In an age where a few keystrokes can summon a thousand hotel options and a million travel blogs, Lisa Verbeck is living proof that no algorithm can replace the power of lived experience and human connection.
Lisa isn’t just a Hollywood Riviera resident — she’s the neighborhood’s go-to-guru for unforgettable getaways. As the founder of Verbeck Travel Consulting and with over 20 years in the industry, Lisa specializes in crafting personalized, worry-free vacations that go far beyond cookie-cutter itineraries.
A seasoned traveler herself, Lisa has visited all seven continents and over 30 countries. Her impressive resume includes travel marketing leadership at Tourism Australia, Tourism Fiji, Contiki Holidays, and Visit SLO CAL.
She launched Verbeck Consulting in 2021 after the pandemic, a time when travel was more complicated than ever.
“Coming out of COVID, there were so many hurdles with ever-changing entry rules, testing requirements, and cancellations,” she says. “People needed a travel expert in their corner.”
Lisa’s specializes in luxury travel, outdoor adventures, and far-flung destinations such as Fiji, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. But she also works her magic closer to home — think a California coastal road trip complete with boutique stays and off-the-radar eats.
“I get to know my clients — what lights them up, how they like to travel, what they want to avoid. Then I build an experience around that,” she explains. “It’s like having a best friend who happens to be a travel pro.”
Thanks to her longstanding relationships with global suppliers, Lisa often secures coveted perks for her clients, like complimentary breakfasts, early check-in, room upgrades and resort credits — all at no extra cost.
Lisa’s client list spans honeymooners, milestone birthday celebrators, retirees, and busy families who want meaningful time together without the logistical chaos. One client raved about the Japan trip Lisa pulled together in just five weeks — during cherry blossom season, no less — complete with a hard-to-get local guide. She also planned a 60th birthday trip to Africa for 60 friends.
“It was like a party on safari,” Lisa laughs. “Those are the memories people carry forever.”
Her finger is on the pulse of what’s hot, from White Lotus-inspired escapes in Thailand to small expedition cruises in Alaska. Lisa uses dynamic monitoring tools to automatically rebook hotels if the price drops. She also tracks things like train strikes in Europe and travel alerts, filtering out misinformation to provide her clients with real-time, reliable guidance.
It’s no surprise that travelers are turning to pros. According to a 2023 American Society of Travel Advisors survey, 68% of Americans agree that planning a trip is more complicated now.
As Lisa puts it: “Sure, you can plan a trip yourself. But do you want to spend 30 hours reading reviews, many of which are fake, when an advisor already knows the hidden gems?”
Lisa has called the Riviera home since 2009, choosing the area for the schools when her son, Evan, was five. “We fell in love with the beach-town charm and the tight-knit community,” she says.
Whether you dream of kayaking through the fjords of New Zealand, glamping on safari in Africa, or tasting your way through Tuscany, Lisa’s got you. Because while your passport will get you on the plane, a trusted travel advisor will get you off the beaten path.
She can be reached at 310-254-0039, lisa.verbeck@fora.travel, or https://www.foratravel.com/advisor/lisa-verbeck.