We have returned from our wonderful three-week trip to New Zealand’s South Island. Thank you to Sarah and her team for their expert advice and for tailoring such a special experience.

Starting our journey in Wellington at the beginning of January, we thoroughly enjoyed the six rounds of golf arranged at Royal Wellington, Paraparaumu, Cape Kidnappers, Wairakei, and Te Arai Links. The two caddies provided at Cape Kidnappers were a true “WOW” experience that made the round exceptional, especially alongside the stunning coastal views.

Our accommodations and tours were also excellent. Richard at Wharekauhau Country Estate was a welcoming host, and we enjoyed the 4WD farm safari and proximity to the Martinborough wineries. The cottage at Craggy Range Vineyard was lovely, and we loved the e-bike tour and lunch at Black Barn. We also appreciated the unique stay at Huka Lodge, our 10k hike on the Great Lake Trails with Neil, and the cruise to see the Maori rock carvings on Lake Taupo. Finally, Te Arai Links provided the perfect setting to conclude our journey with its magnificent golf, accommodations, and coastal scenery.

Thank you to Sarah & her team for listening to our interests and utilizing their network to create a flawless itinerary.

Picking vegetables from the garden during a cooking class at Hapuku Kitchen. Photo: Traveler Nancy Wolf

What do you do when you want to visit New Zealand for 10 days and are overwhelmed by all the choices of destinations and activities? You contact Sarah and her company! Usually I do a lot of research about our destination and have many suggestions for the travel agent. With Sarah, I needed her to take the lead and plan the entire itinerary.

With the help of Sarah and her associate, Sara, we had a fabulous visit around the South Island. Sarah suggested that we stick to the South Island with our limited time in New Zealand. We hit 4 different locations and never felt rushed. Sarah had us stay at resorts that offered first-class service, delicious meals and beautiful gardens. Most of the locations were fairly remote, so we avoided the very touristy areas such as Queensland. Two of our favorite resorts were The Pihopa Retreat in Nelson and Otahuna Lodge outside of Christchurch. We also loved our stay at Blanket Bay, where we had a King Chalet Suite with the most amazing view of the lake.

If we were planning this trip again, in hindsight, there were minor changes we would make to the itinerary, but overall we were very pleased with the trip. The one activity we would have skipped was the Albatross boat ride. Although it was interesting to see an Albatross, the trip was very touristy feeling…the captain put chum in the water to attract the birds, and overall we didn’t see that many or the big Albatross.

We felt very supported by Sarah’s team, especially when we were panicking the night before our trip when Air New Zealand’s long-haul crew was going on strike the day we were leaving. Air New Zealand’s customer service had very long wait times and Sara was able to contact them locally for us to make sure our flight wasn’t going to be cancelled.

Lake Wanaka glistens below a high meadow of a sheep station reached by four-wheel drive. Photo: Traveler Scott Bunton

My wife and I used Sarah and her company via Wendy Perrin as our travel professionals in New Zealand to help with arrangements for the eight days we planned to spend there on a trip we took in January-February 2026.

We had traveled to New Zealand in 2023, and our in-country arrangements had been made for us by the same company after we found them on the WOW List. We wanted to replicate nearly all of those arrangements from that 2023 visit that we had greatly enjoyed.

We asked them to arrange—
• a private transfer from the Christchurch airport to our hotel
• a hotel in Christchurch for two nights
• a rental vehicle
• a vacation condo in Wanaka for five nights, and
• a hotel in Christchurch for one night when we returned there before departing for Sydney
We asked that the arrangements be identical to those for the 2023 trip with one exception – the hotel in Christchurch.

Sarah’s team made all of the arrangements we requested. Because we had seen a hotel in Christchurch we thought we would find more enjoyable than the one we had used in 2023 (even though it was very nice in most ways), we engaged Sarah’s colleague Sara in an email conversation about the hotel we had stayed in and the one we thought we might prefer. She provided information and perspective that helped us make the decision to switch to the hotel we had seen—and that proved to be a decision we were happy we made.

We greatly enjoy both the city of Christchurch and the lakeside town of Wanaka (to which the team introduced us on our 2023 trip to New Zealand). Wanaka is a very pleasant place to walk along the lakeshore or meander through the small town with its shops and excellent restaurants, venture into the nearby mountains on foot or in vehicles, enjoy swimming and boating, and just relish the amazing lake and mountain scenery. January/February is summer in New Zealand, and, in our experience from two trips, is an excellent time to visit.

