Santa Barbara Travel Bureau co-owners Charles and David de L’Arbre possess unparalleled travel knowledge. Their Father Berti de L’Arbre launched Santa Barbara Travel Bureau in 1947, where the brothers grew up learning the family business. As they lead the company successfully into its seventy-sixth year, we asked the de L’Arbre brothers their thoughts on the following:
Charles de L’Arbre | CEO
Favorite places to travel to and why: I like food, wine, culture and history, and I’m always drawn to cool architecture. For me, western Europe is easy. The British Isles, France, Spain, Italy are usually at the top of my “easy” list. Egypt and the Nile are definitely on that list. Southern Africa – Botswana, Namibia, South Africa. Another trip to New Zealand and Australia.
Best times and destinations to avoid crowds: Travel in low or shoulder season. High season generally is the most expensive time for airline tickets, hotels, car rental and food & beverage. If traveling to Europe try to make your plans around April/May or September-early November. If your plans include business class airfare, book this part of the trip as early as possible in order to save money. Discounted business class seats go fast and once they are sold out the cost increases by the thousands of dollars. Booking early is best strategy of savings big money on your trip.
David de L’Arbre | COO
How did Santa Barbara Travel Bureau flourish when so many other agencies folded after covid: We remained staffed and operating the entire period during Covid. Calls and emails were answered, trips were moved or cancelled, and tremendous efforts went in to securing refunds on non-refundable tickets. Our mission was to look after our clients in anticipation of the day when the world would open up again. Even more importantly, every effort was made to support our team financially throughout 2020 and 2021. Our financial strength and reputation is a huge factor in surviving and thriving during times of turmoil.
The future of travel: I could go on for quite some time on this subject but let me just say that travel will be increasingly complicated, especially with airlines. Over-tourism is creating a demand for new and less crowded destinations. Isolated islands, travel to the North and South Pole, visiting wilderness areas or private lodges are just some of the pattern changes that we are seeing in vacation travel.
EUROPE REQUIRING ETIAS FORM IN 2024
Americans who plan to travel to the 26 members of Europe’s Schengen Zone in 2024 will have to apply for a new travel authorization called ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System). This new travel authorization form will be required upon entry and is another layer that the European Union is using to protect and strengthen its borders. The U.S. currently requires an ESTA for people entering the U.S. and this is to mimic our system. The application form will take about 10 minutes to fill out and yes, there will be a 7-euro fee to get your ETIAS approval.
LONGEST WORLD CRUISE EVER!
Regent Seven Seas Cruises, one of the leading luxury ocean cruise lines, has unveiled its longest World Cruise to date, sailing Jan. 10, 2026, on board Seven Seas Mariner. Regent’s 2026 World Cruise, “The Sense of Adventure” is a round-trip journey embarking from Miami where guests will cruise three oceans over 154 nights, discovering destinations in the Americas, South Pacific, Australia & New Zealand, Asia, Africa and Europe.
Sailing 39,722 nautical miles, guests will explore 77 ports of call in 41 countries across six continents. The cruise visits three new ports of call to Regent—Lifou Island, Maré of the Loyalty Islands in the New Caledonia archipelago, and Waingapu (Sumba), Indonesia.
Regent has curated experiences on land with 431 free shore excursions and 16 in-port overnight stays for extended exploration such places as Bora Bora, French Polynesia; Darwin, Australia; and Walvis Bay, Namibia. In addition, it will offer three new shoreside excursions—A Taste of History at the Battleship Missouri in Honolulu; Across the Archipelago Dinner at Garuda Wisnu Kencana in Bali; and Passport to Portuguese Flavor at Convento do Beato in Lisbon.
The itinerary also provides access to 47 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Monastery of Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve from Praslin, Seychelles; Robben Island from Cape Town, South Africa; and the Great Barrier Reef from Cairns, Australia. Before boarding Seven Seas Mariner, guests will kick off their round the world adventure with a one-night pre-cruise stay in a luxury hotel in Miami and an exclusive pre-cruise gala event.
Regent’s exclusive World Cruises come complete with a range of bespoke amenities, including first-class air, door-to-door luggage service, unlimited valet laundry including dry cleaning and pressing, phone time per suite, a commemorative gift and more. Additional amenities include onboard medical services and a comprehensive visa package. Personalized service, exquisite cuisine in elegant restaurants, premium beverages in bars and lounges, and top-notch entertainment complete the experience that Regent is known for.
Fares for the 154-night voyage start at $94,999 per guest for a Deluxe Veranda Suite and $266,499 per guest for a Master Suite. The 2026 World Cruise opens for reservations on March 22, 2023, but guests can pre-register starting March 13.
