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Barbara Houston

San Francisco, California Travel Agent

Luxury Travel Advisor

Crafting the right travel experience is important. Experience the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your travel dreams are my inspiration for tailoring personalized, stress-free travel paired with access to private promotions and advantages you won’t find anywhere else. From The Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton to Belmond, Auberge, Mandarin Oriental and The Dorchester Collection including every major luxury brand, Protravel has you covered with amenities and perks for our hotel bookings.

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Travel Specialties

Customized Itinerary

Customized Itinerary

It’s my passion to make certain your trip has all the necessary elements for success.  Whether it’s an invitation to meet the Jameson sisters in Ireland, a helicopter landing on the summit of New Zealand’s Mount Tarawera, a luxury yacht on ... Read more from my Customized Itinerary bio.

Extended Family Vacation or a Respite for Two

Extended Family Vacation or a Respite for Two

Experience and attention to detail are my trade in stock. Is there a trip you've been considering for years? This is the time to make your dream trip a reality with my help!

...... Read more from my Extended Family Vacation or a Respite for Two bio.
Beach Dreams

Beach Dreams

If it’s a destination with a beautiful beach there’s a good chance I’ve been there! Bali and Thailand’s warm water, New Zealand sailing, St Barts, Capri and (of course!) Hawai’i are just a few of the options.

...... Read more from my Beach Dreams bio.

Travel Experiences

Client Testimonials

SE Asia Trip and Cruise

Our trip was amazing, one of our favorites ever! Thanks so much for making the hotel and guide arrangements, you did a great job, and we really appreciated the upgrades (especially the plunge pool!). All the hotels were beautiful, the people were lovely, we felt taken care of at every step. Barbara, I really appreciate all you did to make this such a great trip. I will definitely recommend your services and contact you again in the future!

Provided by Jane H

China Tour

It was incredible! I loved the tour, the group and everything about it. Thank you so much. I knew I could trust you. I really appreciate all your help. The trip was amazing!!

Provided by Sophia M

Africa Multi-generational Family Trip for Twelve

We had the most amazing time. Everything was PERFECT!! South Africa is spectacular. We had someone taking care of us at every step which eliminated stress for such a big group. The safari lodges were TO DIE FOR. We ate and drank and saw every animal we hoped to. I can’t say enough wonderful things. Truly, it was the trip of a lifetime. We are so grateful for ALL your hard work. It was magic.

Provided by Danielle K

Belize Trip

Thank you again Barbara! The trip was incredible and totally unforgettable - very well planned! Thank you again!

Provided by Tom G

Peru Trip and Amazon Cruise

The trip was great, one of my favorites. All the hotels and arrangements you made were perfect, the guides were great. Thank you so much. So awesome!

Provided by Jane H

Amazing Trip to Kauai

Barbara, you are such a dear to check in. As usual, above and beyond. We are great, had an easy transition, and love both houses as you foretold. North Shore is a perfect fit, and the kids are thrilled to have a pool here, and the Sunshine Helicopter tour was amazing! We were all blown away!

Provided by Molly

Reviews

89 of 138 people found this review helpful

Not a care in the world!

Reviewed By Happy Camper - San Jose, CA | Traveled to Europe
Barbara was knowledgable and very helpful in planning my trip to England, Ireland, and Scotland in July. My travel companions and I gave her our timeline and parameters of what we were looking for in accommodations and she did an amazing job of finding us the cutest Bed and Breakfast places off the beaten path! From flight plans, accommodations, rental car, to suggestions for the best deals, Barbara Houston is the person for you!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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96 of 152 people found this review helpful

The best vacation ever!

Reviewed By Jennifer M. - Corona, California | Traveled to San Diego ~ California ~ USA
It has been an absolute pleasure to have Barbara Houston as our travel agent. She is extremely responsive, professional and easy to work with! We have booked two vacations through her and both were exactly what we were looking for.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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87 of 137 people found this review helpful

Christmas travel has never been so easy!

Reviewed By Julie W - Oakland, CA | Traveled to Hawaii Island ~ Hawaii ~ USA
Barbara made travel so easy. We gave her our vision -- and then all we had to do was show up and enjoy Hawaii!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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82 of 128 people found this review helpful

Christmas in Hawaii

Reviewed By Christmas in Hawaii - Oakland, CA | Traveled to Kona, Hawaii ~ Hawaii ~ USA
Barbara found this family of 11 the perfect place for a Christmas reunion in Hawaii complete with toddler friendly venues for Christmas dinner and a farewell luau. Thanks, Barbara! It wouldn't have happened without you.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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79 of 126 people found this review helpful

Amazing trip!

Reviewed By Karina - Chapel Hill, NC | Traveled to United Kingdom ~ Europe
Very helpful and planned a great trip
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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77 of 125 people found this review helpful

Beautiful trips

Reviewed By Love of travel - Fremont ca | Traveled to Italy ~ Europe
Barbara is a wealth of wisdom when it comes to the best travel advice. We have been on 20 plus trips including several different cities in Mexico ,Tahiti ,Italy ,Spain London and Paris Not only does she know the best of best places to visit, but she also has amazing connections with breathtaking resorts.
We have been so pampered at several different resorts which we were upgraded. Upgrades have included meal credits and ,larger Suites . Barbara is readily available and more than trustworthy reliable and trustworthy.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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77 of 126 people found this review helpful

Once in a lifetime trip to Hawaii

Reviewed By Joe C - Oakland, CA | Traveled to Hawaii Island ~ Hawaii ~ USA
Barbara had all of the answers before I even had the questions! Really, the best part of working with her is that the things I didn’t know would make a big difference for the trip were things she had already figured out. We had then best time in Hawaii and it was all smooth sailing. Thank goodness our timing worked out!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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40 of 60 people found this review helpful

Barbara made Italy more magical than ever!