We asked Southern Crossings to arrange the WOW Moment we had earned from Wendy Perrin. Sara offered us two options, one in Christchurch and the other in Wanaka, and we accepted the latter. We were taken in a four-wheel drive vehicle along with two other tourist couples to a “sheep station” (or ranch) covering thousands of acres that extended from a river valley near Wanaka up into the adjacent mountainous area. The scenery was magnificent, and there were amazing views of Lake Wanaka and the town from hundreds of feet above, and of the surrounding mountains and valleys (which are quite spectacular). The guide gave an account of the area’s history as well as details about the operation of a sheep station. We had an opportunity to see a sheep station in operation, and gained information about the region that we otherwise would not have had. We consider it to be a superb WOW Moment and a wonderful experience, and are very appreciative to both Wendy Perrin for providing it and Sarah’s company for suggesting and arranging it.

In addition to the trip arrangements noted above, during our time in New Zealand we needed their assistance with two problems:

First, as we were driving from Christchurch to Wanaka, rain and heavy traffic on the highway were delaying us, and we feared we might arrive after the condo rental office had closed and there would be a problem obtaining the key. I called to talk to Sara; since she was out of the office, another employee quickly contacted the rental office and called us back to assure us the office would be open at the time we expected we would arrive, and we continued our drive without worry.

Second, our Avis SUV was prepaid, and we did not accept any add-ons when we picked up the vehicle at the downtown Christchurch facility. But when we turned it in at the Christchurch airport, I got a message from my credit card issuer indicating Avis had charged my account USD 75.00. I disputed this with the agent at the counter, but he and the facility manager claimed they were powerless to remove the charge that they said had been added by the downtown facility where we picked up the vehicle, and that I would have to dispute the charge with that facility. As we were departing for Australia within the hour, I emailed Sara and asked if she could intervene and she readily agreed to do so. The company resolved the matter to our full satisfaction, which we greatly appreciate.

We strongly recommend that anyone contemplating travel in New Zealand look closely at using Sarah and her company as their travel professionals there. In our view, the firm unquestionably belongs on the Wendy Perrin WOW List.

Traveler Duncan Lonsdale hikes the Tongariro Alpine Crossing on the North Island.

Our planner Sarah and her company put together a comprehensive and high-end itinerary for our six weeks in New Zealand. This included pre-paid vouchers for hotels, flights, ferries and car rentals, which eased the flow of our travels. Her colleagues were also available and responsive for the few instances of troubleshooting along the way.

Beginning with our own research of “must see” destinations and explaining to Sarah’s team the types of travelers we are, we collaborated to craft an ideal itinerary. Without their extensive knowledge of highlights and hospitality, it would have been challenging or at the very least, time-consuming, to put this trip together on our own.

Our top highlights included (but were not limited to): Hawkes Bay, Abel Tasman, Stewart Island, and the Ahuriri Valley. I would highly recommend Sarah’s team.

In New Zealand traveler Lois Maltais embraced her favorite activities, including a horseback ride.

My trip to the South Island of New Zealand and Sydney Australia was such an incredible adventure thanks to Sarah and her team, Sara and Jacki. They made it possible for me to do everything I love to do in life.

In New Zealand it was biking through the Marlborough Vineyards, a day of kayaking Queen Charlotte Sound, a helicopter ride over Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound, an overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound, hiking and horseback riding in the Ahuriri Valley, jet boating the Dart River…all these wonderful activities with the snow-capped mountains as a backdrop. The accommodations they suggested, The Marlborough in Blenheim, Cabot Lodge in Manapouri, The Lindis in the Ahuriri Valley, and Blanket Bay in Glenorchy, were welcoming in every way with stunning views in every direction and scrumptious foods after days of exploring.

In Sydney, my one day was filled with touring the city by car, a harbor boat tour, and a private tour of the famous opera house. I can now understand why people insist on visiting Sydney. It’s such a unique and beautiful city. Though I only had one day, it was well worth the quick visit.

The itinerary that Sarah and her team created for me exceeded my expectations in every way and I can’t thank them enough for a truly memorable trip. As a solo traveler, I knew they were looking after me in every stop along the way for both New Zealand and Sydney. The memories will never fade as I look forward to seeing another part of this glorious planet we call home. I am already planning my next adventure using Wendy’s WOW List of travel experts. On to my 7th continent!

Thank you Wendy, and all the people that made this adventure one of the best.

