Rail Travel: Overseas

George Tobias, Linden Travel Bureau, New York City
Tobias is an expert on the range of rail options, from still-chugging steam trains to the Orient-Express. On Europe's high-speed network, he saves clients hundreds of dollars by booking train and car-rental packages, and reminds them to use their rail passes for free or reduced lake and fjord steamer fares (800-678-6558; gtobias@lindentravel.com).

Shopping

Carol Cornell, Covington Travel, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Cornell knows all the best European factory stores for china, crystal, pottery, and silver. Linens, she says, are a steal in Alsace, where the huge inventory makes for low prices despite the strong euro (260-432-5995; carolc@covingtontravelinc.com).

Spas

Angela Turen, Churchill & Turen, Naperville, Illinois
Having tried massages, facials, wraps, and procedures at more than 100 resort, destination, and cruise-ship spas, Turen can separate the real deal from the marketing hype (630-717-7777; aturen@traveltruth.com; traveltruth.com).

Spiritual Renewal

Kathy Obbish, Custom Explorations, Glen Ellyn, Illinois
Obbish orchestrates trips all over the world that incorporate a metaphysical purpose as well as the destination's must-sees, whether to trace ancient philosophies in China or to experience private meditation at the Great Pyramids (866-530-1982; kathy@customexplorations.com; customexplorations.com).