About Us
Katie Crago
Audrey Wagner
Audrey Wagner
Founder/Travel Advisor
Travel brings so many emotions. Travel is living. My mom gave me a picture I hung in my office that reminds me, "We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us."
Accolades:
- Q2 2021 Top 5 in Gifted Travel Network (approx. 400 companies)
- Q1 2021 Top 10 in Gifted Travel Network
- 2020 "
Founder/Travel Advisor
Travel brings so many emotions. Travel is living. My mom gave me a picture I hung in my office that reminds me, "We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us."
Accolades:
- Q2 2021 Top 5 in Gifted Travel Network (approx. 400 companies)
- Q1 2021 Top 10 in Gifted Travel Network
- 2020 "Rookie of the Year" after joining Gifted Travel Network in June 2020
- 2020 Top 10 in Gifted Travel Network
Professional Life: I received a Ducktorate degree from Walt Disney World after spending two semesters participating in internships. I also received a BS in Finance from Auburn University (War Eagle!) and returned to Walt Disney World to begin my career in Finance. As dreams do come true, I met my husband, Josh, beneath Cinderella's Castle. After our first child was born, I retired early and focused on raising our family. Three children and countless trips later, I knew I was ready to help others find the joy in traveling. I started my career with Disney planning due to my background and expertise, but quickly expanded my knowledge and planning base to include the Caribbean and Europe - YES, I book MORE THAN DISNEY.
I have built my business solely from referrals, a testament to my knowledge, attention to detail, and impeccable guest service (after all, I did work for Disney). After five years and many trips planned, I knew it was the right time to launch my own travel company planning GRAND travel for my clients. I make your family's travel plans (and your understanding the plans!) my priority - so you never need a vacation from your vacation. Tailored vacations and placing your needs and dreams first are my specialty. I often say that the itinerary which works best for your best friend or sister is not necessarily the itinerary that will work best for you, and THAT’s what I want to build – the vacation that is wonderful, having more importance than others, or foremost . . . the vacation that is GRAND.
Fun Fact: When naming my company, I knew "Grand" was the right word to embody my goals for each vacation I plan, and besides... we lived on Grand Avenue in downtown Chicago, my favorite city.
Favorite destinations: British Isles, Hawaii, Paris, Chicago, Walt Disney World
On the to-do (go) list: Alaska, Germany, Greece, Grand Canyon and Arches National Park
Memorable travel moments:
- That time Josh and I arrived in Paris with 8-mo-old Hampton to discover the stroller was left on the plane and flew back to the Chicago! Thankfully it was delivered to our hotel two days later, but in the meantime, we CARRIED Hampton All.Over.Paris - including the entire Champs d'Elysees!
- Falling asleep on my dad's shoulders after watching the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom. I'll never forget the bouncing cadence of his walk as we left the park well past my bedtime.
- Sailing across the Atlantic Ocean on a trip of a lifetime with my mom, Josh and the kids.
Audrey Wagner
Audrey Wagner
Audrey Wagner
Travel Advisor
Lifelong learning is a passion of mine. I have always loved to travel and the idea of learning and experiencing new places and using my skill set to help plan and organize travel for others brings me great joy.
Professional Life: I worked in the field of education for 30 years, taking several years of
Travel Advisor
Lifelong learning is a passion of mine. I have always loved to travel and the idea of learning and experiencing new places and using my skill set to help plan and organize travel for others brings me great joy.
Professional Life: I worked in the field of education for 30 years, taking several years off to raise my daughters. I have been a teacher, administrator and most recently Director of Human Resources, until retiring in 2022. Throughout my career, I loved impacting the lives of others through positive relationships and attitudes. I have attended UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC-Greensboro, Gardner-Webb University and Appalachian State University. I have now immersed myself into the world of travel. This second career is a new beginning, and I am thrilled to be part of KHC Grand Travel.
Fun Fact: I became a Mimi in May 2020 to my first grandchild and I can’t wait to show him the world!
Favorite destinations: Hawaii, St. John, Grove Park Inn & Spa ( NC), Turks & Caicos, Blackberry Farm (TN)
On the to-do (go) list: Alaska, Amsterdam, Iceland
Memorable travel moments:
- Road trip in an RV out west for 17 days with my husband, two daughters and another family, driving from North Carolina to California.
- Living in Antigua, an island in the British West Indies as a young child and never realizing it would one day be a tourist destination.
- Annual spa birthday weekends with my adult daughters. We have been to The Omni Grove Park Inn, Pinehurst, Westglow, The Greenbrier, The Ballantyne and Blackberry Farm. They want it to be a surprise each year and when we get in the car, they never know where we are going!