ABOUT
Come see what we're all about!
Our mission is to create a travel experience that redefines the group travel industry by providing interesting itineraries, world-class service and expertise, and outstanding accommodations to exciting destinations around the globe.
We value quality tour and travel experiences because
our customers dreams come first. We want every one of our passengers to have an exciting experience that will make memories for a lifetime.
How it all started
Cindy and I (JJ) started Excite in 2012 with a dream and $100 bucks in our pockets. We wanted to elevate the tour experience and create really magical moments. Our guests want the best and they deserve it! So, over the last 10 years, we have scoured the world, finding unique destinations, amazing food, and spectacular hotels.
We wanted to combine the structure of a tour with the freedom of a vacation to create truly memorable travel experiences for any age. Our guests range in age from the young to the young at heart because our tours are full of energy and you can't help but feel excited and part of the Excite family. We hope you'll come back and
enjoy travel again!
JJ Bell
John (JJ) grew up in Elkhorn, Nebraska and is the Grandson of Moostash Joe. He was surrounded in a family known for travel. As time went on he craved travel, and he began to plan his entire family vacations at the age of 9 with a trip to Disney World. He is a graduate of Midland University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and an MBA with a concentration in Entrepreneurship. While in college he worked in a travel office eventually working as a tour director, traveling all over the United States and Europe. After college, he worked as a banker for a major US bank before founding Excite. He has facilitated countless magical moments with thousands of people while touring. JJ is Co-Owner and Travel Extraordinair at Excite Inc.
Cindy Steffensmeier
Cindy began her entrepreneur career when her and husband, Tom opened and managed a restaurant in small town Iowa. After 6 years Cindy began her career in finance with a local housing design firm in Omaha, NE. After 26 years at the firm, she moved on to work in the tour and travel industry where she managed all of the tours. While in the office she enjoyed making sure the customers had the best vacation possible and that all of their details were taken care of. Cindy also enjoys dreaming up experiences and developing great relationships with her customers. She is the mother of an amazing daughter currently in Teach for Teach America. Cindy is Co-Owner and Experience Advisor at Excite Inc.
Judy
Meet Judy, a valued team member. She's Cindy's aunt and JJ's great aunt, devoted to family. Judy's married to Keith and is a proud mom of two sons and a loving grandmother and great-grandmother. She enjoyed a 31-year career at FNBO before retiring. Now, she's an active part of our Excite office and works part-time at HyVee. Judy enjoys life by the lake, with hobbies including travel, gardening, and sewing. She treasures moments with family and is an active church member. Judy's vibrant spirit enriches our team.
Pat Sievers
Pat, a 46-year nursing veteran, retired in 2022 and joined Excite two months later. She loves helping clients plan their trips and is excited to go on more with Excite. Pat has three grown children in Iowa, Nebraska, and California, and nine grandchildren. She enjoys visiting and attending their sporting events. Her "happy place" is working in a local greenhouse.
Paige May
Meet Paige! As an Omaha transplant she is no stranger to traveling. As one of our tour concierges, she enjoys meeting all of the new and returning guests, as well as getting to travel to many bucket list locations. When she's not on a tour, you can find Paige in the Digital Marketing world helping small businesses playing with her cute doggo, Coco. She also enjoys a good movie, trivia session, or great restaurant, so watch out if you're on one of her trips!
Steph Shank
Steph is a resident of Bellevue, NE and is one of our guides! During the day, she is a therapist for Bellevue Public Schools, helping place students in learning environments that best fit their needs. She is surrounded by a beautiful family that loves to travel with her! In fact, that’s how we met Steph, on one of our tours!
Jane Wilbeck
Hi my name is Jane Wilbeck, I am from Hartington NE and retired 2 years ago after working 42 years at the Commercial State Bank in Wausa NE. During the last 15 years of my employment I was the Program/Tour director for our 50 plus Arch Club. During this time our group was able to join Excite Travel to go to the Kentucky Derby, hence this is how I met JJ And Cindy and got involved with this great tour company. I love to travel and have enjoyed the tours I have been able to do with the company. It is so fun to meet new people and go to places on your bucket list. Hope to see you soon on one of the wonderful tours that are offered.
Jama Deforge
Raised in Howells, NE, and living in Omaha, Jama delights in discovering what makes any town special. When on tour she strives to make the journey as enjoyable as the destination. She loves seeing connections being made along the way, where strangers become friends. When not on tour, Jama is an administrative assistant and a volunteer in her community. Her downtime is spent exploring a variety of foods, crafting, sharing life with her husband, and trying to gain the approval of her cats. You might see her out and about at yoga, a local restaurant, or at live performances.
Carrie Alexander
Carrie was born and raised in Omaha, but now lives in Kansas City, MO with her son, James and daughter, Lizzie. When she’s not working in HR and being a taxi driver for 2 active children, you can usually find her on a bus! She’s been with Excite since 2021 when she and her mom went to Galena as guests. She loved the family friendly business model of Excite and when she stood up and told the bus about her experience on a ghost walk, the rest is history! Carrie is proud to be part of the Excite family and she can’t wait to meet more of you on the road sometime soon!
Bill & Chris Larsen
Meet Bill and Chris Larsen. They are happily married for 22 years and enjoy time together, especially traveling. Both Bill and Chris are retired (except for Excite travel). While not traveling, Bill enjoys wood working projects and fishing while Chris enjoys coffee with friends and family. We are both very family oriented and we enjoy a
wide network of friends to which we are always excited to add more. We also enjoy are 3 children and 4 grandsons. We love traveling and leading Excite trips. What an opportunity to get to see new places, meet new people many of whom turn into friends.
OUR SERVICES
Our one day tours include a guided bus tour within driving distance! Anywhere from an Iowa distillery to a National Hot Air Balloon Classic. Check out the page to see more of these exciting trips!
Multi day tours range typically between 2-14 days. Many including cheaper prices when booked with more than one person. Excite can book your flight at market rate as well. These tours also can go overseas or a few hours or states away.
Time away from the office with fellow teammates builds stronger bonds, trust, and improves focus. Treat your high performers with something they’ll enjoy while still investing in your team!
4.8/5
Faceboook Rating
53
Trips this year
10
Years in business
Pickup Locations
We can’t wait to travel with you! Pick Up Locations are listed below. We may be able to pick you up along our tour route, call for availability.
Omaha, NE
DoubleTree Hotel – 3650 S 72nd St Omaha NE 68124
Lincoln, NE
Country Inn & Suites –
5353 N 27th St Lincoln NE 68521
Norfolk, NE
Fairfield Inn & Suites – 1302 Cyhawk Lp, Norfolk, NE 68701
Fremont, NE
Holiday Inn Express – 2415 N Lincoln Ave, Fremont, NE 68025
Kansas City
Hilton Garden Inn, –
19677 E Jackson Dr., Independence, MO
64057
Des Moines
West Des Moines Marriott – 1250 Jordan Creek Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50266
