Samantha Magante, Travel Agent in Chicago, IL

Samantha Magante

Chicago, IL Travel Agent
Super Agent

Samantha Magante

Chicago, IL · 6 Years of Experience

VS1 Travels, LLC, an independent agent with Nexion, LLC, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
5.0
(29)
100% Recommended
She’s very detail oriented. We’ll definitely use her again for our next travel. Read More >
About
My Travel Specialties
Reviews
Certificates & Awards
My Places
Travel Stories & Media
Itineraries

Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Tahiti, Africa, Antarctica, Mexico, Worldwide

Interests:

All Inclusive, Global Travel, Groups, Safari, Bachelorette Parties & Girlfriend Getaways

Suppliers:

AmaWaterways, Hurtigruten, Le Blanc Spa Resorts, Sandals and Beaches Resorts, Avalon Waterways

About Me

Bucket List Agent: Group Travel & Weddings

Going on a vacation creates cherished memories that last a lifetime. However, imagine combining this incredible experience with your wedding, birthday, family reunion, retirement, anniversary, and more! It's the perfect opportunity to go larger than life and check off that #1 spot on your bucket list. VS1 Travels makes these seemingly complex trips feel like a walk in the park.

My Travel Specialties

River Cruise Specialist

River Cruise Specialist
Dreaming of experiencing the enchantment of a river cruise? Let's turn that dream into a breathtaking reality! Destination Discovery: Picture yourself drifting along serene waterways, where every bend reveals a new vista of natural splendor and cultural in...Read More ▶

Antarctica Bucket List Agent

Antarctica Bucket List Agent
As your guide and travel advisor, I am here to ignite your wanderlust and help you embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey to the southernmost continent on Earth. Geography: Picture yourself surrounded by vast, untouched land...Read More ▶

African Safari Travel Agent

African Safari Travel Agent
Have you been dreaming of taking that African safari?! I'm here to make that dream a reality! Geography: Imagine traversing diverse and awe-inspiring landscapes, where rolling savannahs meet lush r...Read More ▶

Destination Wedding & Honeymoons

Destination Wedding & Honeymoons
You’re dreaming of a destination wedding and the gorgeous experience you’ll have as you say “I do” - but the complexity of planning and coordinating all of the travel for you and your guests can start to make that dream a nightmare. Leave the stress of travel planning to the expert...Read More ▶

Group Travel Specialist

Group Travel Specialist
I wanted to work for myself. I left the corporate world as a management consultant of nearly a decade to pursue my true dreams and passions, and I want to help you live yours. Today, I’m a licensed real estate agent with EXIT Realty and the owner of VS1 Travels, a travel planning...Read More ▶

Bucket List Travel Expert

Bucket List Travel Expert
As your personal guide to bucket list travel, I'm here to curate unforgettable experiences tailored specifically to your unique interests. With my deep knowledge of diverse cultures, iconic landmarks, and breathtaking landscapes, I'll accompany you on a transformative journey of discovery that re...Read More ▶

Luxury Travel Expert

Luxury Travel Expert
Our mission is to provide you with seamless journeys, impeccable service, and unforgettable memories. With our expertise and global connections, we ensure that every aspect of your luxury travel experience exceeds your expectations. Indulge in a world of opulence, exploration, and relaxation as w...Read More ▶

Tahiti Travel Advisor

Tahiti Travel Advisor
Welcome to the tropical paradise of Tahiti, where azure waters, pristine beaches, and Polynesian culture converge to create a dreamlike destination. As your travel advisor, I am here to guide you through this idyllic slice of heaven and help you embark on a journey to one of the world's most soug...Read More ▶

All-Inclusive Getaways

All-Inclusive Getaways
From the sun-kissed beaches of Jamaica to the crystal-clear waters of the Dominican Republic, we offer an extensive range of destinations that promise a memorable getaway. Our all-inclusive packages cover everything from flights and accommodations to meals and activities, ensuring that you can si...Read More ▶

REVIEWS

Rating: 5.0
29 reviews
100% Recommended
Your trust is our priority. Every review is submitted by verified travelers after they have booked and completed their trips. Learn more about our review guidelines.
Search reviews:

