Our Paul Klein Travel Consultants are specialists in the art of travel; if it’s worth doing, we’ll know about it. If there’s a better way to get there, we’ll find it. If not, we’ll tell you. Our professional travel counselors continue to provide expert advice to discerning travelers. We have traveled the Seven Continents, sailed the Seven Seas, have been trained and appointed as an Accredited Space Travel Agency and can help you plan the trip of a lifetime based on our actual travel experiences. With on average over two decades in the travel profession, we have first-hand knowledge of the destination or product you are considering. So much more than just a travel agent, a Paul Klein Virtuoso Travel Advisor can get you access to accommodations, locations, and amenities simply not available elsewhere. Not only do Advisors help you plan the vacation of your dreams, but they’re also available during your trip to ensure everything goes perfectly, as well as afterward to fine-tune your preferences for next time. We know the world and its purveyors, and we will take the time to know you.
President and Owner
President and Owner
Mr. Krenzien was born in Chicago, Illinois where he now resides with his wife Dena. Mr. Krenzien graduated from the University of Denver in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration majoring in Hotel and Restaurant Management. During college, Mr. Krenzien worked at hotels in Berchtesgaden, Germany; Burgenstock, Switzerland; and Denver, Colorado. After graduation, he was recruited by Hyatt Hotels Corporation and accepted an offer as a Corporate Management Trainee. After successfully completing the one-year training program in Long Beach, California, he was promoted to various Food and Beverage Management positions in a variety of Hyatt Hotels in Southern and Northern California.
At last count, Mr. Krenzien has traveled to 111 countries and through his travels, has cultivated personal relationships with hoteliers, guides, and travel operators all over the world. Mr. Krenzien is actively involved in many areas of the travel industry including present and past participation on advisory boards for Boscolo Hotels, Ciga Hotels, Ritz Carlton Hotels, Rosewood Hotels and Resorts, Starwood Luxury Collection, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, and Virtuoso. Mr. Krenzien has appeared on, or been interviewed by, the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Travel & Leisure, Conde Nast, Nightline, Fox Business News, Good Morning America, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, and more. Mr. Krenzien was proudly appointed as a Virgin Galactic Accredited Space Agent, one of only 28 travel agents in the Americas accredited to sell space travel, and is quite passionate about space travel on a professional and personal level.
Mr. Krenzien attended the first Virtuoso Travel Week at the Brazilian Court in Palm Beach and is an invited VIP buyer at the exclusive PURE Life Experiences annual event and the International Luxury Travel Market annual event and continues to search the world for interesting new destinations, accommodations, and experiences.
With a passion for experiential travel and unique experiences, Mr. Krenzien is often heard saying “I have the best job on the planet”…
Vice President
Vice President
Born in California and raised in Orange County, Russ enjoys childhood memories of spending time at Southern California beaches, Disneyland and family camping weekends in the San Gabriel Mountains and the San Bernadino National Forest. At the age of 7, his family relocated to Homewood in the southern suburbs of Chicago. Russ graduated from Homewood-Flossmoor High School where during his high school years he took his first trip abroad with a German language class to the Netherlands and Germany. From that time he knew he was hooked on travel.
After graduating from high school Russ enrolled in a six-week travel course in Chicago and upon completing that was hired by Paul Klein Travel Service in 1977. His first trip was two weeks in the South Pacific to Tahiti, New Zealand, and Australia in that year. Since then travel has included visits to China, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Hawaii, Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Argentina, Ireland, England, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Hungary, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Austria, Greece, Turkey, Morocco, Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. Russ’s latest favorite destination is India which he has visited many times, most recently to Khajuraho and Varanasi in April of 2012. On other trips to the Sub-continent, he has been to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Jaipur, Agra, and Kathmandu in Nepal. The people, the food, the sights, the history, the stories, the traditions; there is always something new to discover on a trip to India.
Passionate about opera Russ has attended performances in major opera houses the world over including Vienna, London, Paris, Prague, Budapest, Verona, New York City, and Buenos Aires to name a few. On a plane as often as possible, Russ has been known to spend many weekends in London or Paris and even India! Always staying in and visiting Virtuoso properties along the way to keep abreast of the best accommodations for clients’ needs.
With roots in the Pacific Coast area, Russ is always in search of a beautiful beach (Hamoa Beach outside of the town of Hana on the island of Maui is one of them!) and enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking and biking.