The trip was wonderfully planned with a wide range of both activities and time to ourselves. The lodging was exceptional and the excursions surpassed our expectations.

Sara and Sarah planned a wonderful trip to New Zealand to celebrate our daughter obtaining her PhD. We wanted a mix of relaxation with a bit of excitement and they planned it perfectly, from rooms with gorgeous views, wine and olive oil tastings, viewings of seals and dolphins, gardens, zip lining and star gazing. All transportation was right on time and our guides were so kind.

During our trip we had a loved one back in the US pass away unexpectedly. Sara and Sarah and the employees at Wharekauhau Country Estate wrapped their arms around us. Plans were rescheduled to allow us to make calls back to the states, participate in activities when we were more up to it, and to have private dining. They even dedicated a star for our loved one that we were shown on our star gazing night. The beauty of New Zealand helped soothe our souls and the kindness shown us was immeasurable. We will be forever grateful.

Two love birds at the Gannet colony. Photo: Traveler Bob Leuang

WOW! does not begin to describe our trip to New Zealand facilitated by Sarah and Sara. We have been on four “trips of a lifetime” planned by very capable travel agents, but Sarah and Sara surpassed all of them. They did this by getting to know us first, i.e., what our interests were, our limitations, our desires, a list longer than my arm. I am a very serious amateur photographer and can tell the success of our trips by the number and quality of my photographs. I took over 20,000 photos! My wife, Kay, loves culture, nature and history.

On our last day in New Zealand, the breakfast hostess, who we had befriended, asked us what were our favorite things about our trip. Kay and I discussed and quickly realized it was the New Zealanders and the other guests we met along the way. New Zealanders are uniquely friendly. They care about each other, nature, the environment, but most of all us. Of course, the landscapes are breathtaking, the birds and animals fascinating, the beaches and marine life so accessible. All so photogenic.

Both of us cannot adequately explain the amazing itinerary that Sarah and Sara created for us. It was beyond all our expectations. We felt we truly experienced the real New Zealand in three and a half weeks. Not only that, they completely heard and included the things we wanted to do and also some surprises along the way. From our initial contact with the driver at the airport to returning to that same airport, we could not believe how smooth our trip was. After talking with other travelers who had had mishaps with their trip planners, we knew we had had the best.

Aoraki / Mount Cook at dusk framed by the hotel room window. Photo: Traveler Nancy Taubenslag

Trip to Fiji and New Zealand
Our 15-day trip to Fiji and New Zealand was an impressive amalgam, almost flawlessly assembled and executed by our planners Sarah and Sara. We wanted to visit both countries on the same visit, keeping the trip active but not hectic. Our team delivered on all fronts, so that our trip allowed us some of the best snorkeling of our lives in Fiji, then taking us to 3 locations in New Zealand where we could experience a range of inspiring vistas and nature. Though we covered long distances (both by air and with drivers), each day we were able to visit something wonderful, from deserted sand shoals to glaciers to waterfall-covered mountains to the Hobbiton and glowworm caves.

Our team worked with us—on video calls and subsequent email and calls—to craft a personalized trip with great food and interesting, non-stuffy hotels and lodges, as well as allowing us chances to snorkel and hike. In Fiji, the Royal Davui Resort encompasses the entire small island with stunning suites facing clear waters and sunsets. The healthy reef was accessible by a 5-minute walk from our suite, and we went on morning swims with zillions of fish and dozens of species. The resort’s supervised evening snorkel trips to see different fish and phosphorescent corals and trip to outer reefs were also standouts. The resort’s hospitality (and sung greetings) made it easy to make friends with staff and other guests. As our stay progressed, we were increasingly impressed with their attention to detail (our villa was incredibly well designed and built) and attentiveness to our requests, ranging from early access to our villa on check-in day, to assistance with snorkel gear, to food and drink preferences, and specific guidance regarding when and where to snorkel. A bullseye in every dimension, and a perfect start to our adventure!

