History of UEB
From Passion to Profession: A Legacy of Adventure
Unique Excursions with Bear began with a simple yet powerful idea—sharing the joy of travel. Founded in 2005 by Steve 'Bear' Kuznik, the agency was born from his love of organizing group trips for his friends and rugby team. Together with his daughter Kathleen, Steve turned his passion into a business, helping more people explore the world.
In 2021, Kathleen took over the agency, bringing her vision and expertise to elevate UEB Travel's offerings. In 2023, Claudia joined the team, enhancing its ability to craft unique, personalized journeys in even more areas around the world.
Today, Unique Excursions with Bear continues its mission to create unforgettable experiences for travelers worldwide, carrying on the spirit of adventure and connection that started it all.
🌟 Explore More, Dream Bigger, Travel Uniquely ✨
Meet The
Travel Artists
Kathleen Klein
Kathleen is based in Buffalo, New York, with her husband — though you’re just as likely to find her in her favorite place: looking out an airplane window on her way somewhere new.
She often says she was raised planning travel. Long before Unique Excursions with Bear became a business, Kathleen was working alongside her dad, designing trips simply for the joy of it. For the first decade of UEB, she focused exclusively on leading and directing group tours throughout Europe. Over time, her role expanded to include planning group cruises, destination weddings, and highly customized journeys for clients around the world.
Kathleen’s on-the-ground experience, calm expertise, honest guidance, and ability to turn big travel dreams into beautifully executed realities are what her clients value most. She specializes in elevated vacations, custom journeys, and experiential group travel that feel effortless and personal. Whether it’s a luxury cruise, a tailor-made European itinerary, or a once-in-a-lifetime celebration, Kathleen designs travel with excitement and a deep respect for the people and places involved.
Claudia LaFlash
Claudia is based in Carmel, Indiana, where she lives with her husband and their three daughters. Her love of travel began at a young age, but it truly deepened when she lived in Japan — an experience that shaped how she explores the world and how she helps others do the same.
Drawn to cultural immersion and authentic experiences, Claudia believes the best way to understand a place is through its people, traditions, and food. She is always in search of the best local flavors, whether that means a hidden neighborhood restaurant, a market stall known only to locals, or a meal that tells the story of a destination.
Claudia specializes in thoughtfully planned journeys that balance discovery, comfort, and connection. From custom itineraries to group travel, she designs trips that invite clients to explore more deeply, travel more intentionally, and return home with a true sense of place — and a few unforgettable meals along the way.
At Unique Excursions with Bear, we believe life is meant to be enjoyed—and travel is one of the most meaningful ways to do that. Everyone deserves to experience the world in a way that feels true to who they are.
That’s why we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all vacations. We design custom travel experiences built around you—your interests, your pace, and the moments that matter most—far beyond what you could ever find by clicking “book now” online.
Our goal is to connect you with places, people, and experiences you may never have imagined, and to be part of the memories you’ll carry for a lifetime. Let us help you explore the world, one extraordinary journey at a time.
🌟 Personalized | Memorable | Unique ✨ Your adventure starts here.
What we believe
