Destination Designers
Meet Trisha Rathke, founder of VIP Travel Designs
I had always planned to make travel a big part of my life. That’s why, at 20 years old, I became a flight attendant at Southwest Airlines.
I was filled with big dreams of jet-setting around the world, using my time off to explore all the magical destinations I read about in the brochures.
Turns out, life had other plans!
For one, I met my husband just 4 months after I started my flight attendant career—and I “grounded” myself. He was a land-based kind of guy, and exploring the world didn’t sound quite as enticing if he wasn’t by my side.
And when motherhood hit, I had every intention of ensuring my little ones were world travelers. My son’s first flight was at 6 weeks old, and my daughter’s was at 2 months.
But I “grounded” myself again when my daughter Megan had her first Grand Mal seizure before she even reached her first birthday.
Twelve years and countless seizures later, we learned that Megan had a rare, life-threatening genetic condition, one that affects fewer than 300 people worldwide.
For a long time, we opted not to travel with a medically fragile child.
That changed in 2012.
To celebrate the fact that Megan had been two years seizure free, I booked a cruise for the family.
And it was incredible. Exploring the ports, soaking up the sunshine, spending quality time together as a family—we loved it all.
More than anything, though, it was incredible to see how carefree my kids were on board. And how carefree I was! Travel finally shook lose all the pent up frustrations and challenges my family faced.
After that trip, I vowed to bring travel back into our lives.
Because life is too precious—too fleeting—to spend it regretting the trip you never took.
When my family travels together today, I don’t take the trip—not a single moment—for granted.
And I don’t take my client relationships for granted either. I started VIP Travel Designs to help others embrace the gift of travel for themselves, by creating customized itineraries full of VIP touches and special surprises. I draw on over two decades of travel industry experience (13 years as a travel planner) to craft luxury travel experiences that truly make the trip worth it. Because the last thing I want you to think on vacation is, “gee, I wish I was back home.”
That’s a thought that will never cross your mind on a VIP escape!
So, make the time. Take the trip. Experience the gift of exceptional travel.
I’d be honored if you let my team design it all for you. – Trisha
Ready to unwrap your next VIP vacation?
Book your complimentary consultation call with me now!
Meet the Design Team
Amy
Lead Travel Designer