Meticulously Planned!
Reviewed By Athens, Santorini, Mykonos - CHICAGO | Traveled to Greece ~ Europe
Samantha was a dream to work with! Given the highly regulated pandemic environment it was imperative to work with not only a travel advisor, but this one in particular! From the transfers to and from each hotel to the ferries needed to travel from island to island, Samantha had every detail perfectly ordered. Her follow-up was impeccable (and necessary due to all of the pre-work needed to be completed before entering Greece). I'm definitely planning all of my future travel with Samantha.
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Wouldn't have been a great trip without her he
Reviewed By Kayla S. & Andy H. - Des Plaines, IL | Traveled to Cancun ~ Quintana Roo ~ Mexico
It was our first time traveling out of the country and we wanted help just to make sure we were doing everything right. Samantha was great help with giving direction and necessary information needed. She found the perfect resort for us that had everything we asked for. She had also provided information that we didn't think about!
The best thing about Samantha is that she is very organized and detailed! She provided itineraries and receipts to everything. I am definitely going to reach out to Samantha for future international trips.
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Best service
Reviewed By Sha - Chicago, IL | Traveled to Cancun ~ Quintana Roo ~ Mexico
Sam has helped planned our honeymoon, anniversary vacation and now one of our first family trips. She made planning a last minute vacation stress free. She sent us a many options based on our preferences and was always quick to respond when we had other requests. Prior to our trip, she checked in frequently to make sure everything was set and to answer any questions. She contacted the resort for us to arrange transportation with car seats and made sure our room was prepared for our kids. We truly only had to pack our bags and leave. I will always reach out to her when planning any trip and will continue to recommended Sam to everyone I know!
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Disney World Trip Planning Made Easy!!!
Reviewed By Matt D - Chicago, IL | Traveled to Orlando ~ Florida ~ USA
Sam was such a pleasure to work with. She brought in a Disney World specialist to help us plan our daughter's 5th birthday surprise trip, which was insanely helpful to making our trip smooth...or as smooth as it could be with 3 kids 5 and under.
The resort was perfect for kids. The explanation of Disney Genie was great and totally worth the few extra bucks per day. I liked how we were presented different trip options (ie - hotel to stay at, drive or bus, etc) as well, so we really felt like we were part of the planning. Overall, a great trip and we will absolutely be using Sam on future trips! Thanks Sam!! ...and Mike!
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Amazing 40th Birthday!
Reviewed By Shonima - Lisle, IL | Traveled to Jamaica ~ Caribbean
Sam was amazing, there was not a single detail missed. She is extremely easy to work with, always makes herself available and follows through on every detail.
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Most fun trip for a group of 14!!
Reviewed By RT - Wisonsin | Traveled to Montego Bay ~ Jamaica ~ Caribbean
Good listener, Very helpful and prompt with her tesponses
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Samantha is great!
Reviewed By Toni T. - Atlanta, GA | Traveled to Montego Bay ~ Jamaica ~ Caribbean
Working with Samantha has been great. She is helpful, friendly, and professional. I have already referred her to a few other friends.
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Yeah, Mon!
Reviewed By JM - Lombard, IL | Traveled to Jamaica ~ Caribbean
Working with Samantha took away all the typical stressors of trip planning, especially researching hotels and making all the necessary reservations. She researched resorts, gave us options and room types at each resort with pricing, descriptions, and included amenities. Our options were nicely organized in a personalized webpage, making it easy to compare our choices.
We ultimately booked an all-inclusive trip to Jamaica. Samantha booked our flights, airport transfers, accommodations, and an excursion. All of the information we needed was communicated via email. She even had a phone app where we could access our trip details and itinerary.
She was always available to answer any questions about our trip and provided a very smooth experience from beginning to end. We will definitely book with her again!
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Destination Wedding in Cancun!
Reviewed By Gigi - Chicago, IL | Traveled to Cancun ~ Quintana Roo ~ Mexico
I had my destination wedding in Cancun and had over 140 guests so I knew I needed a travel agent to help me get through it! Samantha was fantastic to work with - very communicative and patient on any questions we had or our guests had, extremely organized, and provided us regular reports and updates i.e. which of our guests have booked or not, open items that needed to be addressed, etc. I highly recommend her to any couple planning a destination wedding!
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Hassle free booking and the most perfect vacation!
Reviewed By Arusa - Spring, Texas | Traveled to Cancun ~ Quintana Roo ~ Mexico
Samantha was a pleasure to work with. She was great about communicating with us not only during the booking process, but even during our vacation when we needed help with anything . She listened to all our requests and her recommendations for our first family vacation did not disappoint! Excited to work with her again for our future travels.
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
The most epic 40th birthday trip
Reviewed By Esto - Chicago, IL | Traveled to Cancun ~ Quintana Roo ~ Mexico
Samantha was AMAZING... She was very responsive , answered all my annoying questions, had the best recommendations and made booking a trip so easy. My friends and I cannot wait to book another trip with her.
