Playbill Travel

11/05/2026

This week we’re highlighting Kayleigh Demarais! And don’t forget to keep checking back to learn more about the rest of the Playbill Travel team!

Name: Kayleigh Demarais

Years in Travel Industry: 7 years

Years at Playbill Travel: 1 ½ years

Title at Playbill Travel: Administrative Assistant

Destination Specialties: Playbill Travel charters around the world

Favorite Trip of All Time: My honeymoon in Key West is easily my favorite and most memorable trip because it was a destination that was never planned. My husband and I were supposed to go on a cruise in the Caribbean, but our honeymoon happened right at the beginning of COVID, and our cruise was cancelled on the day of embarkation. We were scrambling to figure out what to do and decided to book last-minute flights to Key West. We had no itinerary, a last-minute hotel reservation, and really no idea what we were doing. It was completely spontaneous and unexpected, but it gave us some of our fondest memories.

Favorite Travel Experience/Excursion: Broadway from Bulgaria to Budapest – this was my first Playbill Broadway Cruise, and it was a memorable one! There were some unexpected surprises along the way, but it gave me an impactful experience of the travel industry unfolding in real time. What made this cruise especially meaningful to me was the opportunity to experience what makes Playbill Travel Broadway Cruises so unique and special.

Go-To Airport Snacks: Coffee and a pastry.

Fun Fact About Me: I’m a mom to a two-year-old, so I’ve quickly learned that the best travel accessory is a well-stocked snack bag.

Bucket List Destination: Japan during cherry blossom season is at the top of my bucket list. I’d love to experience the beautiful scenery while exploring the cities, learning more about the culture and history, and eating as much food as possible. Seeing Mount Fuji in person is something I’d love to check off my list, too.

Why I’m passionate about Travel: I love being able to step outside of my everyday life and experience somewhere new. For me, travel is a way to try new things, experience different cultures, and connect with people. There’s always something new to see or learn, and that’s what makes travel so special to me.

10/29/2026

This week we’re highlighting Barbara Waterbury! And don’t forget to keep checking back to learn more about the rest of the Playbill Travel team!

Name: Barbara Waterbury

Years in Travel Industry: 48

Years at Playbill Travel: 8

Title at Playbill Travel: Vice President

Destination Specialties: I can customize the perfect trip for you

Favorite Trip of All Time: South African Safari. Experiencing close-up encounters with the Big Five (lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and Cape buffalo) and seeing them roam freely in their natural habitat was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure!

Favorite Travel Experience/Excursion: Staying at the Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle in Chiang Mai, Thailand and interacting with the elephants. Feeding them their morning bananas, learning how to mount and dismount, and helping bathe them was an experience I’ll always treasure. Elephants are my favorite animal!

Go-To Airport Snacks: Pretzels

Fun Fact About Me: I always have a book to read

Bucket List Destination: Maldives is my ultimate bucket-list dream. Secluded resort on private island, in an overwater bungalow, crystal blue waters and white sand beaches sound perfect to me!

Why I’m passionate about Travel: My passion for the travel industry began in high school, when I discovered a Travel and Tourism degree program offered at a local college. From that day on I knew exactly what I wanted to do. Today, I still bring that lifelong enthusiasm to creating unforgettable vacation experiences for my clients. Because the travel industry is ever-changing, I pride myself on staying ahead of industry trends and continuously expanding my expertise. I love exploring new destinations and immersing myself in different cultures so I can share firsthand knowledge with my clients and make their dreams come true.

10/22/2026

This week we’re highlighting Len Rodino! And don’t forget to keep checking back to learn more about the rest of the Playbill Travel team!

Name: Leonard Rodino

Years in Travel Industry: 4 years

Years at Playbill Travel: 12 years

Title at Playbill Travel: Director of Events & Branded Content

Destination Specialties: Playbill Travel charters around the world

Favorite Trip of All Time: Broadway in Alaska in 2023. I never thought that I would see the 49th state, let alone see a glacier up close. The wild, wonderful, and mystical terrain of Alaska is something that I’ll never forget. I’m sad that I missed the excursions with the wild bears, but hopefully next time.

Favorite Travel Experience/Excursion: I would have to say the private evening tour of St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice and the glacier in Alaska. I also loved visiting the truffle farm on the Broadway in Burgundy and Provence cruise, but that is mainly because I enjoyed eating all the samples. I’m excited to see what future excursions will join the ranks.

Go-To Airport Snacks: Pepperoni Pizza flavored Combos. I consider these perfect travel snacks because they are sturdy and don’t become crushed inside your bag. They are also the perfect savory bite whether waiting for your plane or having a snack during your in-flight movie.

Fun Fact About Me: I was a former group psychotherapist and worked in mental health for almost ten years. It was an eye-opening experience to say the least, but it taught me a lot about navigating tough conversations and observing human behavior and emotions.

Bucket List Destination: Egypt. I was obsessed with Indiana Jones growing up and loved archaeology. Seeing the pyramids would be a life-changing experience. Also on my bucket list is Iceland, Australia, and Antarctica.

Why I’m passionate about Travel: I’m a Gemini and I’m naturally curious. I love seeing new parts of the world and learning about them through their culture, history, and food. I never get tired of learning new things and having new experiences.

10/14/2026

This week we’re highlighting Jana Mallo! And don’t forget to keep checking back to learn more about the rest of the Playbill Travel team!

