-RENEE & MIC, SAN FRANCISCO

“Desiree Norman has built a unique travel agency built on her passion for creating highly customized travel experiences that exceed every aspect of a client’s wishes and expectations. 

This is a rarified level of service. Each trip she plans is a study in detail. Whether her clients are looking for adventure, rare sights, privately curated experiences, exquisite food, a safairi, or a pampered tranquil escape from the everyday, Desiree begins by learning what defines a perfect travel experience for the traveler. Like being liberated from tipping by having gratuities built into the upfront payments. Or your favorite Chardonnay, chilled and waiting for you in your suite upon arrival at every hotel. Details that make the trip far beyond an experience or a destination, but an indelible memory that you carry with you always. 

Take a trip to Versailles, for example. Far from the ordinary, it’s staying in one of only a dozen rooms at the exquisite Airelles Chateau de Versailles on the estate itself, where your private tour of the palace begins at 6 pm, long after the crowds have gone. It’s being led through the Queen’s private bedroom, a sight that others never see. Or having free reign of the Gardens of Versailles in your own motor cart. There is no rush. Time is yours. 

 Last year Desiree planned a private safari to East Africa for us. It began with flight in a Qsuite on Qatar Airlines, where at night our seats morphed into a seamless double bed with a down comforter. We were met at the plane’s door by a private concierge, whisked through customs, and led to our waiting car and driver, without ever touching a bag. Then the safari itself. Our own private guide leading us on foot through Rwanda’s Park National des Volcans to stand inches away from majestic silver back mountain gorillas, a life altering experience. Then a private flight to a luxury tented camp in the Grumeti Reserves, the high plains untouched by the typical big crowds of the adjacent Serengeti. Twice a day we left with our driver and private guide to witness nature’s marvels, while rarely seeing another human.

Desiree and her colleagues are always available, via call, text, email, or through her in-country partners, ready to spontaneously accommodate a whim or any desired change in plan. She stays in contact with each hotel along your trip, too, to quietly ensure the experience is flawless. 

She brings the same intensity of attention to groups as well. We’re having a US Rowing Team 50th reunion in Switzerland this fall, and Desiree is arranging travel and post-reunion vacations for each of the 25 guests, as well as prearranging all group dinners and events. 

 We have introduced Desiree to our friends who also love luxury travel, and without exception, their reaction has been like ours—they had never experienced that level of service, imagination and attention from a travel professional, and only wish they had met Desiree years before. Because she approaches each trip with not just an unequaled professionalism, but with a passion for taking on the challenge of designing each trip to make it a manifestation of your secret wish of what a perfect vacation could really be.”