Karen, a veteran of the travel industry, has been planning travel for over 40 years. Her passion for travel has taken her to the four corners of the world. From sipping sundowners at sunset on the Serengeti to chasing the blue-footed boobies in the Galapagos Islands, travel has been a driving force in her life since before she can remember. Karen’s first-hand experience and long-term relationships with hoteliers & tour operators around the world allow her to create highly specialized, tailor-made itineraries for her clients.
Favorite Trip: Kenya & Tanzania Safari
Favorite Hotel:La Mamounia (Marrakech) & Six Senses Gangtey Lodge (Bhutan)
Bucket List Trip:Gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda
Best Meal While Traveling:Tented camp dinner in the Sahara with live Arabian music under the stars
Most Meaningful Travel Experience:Helping fund sanitary products for schoolgirls in Nairobi
Travel Hack:Pack your bag—then take out half! You’ll need less than you think and want to save room for anything you might pick up on your travels

Wahid is a co-owner of E Clarke Travel, which he runs alongside his wife, Karen. Originally from Tunisia & France, he moved to the U.S. after their marriage and now oversees the agency’s operations. With a degree in aerospace engineering and a pilot’s license, Wahid brings a lifelong passion for flight and precision to the world of luxury travel. His love of aviation naturally evolved into a love of travel, and he now helps others explore the world with the same sense of wonder that first inspired him.
Favorite Trip:Two-week adventure through Bhutan & Nepal
Favorite Hotel:The Pameko Punakha (Bhutan) & Six Senses Douro Valley (Portugal)
Bucket List Trip:Sailing expedition to Antarctica
Best Meal While Traveling:Couscous in Marrakesh
Most Meaningful Cultural Experience:Donating bikes to schoolgirls in Kathmandu, Nepal
Travel Hack:Always leave something for next time—it gives you a reason to return!

"Life is short, the world is wide. I want to make some memories." — Mamma Mia.This line (from arguably the best movie ever made?) perfectly sums up everything I love about travel. As the son of two travel advisors, travel has been part of my life from the very beginning. I even celebrated my first birthday on the beaches of Capri (I know, so fancy). Since then, I haven’t stopped exploring. I’m passionate about crafting experiences that blend luxurious comfort with incredible adventures and stories you’ll carry for a lifetime.
Favorite Trip:Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro with my dad, Africa’s tallest mountain!
Favorite Hotel:Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo (Costa Rica) & Le Bristol (Paris)
Bucket List Trip:Swimming with whales in Tonga
Best Meal While Traveling:A well-earned Raclette after a long day hiking the Tour Du Mont Blanc in Switzerland
Most Meaningful Travel Experience:Visiting the untouched beauty of the Galapagos Islands inspired me to care more deeply about sustainability
Travel Hack:Your iPhone calculator has a currency converter! Super handy for figuring out how much things cost while abroad.

Lori’s lifelong passion for unique destinations was shaped by a career in the fashion industry and a love for photography. She’s explored over 35 U.S. states – including Hawaii and Alaska – and ventured abroad to the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada, and across Europe. With a background as an editor and research director, Lori brings sharp communication skills and meticulous attention to detail to every trip she plans. Whether it’s a European river cruise, a Caribbean retreat, or an off-the-beaten-path adventure, she crafts personalized itineraries that reflect each destination’s cultural, historical, and architectural charm.
“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.”
Favorite Trip:Exploring the Amalfi Coast—Capri, Positano, Sorrento, Amalfi, and Ravello
Bucket List Trip:Japan & South Africa
Most Meaningful Cultural Experience:Attending Portugal’s Queima das Fitas celebration—a week-long festival honoring graduating university students
Travel Hack:Keep a dedicated travel drawer stocked with essentials for spur-of-the-moment getaways!

Diane has always been passionate about exploring new places and immersing herself in different cultures. Her love of travel began early – starting with a third-grade school project on Egypt, which sparked a lifelong dream. In 2001, that dream became a reality when she went on a Nile River cruise, visited ancient temples, and stood before the Great Pyramid of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Diane brings that same sense of wonder and enthusiasm to every trip she plans. She specializes in crafting vacations that blend cultural immersion, outdoor adventure, history, and culinary exploration. A nature lover, she enjoys hiking with her family and has explored many iconic National Parks. An avid photographer, Diane captures the beauty of her travels through her lens, preserving special moments and destinations to revisit time and time again.
Favorite Trip:Egypt
Favorite Hotel:The Oberoi, Marrakesh
Bucket List Trip:Spain and for experience waterfall repelling! :)
Best Meal While Traveling:Carpaccio in Venice and fresh fish in Sicily
Most Meaningful Cultural Experience:In Switzerland, we went to a traditional Swiss show that demonstrated the Alphorn and it was really amazing
Travel Hack:It’s best to book flights and hotels ~ 9 months to 1 year before the trip for best availability and pricing
Fun Fact:I have been to 5 of the 7 continents! Only Antarctica & Australia still to go!