Name: Jana Mallo

Years in Travel Industry: 10 years

Years at Playbill Travel: 10 years

Title at Playbill Travel: Vice President

Destination Specialties: Playbill Travel charters around the world

Favorite Trip of All Time: Broadway on the Nile in 2022 remains my favorite trip of all time – it’s hard to beat a sunrise hot air balloon adventure over the Valley of the Kings!

Favorite Travel Experience/Excursion: I went to a cooperage during Broadway in Bordeaux, and it’s easily the best excursion I’ve ever done, and what I measure each excursion against. Watching the barrels being built and smoked was incredible, and gives me a new appreciation for a bottle of w**e or wh***ey. Whenever I get a whiff of a campfire smell, it takes me right back to the cooperage, with a big smile on my face. But if I could tell Baby Jana that she would go jet-skiing in Tahiti with Will Swenson, Gavin Creel AND Norbert Leo Butz, she’d never believe you, and just the idea of it would break her brain.

Go-To Airport Snacks: Peanut M&Ms and a Coke Zero – maybe there’s some wh***ey in the Coke Zero?

Fun Fact About Me: I have a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and placed Bronze at the Junior Olympics in sparring – don’t mess with me!

Bucket List Destination: Australia – I need to see the land that gave us Olivia Newton-John, Nicole Kidman and my favorite international accent. And the opera house, and the bridge and the nature, and so on.

Why I’m passionate about Travel: I love to learn, and Travel is my favorite learning experience – between the languages, locations, histories, terrain, and culture, there’s always more to find out. There’s always something new to learn, and that’s why I’ll never tire of traveling.

10/07/2026

This week, we’re highlighting Stephanie Garrett! And don’t forget to keep checking back to learn more about the rest of the Playbill Travel team!

Name: Stephanie Garrett

Years in Travel Industry: 32 years

Years at Playbill Travel: 6 years

Title at Playbill Travel: Senior Travel Consultant

Destination Specialties: Everywhere and anywhere you want to travel are my specialties.

Favorite Trip of All Time: Ireland is my favorite destination. The dramatic coastal area, cozy pubs, traditional Irish music, history, and the warmth of the people. I have had the opportunity to travel anywhere, and I have returned to Ireland several times because of how much I love the destination.

Favorite Travel Experience/Excursion: When I traveled to Cambodia, I explored Angkor Wat and volunteered at an elementary school. The cultural difference and what I learned was transformative.

Why I should book your next trip: I believe travel should be more than just a trip- it should be an experience tailored to your unique interests, needs, and dreams. I specialize in creating customized itineraries for everything from family vacations and romantic getaways to group tours and once-in-a-lifetime adventures. I believe travel is more than just a destination; it is about the moments and memories you will never forget.

Go-To Airport Snacks: Twizzlers and Pepperidge Farm fish

Fun Fact About Me: I can find an Irish pub in most countries I visit.

Bucket List Destination: Iceland, for the land of ice and fire. I would like to visit in the winter for the hot springs, ice caves, and Northern Lights. While in Iceland, I want to stay in one of the glass dome accommodations to experience the Northern Lights.

Why I’m passionate about Travel: I am passionate about travel because the quote “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page” resonates with me. I am a very curious person and strive to learn about the destination, people, culture, history, and food. Travel is a part of my life and has made me who I am today.

09/30/2026

Hello to our Playbill Travel Facebook friends - we want to reintroduce our Playbill Travel Team, starting with our newest Travel Advisor, Nicole Nero. We’ll be highlighting each member of our staff in the coming weeks, so be sure to keep checking for our favorite travel experiences, go-to airport snacks, and why you should book your upcoming trips with us, here at Playbill Travel.

Name: Nicole Nero

Years in Travel Industry: 4

Years at Playbill Travel: I just joined the travel office!

Title at Playbill Travel: Travel Advisor

Destination Specialties: Europe (Italy, Ireland, France, Spain, Greece & the UK), Caribbean vacations & luxury ocean cruises

Favorite Trip of All Time: My first trip to Italy. I immediately fell in love with the culture, people and the delicious food. I will always want to travel back to Italy!

Favorite Travel Experience/Excursion: Tapas and W**e Tour in Madrid. We had the best guide, and he gave me the most amazing recommendations for our time in the city. I am a foodie and love finding hidden gems that the locals love.

Why I should book your next trip: The best trips include what’s most important to you. Our first conversation will be all about what you enjoy most, and how you ultimately want your vacation to feel. You can choose adventure, relaxation, or anything in between. The choice is yours, and we’ll keep planning together until the itinerary feels just right.

Go-To Airport Snacks: If it’s a late overnight flight, I’ll eat something light, but I love a glass of w**e or ch*****ne. My vacation starts as soon as I get to the airport!

Fun Fact About Me: I auditioned for Annie on Broadway when I was 11 years old. No, I did not get a part, but it was such an incredible experience.

Bucket List Destination: It’s so hard to pick just one. My list is long! I would love to visit Iceland. Spending the days exploring waterfalls and all the stunning landscapes and then relaxing in the Sky Lagoon.

Why I’m passionate about Travel: I feel that the secret to happiness is to always have a trip to look forward to. I’m so excited about my first trip to Scotland next month!

08/10/2026

Set sail! Playbill Travel is thrilled to announce the star-studded Broadway guests joining one of our most luxurious and exciting cruises to date: Broadway on the Dazzling Danube.

They are joined by Tony winners Christine Ebersole, Celia Keenan-Bolger and more on Budapest to Germany cruise.