Thank you Krystian for taking care of our 2025 Japan Trip we had a blast! Thank you for the…read morepatience with me from the time I booked my trip until the last minutes changes. I am looking forward working with you on my next trip.

Jacqueline from Going Places Travel is what I call a "travel magician"! She was able to solve the…read morechallenging mystery my travel buddy and I presented: find two business class seats to and from the Middle East from our selected departure city in the USA. She patiently, tirelessly persevered until she found a great solution. My friend and I are enormously grateful.

Exceptional, knowledgeable, totally professional. Worked with the team for more than 30 years.read more

I rarely write yelp reviews- but have had such a good experience working with Ellen at Ocean View…read moretravel that I really want to recommend her services to everyone! I travel often for work and occasionally coordinate large international group visits to the US. Ellen has helped me overcome every possible challenging travel situation with patience and skill: "The 14 person group won't learn who is granted a visa to travel or not until 3 days before our trip" "These two passengers want to visit an uncle after the group agenda" "I need to visit these 4 remote places in 4 countries on a tight schedule" and the list goes on. I book all of my work travel arrangements through Ellen. Her expertise saves me countless hours and is truly a good value.

I would consider Vaya to be a premier travel and adventure provider... we have used them to travel…read moreto Easter island, Patagonia, Lisbon, Porto, and it all was amazing... from the specialized itineraries to the premier service you travel hassle free and see amazing sights you might otherwise miss without their hand picked local guides. They work with you to get exactly what you want for what you want to spend! Can't say enough great things about this company!

November 15, 2024…read more Last year, in November of 2023, we booked a trip to South America (Argentina, Amazon cruise, Quito and the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador). It was a complicated itinerary, and we gave it to our travel agent, whom we had known and trusted for over thirty (30) years. She somehow looked to Vaya Adventures. We had never heard about them, but trusted her. Bad decision. Vaya Adventures is composed of charlatans. Their office is in Berkeley, CA, with no representatives in Argentina, only vendors. The CEO of Vaya Adventures is not stable, hysterical, unable to make rational decisions. He left us stranded in Argentina, at a time when we were already seventy-six (76, R. G.) and eighty-four (84, J. G) years old. We had to make our own arrangements to go back home. He cut us out of the Amazon, Quito, and Galapagos destinations, and refused for over an entire year to return the money for the unused portion of the trip. Please, please, if you plan a vacation in South America, do not do it with Vaya Adventures. It will save you a lot of heartache and also a lot of money. They are not even registered with the Better Business Bureau, so no one knows objectively about their financial status or their performance. They have a glowing web page, but do not trust it.

I just returned from the Camino de Santiago trip in Spain and it was incredible! Hiking that…read moreage-old pilgrimage path, visiting gothic cathedrals and rural Romanesque churches, spending nights in incredible cities like Pamplona and Leon, often staying in a renovated monastery or church--wow! Our guide, Erik, brought it all together with nightly chats about the history of the Camino, bullfighting and Catholicism. Together with the other guide, Diego, they made sure we arrived at the right time, everything was prepared for us, and we hardly had to think about anything but enjoying the journey. Thanks MT Sobek!

I do not normally post reviews and was debating whether to post it but decided it would be helpful…read morefor others. I was on a hiking trip with this group (Dec 2025-Jan 2026) to Utah national parks. Instead of snowshoeing because of weather the leader (Preston) offered 10 miles hike in Bryce. This was not posted on the trip itinerary as an alternative in case of not appropriate for snowshoeing weather. There were 4 women in the trip including myself. Three -very fast hiker including one of them-trail runner. I was totally fit for the trip because of other recent hikes and other physical activities. However, I am a slow hiker but always reach the summit. In addition, the trail was covered with deep mud which slowed me down. I was left in the middle of the Bryce wilderness alone, no one checked if I was still behind. I lost sight of the others, and the trail was going to different directions, I did not know where to go and when I called the leader, he did not answer. I felt completely excluded, in a complete wilderness. It was really stressful as I am not used to be alone in the wilderness with no one around. This is unacceptable, what if something happened to me. I have never experienced this with any group before on any of my trips. Before this hike the leader said that I should not go or to go and hang around on the ridge and wait for them. He said they would not wait for me as I am slower than the rest of the group. Also unacceptable as the slow hiker should be accommodated, not just advise not to go. To tell the person who flew from east coast (others were from CA) not to go because I am slower than other - really rude. Alternatively, groups should be selected properly to align people who hike with same pace. On their site it does not mention anything about pace meaning that all hikers have to be accommodated. In addition, before the trip I specifically pointed to the sale person that I was looking a moderate hike. At another hike, there was raining, I got wet despite a rain poncho and I asked the leader to dry out in the lodge, he said -No, you will dry in the bus. I got really sick and it lasted 2 weeks when I returned to NJ. There was always unnecessary rush and not a polite attitude. Also, the leader spoke very negatively about some wild life - squirrels that he hated and kicked them of when they came closer. When I told him that he should not speak of any animals like this, he said that because they spread diseases. I have never heard anything like this in any of my trips with different companies. I am very sensitive about animals as many other people are. Regardless, a person with this attitude towards animals is not a good fit with nature and job he does. All leaders have to be advised to be cognizant in this regard. Very disappointing experience...

