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Ilbra Yacoob

Encino, California Travel Agent

Luxury Culinary Travel Advisor

Connecting travelers with local culture and the land through their taste buds. There is a romance tied to every ingredient’s origin that should never go unnoticed. Whether you are a chef, a foodie or simply a traveler who wants to engage more deeply with the people of the places you travel, I can arrange luxury itineraries that include extraordinary and revealing culinary and wine travel experiences. My appreciation for the land also has led me to specialize in eco-tourism adventures.

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Travel Specialties

A Life of Travel, Adventure, and Culinary Arts

A Life of Travel, Adventure, and Culinary Arts

As a Travel Advisor, I specialize in Culinary, Cultural and Eco-tourism Adventures. My expertise and passion are in creating immersive and luxurious experiences that take you to the heart and soul of your destination.

Eleven years of experience in the gourmet food industry and a ... Read more from my A Life of Travel, Adventure, and Culinary Arts bio.

Food & Wine Travel Expert

Food & Wine Travel Expert

I am not your usual travel agent. With a  background in the food and wine industry, I bring a unique perspective to travel planning and have become an expert in getting to the heart of a culture through food and wine.

My ... Read more from my Food & Wine Travel Expert bio.

Exploring the World through its Spirits

Exploring the World through its Spirits

Greece has its ouzo, Mexico has tequila and mezcal, France has its Calvados, and Japan has its sake. Each has traditions and rituals wrapped around it, so exploring the typical spirits of a region can take you right into the soul of a nation.

In Bulgaria, for example, Rakia is ... Read more from my Exploring the World through its Spirits bio.

CERTIFICATES & AWARDS

South Africa Specialist Certificate
Kenya Authorized Travel Specialist Program

Travel Experiences

African Safari in the Maasai Mara National Reserve
Seaside in SozopolSeaside in Sozopol
My World Travels

Gastronomic journey through Asturias, Spain

DAY 1- WELCOME TO ASTURIAS!

As our plane descended from the hour-long flight from Madrid, our aerial view became greener by every drop in elevation. We arrived in what is known as Green Spain, Asturias.  Given the small size of Gijón Oviedo Airport (OVD), claiming our luggage, and renting a car was quick and easy.Just a 35-minute ...Read more from my Gastronomic journey through Asturias, Spain story.

Discovering Panama

Before I became a travel agent, my partner and I had considered an active adventure travel to Costa Rica. We wanted to experience its rain and cloud forests. Someone had suggested that we could have a less expensive and less touristy experience in Panama, and so we started looking into it.

Not ...Read more from my Discovering Panama story.

Reviews

59 of 85 people found this review helpful

Travel magic!

Reviewed By Needy traveler - Los Angeles | Traveled to London ~ England ~ Europe
Ilbra is an extraordinary professional with a wonderfully personal approach. I have used her for group travel for highly customized travel, solo travel, last minute plans, changes, domestic, international, Covid-related travel issues, middle of the night issues, and more. Truly, she's magical, comprehensive, and superbly competent! I challenge you to find something she can't figure out!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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61 of 89 people found this review helpful

Once in a lifetime experience

Reviewed By Goby - Costa Mesa, CA | Traveled to Scotland ~ Europe
Detailed with 5 star follow up and communication throughout the entire process.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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37 of 49 people found this review helpful

Great as usual!

Reviewed By Tony - Los Angeles | Traveled to Mexico
Ilbra goes above and beyond beyond accommodating our needs, every single time! She's defiantly not sell it and forget it kind of agent. Love her!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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52 of 79 people found this review helpful

The best of Scotland, planned to perfection.

Reviewed By AJB - Dallas Texas | Traveled to Scotland ~ Europe
Ilbra was outstanding from start to finish in planning our “guys trip” to Scotland. Even down to the smallest detail, everything was perfectly and thoughtfully planned. We could not have been happier, and we can’t wait to have her plan our next trip!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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39 of 59 people found this review helpful

Incredible Greece vacation! Best trip yet!

Reviewed By Anthony G. - Los Angeles, CA | Traveled to Greece ~ Europe
This was truly the trips I have ever been on, from the incredible service from Ilbra to the perfectly planned hotels. The everything Ilbra provided went above and beyond expectations and I look forward to booking exclusively with her in the future!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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32 of 47 people found this review helpful

Dream Vacation

Reviewed By Happy Traveler - Palm Desert CA | Traveled to Africa
I have utilized Ilbra’s services for years and could write a book, but I won’t. Suffice to say, she is the best.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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37 of 57 people found this review helpful

Memorable Trip

Reviewed By R&C - Los Angeles | Traveled to Greece ~ Europe
Ilbra helped us with our first Europe trip to Greece (Athens, Mykonos and Santorini). She was excellent to work with. She was extremely helpful and very detailed with her communication. She guided us throughout the process and gave us very helpful tips and advices to make our trip a pleasant experience. She really exceeded our expectations at every moment.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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31 of 46 people found this review helpful

BEST TRAVEL AGENT

Reviewed By LP27 - Goodland, Kansas | Traveled to Punta Cana ~ Dominican Republic ~ Caribbean
We had the most WONDERFUL time working with Ilbra. She was so kind and helpful in every way! She was reliable and quick to respond. While we were on our trip, she continued to assist us the entire time.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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37 of 59 people found this review helpful

Greece getaway

Reviewed By EDS - Culver City, CA | Traveled to Athens ~ Greece ~ Europe
Ilbra was professional and prompt. She planned our last minute trip to Europe and it was flawless. The itinerary and transportations she arranged made our vacation the most wonderful experience. Ilbra was always available for questions and very informative. Highly recommend her!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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28 of 47 people found this review helpful

Why Use A Travel Agent

Reviewed By FinallyRetired - Indio CA | Traveled to Peru ~ South America
A friend recently asked us, “why do you use a travel agent?” Travel is not what it used to be (and my travel desires have expanded). My simplest answer is “because things can go wrong!” Ilbra has an attention to detail and she follows up. She remains calm when we throw last minute issues or questions at her. She reaches out and provides amazing assistance. She found us the perfect trip when our cruise was canceled, after we had already arrived in South America. What could have been a nightmare turned into a dream come true.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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5 of 9 people found this review helpful

A perfect trip!

Reviewed By LP - CT | Traveled to India ~ Central Asia
Ilbra was such an asset to my trip planning. It was a daunting task traveling to India for our daughter's wedding and we wanted to make the best use of the time that we had there. She was responsive to all of my many emails, heard my requests and was patient with the changes I requested throughout the process. She was able to connect us to colleagues in India who provided reliable and impeccable service from picking us up at the airport to escorting us on private tours. Ilbra epitomizes professionalism and service and does it with the utmost grace and skill. I cannot recommend her more highly.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
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13 of 27 people found this review helpful

A Sip of France !

Reviewed By Paris, Burgundy, Champagne, Bordeaux - Los Angles | Traveled to France ~ Europe
Working with Ilbra was a first class experience from start to finish. She responded immediately to our inquiry and completed a basic itinerary to complete as we go. She has fabulous and her Virtuoso contacts were the top of Luxury. She has a positive attitude, was supportive and accessible throughout planning and during our entire 2 week trip.
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.