About Breton Travel
Breton Travel is a family-owned travel agency located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Celebrating over 50 years in business, Breton Travel has been a staple in West Michigan, connecting the local community to unique travel opportunities and extraordinary experiences. We pride ourselves on providing travel expertise, with advisors who have firsthand experience with top destinations.
What We Do:
Our team of travel advisors work diligently to bring extraordinary experiences to life for our clients. Whether you’re looking to cruise around Europe or go on an exclusive safari in South Africa, our team has the expertise to create an unforgettable trip.
Our travel advisors travel often to learn about the latest experiences in any destination. Additionally, our contacts around the globe allow us to call on experts on the ground in any location to provide local insight and offer exclusive opportunities that can’t be found on the typical travel booking websites.
We work to understand your unique travel style and taste to help create an experience that fits the type of travel you enjoy and rids you of the logistical planning and research to make it happen. With a travel advisor at your side, we work to create seamless experiences, smooth bumps in the road, and leave you with memories to last a lifetime.
Our Story:
Walter and Audrey Lovell met in the late 1950s in Miami working for Northwest Orient Airlines. Their mutual love of travel eventually led them to open Breton Village Travel in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1973. Audrey opened Eastlake Travel in 1981, which would eventually be merged back into Breton Travel in the late 90s by their son, John.
“I was fortunate to grow up in a family that valued travel. My parents worked hard to show us new people, places, and cultural experiences–and we’ve been very blessed to bring that same value to our community,” says
John Lovell, President and Owner of Breton Travel.
There have been several times in the past 50 years where travel agencies had to react quickly–from airline changes in the 90s to 9/11, the evolution of booking travel online, and of course, the 2020 lockdown. “Being second generation, I take a lot of pride in being here fifty years later,” says John. “We’ve survived a tremendous amount of change in the industry.”
Traveler needs have also changed throughout the years. With an increasingly complex web of travel requirements to navigate, expert advice can help travelers avoid bumps in the road. “Additionally, folks have a higher standard for their experience, and we've had to adapt to keep offering the best services,” explains John. “Our goal is not only to take stress away, but to add value through our personal knowledge and connections. We get to know our clients on an individual level, and understanding their preferences allows us to create an extraordinary experience that is uniquely designed for them.”
After 50 years in their local West Michigan community, Breton Travel continues to deliver on that promise to their clients. “We’re not just surviving–we’re thriving,” says John. “We’re doing the best we’ve ever done for our clients, and I give huge credit to our incredible team of travel advisors. The way they operate and travel allows them to continue being a differentiator in the services we can provide. I’m also so grateful to our local community in Grand Rapids for continuing to support us and seeing value in what we have to offer.”