Nancy Smart was our travel agent for 25 years. She planned trips for us to Sourh Africa,…read moreAustralia, Great Britain, Portugal, Sicily, Croatia, Venice, Austria, Puglia... For each trip she deftly used our United miles to get us business class seats. No easy feat. She researched accommodations for us and as we aged, she booked us into places that she knew we'd love and feel comfortable in. When we asked her to make changes, over the phone you could feel her smile. Even when her health was failing, she worked with us to plan an exceptional trip to Puglia for my husband's 80th birthday. When I called her yesterday to ask her to help us plan a trip to Normandy; sadly, I learned she passed away a month ago. My heart is heavy, but I want everyone who reads this review to know she was good. She was the best. We will miss her. Ron and Helane Zeiger, Berkeley, CA

Northside Travel helped me book flights that I was unable to book online. They were speedy and…read moreprofessional and their fee was reasonable. Thank you!

After the Oakland USPS cancelling my appointment without notice, I was able to get an appointment…read moresame day here at Cal. Thank you so much team for providing this service and doing it well!

Came here with my friends who had appointment for their first passport…read more It's very efficient. Appointment made about a week prior, unlike post office, where you have to make appointment at least for a month. You got there, they check all the paperwork, a very brief interview and voila, you're done!

I've been using Boutique Travel for over 10 years, and I can't imagine planning a trip without…read morethem. What keeps me coming back is their ability to create truly bespoke experiences. Ellen has an incredible ability to tailor experiences, which makes each trip feel uniquely mine. She always finds the perfect balance by incorporating culinary, cultural, and art experiences that I love, along with athletic and outdoor activities that keep things active and engaging. It never feels one dimensional. I've used BT's services to book trips to Africa numerous times. Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Uganda are just a few examples.. Each destination has offered something completely unique, and Ellen has hit the itineraries right out of the park. Gorilla trekking in Uganda was a once in a lifetime experience, and visiting the Skeleton Coast in Namibia felt like stepping into another world. In Botswana, I was lucky enough to see leopards up close, which is so rare and exciting! I have also vacationed in Tahiti three times, and each time has been magical and different! Most recently, my husband and I just got back from an incredible trip to Rangiroa, and we are already talking about exploring more islands on our next visit. Looking ahead, I am starting to plan a trip to Japan, and I will definitely be working with Boutique Travel again to put together the itinerary. Their attention to detail, creativity, and ability to truly understand what we are looking for makes every trip seamless and unforgettable. Highly recommend!

Ellen has helped us plan multiple trips to Southeast Asia, and most recently Vietnam. We're 2…read moreadults and 2 kids. She is always a pleasure to work with, listens to our wants and needs, and magically makes them happen beyond our expectations. Her contacts worldwide make traveling a breeze...always on time, super friendly, knowledgable, and just great people. Every time her accommodation suggestions are spot on and again, exceed our expectations. She is conscious of our budget that we set out and just consistently delivers with her experience and guidance. This is our 3rd trip with Ellen and we will definitely go to her first for the next one. You should too!

My son is into cars. One a high performance Honda and two project cars. I just have a truck and a…read moresedan. Good thing we have a Premium AAA Membership. Easy walk-in DMV services. I've also purchased a car battery installed at my home at a reasonable price. Used the Travel Service for Passport renewal and even a good rate for hotels and car rentals. My son has used the long distance towing and the occasional jump start. We for sure have taken full advantage of the membership.

I have been a AAA member for some time now…read more AAA offers many services other than auto insurance and roadside assistance They also offer travel assistance and travel insurance. I have purchased traveling insurance in the recent past when I traveled out of the country and it was the beginning of Covid. Thankfully I did not need to use it however I did have peace of mind knowing the services I had available to me if needed On 10/12/20 I visited the AAA office at The Ridge. I needed to get my vehicle registration renewal (another perk of being a member, they offer some DMV services ) Process was fast and simple. No long lines and good customer service. I was in and out in less than 10 min and now I'm all set till late 2021. Covid guidelines are being enforced. Social distancing and members are cleaning/spraying down in between customers. Thank you

This place is a GOLD MINE of information for both visitors…read moreand residents. The staff is very nice, helpful and welcoming. They have plenty of free hand-outs and information about not just Berkeley but other Northern California spots too! They have maps (some cost $), bus schedules, where to rent a car in downtown Berkeley and lots of other info. Earlier in the year they have a free California guide book for events, festivals for the entire state. They are closed for lunch and on weekends Their website is: visitberkeley.com

Very helpful and informative tourist center, You will be able to hear about all the cool places in…read moretown, insider tips, maps & EVERYTHING you will need to enjoy the beautiful city Berkeley 5/5 !