Showing 29 reviews

Definitely the best trip of our lives!
Reviewed By David Von - Park Ridge, IL | Traveled to Hawaii Island ~ Hawaii ~ USA
She’s very detail oriented. We’ll definitely use her again for our next travel.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
12 of 19 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
80+ Family reunion at Crystal Mountain in Michigan
Reviewed By Thara - Thompsonville, MI | Traveled to Michigan ~ USA
Samantha was an amazing pleasure to work with! Perfect mix of easy going, enthusiastic and professionalism! She did not hesitate or skip a beat at planning our 80 + attendee family reunion this past June 2022. Sam helped us not only FIND a venue that could accommodate our large group, but also took on the hard task of booking all the appropriate sized townhomes for EACH FAMILY that attended. I was impressed by her use of surveys, excel sheets and even pie charts to help our large group of varying and opiniated family members come to a consensus on multiple topics for our trip. She made planning for this special event stress free. I would HIGHLY recommend her for ANY of your travel needs. Thanks Samantha! =D
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
A perfectly tailored trip
Reviewed By Bhrugu & Ananhita - Newton MA | Traveled to Egypt ~ Africa
The trip to Egypt that Sam curated -- from picking the places to visit to the highly educated and incredibly informative guides -- was really one of the best trips that we have taken. Sam was in touch with us throughout checking in several times a day to make sure that the trip was smooth. We are now planning a personalized group tour with her. Sam's professional yet friendly, prompt yet patient, Really couldn't ask for anything more her.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
3 of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
BEST TRIP EVER & FIRST ALL-INCLUSIVE!
Reviewed By Amanda - Chicago | Traveled to Cancun ~ Quintana Roo ~ Mexico
We have worked with Sam before and choosing to work with her again was the best choice. We loved how she customized our trip and made it so easy for us. Everything we asked for, she delivered. She even gave us suggestions for apps that will help us navigate language barriers and ideas of what is appropriate to tip in a different country. Things that we did not think about she had covered. We always referred back to her itinerary if we questioned anything. All I know is we will continue to use Samantha's services for any trip in the future. Thank you so much for everything. We had the best trip ever because of you, Sam!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
3 of 4 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO
Unforgettable honeymoon in Paris, Nice & Cannes!
Reviewed By Jorge & Jillian - Chicago, IL | Traveled to France ~ Europe
Sam is super friendly, well-organized and very knowledgeable! She’s easy to communicate with and addressed any questions we had. Her suggestions and recommendations were thoughtful and made our honeymoon unforgettable.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
6 of 10 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YES|NO

Certifications & Awards

ASTA is the leading global advocate for travel agents, the travel industry and the traveling public.It is the world's largest association of travel professionals.Our members include travel agents and the companies whose products they sell such as tours, cruises, hotels, car rentals, etc.Expand your world. Go with the pros.
The Book with Confidence logo tells you that this Travel Advisor has direct access to comprehensive resources for safe and healthy travel, available at their discretion for sharing with clients.  This includes vetting the details on the health and safety protocols implemented by each travel provider in order to recommend the ideal itinerary for each client’s unique needs.
Certified Honeymoon and Destination Wedding Specialist: During this certification program Travel Agents study several components including: Understanding the Honeymoon and Destination Wedding Customer, Preferred Destination and Supplier Partner Knowledge, FAM Trip, Research, a Marketing Plan and Sales. This is a three-year study program
Certified Group Travel Specialist: This certification program provides agents with a comprehensive approach to group sales, including planning, selling, marketing and managing group travel.  This is a three year study program that includes a group research project and an educational experience.
Trusted Travel Advisor: A Trusted Travel Advisor credentials, resources and global connections translates to today’s consumer in respectful interactions, confidentiality, knowledge, and client advocacy of travel services provided in parallel with building long lasting client relationships that builds with each interaction.  A Trusted Travel Advisor knows their client better than the client may know themselves and puts those polishing touches on each travel collaboration.
Honeymoons and Destination Weddings Specialist
Hurtigruten Expeditions Certified Agent
Certified National Geographic Journeys Specialist

My Places

When it comes to travel planning, real-world experience makes a huge difference. Check out the map below to see all the places I have personally visited or booked for my clients. I know these destinations well and can give you reliable guidance.

My Photo Albums and Videos

My Travels
View Album

    My Travel Stories

    Experiencing the Magic of River Cruising

    I just returned from an incredible three-week exploration of the Danube River via river cruise, and I’m thrilled to share my newfound expertise in this elegant way to travel. Recently, I attended the ASTA River Cruise Expo in the enchanting city of Vienna, where I connected with top river cruise lines like AMADEUS, AmaWaterways, Avalon, E...
    Read more

    Top 5 Favorite Moments from my Antarctica Trip!

    I had an incredible adventure in Antarctica aboard the MS Fridjtof Nansen with Hurtigruten Expeditions. Sharing this experience with loved ones made it even more special.Reflecting on the trip, here are my top five favorite moments: 1. Witnessing the breathtaking beauty of Antarctica for the first time as we sailed through the...
    Read more

    Our Trip to Patagonia!

    I had an unforgettable adventure in Patagonia, where we embarked on the W Trek with G Adventures at the end of January.Flight map showcasing the breathtaking journey to Patagonia. Day 0 Departing from the US, we landed in Santiago, Chile, marking my first visit to this vibrant city! After a brief day of exploration, we caught...
    Read more

    6 TIPS FOR YOUR STAY AT BEACHES TURKS & CAICOS

    I visited Beaches Turks & Caicos recently and it was a fantastic time! Here are my top 6 tips that I learned firsthand for you to consider when you visit this resort for yourself! 1. There are 45 different room categories!! So.. there are options for all travelers - from small to large groups to choose from. My favorite was the Key West B...
    Read more

    Our Family Reunion

    We recently returned from our last trip which was in northern Michigan at Crystal Mountain - a 4.5 hour drive from Chicago where we held our Gagni Family Reunion with my extended family on my dad's side. There was about 70 of us Gagni's there - aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews - all celebrating our family and being together. There was so ...
    Read more

    BESbswy