Czech and Slovak Heritage Tours
Celebrating our 18th Year
In affiliation with "Forest Lake Travel, Inc."
I, Mark (Vasko) Bigaouette led my first group into the
newly freed (then called ) Czech and Slovak Federated Republics 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 love history, the culture, the people - 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 trying to get 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) Besides my own tours I also set up tours for other
travel agencies and family groups. Which I no longer do, all my friends and
contacts in Europe all have real jobs. They can no longer take off of work to
show off the culture they love. To made sure they keep their jobs and don’t
burn out, they do all these unique things for my Heritage tours ONLY anymore.
We believe in the philosophy “do what you love to do” I don’t want to turn
doing my 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. Many of my native
friends call me the biggest nationalist they know of. I am extremely proud of
them, and my background. I have been told I live for taking people to places
I adore. I attend many Czech and Slovak events, Conferences, festivals,
history workshops, etc. I have helped plan many of these events as well. ( and
co-chaired one in Florida ) I read plenty of history books, and have been
told I am a walking encyclopedia.
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 :
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 its President for the first 10 years.
Then a member of the Board of Directors, for another 6 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.
4219 Thornhill Lane
St. Paul, MN 55127-7822
Phone # 1-888-427-8687
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Website designed and maintained by C.E. Heritage Tours Inc.
Comments: Webmaster November 1st, 2007