About Us
Exploring the world - one trip at a time.
The name of the game for us is personal service and attention to detail. We've sent hundreds of people to all 7 continents around the globe. Our mission is not only to provide great trips for our clients, but to go above and beyond so those trips stay with you even when you come back home. We give our clients the world.
Our Story
Perfect Impressions Cruises & Tours burst onto the scene when, in 2004, Nora and Fred spontaneously recruited a group of friends to celebrate Chinese New Year in Hong Kong!
What began as a whim became a group of 19 happy travelers, who, to this day, enjoy reminiscing about their 5-Star, 7-night experience in the most exotic place. From arriving in style to receiving star treatment to VIP seating at the New Year Parade Reviewing Stand to an exclusive rooftop musical extravaganza while viewing the most spectacular fireworks imaginable, their amazing trip led to more than just wonderful memories.
From then on, Nora and Fred’s enchantment with the world of travel grew, and Perfect Impressions Cruises & Tours became a renowned full-service travel agency, “Specializing in the World” !
Meet The Team
Co-founder, President
Nora Puglia
WORLDWIDE
Nora has been President of Perfect Impressions, Inc. bringing special events, corporate meetings, and incentive travel to satisfied clients for over 30 years.
Her passion for travel began when she and her husband, Fred, planned an anniversary cruise for friends and neighbors. She was hooked. Travel became a part of her life and Perfect Impressions Cruises & Tours was born.
Nora is an experienced traveler herself, visiting everywhere from the junks of Hong Kong, to the banks of the Danube, to the exotic corners of India, and so much more. She is also a dedicated Italo-phile.
Her personal experience and relationships with travel partners and locals gives her the expertise to advise clients on how to get the most out of travel. Her personal touch in designing unique packages to meet the needs of each individual client is her signature.
Co-founder, Director of Development
Fred Puglia
WORLDWIDE
Fred’s lifetime career experience has uniquely positioned him to contribute to Perfect Impressions Cruises & Tours.
Beginning with incentive travel sales for Maritz, the world’s largest incentive motivation company, followed by 14 years in tourism and conventions as Executive Director of the Providence, Rhode Island and later the Springfield, Illinois Convention and Visitors Bureaus, he developed a strong background in the travel industry.
As for his occupational contributions, he enjoys managing his own company, Perfect Impressions Entertainment, since 1983. It is a full service entertainment agency having booked the likes of Bob Hope to Johnny Carson and TRAIN to Third Eye Blind. The firm also produced and or directed a dozen or more national festivals and events from the Midwest Tribute to the King Competition; the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial; The Route 66 Mother Road Festival; Decatur Celebration, the largest free family street festival in Illinois plus others.
Today, he calls on all of this experience to specialize in trip research, development and marketing support for Perfect Impressions Cruises & Tours. He finds nothing more rewarding than to build a unique adventure and enjoy the satisfaction of making dreams come true for treasured clients.
Debbie Volkert
Marketing Assistant
WORLDWIDE
Debbie's love of travel sales dates back to when she and her late husband, David, owned a national mapping company called Northland Map. She got the travel bug when her clients came back and told countless stories of their travels. Debbie began her career with Perfect Impressions in 1994. "Every day brings a new adventure while assisting clients with their travel plans. I think of travel sales as a way to fulfill client's dreams...often thinking of myself as a dream merchant".
Daniel Heffernan
Senior Account Manager, Marketing Consultant
WORLDWIDE
Within the first 60 minutes of his life, Daniel had flown in a helicopter. He likes to joke that he got the travel bug then, but it probably came years later when he had the opportunity to live in France for 3 months. Since then, he's been to Europe 6 additional times, along with visiting Africa, Asia, and Oceania. His favorite places to see are New Zealand and Egypt.
Daniel has extensive account management experience and prides himself on personalizing unique, exciting, and unforgettable experiences for clients.
He believes that its better to sit and absorb beautiful views before whipping out a camera, and his motto is "Do it scared." - a wonderful encouragement for all who long to see the world!