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Amazing Trip with Seamless Planning
Reviewed By ashanedles - Sao Miguel | Traveled to Azores | Portugal | Europe
Sam and Anya made our week in the Azores absolutely unforgettable! The hotel they booked for us was amazing—beautiful, comfortable, and in the perfect location. Our itinerary was the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation, including an incredible hike and a fun local cooking class that was such a unique experience. Communication was excellent from start to finish—they answered every question quickly and made the whole planning process stress-free. Every detail was thoughtfully arranged, and we felt so well taken care of. Truly one of the best trips we’ve ever had in a while, and we can’t wait to plan another with them!
Samantha Magante responded
"Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled you loved your Azores adventure—the perfect mix of relaxation and excitement is exactly what we aim for. Knowing you felt well cared for and stress-free means the world to us. We can’t wait to help plan your next unforgettable getaway!
"
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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“ Seamless Vacation Experience for Two Families
Reviewed By BRER - Playa del Carmen | Traveled to Mexico
We had such a wonderful experience working with Sam to plan our family vacation! My best friend and I live very far apart, and we wanted a chance for our families—six kids between us—to be together. We knew we didn’t want to spend the trip cooking, cleaning, or trying to coordinate activities. What we really wanted was simple: for the kids to play together, and for us to have time to catch up.
The challenge was that neither of us had ever been to an all-inclusive resort before, so we weren’t even sure what to look for. On top of that, since the recommendation we received was in Mexico, the website and pricing worked differently than we were used to. Sam made everything so easy! She gathered multiple quotes as we sorted out dates and budget, and she arranged really lovely transportation to and from the airport.
We didn’t book excursions through her since our whole goal was just to enjoy the resort, but I felt completely confident that every detail she managed would be perfect—and it was. Her communication was excellent, and she answered every question we had while planning. Thanks to her preparation emails, we felt fully ready before we even left.
The trip was exactly what we hoped for, and we couldn’t have done it without Sam’s guidance and organization. I would absolutely recommend her to anyone planning a getaway, especially if you’re new to all-inclusives and want someone you can trust to make the process stress-free!
Samantha Magante responded
"Wow this made my day! — I’m so glad your families had the relaxing, stress-free time you were hoping for (and that the kids got plenty of time to play!). It was a pleasure helping you compare all-inclusive options, sort dates and budgets, and arrange your airport transfers. I’m really happy the prep emails and communication put you at ease before you even left.
Thanks again for trusting me — your recommendation means the world!"
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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10 year wedding anniversary
Reviewed By New Cruise Fan - Chicago, IL | Traveled to Miami | Florida | USA
Wanted to try something new and I asked Sam for help planning our first ever cruise. Sam was so helpful and she had first hand experience with the cruise and cruise liner. She catered to our interests and our trip was an excellent, much needed getaway. She was present throughout all stages of our trip.
Samantha Magante responded
"Thank you so much, Marc! I’m really glad I could help you plan your first-ever cruise and that it turned out to be such a great getaway. It was wonderful to tailor the trip to your interests, and being with you throughout the process means a lot to me. Looking forward to helping you with your next adventure whenever you’re ready!"
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Best at communication!
Reviewed By Aileen - Chicago, IL | Traveled to Cancun | Quintana Roo | Mexico
Samantha was great at communicating with me and my group. She did her very best to help us plan the trip that we wanted and to accommodate everyone’s budget. She was quick to respond!
My husband and I were not able to make the trip and she handled it so smoothly and quickly. I would most definitely ask for her help for future trips and recommend that others do too!
Samantha Magante responded
"Thank you so much, Aileen! I’m glad I could help you and your group plan the trip that fit everyone’s needs and budget. I’m sorry you and your husband couldn’t make it, but I’m happy I could handle the changes smoothly. It means a lot to hear that you’d trust me with future trips and recommend my services. I look forward to helping you both with many more adventures down the road!"
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Amazing Wedding Weekend!
Reviewed By casalemon211 - Chicago, IL | Traveled to Isla Mujeres | Quintana Roo | Mexico
We worked with Samantha at VS1 Travels to plan our destination wedding weekend for 91 people in Isla Mujeres, Mexico. As soon as we met with Samantha on a call we knew she was our girl! She was very knowledgeable and clearly came with travel planning experience. She was also honest with us and all the different ideas we had. We wanted to make this a personalized experience for our guests and Samantha helped us accomplish this.
She had no problems asking questions on our behalf and making sure we stayed informed from the beginning
of the entire process. Our goal was to make the travel day a seamless experience. This meant coordinating flights, van transportation, and boat rides. Samantha was our point of contact for all of this. With her bubbly personality, persistence, and patience she was in close contact with family and friends to coordinate everyone. She made sure my guests were prepared to travel to make all of the transportation and hotel check-in easy. My guests continually comp
Samantha Magante responded
"Thank you so much, Nicole and Ellie, for your kind words! It was such a pleasure helping plan your destination wedding weekend and making sure everything ran smoothly for you and your guests. I’m really glad the communication and coordination helped make the travel experience easier and more enjoyable for everyone. I’m so grateful to have met you through this huge milestone in your lives and having you both as clients! Excited to help you with future trips!
