
Read about Beth's Caribbean Paradise.
Beth is available Monday through Friday at the Black River Falls office to help you with your travel plans.
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Travel Stories
Read accounts from past trips of our agents. From Disney to Africa, our agents like to travel as much as you and they have been willing to share their favorite stories from the trips that have take their breathe away!
Read more travel stories.
Our History
Eau Claire, Wisconsin Travel Agency, Higgins Travel and Cruise Center, was founded in 1953 by Carl Higgins and was the first travel agency in West Central Wisconsin.
Our first location was in the Hotel Eau Claire. Now, we are located on the south-side of Eau Claire on Golf Road. In 1990, we added an office in Black River Falls. We are the only travel agency serving the greater Black River Falls area.
Residents of our communities and surrounding areas have come to rely on our Higgins Travel agents for their pleasure and business travel. As the oldest and largest travel agency in Eau Claire, our travel agents are able to offer our customers the very best advice possible. Either someone in our office has been there or one of our customers have, so we know what you shouldn't miss and what you should avoid.
Our newest employee has been with us 15 years. That's more than twice as long as the industry standard! We pride ourselves on maintaining the trust and confidence the traveling public has placed in us for over 50 years.
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