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Carla Koller
Carla Koller

Carla Koller

Potomac, MD Travel Agent

The Vacation Group

20 Reviews
100% Recommended
25+ Years of Experience
Additional Languages
English

Unique Historical Travel Experiences

I have loved every minute of my more nearly 40 years as a travel consultant, and focus on leisure travel planning and customized tour arrangements for individuals, couples, families, and groups.  Some of my highlights include:

  • As a tour designer/coordinator for Jewish History Travels, I have traveled with many groups over the last ten years to Italy, Spain, Morocco, Berlin, Sicily. Prague, and more exploring the corners of Jewish civilizations. I can help design Jewish tours for individuals and groups to places all over the world.
  • As an avid skier, I've skied downhill and cross-country in the western and eastern U.S. And I've also hiked and traveled in national parks across the U.S. and Canada, and enjoyed the art, culture, and beautiful sights in most major cities.
  • Having traveled extensively throughout Europe, my favorite destinations include Italy, France, England, Scotland, and Ireland. Brugge and Prague are two of the most charming European cities I know.
  • My travels in China and Israel have given me insight into ancient civilizations. Traveling off the beaten path in these countries took me to areas like the Stone Forest in China near the Vietnam border, and the Hula Nature Reserve in Israel where I observed flocks of storks and other birds migrating through the Middle East.
  • One of my many interesting projects was arranging several Africa tours for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, including arrangements for Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter, Mr and Mrs. William Gates, Sr, the foundation staff, security and Secret Service personnel, and broadcast and print media people.
  • As a customized tour designer I use, and am recognized as a Celebrated Legend (their highest tier) with Celebrated Experiences as well as a Tauck Tour Certified Travel Planner.

My passion is working with clients to develop personalized itineraries that become unforgettable, rewarding travel experiences.

Areas of Expertise

Destinations:

Italy
Morocco
At Sea, Mediterranean
Italy, Sicily
France
Germany
Czech Republic

Interests:

European Culture
Groups
Heritage
Religious
River Cruises
Luxury

Suppliers:

Abercrombie & Kent
Tauck
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Seabourn
Viking

My Travel Specialties

Back to All Specialties
Jewish Historic Travel Expert

Track Seventeen

Jewish Historic Travel Expert

<p>Walking in the footsteps of our ancestors is possible. I can help you uncover the historical and culturally significant side of all Europe has to offer. "Exploring the corners of our past - illuminating and ensuring our future."</p>
<p>Imagine!</p>
<p>Descending into an ancient subterranean chamber, climbing down steep stone steps and at the very bottom, discovering five immersion pools of a 5th century Jewish Mikveh, the oldest known to survive in Europe. Join us on the intriguing island of Ortygia.</p>
<p>Standing in the footsteps of 50,000 terrified Jewish families on Track Seventeen at the Grunewald train Station where they waited to be deported. Join with fellow travelers in saying Kaddish for those that never returned in the pulsating city of Berlin.</p>
<p>Stepping into a family home and enjoying the aroma of the Shabbat dinner being prepared for your group. Sitting at the table with your new Jewish Moroccan friends and listening to the family stories of survival. Join us in the exotic city of Marrakech.</p>
<p>Entering the portals of a Sephardic Synagogue that was built in 1315 and learning about the golden age of Jewish philosophers, poets and entrepreneurs creating a magnificent partnership between Jews and Muslims. Join us as we wander the mysterious alleyways of Cordoba.</p>
<p>Discover the Diaspora through the eyes of Jewish History Travels!</p>

Other Specialties

Family Vacations Expert

I help those interested in travel navigate the sometimes confusing landscape of ...

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Luxury Expert

With more than 39 years of experience as a travel consultant, I specialize in l...

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Custom Tour Specialist

I have loved every minute of my more nearly 40 years as a travel consultant, and...

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Reviews

20 Reviews
I have used Carla's expertise in planning vacations and general travel for approximately 20 years and that alone should be a strong endorsement. Carla is a unique professional in that she not only is an expert in travel arrangements, hotels, transportation, and geographic destinations, but is someone who personally cares about her clients. She is unruffled with a kind and caring quality ensuring that every trip experience is a wonderful memory- numerous trips to Europe, Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic and cruises.
Rorie - Czech Republic ~ Europe
We found her very easy to work with. She answered all our concerns without making us feel that our concerns were not important. We had a meeting before we left for our trip and were able to meet the others on our tour including our tour leader. We were given information about our accommodations, our free time and resources to read before we left.
Informed traveler - Sicily ~ Italy ~ Europe
Dear Sir or Madam,<br/><br/>Simply put, if there were a Hall of Fame for travel agents, Carla Koller would be a unanimous inductee. She has a unique ability to grasp the trips we envision and to transform our conceptions into reality. Her knowledge of transportation, lodging, and fares is encyclopedic, but her imagination and insight -- born of her clear love of travel -- never fails to enrich our experiences in most creative and exciting ways. Carla not only excels in follow-through (enacting our preferred choices), but in follow-up (keeping us fully informed as things fall into place). In the past year alone, she has assisted our travels to Scotland, England, France, and Albania. All were immense successes. Ireland is now in train and we know it will be, too. She is a pleasure to work with. So let's be perfectly clear: we no longer consider going anywhere without the aid and advice of the incomparable Carla Koller.<br/><br/>Sincerely,<br/>Maryruth Coleman and John Withers<br/>Potomac, Maryland
Potomac Travelers - Scotland ~ Europe

Certifications & Awards

Additional Certifications

  • Tauck Academy Certified Agent
  • Tauck Achiever For 2014
  • Celebrated Legend 2024-2025

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