Reviewed By DGK - Billings, Montana | Traveled to Italy ~ Europe
We recently took a two-week trip to Italy, planned with Barbara'a help. I've always planned our trips on my own, assuming I could find the right towns, hotels, tours on my own. But Barbara had been recommended to us and I was blown away by how much she enhanced our trip. She found us an amazing boat tour in Cinqueterre and a fabulous little castle in Chianti to stay, spots I never would have found on my own. And when our trip went a little sideways with a baggage issue, Barbara was on the phone, notifying our hotels, adjusting reservations and helping us reroute. What's even better is that we got the same rates for hotels that we would have if we'd booked online but with Barbara, stays included benefits like free breakfast or a hotel credit. I won't plan another trip without her!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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70 of 120 people found this review helpful

An amazing and complex trip

Reviewed By Dodie and Joe - Oakland, CA | Traveled to Thailand ~ East and Southeast Asia
We have used Barbara's services for more than a decade, planning adventurous trips like our most recent to Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. Simply said, our travel is both more intense and pleasurable because Barbara does the work that she's incredibly good at. As we begin planning, we consult Barbara about the best timing for our destination; she knows the globe, from weather to major holidays and celebrations. This helps us avoid crowds as it did on this most recent trip in Thailand. Next, Barbara begins looking out for the best deals on flights. She works with with us, making suggestions for an itinerary based on our vision and needs. Barbara books our hotels so we can take advantage of upgrades and special amenities. These add up. She stays on top of travel insurance, airport transfers and flight changes, and is fast to respond when we're on the move. Barbara has developed a keen sense for the kind of experiences we are looking for as we travel. She is indispensable.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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27 of 37 people found this review helpful

We had a wonderful trip!

Reviewed By Albee - Bozeman, MT | Traveled to Italy ~ Europe
I felt so fortunate to finally visit a small part of Europe. The trip planning was amazing. The hotels and tours were soooo good. I felt a bit spoiled at times, but I loved it! A couple of the tour guides were exceptional! I absolutely loved the hotel in Rome. The hotel in Venice felt like I was staying in a Palace.. I guess I was! Rapallo was perfect for experiencing the coast, and we loved being able to stay at a resort for a few days. Of course Italy itself was all I was told it would be and more. Thank you again for your help, we will be in touch again for our next trip.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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74 of 131 people found this review helpful

Best travel agent I've ever had!!

Reviewed By Jeff - Clifton, TX | Traveled to Europe
Barbara has been just amazing to work with. Not only does she love her job but she cares about her clients a lot and takes care of them far better than any other travel agent I've ever worked with. She helps even outside of normal working hours or even on vacation to another country. I consider her more a friend then my travel agent because she looks out for me like a friend or even better than a friend. She is absolutely amazing.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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76 of 138 people found this review helpful

Amazing Honeymoon

Reviewed By Becca - Snoqualmie, WA | Traveled to Hawaii ~ USA
Barbara worked with us to create the most wonderful Honeymoon experience in Hawaii. She has a wonderful sense for finding the exact accommodations and activities that fit our personalities, and we are so thankful to have had her help!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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24 of 38 people found this review helpful

Unforgettable Family Vacation

Reviewed By Jennifer - Anaheim, CA | Traveled to French Polynesia ~ South Pacific
We had a phenomenal time and this vacation tops all of our previous ones. We had a lot of fun with the scheduled activities. Everything was coordinated and ready for us at our arrival time. There was always someone that knew our name, was expecting us and taking care of us. It was amazing to see this level of coordination from across the world. Barbara is always great at this. Besides that the location was amazing. Our accommodations on both islands were great, with the overwater bungalow experience being completely over the top. As always Barbara listened to our needs, offered good advice, found us excellent deals and various upgrades.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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24 of 39 people found this review helpful

Trip of A Lifetime Expertly Managed!

Reviewed By JulieZ - Kailua Kona | Traveled to France ~ Europe
Barbara helped us develop an amazing itinerary for a month in France, then expertly managed all the logistics, communicating consistently and taking care of us as we asked questions about culture and international travel nuances as we were on the trip. Barbara asked for upgrades for us along the way and managed to get us a dream Eiffel Tower view room. I told her she was the Travel Fairy Godmother and sprinkled magic dust on our trip as everything went so well! If you want an advisor who is deeply knowledgeable about travel, logistics, luxury, and what to do and see, Barbara is amazing.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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21 of 41 people found this review helpful

A Dream 25th Anniversary Trip

Reviewed By HappyTraveler - Sharpsburg, GA | Traveled to St. Barthelemy ~ Caribbean
Barbara is fantastic to to work with! She has helped us plan two fabulous trips, one to Hawaii a few years back, and this month a 25th Anniversary trip to St. Barths/St. Martin.
Barbara is amazing at matching our personal preferences to both travel destinations as well as details such as lodging and dining recommendations. She offers so much knowledge and works hard and in a timely manner to work out all travel arrangements.

For our recent trip to St. Barths, Barbara suggested the island which we hadn't even thought of. We had an amazing lodging experience with our Eden Rock villa and the island offered plenty of opportunities for our favorite activities of hiking and visiting beautiful beaches. We enjoyed a special, romantic Anniversary dinner at a restaurant with a fabulous setting that Barbara recommended. With Barbara's help, we truly experienced a dream anniversary trip!
We can't wait for Barbara to plan our next adventure!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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My Travel Experience

Places I’ve personally traveled to or destinations I’ve booked for my clients.