Japan Travel Advisor

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Derek Krabill, Travel Agent in Rancho Mirage, CA

Derek Krabill

Rancho Mirage, CA Travel Agent

Derek Krabill

Rancho Mirage, CA · 12 Years of Experience

Valley Travel Associates - Dream Vacations, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
5.0
(5)
100% Recommended
Derek at Valley Travel Associates Dream Vacations has been my trusted source to plan all of my husband’s and my favorite adventures of the past 15... Read More >
About
Reviews
My Places
Travel Stories & Media
Client Testimonials

Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Japan, Asia

Interests:

Bespoke Travel, Luxury, Family Vacations, Culinary & Foodie, Luxury Hotels

Suppliers:

Abercrombie & Kent, Kensington, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Explora Journeys, Seabourn

About Me

Japan, beyond the obvious
Japan, beyond the obvious

Derek Krabill is a Japan travel advisor based in Rancho Mirage, CA, in the Coachella Valley, designing custom Japan journeys for travelers across California, the United States, and Canada. He specializes in bespoke Japan itineraries that go beyond the standard first-time route, combining major cultural centers with more immersive experiences shaped around a client’s interests, pace, and priorities.His Japan planning often includes thoughtfully paced city stays, ryokan experiences, regional cuisine, cultural depth, and seamless logistics throughout the journey. For travelers seeking a luxury Japan vacation with expert guidance and a more personalized point of view, Derek offers a high-touch planning process grounded in firsthand insight and careful execution.

REVIEWS

Rating: 5.0
5 reviews
100% Recommended
Your trust is our priority. Every review is submitted by verified travelers after they have booked and completed their trips. Learn more about our review guidelines.
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Showing 5 reviews

A Proactive Problem-Solver
Reviewed By Ed Beach - Fort Lauderdale, FL | Traveled to Australia | Australia & New Zealand
Derek at Valley Travel Associates Dream Vacations has been my trusted source to plan all of my husband’s and my favorite adventures of the past 15 years. He and his incredible Team take all the worries off my shoulders as he sweats all the little details that I do not have the time and honestly the attention to research and assess. Most importantly, he anticipates any possible issues and always offers up amazing alternatives when unexpected changes cause plans to pivot. I love that he has travelled the entire World. This makes Derek my trusted opinion for finding itineraries that meet my specific passions. He is just a gem!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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A Good Travel Agent Can Save You More Than DIY
Reviewed By Steve from Sacto - Sacramento, CA | Traveled to United Kingdom | Europe
I always assumed I could do it all myself. So, when a friend recommended Derek Krabill of Dream Vacations, I wasn't sure I needed the help. Immediately, Derek was able to show me options I hadn't considered, helped me find discounts I didn't know existed, and took care of details I didn't know I needed to know. 5 stars. Highly recommend.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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An Agency that Books With Love, Care and Devotion
Reviewed By Finsfan23 - Fort Lauderdale, FL | Traveled to Barcelona | Spain | Europe
I am writing to highly recommend a travel agent I’ve had the pleasure of working with for over a decade. Derek at Dream Vacations. Derek is consistently responsive, reliable, and a true partner in planning. His attention to detail and genuine care ensure every trip is seamless and tailored to my needs. What stands out most is his willingness to go above and beyond; handling last-minute changes effortlessly and adding thoughtful touches that elevate each experience. II would confidently recommend him to anyone seeking exceptional travel service.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Derek Helps Us Make Every Journey-A Life Experience
Reviewed By Chris H - Albuquerque, NM | Traveled to Ireland | Europe
Working with Derek has completely changed how we travel. From our wedding and honeymoon in Italy to my 50th birthday trip to Ireland, every experience he’s planned has been seamless, thoughtful, and incredibly well executed. For my Ireland birthday trip, Derek arranged a private driver and custom tours that allowed us to see so much of the country without worrying about logistics or timing. Everything flowed smoothly, and we were able to truly enjoy the experience. What stands out most is how far ahead Derek thinks. He anticipates needs before they come up, handles details with care, and ensures comfort and accessibility when needed. He’s patient, professional, and never pressures you—just presents great options that align with your preferences and budget. Derek is responsive, organized, and genuinely excited about the trips he plans, which makes the entire process enjoyable. Friends we’ve referred to him say the same thing: once you work with Derek, you don’t go back to planning travel on your own. Knowing Derek is handling our travel gives us complete peace of mind—and that makes all the difference.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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From A Wedding in Italy to my 7th Continent: Seamless, Thoughtful Travel Planning with Derek
Reviewed By Karen Mestas - Albuquerque, New Mexico | Traveled to Antarctica | Antarctica | Antarctica
After working with Derek, I truly wouldn’t trust anyone else with meaningful travel. Over the years, he has helped plan some of the most important and memorable trips of my life—our Italy wedding and honeymoon, my husband’s 50th birthday trip to Ireland with a private driver, my own 50th birthday adventure to Antarctica (my 7th continent!), and most recently, a last-minute pilgrimage to Italy with my mother. That last trip could have been stressful due to my mother’s mobility issues, but Derek handled every detail flawlessly. He selected perfectly located hotels, arranged wheelchair services for flights and excursions, and made sure we were comfortable every step of the way—allowing us to simply enjoy our time together. Derek truly gets to know his clients. He considers budget, interests, must-dos, and things you may not even think to ask about yet. He is responsive, consistent, never pushy, and genuinely excited about every trip he plans. He makes you feel like your travel is his top priority. From bucket-list adventures to group trips, Derek does it all seamlessly. I’ve referred friends and colleagues who now say they’ll never travel without him again. He’s currently helping with future trips as well—and once again, the process is completely stress-free. Derek doesn’t just plan trips; he elevates the entire experience from start to finish.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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My Places

