Sandie VanderSchot

Sandie VanderSchot
Group Travel Planner / Tour Manager
Phone: 519 235-2000 / 1-800-265-7022 Ext. 236
Year started in travel: 1990
E-mail: sandiev@ettravel.com

Specializes in: North America, Europe & Britain Tours, Music & Educational Groups, Community Music Groups, In-bound Tours to Canada.

I have been with Ellison Travel & Tours since 1990 planning educational and music tours within Canada, the United States, Britain and Europe as well as in-bound tours to Canada. My knowledge and access to information and contacts allows me to prepare a tour designed to your group’s needs. Whether attending a festival, arranging performances, ensuring there is educational content or if you have an art or theatre special interest, I can design a tour incorporating those elements and look after all of the details for you.

I have had the opportunity to travel through most of Canada and the USA over the years. Internationally I have travelled through Britain, Belgium, France, Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece and enjoyed time in the Caribbean.

In 2006 I began escorting tours through Europe which has given me the opportunity to check out new destinations as well as gaining first hand experience, which has provided invaluable insight when tour planning!

I enjoy travelling and assisting others to do the same. One toll free call and I will do all the research, and make all the arrangements to pull everything together to make your trip the most exciting and memorable tour ever. Travel is a wonderful and educational experience to be shared by all.

I look forward to assisting you with your future travel plans where ever they may lead you!

Comments from my clients:

New York City:

I would never run a tour with another company. Ellison is able to provide you with a completely customized tour for a reasonable price. They know what teachers are looking for in an educational tour and suggest excellent student friendly activities that meet these guidelines. Sandie is ALWAYS amazing. She does everything she can to customize our trip to exactly what we want to do for the lowest possible price. She really has our interests in mind when she plans the tour.

Sheri Brenneman, Lindsay CVI and IEWSS

Europe:

Lots of great suggestions, able to be flexible to meet our needs, even during the tour. Sandie was excellent. Very accommodating and knowledgeable. A real asset. It was incredibly well organized with a great mix of planned and free time. AMAZING! Lots of help with parent meetings and always available for questions with prompt answers. Sandie took alot of the stress out of planning and executing a tour with 27 teens!

S. Jewson, St. Marys DCVI

Vancouver, B.C.:

"Every detail was exact - right up to the details for the bus drivers. Every detail was worked out which allowed me to concentrate on enjoying my time with my students. Sandie is to be commended for her proficiency, tolerance, patience and professionalism while still maintaining a sense of humour. "

Clyde Dawson, Ridley College

Performing Tour to Toronto, ON:

There has been a rapport built between Ellison Tours and Northern Secondary School with previous teachers for years. The quality, care and patience of the agent is always valued because of the nature of the trips we take and the nature of dealing with students.
Sandie is efficient and dependable. She is very helpful and patient and always is flexible to adjust to details that change throughout the process."

Aimée Paquette, Northern SS

Performing Tour to New York:

"Ellison Tours has always been great. Sandie did a great job in making sure we got into the "Garage Jazz Club." It was well worth it. The performance venues were excellent and the hotel, "wow." It was quite simply a great all-around trip. Well done!!"

Matthew Drysdale, Forest Heights Collegiate, Kitchener, Ontario

Performing Tour to MusicFest Nationals:

We have had Ellison Tours plan our MusicFest trips for many years. The itineraries just get better on every trip. Sandie takes the time to get to know you and your ensemble and then tailor designs a trip that is worry free. That allows us, as conductors the time to focus on our music and performance at MusicFest. It is comforting to know that if you have any problems on your trip that help is only a phone call away.

Suzanne and David Strahan, Perth Youth Choir.

Performing Tour to Scotland and England:

Ellison Tours organized our recent band and choir tour to Scotland and England. Sandie arranged for several high-profile performances, including Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle, St. Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon and the Tower of London. Our accommodations were great, as were all of our sightseeing activities and meals. Thanks Ellison Tours, for a fantastic trip that no one will forget!

Tim Gilbert, Stratford Central SS – Symphonic Band & Central Singers

Pictures from Sandie's trip to Europe.

Eiffel Tower - Paris, France

Roman Coliseum - Rome, Italy

JDSS Music Department

St. Marys DCVI

Youth Singers of Pennsylvania, Holland, PA

Stratford Central SS – Symphonic Band & Central Singer