River, Ocean & Expedition Cruising/Safari

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Laura Bender, Travel Agent in Trabuco Canyon, CA

Laura Bender

Trabuco Canyon, CA Travel Agent
Super Agent

Laura Bender

Trabuco Canyon, CA · 16 Years of Experience

The Point of Travel , an independent agent with KHM Travel Group, a Travel Leaders Network Affiliate Agency
5.0
(44)
100% Recommended
We had a great Viking trip planned for 4 college friends by Laura! Good communication by phone or email with Laura. She helped with... Read More >
About
Reviews
Certificates & Awards
My Places
Travel Stories & Media

Areas of expertise

Destinations:

Italy, France, England, Germany, Croatia

Interests:

Luxury Cruises, River Cruises, Culinary & Foodie, European Culture, Family Vacations

Suppliers:

Seabourn, Avalon Waterways, Oceania Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises

About Me

Travel has been my passion for as long as I can remember, and for more than 16 years, I've had the pleasure of turning that passion into a career helping others explore the world. As the owner of The Point of Travel, I specialize in creating bespoke vacations and thoughtfully curated travel experiences that reflect each client's unique interests, personal style, and travel dreams.

Having traveled to all seven continents, I bring more than just destination knowledge to the planning process. I bring firsthand experience, trusted industry relationships, and a genuine understanding of what makes a vacation extraordinary. From sailing through the breathtaking landscapes of Antarctica and exploring the Galápagos Islands to discovering the cultures of Japan, wandering through charming European villages, and enjoying the beauty of French Polynesia, my own travels have given me invaluable insight that I love sharing with my clients.

Luxury Cruises, River Cruises & Expedition Adventures. One of my specialties is cruising, whether it's an intimate European river cruise, an elegant luxury ocean voyage, or an unforgettable expedition to some of the world's most remote destinations. I've personally sailed with many of the world's leading luxury, river, ocean, and expedition cruise lines.This firsthand experience allows me to curate exceptional cruise experiences, from selecting the ideal cruise line and itinerary to recommending the right ship, stateroom, and pre- or post-cruise adventures. I believe the perfect cruise isn't necessarily the most expensive one. It's the one that best matches your expectations and travel personality.

Bespoke European Vacations & Worldwide Adventures. Beyond cruising, I love designing bespoke land vacations throughout Europe, Asia, and beyond. Italy, France, Japan, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, and the United Kingdom are among my favorite destinations to plan.Whether you're dreaming of a romantic Italian getaway, a luxury European escape, an immersive journey through Japan, or a combination of iconic sights and hidden gems, I enjoy bringing every detail together into a seamless, personalized experience.

Through my relationships with trusted travel partners around the world, I carefully curate accommodations, private guides, exclusive excursions, transportation, and authentic local experiences that elevate an ordinary vacation into something truly memorable.

Group Travel & Special Celebrations. Some of my favorite travel memories have been created while bringing people together. I have extensive experience planning and coordinating group vacations, including multi-generational family adventures, milestone birthdays, anniversaries, couples' getaways, special-interest groups, and luxury cruise groups.I also enjoy creating curated group experiences centered around shared interests such as food and wine, Mahjong, pickleball, and other activities that bring friends and families together. Having personally hosted groups internationally, I understand the importance of balancing shared experiences with individual preferences, ensuring everyone feels well cared for.

Personalized Service From Beginning to End. What truly sets The Point of Travel apart is the personal attention I give to every vacation. I don't believe in one-size-fits-all travel planning. Every journey begins with a conversation about what matters most to you.My approach combines the attention to detail of bespoke travel planning with the personal relationships and firsthand knowledge that come from years of exploring the world. From our initial conversation through the final details before departure, I strive to make the planning process organized, enjoyable, and as stress-free as possible.I coordinate the many moving parts of travel, provide practical guidance, and prepare my clients with the information and resources they need to travel confidently.

My goal is to create an experience where you can focus on enjoying the journey while knowing the details have been thoughtfully considered.Many of my clients return year after year, and some of my most rewarding relationships have grown from helping families celebrate life's special moments through travel.

Why I Love What I Do. For me, travel is about so much more than visiting a destination. It's about the people you meet, the cultures you experience, the unexpected discoveries, and the memories you bring home.After visiting all seven continents, I'm still discovering new places and finding inspiration for my clients' next adventures. I believe there's always another remarkable experience waiting just around the corner.Whether you're planning your first European vacation, celebrating a special occasion, exploring the world aboard a luxury cruise, or finally taking that once-in-a-lifetime trip, I would love to help create a journey that's uniquely yours.The Point of Travel | Creating Memories Around the World…Together!

