Japan Travel Advisor

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 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 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.

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.

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.