We used Going Places Travel for a recent two-week trip to Europe from California, and let me assure you that their 5-star rating is much-deserved. Our travel specialist was Laura--based out of northern California, I believe, which nonetheless didn't present any logistical difficulties for us down here in San Diego. Via a series of emails and phone calls over several days, Laura set up every facet of our trip to two countries and three cities after presenting us with multiple choices and price points: flights (outbound from LAX, inbound to San Diego), hotels, private car transport, etc. Because the trip was a last-minute getaway, our plans were somewhat fluid and dependent upon availability--and Laura didn't bat an eye when we suddenly switched our destination from Barcelona to London for the first week of the trip. Overall, Laura's work ethic in nailing down our logistics was Herculean, to say the least. We're looking forward to our next trip abroad in 2025, and will certainly use Going Places and Laura when we do. read more

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We were so worried about doing a vacation in Cancun Mexico. We discussed this with Ken Darren and he explained where the issues are. He was very knowlegable and took our concerns seriously. The problems weren't where we were going. He suggested an excellent hotel, the Excarate Arte. We then got upgraded to the Hotel de Playa! The service was amazing and we had the best week ever! Thanks! read more

Going Places Travel - Park Explore, with underground rivers and waterfalls. - Travel Services Near Me - La Jolla, California

Taline helped me with an extremely difficult trip. It was so complex I could've never pulled it off myself. She was so absolutely amazing. She had Cars pick up my fiancé to show for her at every single stage of the trip. Also, there was a volcano during the trip that could've affected flight and she immediately was trying to figure out how to deal with this even after the trip was booked. The trip was international in and out of Canada and Mexico, and every step down to the visa to Canada. She helped me with. I had no idea. Any travel agent in the world could ever be this awesome. This was my first time using a travel agent, and I will always work with her for all of my travel needs. read more

Going Places Travel - Canada border - Travel Services Near Me - La Jolla, California

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I usually plan my own trips just because I never like depending on anyone else but myself to get things done BUT I'm glad this time I didn't! I was referred to Bruno by a close friend of mine and I'm so happy. He was not only quick with responding but also answered allllll of my questions. Trust me, I had A LOT. He was very detailed and showed me so many different options, keeping note of everything I wanted. We are officially booked for our honeymoon and I'm so excited! Thank you for your help, Bruno! You're the best! Can't wait to let you know how things go! read more

I was helped by Bruno Garibay, I had an amazing time on my 3 week European vacation and that was in great part because of him, he really listened, and delivered on the type of experience I wanted to have. He is very knowledgeable, friendly, professional, and truly tailors your trip to your wants and needs, I am very thankful I got to work with him. I am already working with Bruno for an upcoming trip and plan on going back to plan for future trips. I really recommend him as your next Travel Agent! read more

Big shout out to Ken Darrow of Universal Travel / Going Places Travel. Ken helped us plan a wonderful family trip to Italy to celebrate our 20th anniversary, including the Amalfi coast, Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan. Ken booked our flights, hotels, drivers, tours and guides in each location, working with his local partners IDI in Italy. Everything went exactly according to our plans and couldn't have gone any better. The drivers and tour guides were all so knowledgeable and fun. The private boat tour to Capri was amazing! We highly recommend working with Ken to plan your next dream trip! read more

I've been going to Universal Travel for years -- first for business, then for personal travel -- and have always had a great experience. Ken is very knowledgeable and courteous and always responsive, and I highly recommend him and his company. read more

In my professional life, I work with Kellee Kilmer and the folks at Universal on a regular basis. If I were reviewing UT on the professional level, they'd also get 5 stars. Let's not mix business with pleasure, though. This review is just for my personal life - honeymoon planning! Kellee is a honeymoon specialist, and I can't think of anyone I'd rather go to for help with planning our big trip. She's been invaluable to us with researching cruises, finding rates, checking out staterooms and keeping us informed on prices, options, ideas, etc. Our honeymoon is still months away but typical of any trip, things always come up. Kellee keeps us informed, and has a plan to work with us to book any sort of last minute items that come up. Universal Travel also offers a honeymoon registry, which is a great idea for people who don't need a lot of items in their home. Working with Kellee and the folks at UT is always pleasurable and worry-free. I'd recommend them to anyone in need of help with planning a honeymoon or any big trip. read more

