The champ

Conde Nast Traveler magazine each year publishes a list of their choices as some of the top travel agents. The list, compiled by travel writer Wendy Perrin and called her "Rolodex of Champions," is in its sixth year and was recently announced for 2005. "Our recommended specialists must undergo a rigorous screening process that includes a 25-question application, sample itineraries, extensive phone interviews, and client references," Perrin writes. "The travel specialists who make the list, and remain on it year after year, do so by meeting or exceeding our expectations and those of our readers." Most of the list is organized by geography, but there are also some agents recognized for their expertise in special interest areas -- disabled travel among these. The whole list is long and ponderous to go through, so let me cut to the chase for you -- Barbara Jacobson, Flying Wheels Travel, Owatonna, Minnesota, was the named disabled travel expert.