About Travels with Fred

Travels with Fred is a website created by JVE Group, Inc., a travel company based in Annapolis, Maryland. It gives folks the opportunity to book their own vacations online. It offers travelers a broad range of quality vacations, and allows them to pick the one they want. It also offers them professional help when they need it. Travels with Fred was created for a particular kind of traveler travelers like you, we hope.

About Fred's Travelers

Fred's travelers have already done some traveling. They are smart, curious, take-charge kinds of people. They know what they like, and they know the value of a dollar. Most of all, they think travel is fun. They enjoy travel planning almost as much as the trip.

Fred's travelers have worked with travel agents in the past and they've had good experiences but now they're ready to book their own vacations. Or almost ready. They are looking for a forum that offers quality, choice, value, experience and help when they need it. 

They are looking for Fred.

About Fred

Fred, our humble hero, was designed by John Frenaye, president of JVE Group. John is a lifelong traveler and a professional travel agent, and it is possible that Fred is John's alter ego.  Fred was brought to life by award-winning artist Jim Hunt, a man who has said he was never cut out to work in a cubicle.

As a once-hapless traveler, Fred has been knocked around almost as much as his luggage. Where's he been? Everywhere. What's he done? All that. Part guru, part coach, Fred is our fearless leader out of our own back yard.

He promises the world, and he delivers it.         

Will we sell other vendors? Sure, if we have to. But to be honest, other vendors won't give you the experience you expect. JVE Group has supported these vendors in retail agency locations for over a decade, and we will continue to support them as we move online. We have the whole world covered with these guys.

About Fred's Vacations

Our vendors were not drawn from a hat. They have been handpicked for their value, their professionalism, the destinations they represent, the product they offer, and their sense of fun. Their integrity is above reproach. They have never disappointed us and they won't disappoint you, either.

Apple Vacations

With more than 300 properties from St. Thomas to Puerto Vallarta, Apple Vacations is the vendor of choice for the Caribbean and Mexico. Whether you are looking for a budget vacation, or one that is over the top, Apple will get you there in style.

Apple has its own fleet of aircraft, and it services many of its markets with its own charter flights. That means direct and nonstop flights for the consumer and more beach time! If you have a desire to follow the sun, Apple Vacations will take you there.

Carnival Cruise Lines

Carnival ships are most definitely "The Fun Ships" of the world. They are obviously doing something right, because one of three cruisers this year will sail on a Carnival ship. Carnival also books more children, families, and seniors than any other line.

Cruising lets you see the world while staying comfortably in your own space. The cabins are roomy and the amenities can't be beat: pools, spa, sports, nightclub, entertainment - you name it. Truly a "floating resort," with an emphasis on fun. With Carnival, you simply cannot go wrong!

Pleasant Holidays

Pleasant Holidays is one of the oldest and most respected providers of vacations to paradise. If you have an inkling to go to Hawaii, they are the experts!  Venturing a bit further into Australia, New Zealand, Asia, or the South Pacific - Pleasant Holidays is the leading vacation supplier in those regions as well.

If you are looking for an independent vacation in an exotic locale, trust Pleasant Holidays to get you there in style.

SuperClubs

Looking for an all-inclusive vacation? Look no further than SuperClubs. After 30 years in the Caribbean and Brazil, they are still recognized as innovators, and their "Super-Inclusive" vacations are the best in the industry. Nobody even comes close. SuperClubs lets you sit back and be as active as you like: sailing, snorkeling, golf, tennis, SCUBA, endless drinks and buffets - it's all included in one price. All of it!

Super-Inclusive isn't just about more. It's about better. It's about the finest beaches and the most comfortable accommodations. It's being greeted with a friendly smile when you arrive and warm wishes when you leave. It's about promises made and promises kept.

Funjet Vacations

Funjet Vacations is part of The Mark Travel Corporation which is recognized as a leader in the business of making vacation dreams come true.

Funjet is the company astute travelers select because of their success story that spans 30 years in business.

With service to more than 60 destinations in the US and Canada, Funjet Vacations  provides value, superb care and complete end-to-end service for our customers.

Globus Family of Brands

Globus is a name that you might equate with escorted tours of Europe. You would not be wrong, but the Globus family of brands goes much further. Globus is the luxury escorted tour, Cosmos is the budget-minded escorted tour, Monograms is the brand for the independent traveler, Brennan Vacations is a leader in premier escorted travel, and Avalon Waterways is your choice for cruising the smaller waterways of the world. Combined, the Globus family of  brands offer 300 itineraries in 65 countries.

Globus has been offering travel packages for more than 75 years, and they've gotten good at it. Their escorted tours offer twice the features you get from the competition, and their tour guides are some of the most experienced in the industry (14 years on average, and 140 tours). You won't just sightsee, you will explore.

Access America

Your vacation should be fun, relaxing and filled with memories to last a lifetime.   But, everyday inconveniences can suddenly disrupt the best of vacation plans.  Travel insurance provides personal and practical protection, from financial reimbursement for travel, loss and unexpected expenses to emergency medical assistance and 24-hour hotline help.  When considering travel insurance, make sure you work with a company with the experience, capabilities and financial wherewithal to help you in your time of need. Access America has an outstanding record of providing millions of travelers with insurance and assistance for more than 20 years.

About Your Travels with Fred

You're going to love them.

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Let me introduce myself.

My name is Fred, and I'm a world traveler. I may not look like one. I'm not a millionaire, I don't speak six languages, and I don't have a private jet. But believe me, I've been all over the world. In the last 40 years, I've traveled 3.5 million miles and visited 28 countries on five continents.

It hasn't always been pretty.  I have been bumped off more flights than I can count, and my luggage has earned many more frequent flier miles than I can ever hope to amass. I've been to some shady places, and some of the "advice" I've gotten has been truly terrible.

After all these years, I've finally had enough. I have retired as a business traveler. From now on, I'm going to travel just for the fun of it. I'm going to go to new places, plan my own vacations, work only with the best suppliers, and put the fun back in travel.

And I'm going to help you do it, too.

Why? Because planning a vacation is fun. Some of my best friends are travel agents, and let me tell you, those guys are having a blast. I figure: Let's spread some of that fun around. Let's build a site where folks can look at a lot of great vacations, do some research, get some help if they need it, and book their own trip.

So, I did.

Don't know where to start? Afraid you'll get stuck halfway through? Don't worry. I'm here for you every step of the way. I've got resources to help you, and you can ask me a question at any time. E-mail, phone, snail mail, Instant Messenger - whatever works for you. Heck, I'll even send someone to meet with you at your local Starbucks!

So, go ahead. Start looking for the vacation that is exactly right - for you. And remember, whenever you need me or any one of my crackerjack staff, we are just a click away!

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About JVE Group

JVE Group, Inc. is a diversified company based in Annapolis, Maryland, that specializes in the consulting, publishing, and travel industries. Over the years, JVE has owned and operated several Carlson Wagonlit Travel agencies, with sales exceeding $14 million dollars.

For seven years, the Baltimore Business Journal ranked JVE Group as one of the best travel Agencies in the Baltimore/Washington area. JVE Group also syndicates written travel commentary to MSNBC and other media outlets around the world. In 2006, JVE Group developed a new concept in online travel: Travels with Fred. The rest is history.

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