Meet Lea, a travel aficionado with a heart for hospitality and a zest for adventure! Having navigated the twists and turns of the hospitality industry throughout her entire career, Lea's true passion lies in travel. She's left her footprints in Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Amsterdam, and the Caribbean, but it was the untamed beauty of Maasai Mara, Kenya, that stole her heart during an unforgettable safari. Fueled by her love for animals and wanderlust, Lea took a bold leap into a new career. Now, she's on a mission to turn safari dreams into reality for her clients. With Lea at the helm, your travel aspirations are not just a destination – they're an unforgettable journey infused with enthusiasm and expertise.
Favorite Trip:Safari in Kenya and exploring the Maasai Mara
Favorite Hotel:Chablé Maroma (Punta Maroma, Mexico)
Bucket List Trip:Safari in Botswana or seeing polar bears in Manitoba, Canada!
Best Meal While Traveling:The pasta at Ristorante Pensavo Peggio in Florence, Italy! It reminded me so much of my grandmother's sauce from growing up
Most Meaningful Cultural Experience:Visiting the Maa Trust beadwork shop in Kenya. The income generated helps women access clean water, install solar power systems, and enables children to attend school
Travel Hack:I don't like making restaurant recommendations unless there is a specific place you really want to eat. I swear you'll find the best food by strolling the city streets

Marlene has been a valued member of the E. Clarke Travel team since 2003 and believes that exploring the world is one of life’s greatest gifts! She’s a true expert in cruising, having personally sailed on many ocean and river cruises, and offers great recommendations for cruise lines and specific itineraries. She’s also highly skilled in crafting custom European trips, with a focus on Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal, and is a trusted resource for group travel, especially with Tauck Tours.
With over two decades in the industry, Marlene brings deep knowledge and strong relationships that allow her to anticipate needs and navigate challenges with ease. She is especially passionate about planning romantic getaways and honeymoons, helping couples celebrate life’s most meaningful moments. Marlene handles all her clients' needs as a travel concierge, taking care of every detail and making sure that her clients are VIP'ed to the max!
Favorite Trip:Sailing with Celebrity Cruises along the coasts of France, Spain, Italy, and the UK
Favorite Hotel:Grand Hotel Tremezzo (Lake Como, Italy) & Grace Bay Club (Turks and Caicos)
Bucket List Trip:Australia & New Zealand
Most Memorable Travel Moment:Seeing & interacting with the roaming monkeys in Gibraltar!
Travel Hack:Always pack two days’ worth of clothes in your carry-on – just in case your luggage goes missing!

With a serious devotion to travel, Deanna has a lot of knowledge when it comes to exploring the world. With a background in luxury concierge and guest services, she can really narrow it down with great recommendations in each itinerary. Her travels have brought her to most of the Caribbean, Mexico, and Costa Rica. She also has a passion for Italy, which she has been to many times and where some of her family resides. Deanna has done extensive domestic traveling that she plans to expand this year! Deanna is very eager to plan and recommend your next itinerary filled with many restaurant and tour recommendations.
Favorite Trip:My 4th trip to Italy because my children came with me visiting my husband and my hometown, a very special memory for me.
Favorite Hotel:Como Parrot Cay (Turks & Caicos)
Bucket List Trip:Either Sicily or Lake Como
Best Meal While Traveling:La Bastide de Pierres in Gordes, France
Most Meaningful Cultural Experience:The Feast of St. Antonio in my mother-in-law’s town, Volturara Irpina, Italy
Travel Hack:Baby Quip when traveling with kids! Less things to carry while traveling

Karen Rybak is a seasoned travel advisor with over 28 years at American Express, where she earned the prestigious Pacesetter Award for top-tier sales and service—including a year as the nation's highest-performing travel consultant. She specializes in Caribbean and European travel, along with elevated cruising, particularly focusing on luxury lines such as Viking, Seabourn, Silversea, and Regent Seven Seas. As a Tauck Tours Certified Agent, Karen brings expert knowledge and a personal touch to every itinerary. She’s especially passionate about planning honeymoons in the world’s most romantic settings and is known for her meticulous attention to detail and deep industry connections.
Favorite Trip:The Orient Express – Venice to Paris
Favorite Hotel:Four Seasons Punta Mita
Best Meal While Traveling:Dinner on the terrace at St. George Restaurant by Heinz Beck in Taormina

Elaine joined E. Clarke Travel in 2021, bringing with her many years of experience in the travel industry. She is a well-rounded advisor who plans everything from beach getaways and European vacations to cruises and corporate travel. Elaine is especially knowledgeable when it comes to Four Seasons properties and is a trusted resource for clients seeking exceptional stays with this luxury brand.
Favorite Trip:Egypt
Favorite Hotel:Le Meurice (Paris)
Bucket List Trip:Australia
Best Meal While Traveling:Cooking Class in Tuscany

Donna Moore is a seasoned travel consultant with over 20 years of experience creating memorable vacations for her clients. With more than 25 cruises under her belt, she offers expert insight into a wide range of cruise lines and itineraries, helping travelers find the perfect match for their style and interests. In addition to her cruise expertise, Donna has in-depth knowledge of the Caribbean and numerous U.S. destinations. Whether you're dreaming of sailing the open seas, unwinding under swaying palm trees, or exploring the beauty and history of the United States, Donna is ready to guide you every step of the way.
Favorite Hotel:The San Domenico Palace (Taormina, Sicily)
Bucket List Trip:Bora Bora
Best Meal While Traveling:All the food in Portugal
Most Memorable Cultural Experience:Experiencing the Māori indigenous group’s haka performance in Auckland, New Zealand
Travel Hack:Don’t skimp on hotels – It’s worth it!

With a background at Liberty Travel and firsthand knowledge of destinations across the Caribbean and Europe, Vicky brings both experience and passion to her role at E. Clarke Travel. She’s deeply dedicated to understanding what her clients truly want and goes the extra mile to design trips that match their vision. Whether it’s a romantic escape to the Amalfi Coast or a relaxing week in the Caribbean, Vicky ensures every detail is thoughtfully planned.
Favorite Trip:Amalfi Coast, Italy
Best Meal While Traveling:Porta Marina Seafood in Sorrento
Travel Hack:Travel like it’s your last days!