Chief Operating Officer
Chief Operating Officer
Dena has been in Sales & Marketing for over 25 years with experience ranging from PBS public television, the Cosmetics Industry, Public Relations, Computer Consulting, Event Planning, and Luxury Custom Home Building.
Dena has traveled extensively throughout the world. She has had high tea in London, shopped till she dropped in Paris, ate Sushi at the famous Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo, cruised the Mediterranean, explored Gaudi’s masterpieces in Barcelona, dined on squid with ink sauce in Dalmatia, walked with the penguins on the Cape of Good Hope, made a wish on the Charles Bridge in Prague, sipped gallons of Vodka in Russia, collected colorful tiles in Portugal, purchased lanterns in Vietnam, climbed the Great Wall of China, Teed off on some of the famous courses in Scotland, went on Safari in Sabi Sabi, drank Singapore Slings at the Long Bar in Singapore, walked the beaches of Cambodia, visited the Petronas Towers in Malaysia, sailed the waters of the South Pacific, went swimming with dolphins and stingrays, and ate her way through Italy. These are just a few of the life experiences she has enjoyed.
Dena is a proud Board Member of BrainUp, a Chicago-based non-profit that raises money for finding a cure for brain tumors. Dena was also the President of the Steven W. Reichert Memorial Foundation, an organization dedicated to raising funds and improving the quality of life for families in need, within the Chicago-land area. She is also a past associate with the Bernie Mac Foundation, which raises awareness and monies for Sarcoidosis.
Her hobbies outside of travel are being a grandmother to her wonderfully adorable grandbabies, with who she spends as much time as possible absorbing their giggles and kisses.
Senior Luxury Travel Officer
Senior Luxury Travel Officer
Ewa grew up in the resort area of the Beskids Mountains in Poland and knew from a very young age that she wanted to pursue a career in the travel industry. Ewa completed a two-year college program in Business and Management and graduated from the School of Hotel Administration.
Ewa immigrated to the United States in 1996 and found home in Chicago where she continued her education in Travel School in suburban Northfield, and after graduating in 1998, she joined the team at Paul Klein Travel.
Ewa enjoys traveling with her husband; which includes skiing in the US and the Canadian Rockies, mountain biking, and hiking throughout North America and Europe. Ewa has traveled extensively through Central, Southern, and Eastern Europe; including Austria, England, Italy, Switzerland, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Hungary, Czech Republic, and of course Poland. Resort travel has included many getaways in Mexico, Central, and South America, and the Caribbean. Recent highlights include driving a Porsche and a Tesla through the Swiss Alps, adventuring through the Costa Rican Rain Forest, climbing Huayna Picchu, and an extended visit with family in Poland.
General Manager
General Manager
In my eyes, travel is an education and a privilege! It is the best hands-on learning experience that never gets old.
While I enjoy all aspects of travel, I especially love stepping outside my comfort zone – it almost always leads to a unique experience that I would never have known existed. It’s these types of adventures I’m thrilled to be able to deliver for my clients.
I began my career in the travel industry in 1983, seeking ways to be more independent. I started planning leisure travel, then incorporated business accounts into my services as well. Now, I work in both, as well as specializing in active, European, culinary, and educational travel experiences. And, while I have my favorite destinations, resorts, and hotels, I am always looking for new and exciting opportunities to bring to you!
My favorite part of each trip is spending time with a local, experienced guide. Private guides provide a personal aspect to any tour, any destination.
Luxury Travel Advisor
Luxury Travel Advisor
Born and raised in Chicago, Nicole was exposed to travel early in her life by her parents who always prioritized family vacations. They instilled in her the importance and excitement of discovering new places, people & cultures within and outside the United States.
Nicole is a proud Spartan, having attended Michigan State University where she earned a degree in Global & International Studies, Anthropology and a minor in Geography. During those years, she discovered her love for Asia, when she volunteered in the northern part of Thailand. There, she helped build sections of a school as well as a water tank while also teaching English to local school children. Nicole’s most momentous adventure came when she studied abroad through the Semester at Sea program; taking classes on a ship while sailing to over 10 different countries throughout Asia, Africa, and Europe over the span of four months. The people she met & the various cultures she was exposed to during this time were truly life-changing.
Nicole’s enthusiasm for anthropology has taught her how essential engaging with locals is to travel the right way. Having this kind of experience provides the opportunity to become an enlightened global citizen who is capable of being more empathetic of people who come from different cultural backgrounds. She’ll continue to strive for authenticity in her travels as well as her clients.