REVIEWS

Rating: 5.0
44 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 44 reviews

Danube darlings on the river
Reviewed By Molly W - Dayton, OH | Traveled to Danube | On the River | At Sea
We had a great Viking trip planned for 4 college friends by Laura! Good communication by phone or email with Laura. She helped with a day trip driver also on our way to embark on our cruise. Very easy planning with Laura's help and her past experiences in Germany and Austria!
Laura Bender responded
"Molly, thank you so much for your kind words! It was a pleasure helping you and your college friends plan such a special trip together. I'm so glad my personal experiences in Germany and Austria helped make your travels even more enjoyable. There's nothing better than exploring beautiful destinations while creating new memories with longtime friends. I truly appreciate your trust in me and look forward to helping with your next adventure!"
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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The Best Trip of our Lives!
Reviewed By Kjanics - Coto de Caza, CA | Traveled to Italy | Europe
We LOVE Laura Bender- The Point of Travel! My husband and I just returned from the most AMAZING trip to Italy, perfectly planned for us by Laura Bender - Point of Travel. Laura carefully listened to what we really wanted to see and do and then created an incredible itinerary for us. From the flights, to every transfer, to the beautiful hotels, to the excursions, Laura set everything up so well! It was seamless! It was a trip of a lifetime! We are so appreciative of everything Laura did both beforehand and during our trip to make our time in Italy so wonderful and memorable! She truly is a pro! Five stars are not near enough! We definitely recommend Laura!
Laura Bender responded
"John and Katie, thank you so much for this wonderful review! It was truly a pleasure creating your special Italian adventure. I loved working with you to design an itinerary that reflected exactly what you wanted to experience. Knowing that everything came together seamlessly and that you returned home with such wonderful memories means the world to me. Thank you for trusting me with such a special trip and for your kind recommendation. I can't wait to help plan your next adventure!"
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Wonderful Rhine River & France Vacation
Reviewed By Loving Laura! - Trabuco Canyon | Traveled to Rhine River | On the River | At Sea
Two weeks ago, we returned home from a wonderful Rhine River cruise, and a stay in Paris & Normandy with our dear friends. Laura handled all of our bookings and kept us on track with all the details that go into taking a 2 week trip. Laura is so knowledgeable about the places we visited and explored. While planning the trip, she arranged conference calls for our friends and us, to discuss and plan our trip. She enlightened us to the many options for sites, travel, restaurants, tour guides, etc. Laura is a wealth of knowledge. She loves to travel and she has been to so many places around the world. Her excitement about the places she encouraged us to see was contagious. And we loved all of her recommendations. It was a trip we will never forget. Thank you Laura!
Laura Bender responded
"Thank you so much for your beautiful review! It was truly a pleasure helping you and your friends plan your Rhine River cruise and time in Paris & Normandy. I’m so happy you enjoyed the recommendations, tours, and experiences along the way. Creating seamless, memorable journeys is what I love most, and knowing your trip was so special means the world to me. Thank you for trusting me with your travels, and I look forward to planning your next adventure!"
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Spring Break Cruise
Reviewed By TeamMika - Dove Canyon, CA | Traveled to Mexico
Laura is so easy to work with and is a leader in the cruising biz. Beyond her travel knowledge, she really knows her stuff when it comes to cruising. She's always been so helpful and attentive when it comes to booking travel.
Laura Bender responded
"Melisa, Thank you so much for your kind words! It’s always a pleasure helping you with your travels. I truly appreciate your trust and am so happy to hear that my cruise knowledge, attention to detail, and service have made the planning process easy and enjoyable. Creating seamless travel experiences is what I love most. I look forward to helping you plan many more amazing adventures in the future!"
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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A-MAZING trip!!
Reviewed By KimK - California | Traveled to China | East and Southeast Asia
Laura had her hands full when I asked her to help plan a trip from CA to Beijing China, Shanghi, Hong Kong, then directly to Sydney Australia , continuing to Savusavu Fiji and return to CA. And on top of it...I didnt give her a lot of time to plan, and I had 6 people involved with varying itineraries. However, Laura was up for the challenge and did an amazing job!! She booked our airfare, including a new one when our Hong Kong flight was cancelled due to a typhoon. She discussed several ideas I had and had great input and recommendations. She also booked various excursions, transports, and train tickets. Truly, I can not say enough great things about Laura and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND HER!! Thank you, thank you!
Laura Bender responded
"Kim, Thank you so much for your kind words and recommendation! Planning this incredible journey across China, Hong Kong, Australia, Fiji, and California for six travelers was truly exciting. I’m so happy everything came together smoothly, even with the unexpected flight changes. It was a pleasure helping create such a memorable adventure, and I look forward to planning many more amazing trips for you in the future! "
✓ I would recommend this agent to my family and friends.
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Certifications & Awards

ASTA is the leading global advocate for travel agents, the travel industry and the traveling public.It is the world's largest association of travel professionals.Our members include travel agents and the companies whose products they sell such as tours, cruises, hotels, car rentals, etc.Expand your world. Go with the pros.
Tauck Certified Ambassador 2026

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 Most Booked Destinations

  • No data available

Destinations I've Visited

  • France: 14 trips
  • Germany: 13 trips
  • Italy: 4 trips
  • England: 1 trip

My Travel Stories

Where the Journey Connects Us: A Japan Adventure

Travel is about so much more than the places we visit. It is about the people we meet, the friendships we build, and the memories we create along the way.I recently had the pleasure of traveling through Japan with a wonderful group of 20 travelers, exploring Tokyo and sailing aboard Regent Seven Seas. From Japan's vibrant cities and beautiful ga...
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