Leslie Coates, MCC, CSS

 

After starting Manotick Travel & Cruise Centre in 1979 and selling it in 2007, Leslie is now happy to be back doing what she loves best - looking after travel arrangement for her clients, working from home, and running her new travel agency with partner and long-time friend, Mona Schuller.

 

Leslie is an international luxury travel and cruise specialist and her main passion is the luxury cruise market, having sailed on or inspected over 125 ships visiting all 7 continents of the world. Cruising is just a small part of her business, though. Groups, independent world travel and packages make up the majority of the business. Everywhere she travels she visits the best hotels and she enjoys hosting her own land and cruise tours every year.

Leslie & her husband, Rick, combine their love of travel with volunteer charity work, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for local Ottawa community projects.

Rick serves on the executive of the Kiwanis Club of Manotick and Leslie co-chairs Project North, enhancing the lives of Inuit children through sport and literacy.

Their children are also entrepreneurs: Kelly Coates owns Dazzle Events and Weddings specializing in corporate and charity events as well as unusual local and destination weddings. Richard Coates Jr. owns Coates Landscapes specializing in construction landscapes with unique stone and natural materials. Both live in Manotick and work throughout Ottawa.

Leslie's awards include Ottawa Businesswoman of the Year, Ottawa Professional Services of the Year and United Way Ottawa Community Builder. 

She can be reached on her cell at 613-720-4997, at work at 613-691-1122 x101 or at leslie@highlighttravel.ca

 

Mona Schuller, MCC

 

 

Mona has been in the travel industry for more years than she’d care to remember! Currently, she has moved her office to her home where she continues to work with the many clients she has acquired over the years as well as service those who wish her expert advice.

 

Mona’s vast expertise has covered all aspects of the industry including managing corporate travel, conference planning, leisure travel and incentive and group travel. Years in the travel business have sent Mona all over the globe to 6 continents and she confesses that she is a cruise-aholic.

A long time resident of Manotick, Mona is married, has two adult children and is also a proud grandmother. She is a certified scuba diver and an avid sports and fitness enthusiast, including skiing, golf, paddling and cycling . She has paddled for several years in the Ottawa Dragon Boat race held each year in June, as well as any other races throughout the summer. You can see her out practicing on Mooney’s Bay most weekdays at 7:00 a.m. When she’s not in a dragon boat, you may find her kayaking on the Rideau or cruising the local waterways on her 28’ Bayliner. And, when the water freezes over, she’s off with the landlubbers, exploring North America with her husband in their motor home.

Mona has been an active member of the Women’s Business Network and won “The Olga Howe Networker of the Year Award” in 2003. She is past chair of the Businesswoman of the Year Awards Gala presented each year to three of Ottawa’s top Businesswomen. She is also active in the community and has served on the executive of her local Homeowners’ Association.

Mona can be reached at: 613-691-1122 x102 or at mona@highlighttravel.ca 

 

CINDY ALMOND

Cindy’s passion for travel began after she researched and planned her very first independent travel vacation to watch the sunset over the Costa Rican beaches and mountains. Her passion intensified on a luxury African Safari where she watched a lion cub nuzzle his mom on a hazy sunny afternoon on the plains of the Serengeti. It became undeniable that being a travel agent was her calling after planning the Mediterranean cruise vacation of a lifetime for her mother’s 50th birthday and watching the sunset over the cliffs of Santorini!

 

Cindy’s family and friends would describe her best using two words, Travel, and Food! When Cindy is not travelling, you might find her reading a recipe book, cooking up a storm or hosting dinner parties. Desserts are her weakness! It is not surprising then that Cindy specializes in Foodie Vacations. Cindy also specializes in Destination Weddings and Exotic Honeymoons. Planning trips, traveling, and food are Cindy’s true passions, so whether you're after a blissful wedding on the beach, an exotic honeymoon, the most authentic pizza in Italy, or the best hot dog in NYC, she’s got you covered!

Cindy lives in Riverside South with her husband, dog and 2 cats! She is also a member of the Manotick BNI (Business Network International) and is actively involved in wedding networks around Ottawa.

Cindy can be reached at: 613-691-1122 x103 or at cindy@highlighttravel.ca