We had a very different but equally rewarding time in New Zealand. As meticulously planned with the team, we visited Aoraki Mount Cook, Queenstown, and Rotorua, covering the long distances with interesting drivers describing the history and scenery, as well as giving us some insight about what it’s like to live in these different regions. Though the early spring weather was wet and very windy, we were able to experience most of our planned activities, including a scenic flyover flight in a small plane over Milford Sound (with a skilled pilot getting us very close to the mountains!), boat rides to icebergs and to fjords, hikes to vistas and waterfalls, and dark sky star gazing. It’s near impossible to pinpoint a favorite moment since every day held new and varied experiences. Two bird encounters stand out as experiences we would not have had anywhere else: 1. While riding a jetboat in Glenarchy (lots of spins and splashing!) the boat stopped to watch an inquisitive chirping kea checking us out 2. The Rotorua Kiwi hatchery guide regaled us with kiwi trivia and showed us newborn and young kiwis being nurtured and measured so they could be released into the wild to preserve the species. The staff at each place went out of their way for us—at Mount Cook we were helped to take advantage of a last-minute cancellation for a glacier boat trip. In Queenstown, the staff gave us a tip on an outstanding new restaurant, and at Solitaire Lodge in Rotorua, everyone from the kitchen to the front desk to the boat driver provided personal help and camaraderie.

The planners picked very different lodging for us in New Zealand, ranging from a large hotel near the Mount Cook attractions, to a well-positioned Victorian house in Queenstown, to a secluded lodge in Rotorua. They shared several things in common that we had stressed during our planning: amazing views from our bedrooms, warm and helpful staff, and delicious locally-sourced food. The Solitaire Lodge in Rotorua is a standout as one of the most beautiful rooms I’ve ever stayed at, with food and staff to make it a place I didn’t want to leave.

Thanks to our team for arranging the trip and staying on top of our progress throughout the trip. And thanks to Wendy Perrin for the referral.

Traveler Kathy McDermott and her husband Bob on the “exhilarating” Dart River Adventure.

I’ve been planning and organizing our trips for almost 40 years. I love the research that goes into each trip but to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary and my husband’s birthday, I decided to use Wendy Perrin’s WOW List after following her site for several years. I chose Jacki & Stuart (Australia) and Sara & Sarah (NZ). I never knew I even needed a planner but this group did a splendid job with our itinerary.

On September 5th, 2025 we landed in Sydney and spent 3 nights at the beautiful Capella Hotel, centrally located to Circular Quay. What a treat to meet Jacki at the airport after all the planning. She had a chauffeur-driven car waiting to drive us to the hotel. Great start! On our first day we walked through the Royal Botanical Gardens and took the ferry to Manley Beach for lunch at The Porch. The following day we enjoyed a 3-hour small group sightseeing tour which provided history, walks, Bondi Beach and more. We then walked to “The Rocks” neighborhood and enjoyed wine and bar bites at the Blu Bar on 36 located in the Shangri-La Hotel. Awesome views.

Our last day was the Sydney Opera House tour with a knowledgeable guide. We ended up buying the last of the tickets (first row balcony) to the Russel Morris Farewell Tour with his 12-piece band, which not only gave us the opportunity to enjoy a band we never heard of but also the chance to enjoy the acoustics of the Opera House.

We then flew from Sydney to Adelaide. Our first stop after Adelaide was also one of our favorites, the Menzies Vineyard Retreat, with curious kangaroos and wallabies peeking through the large windows. Surrounded by vineyards, it is a beautiful peaceful area where we enjoyed the delicious Yalumba wine while sitting by the cozy fireplace. Only thing missing was a wine tasting in their room next door, which we didn’t have the time to schedule. We then caught a small plane to Kangaroo Island. A 3-night stay at the all-inclusive Southern Ocean Lodge is a must. The huge windows show the stunning turquoise water, and the large rooms with secluded porch are lovely with a cozy fireplace. The included excursions provided us the opportunity to see kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, seals, coastal rock formations & cliffs, a lighthouse and a cave tour. The guides are knowledgeable and passionate about their jobs & the staff are all helpful. We also enjoyed the hot tub and sauna. Tip: If you have mobility issues request rooms 23 or 24. The lodge is built on a slope of a cliff and room 1 is at the bottom. Some of the foods didn’t appeal to us but we enjoyed our stay just the same.

Flying back to Adelaide, we picked up our car rental and started our journey towards the Great Ocean Road with jaw-dropping views of rugged cliffs, pristine beaches & lush rainforests. We spent 2 nights in Port Fairy at the Drift House, which was a unique architectural room, walking distance to Griffiths Island and a short drive to Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve, both nice places for trails and spotting wildlife. (We saw a koala & an emu.) We were lucky enough to enjoy dinner at the Drift House and the breakfast was tasty as well. Driving next to Apollo Bay, we stayed 1 night at Chocolate Gannets, Villa 4, a very large villa with gorgeous views of the ocean & sheep grazing next door. The laundry facilities in the unit was a plus as we each travel with carry-on only luggage & a backpack. They provided all the fixins for a delicious Italian dinner & the downtown is a short drive if you need any extras. We walked the short koala path behind the property the next morning but didn’t see any koalas.

