About
Straight A Tours & Travel has been a leader in the student travel industry for over 30 years. Our success comes from our pride in our ability to create memorable and exciting trips for student groups of all types at a competitively reasonable price. Our staff is dedicated to providing you with unsurpassed service prior to, during, and following your trip. We are available to handle all of your travel needs. Our dedicated mixtures of travel professionals have backgrounds as former educators, performers, or some other aspect of travel. Together we work hard to create trips that are memorable, educational, exciting, and fulfilling in every aspect.
Thomas Finizio, Sr., President: My love of travel empowered me to start Straight A Tours over 35 years ago. Since then, it has grown into one of the largest and most well respected tour operators for student groups in the country. I am proud of our association with our vendors, attractions, hotels and cruise lines. These relationships allow us to provide you with an outstanding valuable experience, from every aspect. We look forward to servicing your group in the very near future and keeping our tradition of receiving “Straight A’s” from you!!
Michael Holladay, General Manager: I am happy to be a part of such a well-respected company and to be able to work with such a talented team of individuals. My five years’ experience as a high school band director has afforded me the knowledge to know what is expected of performing groups. My fellow coworkers share the same love of students that I have and desire to provide them with outstanding experiences. With 10 years of experience here at Straight A Tours, I can attest that by traveling with us, you will be afforded the utmost quality, care, and value in the industry.
Dr. Allen Beck, Festivals at Sea Executive Director: With the pleasure of having four years as Executive Director for this program, I have engaged over 150 adjudicators. We have worked with internationally known band, orchestra and choral conductors and educators who tell us the combination of fun and education provided by Festivals at Sea is an unbeatable duo; it is an event that the students will remember for many years. These directors have been especially pleased with adjudicators like Elliot Del Borgo, Jim Curnow, Drs. Jerry Junkin, Paula Holcomb, John Wakefield, Robert Harris, James Bankhead and Anna Hamre. We, too, believe you will be pleased with your encounter on-board one of our cruises, and that your students will advance musically with the experience. I can think of no better enjoyable way to reward your students and expose them to the world’s finest musicians and educators at the same time.
Marcia Winnegar, Senior Travel Consultant: There’s something magical about traveling. It’s as if the world opens up to you. We must go beyond textbooks to travel and explore and to tell the world of our journey. After 10 years with Straight A Tours, I look forward to each school year creating exciting and rewarding trips that will be remembered for a lifetime. Let me help you create!
Dwight Behr, Travel Consultant: During my 30+ years as a band director, I traveled to many places with the band. The best thing that ever happened to our staff was when we discovered Straight A Tours. From the time we started allowing SAT to handle our travel requirements, everything got so much easier. It’s not that everything always went perfect but when something went wrong, they were right there to solve the problem and make it right. When I retired from teaching, I decided to work with SAT to help other student groups enjoy the same relaxed travel atmosphere I enjoyed by letting Straight A Tours handle all the details. Many other tour companies can organize a trip but SAT is the only one I know that will be there when you really need them. I look forward to assisting you to make your trip one that you will always remember.
Keith White, Travel Consultant: Having worked in hospitality for a number of years, I know how important the quality of service is. As your travel consultant, I will be available every step of the way, providing you with the most up-to-date information from start to finish. I will take the time to ensure the safety of your students and provide opportunities available at a cost families can afford. Travel is one of the best investments one can make in their lifetime. I am so excited to be a part of creating these unforgettable experiences for our younger generations. With our amazing team here at Straight A Tours, we will accommodate all of your trips needs down to the very last detail!
Mike Pokorski, Cruise Department: It’s time to create memories that will last a life time! I have been working in the Orlando area for over 15 years creating magic, making memories, and making dreams come true. Having worked in the hospitality industry for the past 15 years, I know exactly what it takes to plan and execute that perfect travel experience. I’m so excited to be part of a team that plans trips all over the U.S. for students and families. I look forward to helping you plan your next student vacation and promise to make it a memorable experience for years to come.
Kelly Bellerose, Travel Coordinator: It is my pleasure to be able to provide assistance to help prepare your trip of a lifetime! With our great team, you are sure to be pleased with the quality of service and attention to detail. We pride ourselves on guaranteeing you have an amazing vacation!
Jason Giem, Air Travel/Leisure Sales Manager: Traveling by air can be a stressful experience. “What airline should I choose?” “What flight times will offer a better airfare?” “What do all these rules and regulations mean?” I am here to facilitate your group’s air to be accurate, maintained, and stress free for you. With my experience of over 10 years in the travel industry, I have the knowledge and ability to provide the best possible fare and itinerary for your group’s needs. You will spend more time planning what to do on your tour and less time planning and organizing getting there with Straight A Tours!
Paul Solarczyk, Travel Consultant: Traveling is one of the most exciting things this world has to offer. Our company can help create a level of excitement that is only possible through travel. It is my goal to make your adventure as memorable as possible. Straight A Tours is the company to assist you in your adventure needs! Whether you’re a Senior Class planning one last trip together or a Music Director inspiring music through travel, our trips are educational, safe and, most importantly, unforgettable. The world awaits you!
Bryan Krnavek, Travel Consultant: Having worked as a band director, music supervisor, assistant principal and principal for 29 years in the state of Texas, I was very fortunate to be able to travel with many different student groups. My first experience traveling occurred as I began my career as a high school band director. While looking for a reputable company to plan and handle the details for a band trip to Florida, I came across a 3 x 5 index card sent to me from Straight A Tours. I had a hard time believing the cost and what the company was offering for this trip. It was almost too good to be true! I called Mr. Tom Finizio, owner and the only employee of the company at the time, to discuss what Straight A Tours could do for the trip. He assured me that he would do what was needed to make my trip affordable and enjoyable for my students. I put my trust in Straight A Tours and as they say, “the rest is history.” A wonderful bond and friendship was created and from that time forward, SAT handled all my out of state trips. Every person that I have come in contact with over the years at SAT was helpful, courteous, friendly, professional and always working hard to make the trip a memorable event for my students. I look forward to keeping up this tradition as I begin my time with SAT. I am honored and humbled to be a part of this outstanding team. Please call me and let me help you plan your next student group trip.
Paul Najera, Travel Consultant: With 20 years of teaching experience as a band director, I have traveled to many different exciting locations with my students. We have traveled by bus, air, and by sea. Whether you want your group to perform, compete, or just travel for fun, Straight A Tours has the resources to make sure your trip is memorable. As a busy educator, I understand that your time is valuable. When my groups traveled, I always appreciated having an entire team of dedicated professionals making sure that every detail of our trips were taken care of for me. With my busy teaching schedule, meetings, church commitments, and family obligations, I did not have the time to concentrate on all of the fine points of our trip. SAT always stepped up to the plate and delivered. This made it easier for parents and administrators to have more confidence in our plans.
Whether you are competing, just performing, or just taking a fun trip with part or all of your organization, I have done it. I am anxious to help your band, choir, orchestra, dance team or seniors enjoy the trip of a lifetime. Once you use SAT, there is no comparison. I look forward to helping you realize how “stress free” your planning and traveling can be for all involved. Let’s get started!
