Private Paradise New Zealand North Island Tour for Couples

This was definitely a bucket list trip and we are hopeful to return for some of the adventures that we just couldn’t fit in within the three weeks! We met great people while there, friendly and helpful to a fault (if that is possible.)  It was a whole series of fantastic adventures.  No worries at all!  Thanks to our New Zealand travel company for organizing such a memorable trip.

The only minor glitches were with the pick up for the Penguin Tour in Dunedin—they still had the original location-- and the Taxi was about a half-hour late in Taupo. The Hilltop House and Waitomo Guest Lodge both have great hosts, great views, great food, and good location.  Hotels had great locations within Queenstown, in Taupo, and in Rotorua for walking to lakefront and free attractions.   

My husband and I went on a wonderful trip to New Zealand visiting both North and South Island. The trip was originally planned for 2021 but had to be postponed until this year. I prefer working with an agent, and Lindsay from our travel agency was extremely responsive, offering helpful options and suggestions. Even though the time we spent on the North Island was right after the torrential rains, we modified the itinerary to spend four days in the Taupo area and two days in Rotorua.

We hiked in the Tongariro National Park and part of the Great Lake Pathway, sailed to view the Maori Rock Carvings, and visited Orakei Korako geothermal pools and Huka Falls in the Lake Taupo area. In Rotorua, we relaxed in the mineral pools of the spa and enjoyed the indigenous Maori experience at Te Puia.

The next 12 days were spent on the South Island where we had sunny and warm weather! One of our favorite places was Abel Tasman Park where we went kayaking and hiked the beautiful Coast Trek. We continued our adventures with a memorable heli-hiking experience on the Tasman Glacier in the Mt. Cook region, followed by visiting the unique blue penguins and Royal Albatrosses on the Otago Peninsula and enjoyed a hike and cruise on the famous Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park.

We ended our journey with three days in the Lake Wanaka area where we kayaked, hiked, and visited some of the region's famous wineries.

Our trip to the South Island of NZ was well planned. We spent a week in the Marlborough area. We enjoyed a lovely train ride from Christchurch to Picton where we spent three nights and went on two mail boat cruises in two different sounds. Our accommodations in Picton were exactly what we wanted: a small, well-appointed hotel with a lovely restaurant. Our transition from the train to the car rental went smoothly.

Next up was our three-day hike in Abel Tasman Park. We loved the hike and the other tourists in our group. I highly recommend the lodging; the food was lovely. My only recommendation is to let clients know this is not an easy hike as there are ups and downs. We were the oldest members of our group, most in their 60s. We did fine, but the hike was more challenging than my husband anticipated. Nevertheless, we did enjoy the scenery, lodging, food, and guides. 

Our favorite two nights were at the retreat in Nelson. Absolutely fabulous. We were tired and worn out from hiking, so two days at the retreat were a treat. Great food, surroundings (including a pool and hot tub). The owner even did our laundry which was a bonus! She even made dinner reservations for us and arranged transportation so we didn’t have to drive. Our last night at a hot springs place was our least favorite. The food was fine, but the hot springs were too rocky for me to go in. Rooms were nice, and there was a steam room and massages. I think I was just ready to go back to Christchurch. It was very popular and there were a lot of people.

Franck arranged a wonderful trip for us, and I would highly recommend this travel company.

Very responsive, friendly and helpful when it came to a big change in our departing flight plan. 

Did not feel that our opinions regarding the ideas for the trip and our preferences were initially taken into account or considered, we had to request a lot of the fine tuning of the trip and do a lot of the legwork regarding research of the country. 

Would have been nice if there were more options for the trip given from the beginning without us having to request and adjust each of the details, especially when it came to issues regarding the weather and time of year being on the cusp of fall/winter. For example, we had been scheduled for the Dart River JetBoat, which ultimately, would have been a waste of an experience and quite miserable considering the local weather in Queenstown typical for early June, we noted this and requested it to be cancelled from or itinerary, but would've expected this to be researched by the travel company as well.

Disappointed by a couple of the accommodations, in Auckland and Taupo, while decent, but dated facilities, they were a 10-15 minute drive or taxi from the central or restaurant districts of town, would have preferred a more central location, with consideration to neighboring activities, again this was not discussed or asked of us during the booking or planning process.  

We also had no communication and the local company did not touch base with us on a single occasion during our trip - this is in great contrast to our previously experience with a Zicasso company in another country, from the time we left, we felt that we were out of their hands and left to figure out the details of our trip based solely on separately emailed documents, no welcome packet with hard copies, etc, which were later requested at nearly every ticket operator, tour company for confirmation requiring local cell service, internet etc  - again, this was not a consideration. Lacking on the details. 

Fantastic planning of a 30 day holiday in Australia (Sydney, Ayers Rocks, Alice Springs, Port Douglis, Adelaide, Melbourne and Kangaroo Island) and North Island New Zealand (Auckland, Oratura, & Wellington).

Entire trip planned with daily tours and hotel bookings (mostly 2 bedroom apartment-style hotels with kitchen and washer/dryer included).  All transfers and 99% of tours happened as planned.

We have just returned from a 6 week trip to Australia and New Zealand.  Our travel agents and their team at this travel company are personable, professional, knowledgeable and did an amazing job putting together our trip! Our collaboration involved several phone calls to discuss options and preferences as our trip was being organized as well as a pre-trip call to answer any questions.  Our email exchange was continuous and responses were very prompt.  We even received a call once during our travels to check in.  Our detailed itinerary was precise and accurate.  Every connection, tour, driver, hotel, etc. was on time and of excellent quality. While in New Zealand in Milford Sound our flight back to Queenstown was cancelled due to poor weather and we received a quick refund.                

In Australia we visited Sydney, Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road ( a favorite of ours!), Uluru, Port Douglas and the Great Barrier Reef, and Hobart, Tasmania.  We only stayed a few days in Tasmania but would love to return to enjoy more of the wilderness outside of Hobart.  

In New Zealand we visited Auckland and then drove to the Coromandel Peninsula, Rotorua, and Napier.  Then we flew to Christchurch on the South Island and drove to Mt. Cook, Queenstown, and Dunedin.  If you are big fans of the outdoors, spend more time on the South Island.                                                                                                                 

Our agent selected beautiful and centrally located lodging that usually offered laundry facilities-helpful for a long trip!  The travel company also provided a suggested restaurant list that proved to be excellent!  We would highly recommend this company for your Down Under adventures!  When we travel again to that part of the world, we will definitely call this company.