Just wanted to share our experience with Ken Darrow of Universal Travel. I sent him an email singing his praises, but realized the best way to do so was to share it publicly. The note I sent him sums it up. "Ken, now that we are back and settled, I wanted to send you a note. We had the most wonderful time. The trip was fantastic, your planning sublime and I wouldn't have changed a single detail. I hope to be sending a lot of business your way. You deserve it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. My family was thrilled and my husband now has profound wanderlust." read more

Kellee Kilmer is indeed amazing. Super-responsive, super-nice, super-professional. We are very fortunate to be working with this company.

Kellee Kilmer is a DREAM to work with and she has been for years and years. I haven't even thought of another agent in a decade or more - business, pleasure, bereavement, in a hurry, economy-minded, there is NOTHING Kellee can't find for you, when you need, with then nicest demeanor to boot. Everyone I have recommended to her has sung her praises. Wish I could give bonus stars. read more

I've had the pleasure of working with Kellee Kilmer several times a year for my air travel needs. She came highly recommended to me by my boss who has been working with her at the recommendation of another colleague. Always pleasant, never makes mistakes, and is equally patient and upbeat with simple or complex itineraries. I've already recommended her to other colleagues who have also found Kellee to be great. read more

Kellee and the rest of Universal Travel are the best! I have been so pleased with my experience working with them to plan a cruise and would highly recommend this company. Kellee is prompt, patient, and understanding... she makes planning a vacation so easy! read more

I tell all my friends, so I thought I'd post a review on Yelp too - ED KLINGEL at UNIVERSAL TRAVEL is fantastic! He's arranged everything from an AMAZING honeymoon for us in Tahiti/Moorea/Bora Bora several years ago, to a family vacation at a beach front condo on Maui, to a quick email "Ed can you book me a hotel for the weekend!?!?". Always professional and HELPFUL! It's my first choice to book thru Ed! read more

Kellee Kilmer is the absolute best travel planner on the planet. She routinely makes my travel arrangements for business trips. I am an anesthesiologist and give lectures at medical conferences. This past month, I was the speaker on a Holland America Cruise in the Mediterranean. I asked Kellee to work out a couple days of land based travel for us starting in Naples, Italy and ending in Rome. I told her we had only 48 hours and what could she do. Kellee arranged for a driver to be waiting for us when we got off the ship. The driver took us over the mountain to the Amalfi coast. We started with the breathtaking views of Ravello, traveled on to Amalfi and then had lunch at 2 pm in Positano. She arranged for us to have a room overlooking the sea in Sorrento in a beautiful elegant hotel. In the morning we took a hydrofoil to Capri and then came back to Sorrento by hdrofoil that afternoon. Around 3:30 pm our driver returned to take us to the Naples airport for a 7 pm flight to Rome. What an amazing 48 hours. Thank you Kellee. I admit that I asked Kellee at the very very last minute to arrange all of this. But, she went ahead and then emailed us the travel itinerary. We had already boarded the ship in Athens, but I knew she would come through with something spectacular and she did. Kellee has the common sense, the know how and just the right amount of romanticism to take you to wonderful places. I highly recommend her. read more

Kellee Kilmer planned an amazing trip to Tahiti for us. She did a lot of research and helped us plan every detail of our trip. She's very responsive and did an amazing job of creating a custom trip tailored to meet our needs. Everything was flawless!! I will definitely use Kellee and Universal Travel again. read more

My wife and I have been working with Kellee Kilmer of Universal Travel for several years now. No matter where we go - Africa, Europe, Middle East, business and leisure, nothing is too complicated for Kellee. She is always available and always makes the extra effort to get us sorted and ensure everything is right. I hope to continue working with Kellee for many more years to come! read more

I just returned from the vacation of a lifetime! Kellee Kilmer made all the arrangements and did a wonderful job. She found a great deal on a European cruise, found reasonably priced hotels for before and after the cruise, and booked all the flights. Everything went very smoothly, so there was none of the usual vacation stress. I can't recommend Kellee highly enough! I can't wait to book my next vacation with Kellee! read more