About Landmark
About
Our passion for travel is indescribable
Our goal is to provide group tours an outstanding level of our highest quality educational service.
Landmark Educational Tours is employee-owned and operated by travelers who have a passion to help others explore the world’s landmarks. Our values, vision, and mission are rooted in the hospitality industry. We invite all ages of travelers to embark to landmarks around the world with Landmark Educational Tours!
Mission & Vission
Leading the industry with exceptional service for all.
We are a group of young, dynamic travel enthusiasts that customize engaging, educational, and thrilling travel adventures for students of all ages. Experiential education is powerful. We are privileged to provide such an experience to all of our customers and our incredible team. Our trip organizers are empowered to take advantage of the opportunity to travel the world while providing excellent service to clients.
Professional Tour Specialist
As your tour manager, Landmark Leaders manage the logistics of your trip allowing you to savor the new adventure with your students hassle-free.
Experience
We have over 50 years of combined experience in the tourism industry. Let our specialists share their knowledge and passion for travel with your group.
Fully Customizable
We want to give you the best experience possible. Each tour is specifically customized to fit your group's wants and needs.
Behind the scenes
Meet Our Team
Michaela Ruffino
Managing Director
Currently, in Rhode Island, Michaela is an experienced leader with a demonstrated history of working within the hospitality industry. She holds a strong portfolio of travel knowledge; including her bachelor’s degree focused in Travel and Tourism Hospitality Management from Johnson & Wales University. In her free time, she enjoys hanging with her dogs and baking!Â
“My current bucket list countries include Egypt, Morocco, Switzerland, and Greece!”Â
Gerardo Barrera
Finance Director
Gerardo Barrera began his journey in the travel Industry 20+ years ago when he joined as a Finance Director for StudentCity.com. He gradually became the Chief Financial Officer of the parent company, TUI Education North America which portfolio includes Brightspark, Educational Tours, Jumpstreet, Educatours, Travel Adventures, and New Horizons. Now, Gerardo lives in Boston with his wife and two sons. He also is the Co-Founder of Go Blue Tours, Juniper Tours, and Landmark Educational Tours.
Ericka Montano
Operations Director
Ericka is our Director of Operations at Landmark Educational Tours. She has never stopped learning and is about to graduate from Tourism Business Administration. Ericka is fully bilingual and has more than 20 years of experience working in operations activities such as group management, financial management, contract management, logistics, and customer service. Her experience working with large corporations such as TUI and First Choice has given her the knowledge and skills to help improve our product.
Ericka’s signature is her strong service philosophy and focuses on achieving all aspects of our elite service.
Marc Gonzalez
Marketing Coordinator
Originally from Manalapan, New Jersey, I am currently a student studying at Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts. I am pursuing a degree in Hospitality Management with a minor in Graphic Design and Visual Arts. At Merrimack, I am Vice President of the American Marketing Association, Co-Founder of a food waste recovery program, and Honors program peer mentor for incoming students. My roots have driven me to have a strong focus on helping others which is what has led me to the Hospitality Industry. In my spare time, I love to cook, bake, and go on adventurous hikes. My future top travel destinations are California, Spain, and Ireland. Each location has some truly breathtaking hikes that I would love to experience.
Martha Montano
Operations Specialist
Hola, I am Martha all the way from sunny Cancún, México
For the past 16 years, I had one of the most extraordinary adventures of my life; I spent many years living on the Ocean, visiting many beautiful places, just around 48 Countries, and the list must continue. Traveling increases my knowledge of diverse cultures, customs, and communication styles. One of my dreams is to finish the seven wonders of the world, and I am only missing 2, Petra and The Taj Mahal; hopefully, I can visit them soon.
My experience working for a cruise line has helped me understand different customers’ needs, improving their experiences to be unique and unforgettable. I am dedicated, organized, trustworthy, and work efficiently under pressure. I thrive in a culture of positivist customer service and enjoy engaging with customers.
Tara Marcucci
Landmark Specialist & Leader
Tara is one of our Landmark Specialists and Trip Leader. Currently living in Rhode Island, Tara shares her passion for travel and experience in trip management with every trip.
Boasting her U.S. National Parks pass, Tara hopes to one day visit every U.S. National Park with her dogs.
Elyssa Sterflinger
Client Success Specialist
I am originally from New Jersey but have moved around quite a bit! I most recently was in Oregon but slowly making my way back to Rhode Island with my Husband and kitty, Coca-Cola. I am currently located in Ohio but travel quite often. I have been in the hospitality and Food & Beverage industry for the last ten years. I attended Johnson & Wales University and then studied abroad (German Wine School) in Germany and France. I am a certified Sommelier and have my own wine label! I love being in the outdoors and exploring all that the world has to offer. Dream travel destinations: Ireland, Greece, Maldives, and Fuji as of right now!
Sydney Lampkin
Landmark Specialist
Sydney joined the Landmark Sales Team with a background in travel sales and building personalized itineraries. She is a lifelong traveler to over thirty countries, and enjoys designing experiences that are steeped in history, activity, excellent food, and unforgettable hotel stays.
She was lucky to find her love and passion for travel at a young age. With Washington, D.C. as home base for many years until college, she enjoyed family trips to Europe, Asia, and Africa, traveling throughout United States, and the Caribbean. As an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania, she earned a degree in Urban Studies. She has also studied French for more than ten years. She has since been able to transfer that knowledge of the built environment, culture, and language to her work in
the travel industry.
When Sydney isn’t traveling, she loves photography, skiing, developing recipes inspired by her trips, and exploring her neighborhood in New York City.
Some of her favorite destinations include Australia, Morocco, and Japan.
Edwin Yip
IT Specialist
Edwin Yip has decades of commerce system experience. Most recent is his 15 years of building systems for the travel industry. This experience began with First Choice in the United Kingdom which merged with TUI Travel PLC which became the largest tour operator in the world with over 60 thousand employees. While as the Director of Application Development at TUI Student Travel he worked with Brightspark , Jumpstreet, Education Tours, and other student brands of the company in building out their commerce platforms.
Abbey Gibson
Accounting/Office Coordinator
Currently, in South Boston, Abbey is experienced in administrative management. She is very excited to begin her journey, as an accounting coordinator, with Landmark Educational Tours. Abbey enjoys spending her summers on Cape Cod with her family and friends.
Dream Travel Destinations: Greece, Fiji, Amsterdam, & London
Skylar Marcucci
Landmark Leader
Skylar is one of our part time Landmark Trip Leaders. Based out of New Jersey, where she is currently a Police Officer, Skylar spreads her passion for travel with every trip that she leads.Â
She hopes to one day visit Argentina and see the breathtaking Iguazu Falls.
Our people are your people.
Traveling is hard, and planning and executing a trip of dozens of students is even harder. We at Landmark love to help, throughout the booking process and on the trip we go above and beyond to ensure that you can truly travel with ease. Click below to learn about our amazing team.
Michaela was very thorough, responsive and knowledgeable! It was a pleasure to work with her. The trip went very well and the parents and students enjoyed every minute!
Washington D.C. Trip