We made several stops along the Great Ocean Road to hike or take in the views. Bay of Islands Coastal Park and Port Campbell National Park should not be missed with its stunning natural beauty. The drive is a twisting, winding road which my husband especially loved to drive. We had a great map highlighting sights along this famous road. We next drove to Melbourne, dropped off our car, and spent 2 nights at the Park Hyatt Hotel. Thanks to Jacki & Stuart, we always had beautiful rooms, each filled with champagne, chocolate treats and anniversary & birthday wishes. We walked to Flinders Park, Fitzroy Gardens, Olympic Park and the Queen Victoria Market. Something we learned: In some places in Australia you place your food and drink order at the bar (but you don’t sit there) and they bring you your food to your chosen table. If you do get table service, often they don’t bring you a check but go to the register and they seem to know what you had. Much different than in the USA.

September 17th: We then flew to Queenstown, NZ and picked up our rental car for a 2-night stay at Hotel St. Moritz. Sara & Sarah booked us a lovely room with gorgeous views of Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables Range with snow-capped mountains. The next day on the drive to Glenorchy we hiked Bob’s Cove and took in views at Bennett’s Bluff before arriving for our Dart River Jet Boat Adventure. Originally scheduled for 9:00 am, Sara made sure by emailing me that it was changed to 2:00pm because of the weather. With the extra rainfall they had, it allowed John our driver to go further along the river, which he seemed most happy about. Seven of us enjoyed this exhilarating ride with waterfalls that aren’t usually there. It was awesome!

Our drive from Queenstown to Te Anau was beautiful with more sheep, little lambs, red deer and cows than we could count. The landscape is so green. We checked into The Cinema Suites for 2 nights, which was one of our favorite stays. Located above a movie theater, with 2 free tickets, we saw the 3:00pm 32-minute Ata Whenua-Shadowland movie. A perfect complement for our upcoming Fiordland excursions filmed mostly from a helicopter. The Black Dog Bar below offers delicious food & drink. Afterwards, we walked to the RealNZ office for our Glowworm Cave excursion, which was pretty cool. The next day was our small group Trips & Tramps-Milford Sound, Walk & Cruise where we were picked up at the Cinema. It was a full day but we got to see & do so much including the boat ride to Milford Sound, hikes & sights & our guide, Ro, was the best. On the 21st we booked the Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise on the Southern Secret yacht & we got the Master Suite. Captain Dave & his wife Jenny provided 8 of us such a wonderful experience & it was worth the time it took to get there. Again, the rains provided us with awesome waterfalls and views that don’t compare to Milford Sound (and less touristy). We saw dolphins & penguins, kayaked, and brought in lobster traps that Jenny cooked up for our dinner. The silence was wonderful. We then drove back to Queenstown with another night at Hotel St. Moritz and I utilized their laundry facilities. Staff are all so nice & they will give you change for the washer & dryer. That night we had a delicious birthday dinner at Botswana Butchery, only a short walk, where I booked a private room with a fireplace & and got a great waiter. Highly recommend. Leaving Queenstown, we then flew to Auckland and rented another car to drive up to Te Anau Links for 3 nights, where my husband enjoyed rounds of golf on North & South courses. The accommodations here are very minimalistic, menu choices are small with strange restaurant operating hours, but the golf is awesome. We drove to Mangawhai Tavern and Bennett’s Chocolatier & Café, only 20 minutes, one day. Here was our only glitch but Sara took care of everything, again. Because of heavy rain, golf was canceled one day but changed to another, causing us to miss our last excursion to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds Experience. She was able to get us a refund, which was totally unexpected. Our last stop was a drive to Rosewood Kauri Cliffs, a beautiful Golf Resort overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Our Junior Suite, room 12, was huge with great views of the golf course & ocean. Very cozy with a fireplace & decorated so carefully. Great service & food here was delicious. Tip: Be prepared to hand over your car keys, as they will transfer your luggage onto a golf cart to bring your luggage to your room. It’s strictly a beautiful, peaceful tree-lined path to the accommodations. The golf was terrific and the views are amazing. It’s located within a working farm so sheep & cows are abundant.

