In its ninth annual A-List of 121 top travel agents, Travel + Leisure’s (T+L) picks include 36 Western U.S.-based agents. The October 2010 issue noted that T+L considered thousands of travel agents in its quest for the best informed and most well-connected agents in the travel industry. Below is a list of winners from the Western U.S. and their specialties.
Arizona
Cassandra Bookholder, Camelback Odyssey Travel, Phoenix (Australia, South Pacific)
Karen Benson, Camelback Odyssey Travel, Phoenix (Spas, Fitness/Adventure Travel)
Betsy Donley, Camelback Odyssey Travel, Phoenix (Fishing/Hunting Travel, South America)
California
Deborah Hyte, Altour, Los Angeles (Italy, Western Europe)
Carol Arklind, Travel Dynamics Group, La Jolla (Scandinavia, Hawaii)
Carolyne Brandon, Altour/American Express Travel, Palo Alto (Hawaii, Australia, Cruising)
Edward Phillips, Summit Travel Group, San Mateo (Hawaii, Europe)
Jerry Greenberg, Cassis Travel Services, Los Angeles (Brazil, South America, Italy)
Marianne Braly, Now Voyager Travel, Huntington Beach (Mexico, Paris)
Katie Cadar, TravelStore Platinum, Los Angeles (Africa, French Polynesia)
Janet Moore, Distant Horizons, Long Beach (Middle East, India)
Catharina Apodac, Carefree Vacations, San Diego (Australia, New Zealand)
Susanne Hamer, TravelStore, Los Angeles (French Polynesia, New Zealand, the Cook Islands)
Kay Merrill, Are We There Yet Family Travel, Larkspur (Family travel, Southern Africa, South America)
Ana Marie Pickens, My Little Swans, San Mateo (Family Travel, China, Australia)
Lynda Turley Garrett, Alpine Travel of Saratoga, Saratoga (Food/Wine Travel, Australia, New Zealand)
David Rubin, DavidTravel, Corona del Mar (Gay/Lesbian Travel, Special-event Travel)
Doris White, Travel Dynamics Group, La Jolla (Hiking/Walking Travel, Barge Cruises)
Georgia Morgan Johnson, AMT American Express Travel, West Covina (Honeymoons, Italy, Tahiti)
Sara Ryan Duffy, SRD International, Los Angeles (Yachts/Villas, Custom Luxury Travel, Private jets)
Colorado
Joyce Falcone, Italian Concierge, Aspen (Culinary and Walking Tours)
Dana Welch, Travel Society, Denver (Africa, Adventure Travel)
Noriko Townsend, TravelPoints International, Fort Collins (Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, China)
Darlene Ravin, Andavo Travel, Greenwood Village (Southeast Asia, Northern Africa, Custom Luxury Itineraries)
Idaho
Lindsey Wallace, Linara Travel, Eagle (United Arab Emirates, Maldives, Seychelles)
New Mexico
Sandy Cunningham, Uncharted Outposts, Santa Fe (East Africa, New Mexico)
Oregon
Tammi R. Van Volkinburgh, Private Travel Consulting Services, Portland (England, India)
Paul Niskanen, Cruise Masters/Concierge Travel Advisors, Portland (Culture/Education Travel, Southern Africa)
Texas
Jim Strong and Nancy Strong, Strong Travel Services, Dallas
Sally Watkins, Century Travel, Austin (Italy, Europe)
Mark Hoyer, American Express Travel, Houston (Canada, Costa Rica)
Laura Woo, West University Travel, Houston (Hong Kong, Hawaii)
Ruth Turpin, Cruises Etc. Travel, Fort Worth (Cruises, family cruising)
Kathy Hannon, American Express Travel, Dallas (Family cruising)
Margery Hunter, Rudi Steele, Dallas (Culture/education travel, South America)
The Details
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