When it comes to travel planning, real-world experience makes a huge difference. Check out the map below to see all the places I have personally visited or booked for my clients. I know these destinations well and can give you reliable guidance.

My Photo Albums and Videos

Japan in Spring
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    Client Testimonials

    We had an amazing family vacation!
    My cruise plan was a little last minute and I was in a panic mode when I contacted Derek. He was able to arrange the rooms I needed and provided plenty of sound advices as it was my first cruise with the family. Me and my family had an amazing vacation which was way above my expectations. Truly appreciate Derek for helping to create the memorable experience. I won’t hesitate to book with them again for my next trip.
    Edwin L - Vancouver, BC
    Takes care of details...
    've worked with Derek on a number of vacations, cruises, etc. and he has been very helpful, lots of good ideas and contacts, takes care of details, and very easy to speak with and discuss options. I heartily recommend Derek to work with on any travel plans.
    J Treiber
    He was available anytime before and during...
    My wife and I asked Derek to help us with our Maui vacation. What a smart move. We had a blast! Booked everything, including a great luau and fishing trip. Details were covered. He was available anytime before and during if an issue arose (none did!). Our next vacation will be booked using Derek and Dream Vacations, for sure! Thanks Derek!
    Jason W
    He is always available and attentive...
    We have worked with Derek for many cruises including during the pandemic where many cruises were booked, cancelled, and rebooked. He is always available and attentive to our travel needs and keeps us informed of any changing conditions. Derek is a pleasure to work with.
    K Jung
    If you want a stress-free holiday to remember...
    If you want a stress-free holiday to remember, one phone call to Derek Krabill will make it happen. Derek has planned our last two vacations and they were phenomenal. Now, our friends are using him as their travel agent as well. After deciding on your destination and what you would like to see and do, Derek will provide you with a complete itinerary for your review and input. Once the plan is finalized, Derek will take care of all necessary arrangements from start to finish. And to think, travel agent fees are free to their clients. Derek knows all the ins and outs of the travel industry. He is always available to you for questions or concerns. Any difficulties are resolved for you within minutes. Derek is a true professional and he really cares about his clients. Call Derek to plan your next vacation and you, too, will have the trip of a lifetime.
    J Magder
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