Berkeley Parents Network: Travel Agents

Berkeley Parents Network

Travel Agents

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Services & Businesses > Travel Agents

Airfares to France - travel agent or consolidator

July 2004

This is to update my posting for my fabulous travel agent, Leslie Masler. Leslie has moved to a new location in Berkeley. Her new number is 510/225-0350 (Berkeley Northside Travel). Try her! She has found me great deals, and is delightful to work with. rscarmen

August 2003

My husband and I are planning a fall vacation with our two-year- old and my mother. We are looking to go somewhere tropical with good SCUBA diving but don't really want to go back to the same old places (e.g., big resorts in Hawaii, Mexico, etc.). We are looking for a good travel agent who can be a little creative in helping us find a destination that may be a bit off the beaten path but is still safe and reasonably accessible. I've reviewed the recommended travel agents in the archives but am looking for additional suggestions. Thank you. In need of a little R&R

RE Creative Travel Agent Be your own! www.lonelyplanet.com has an excellent resource for travel queries like yours, it's called the Thorntree - find the link in the menu to the left of their home page. You have to create a username and login, but that takes about 60 seconds. Once they email you your password (instant), you can log on. You'll find discussions on both diving and travelling with kids. It operates much like this newsletter (only easier and faster!), you can post your question and I guarantee you'll get excellent advice from people who know. Lonely Planet specializes in off-the-beaten-track travel information. Check it out! Jenny

This is not a recommendation for a travel agent - but for a website. Check out the ''Kids to Go'' discussion forum at the Lonely Planet Thorntree (http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/) and post your question as to where to go. There are many parents who are experienced travellers there and you may get some ideas you'd otherwise not get. anon

I didn't see your original post, but my friend has a travel 'consulting' service that may be of use to you. He has been traveling to exotic locales his entire life, and has planned many incredible trips for family, friends, and clients: South America, Thailand, Africa, Vancouver... His website is inspiring and informative, and provides many details, rates, and ideas for travel. He is not affiliated with any package tours, and focuses on true consulting - getting to know his clients, and providing suggestions from everything to location, activities, time of year - whatever you need. He does the research and logistics for you. The website is customadventures.com - go and peruse the amazing photographs, if nothing else. nmehta

Sept. 2002

Re: Planning Trip to Maui
We just planned a trip to Maui for this Thanksgiving. Found super cheap ($300) airfares on Travelocity and also had good luck with a travel agent we found on the internet -- More Hawaii for Less. We really liked the guy who helped us -- Joe. We are staying in a mid-scale condo in South Kihei and it comes with 2 rental cars. The travel agent also sells wholesale airfare but they couldn't beat our surprisingly low Travelocity fare. Good luck and have fun! - candace

Feb 2002

Re: Cruise Ships
As for deals, I would talk to a travel agent who has experience in booking cruises. Ours was able to upgrade our stateroom for a teensy more than we would have paid for the non-balcony one because she received a fax about a cancellation at the last minute and notified us that the room had become available. We went to Dorothy Purdie at Travel Service Montclair. She knows her stuff and was good at following through with things. Her number is 339-7000 Ilana

2001

Can anyone recommend a good travel agent in the E. Bay (especially Oakland/Montclair area)? My family and I will be making a trip to Italy this summer, and it won't be a simple round-trip affair, so we could use some help in sorting out the logistics and looking for best prices. Given the dollars involved, I don't mind paying a reasonable commission, if that's how things are done these days. Steven

For a good travel agent, I always use "Going Places", located in Berkeley on North Shattuck near Cedar. I work with Carolyn who is always very helpful. Toby

I highly recommend the travel agent Market Travel, owner operated by Jim Nunn, 5550 College Ave., Oakland, 510.654.8411. They only charge a $10 per ticket charge. Deirdre

We have used Leslie Masler for many years. She is great at finding good deals, negotiating with the airlines, etc. I recommend her highly. Rscarmen
[Editor note] see updated info above from July 2004

We're considering going to Hawaii with our baby (will be 11 mo. when we go) Can anyone recommend a good (knowledgable, patient, resourceful) travel agent in the N. Berkeley area, preferably familiar with packages like Sun Trips? Heidi

I highly recommend Carter Travel. They are located in Emeryville, but you can do all your booking with them by phone, mail and fax. Donald Carter is delightful to work with and he's especially expert about Hawaii, available packages and kids friendly locations. He hasn't steered us wrong in over 12 years! Phone 510 652-4788. Have fun and tell him Julie and David sent you!

Try Nancy Smart at Trips Out Travel on College (in the Elmwood). Her number is 549-0950. She's been just wonderful for us! Laurel

I can recommend Donna Fong at Carter Travel in Emeryville. She's pleasant, efficient, has experience with international travel and gets really good rates (I just flew across country, SF to NY, nonstop for $350). She happens to be a personal friend, which is why I know she has lots of experience (most of our mutual friends use her and book flights to Europe, South America, Alaska and Hawaii) and that she's a nice person. Alison

I recommend Aziz at Travel Specialists of Berkeley, 548-7000. I've been using him for over a year for all my travel arrangements, and he's very good at finding low fares. I haven't worked with him on fun layovers, however. Good luck! Carl

Daniela
I would like to recommend "Detours Travel" on Vine and Walnut Streets in North Berkeley. (Across from Peets). They are regular travel agency. But, our travel agent "Lena" has been very helpful with planning our trips overseas with our infant son. We first used Lena when our son was 6 months old, and then again when he was 14 months. Lena was very helpful in making sure that a bassinette was available on all flights. I should note, that you do not need to pay for this service, though you will need to pay 10% of an issued ticket whether you use a bassinette or not. Regardless, I would also call the airlines to confirm your request, because most airlines do not give seat assignments until you check in. This saves you the hassle of arriving 3.5 hours early to get your seat. Lena was also great in making sure our flights arrived at a decent hour, so our son was not to worn out. When possible, she tried to arrange non-stop flights. Something that is very important. It can be very challenging to wait in an airport for hours with a baby who has been up all day. If she could not reserve a non-stop, she found us a flight that had a close connection. I wouldlike to add that in my experience, making a connection flight in Europe (or wherever you may be) is better than making one in the USA. This way at least you are in the local time zone. Which was more beneficial for my son, and therefore me. Lena did not assist us with hotel reservations for our family, only for my husband when he travels on business. However, I am sure she will be just as attentive to details as she was with our airline reservations.

From: drakes

we have had good experiences, before our child, with char of bay area travel, 845-9561. we are currently planning a trip with our 1yr. 6mo. old with her. she listens to our needs and is easy to discuss things with. hope it works out for you.

From: Mary

re: Trip with 15-year-old
I can't say enough great things about our travel agent, Darlene Beard. She helped us get excellent deals on airfare and car rental on our last trip to Ireland and France. She has just joined a new agency that I can't remember the name of , but her phone number is 547-1899.

From: Becky

We like Ken Alborn at Northside Travel in Berkeley. The number is 843-1000. Be sure to specify Ken Alborn, as there is another Ken there too (about whom we know nothing). Ken Alborn has planned several trips for our family over the years.

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