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✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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AMAZING Puerto Rico Birthday Trip for 30+ People
Reviewed By Chioma - Boston | Traveled to San Juan | Puerto Rico | Caribbean
VS1 Travels is AMAZING! Samantha helped me to plan my husband's birthday party in Puerto Rico and did a superb job. She found the venue, and took care of lodging and activity logistics. She was extremely thorough which helped to take the stress off of me as we planned the weekend events. The day before we traveled, I had a vendor cancel on me. Within an hour, Sam had found a new vendor to cover the activity. I couldn't have done this party weekend without her. Thanks VS1!
Samantha Magante responded
"Thank you so much for your kind words and glowing review! It was an absolute pleasure helping you plan your husband’s birthday celebration in Puerto Rico. ?? From finding the perfect venue to organizing lodging and activities, I’m so glad we could make the weekend stress-free and special for you both.
I understand how last-minute changes can be challenging, so I’m thrilled we could step in quickly and secure a new vendor for you!"
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Our wonderful trip using Samantha G of VS1 Travels
Reviewed By Rick I. - Dallas, TX | Traveled to Turkey ~ Europe
Samantha was so helpful and patient working with me and my family to make our trip the best time ever. She was able to cater to our every demand and made traveling around to our selected destinations within Türkiye seamless. I highly recommend her travel services.
Samantha Magante responded
"Hi Manong Rick,
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! I’m thrilled to hear that you and your family had an amazing time in Türkiye. It was a pleasure working with you to create a seamless travel experience, and I’m glad I could cater to your needs.
Your recommendation means a lot, and I look forward to assisting with your future travels. If you have any more adventures in mind or need assistance with anything else, please don’t hesitate to reach out! Love you!
Best,
Samantha"
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Epic Family Vacations!!
Reviewed By Rochelle - Chicago, IL | Traveled to Scandinavia ~ Europe
Sam is an invaluable partner in planning our family vacations! We love her energy, ideas, organization, responsiveness, and resourcefulness, as well as her VS1 partner Anya!
Samantha Magante responded
"Hi Rochelle,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback! I’m delighted to hear that you had a wonderful experience. Your satisfaction is my top priority, and it’s gratifying to know that I could assist you in making your trip memorable.
I appreciate your kind words and support, and I look forward to helping you with your future travels. If you have any questions or need assistance planning your next adventure, please feel free to reach out!
Best,
Samantha"
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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The Perfect Honeymoon!
Reviewed By L Fuss - Chicago, IL | Traveled to Africa
Samantha was great to work with! She listened to what we wanted for our Honeymoon and delivered exactly that! Relaxation first in Mauritius (a place we never even heard of before and absolutely loved!), adventure on safari, and shopping/tourism in Cape Town. It was the best! She was always available for any questions and did everything she could to ensure that our Honeymoon was as special as possible. Highly recommend for your next trip!
Samantha Magante responded
"So happy that you had a great time on your honeymoon!! It was a pleasure working with you both on planning the perfect trip to celebrate your wedding. Looking forward to helping you with future getaways!!"
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Seven A Lucky Number
Reviewed By Glenn - Elgin, Illinois | Traveled to Antarctica ~ Antarctica
What a professional, Sam lives and breaths travel and would not be surprised she goes to sleep with a carry on bag at her side. The destination, Antartica the 7th continent (February, 2024) on a 12 night expedition cruise on Hurtigruten, now HX. It was one year of planning for our son, my wife and I. Sam organized a video presentation (January, 2023) with a Hurtigruten representative highlighting the expedition. A week later we made the commitment to join VS1's hosted trip. Through out the entire process Sam responded to our questions no matter how minute (sorry) and tempered our concerns. She kept us abreast of recommended items to purchase from clothings to water proof cell phone coverings. November/December proved to be a critical time to provide timely medical information and insurance documentation, Sam shepared us through the process. On February 5, 2024 it was showtime and indeed what a 'once in a lifetime experience'. Thank you Sam and VS1.
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Fabulous family vacation!
Reviewed By JC - Chicago, IL | Traveled to Punta Cana ~ Dominican Republic ~ Caribbean
Very easy to work with, professional, responsive, and went above and beyond to ensure my family was well cared for and taken care of.
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Great Trip to Colorado!
Reviewed By Jason - Chicago, IL | Traveled to Denver ~ Colorado ~ USA
Samantha did an amazing job planning my trip to Colorado. I made it a road trip from Chicago so she helped me book the rental car and place to stay. Will definitely use her for all my upcoming trips!
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Amazing 2-Week Bespoke Road Trip!
Reviewed By Maggie - Charlotte, NC | Traveled to Washington ~ USA
Sam helped create a totally bespoke trip for my husband and I to do a 2-week road trip down the west coast in a camper van! Her help was critically important, since it was a long trip and pretty complex - finding and booking the van, planning the route, finding and booking campsites, having options for things to stop and see, etc. I ended up getting really busy at work during planning crunch time, and knowing that our trip was planned and easily accessible in an app was a total god-send. She was also available to help through a few things that occurred over the course of the trip, which was really reassuring. Sam is super easy to work with and I would definitely recommend her travel services!
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
2 of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