Executive Assistant
Executive Assistant
Lilly was born in Chicago, IL being raised primarily in Wilmette, IL a northern suburb of Chicago. Her love for the world started at a young age with weekly visits to the Chicago Field Museum with her mom. The exhibits and artifacts created a desire to learn about the history and cultures from around the world, with Ancient Rome being her favorite subject. From there she expanded her knowledge through books, art, music, and movies, never turning down the opportunity to experience a different culture
Some of her favorite memories are taking road trips with her family to Arizona, Tennessee, and Florida, always stopping along the way to any historical sites or museums. Her favorite destinations she’s visited so far are Jamaica and Montreal.
Through her love of history and culture, she has an extensive backlog of information about the subcultures and underground scenes from around the world. Often having an interesting fact about just about anything. Her favorite part about traveling is experiencing the hotels, her top being the Hotel del Coronado where her favorite movie “Some Like It Hot” was filmed.
Outside of travel she is an avid vinyl collector and enjoys checking out local record stores with her dad, a passion he sparked from a young age. She enjoys going to see movies and checking out local shows and restaurants in Chicago.
Luxury Travel Advisor, Independent Affiliate
Luxury Travel Advisor, Independent Affiliate
Originally from Singapore and Malaysia, I completed my certifications in Hotel and Restaurant Management in Kuala Lumpur and then worked in various hotels, restaurants, and clubs throughout Malaysia. During this time, I developed a passion for adventure and discovery while traveling extensively throughout Asia, Europe, America, Australia, Africa, and Central America. My ambition and dream of a better life lead me to the United States in the late ’80s and ever since I have been fine-tuning my skills to better cater to the discerning tastes of the North American traveler.
In 1993, I secured a degree in Travel & Hospitality at Echols International Travel and Hotel Schools, Inc. in Chicago. I worked with Paul Klein Travel for two years, then set out on my own, opening my own agency while retaining a partnership with this extraordinary team. I have developed a loyal and wide range of clientele from Corporate to Leisure as well as planning small exclusive groups, large groups, weddings, honeymoons, multi-generational vacations, and more. My knowledge of travel, research capabilities, and dedication to customer service keeps my clients happy and confident while traveling around the globe!
I enjoy traveling as a guide and host to destinations we all know and love, up-and-coming locales that haven’t become mainstream, and remote lands that few people will ever explore. I am confident that I can make your travel dreams come true and leave you feeling fulfilled in both tangible and transcendental ways.
What’s on your wanderlist? Follow me on Instagram @carolinetravelandc
Luxury Travel Advisor, Independent Affiliate
Luxury Travel Advisor, Independent Affiliate
Nora was born in Chicago and currently resides in the Lake Shore East neighborhood, across from Millennium Park, where she often attends summer concerts in the park.
Nora has recently retired from Merrill Lynch where she was a highly successful Senior Financial Advisor for 33 years. As a veteran financial planner, much of what Nora has done for her investment clients translates very well to the travel industry. She is a planner by nature and by long years of practice.
She now specializes in designing custom luxury travel solutions with the specific goal of matching your travel plans to you. Just as your financial advisor’s ultimate goal is to provide a good return on your investments, your travel advisor should ensure you receive a good return on your time.
For her personal travel, Nora loves what she calls “Princess Adventure Experiences”. She likes to go to beautiful natural settings but stay in luxury properties. Nora has traveled to New Zealand, Italy, France, Greece, Tahiti, Hawaii, Alaska Costa Rica, Mexico, England, Holland, and throughout the Caribbean and the continental United States. When not traveling, Nora reads about travel. She also enjoys culture and the arts of all kinds-in particular, theater, musicals, and museums. She is fond of good food, great wine and the natural world (without the bugs, of course), and funny people. She loves and lives to plan her next trip(s). Ask her where she is going next!
Independent Affiliate
Independent Affiliate
Alexandra, better known as Alex, was born in London. Traveling was almost part of her genes since she has been raised in Europe, Egypt, Cyprus, Singapore, and Hong Kong. She discovered the world while growing up. She finally went back to London where she studied Political Sciences and successfully passed her Bachelor’s degree.
A few years later, she married Edward and moved to New York where she had her two children: Sandy and Adam.
She has over twenty years in the travel industry, specializing in international individual and family travel with an emphasis on group travel. She recently settled in Chicago and thus joined the Paul Klein Travel’s team in 2014.
Although having lived or visited most major countries in the world, Alex still has a few must-haves on her bucket list.