Czech and Slovak Heritage Tours
Celebrating our 16th Year
In affiliation with "Forest Lake Travel, Inc."
I, Mark Vasko-Bigaouette led my first group into the newly freed (then called ) The Czech and Slovak Federated Republic in 1992. I had no intention of getting into the tour business. People in our ethnic community kept saying to me, your so involved, your love of our heritage is so strong, you should be taking people overseas! For the first two years I did one tour a year. My real job was being a direct care worker with the mentally handicapped. It was a very challenging job, and I loved it. However getting the time off work to do these tours started to get harder and harder.
In 1994 and 1995 we had two tours each year. All my involvement within the ethnic community really started to take its toll. I had to eventually go to part time at my real job in 1996. This gave me the time to make great changes to the tours. I started working with a new travel agency in Prague. We went on three tours that year, and 4 tours in 1997. In 1998 we established a toll free phone number 1-888-4CS-TOUR ( 1-888-427-8687) I also have set up tours for travel agencies and family groups. We believe in the philosophy “do what you love to do” I don’t want to turn doing tours into a grind, always on the go. I love showing people the rich and wonderful culture of my heritage. That heritage that thrives with the traditions and folk festivals found in the countryside.
In the fall of 1998 I was honored to be chosen as the official tour organizer of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library’s 25th Anniversary gala tour of the Czech & Slovak Republics. For more information about the Museum, see the web site at :
www.ncsml.org - or write to:
NC&S M&L
30 16th Ave.
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404-5904
Personal biography for Mark Vasko-Bigaouette
My grandparents Joe Vasko & Mary Kubicek were married in Letohrad, East Bohemia and came to the US in 1929. My mom, Marcella could only speak Czech when she started school in New Prague Minnesota. I grew up hearing Czech, eating Czech food, and listening to stories about the old country. I enjoyed this so much, I wished more people could learn about their heritage. Towards this goal I founded the “CzechoSlovak Genealogical Society International” in 1988. I was it’s President for the first 10 years. It has grown to one of the largest ethnic organizations in North America. (almost 4000 members) Thanks to a great group of dedicated volunteers! I am also involved in our local “Sokol” the home of our ethnic community. We have ethnic dinners & dances, an adult & children’s dance group, Etc. I also belong to lots of ethnic Czech & Slovak groups in many states. The preservation of our ethnic heritage is very important to me.
Czech and Slovak Heritage Tours, Inc.
4219 Thornhill Lane
St. Paul, MN 55127-7822
Phone # 1-888-427-8687
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Comments: Webmaster November 1st, 2006