On Sept. 28th, we drove back to Auckland, dropped off the car, and caught our flight home to Florida. Sara & Sarah put together a fantastic itinerary for us filled with everything we wanted to do & more. Again, in every accommodation we found champagne & treats. Jacki & Sara always responded to my emails very quickly and worked with me through every step of the process. We will never forget this once in a lifetime trip and the people that made it possible, truly miracle workers! We will definitely be using Wendy Perrin’s WOW List for our next adventure.

Traveler Debra Redmond enjoyed a two-hour hike on the Franz Joseph Glacier.

Sarah planned a wonderful trip for us! We traveled from April 16 through May 5, 2025. We stayed in incredible places, hiked Fiordland on the Hollyford Track, took a helicopter ride over Milford Sound, and drove from Queenstown to Nelson with some top-notch stays. One of them being our helicopter ride up to Franz Joseph Glacier and our 2 hr+ hike on the glacier.

She checked on us during our trip and finished our holiday in Fiji for 4 days.

She paid attention to what sort of adventures we like to as well as planning time for us to do whatever… It was the perfect combination.

I would use her again in a heartbeat. If you want a first class trip to New Zealand, I wouldn’t use anyone else!

We had an absolutely amazing mother-daughter trip to New Zealand this past May planned by Sara and Sarah. We had to plan the trip in a relatively short time frame, and were so happy with the attention to detail and the support that we received.

Sara found us wonderful hotels, booked us incredible guides, and organized fun activities that ranged from wine tastings to a morning spend with a sheep farmer. It was my daughter’s birthday while we were on the trip, and at every hotel she was wished a happy birthday and given a little something special. We had one issue due to weather, and they were easy to reach and immediately rescheduled our plans for the day. I highly, highly recommend having them plan your trip to New Zealand!

Kathye Faries shearing a sheep in New Zealand.

We spent about a month in New Zealand in March, 2025 and it was one of the very best vacations we’ve had (and the fourth planned by Wendy Perrin’s group of WOW List experts). The trip was curated by our travel planners Sara and Sarah, and they did a fantastic job of selecting places for us to stay so we could enjoy 6 days on the North Island and the rest of the month on the South Island. Our only request was to set up a tee time at Cape Kidnappers Golf Course—a bucket list item for me!

Each lodge was very different and extremely special—and most of them had a maximum of 10 guests! They were in fairly remote locations and we loved the peaceful, secluded, beautiful settings. Due to the vastness of the South Island, we drove and flew from top to bottom and coast to coast. We were blessed with gorgeous weather so our travels went smoothly.

Some of our most memorable adventures included trying our hand at shearing a sheep, enjoying a wine and cheese tasting, exploring a 6,000 acre stunning ranch on Hawke’s Bay via ATV, hiking through beautiful landscapes, driving the scenic road to Milford Sound and taking a small yacht cruise into the mouth of the sound, buying some gorgeous merino + possum sweaters, exploring the spectacular Ben Lomond Station (33,000 acre ranch) and meeting the owner (this is a MUST DO for those near Queenstown), stargazing and scaling the mountains in an ATV in the Ahuriri Valley, getting pampered with massages now and then, seeing the rare Hectors dolphins in Akaroa, taking a private cooking class with a master chef at our lodge near Christchurch, cruising the waters surrounding Abel Tasman National Park, and winding up our stay at a luxury retreat and wellness spa near Nelson. A perfect ending to a perfect trip.

The food was excellent throughout our journey and the chefs at the various lodges were made aware of my dietary preferences before we arrived. The team helped facilitate the return of a jacket I’d left at one of our lodges, and made some changes to our itinerary on the fly. They were outstanding in helping me plan this rather complicated trip (eight lodges, four flights around the country and lots of miles driven). The Kiwis we met were super friendly and I have now dubbed the places we stayed as “The Lands of Yes.” If you are thinking of exploring New Zealand, make your plans now— it’s a spectacular country.

Our vacation to New Zealand in mid-January, starting in Christchurch, was truly a once-in-a-lifetime adventure filled with spectacular scenery, vibrant culture, and unforgettable experiences.

We began by touring Christchurch, where we were captivated by the city’s beautiful blend of historic charm and modern innovation. Strolling through the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, along the Avon River, and exploring the rebuilding efforts and contemporary architecture gave us a sense of both resilience and creativity in this remarkable city.

From Christchurch, we embarked on a tour of Akaroa Harbour and its historic settlement, where French and Māori cultures blend seamlessly into a charming coastal village. The dramatic volcanic landscapes provided a stunning backdrop as we encountered New Zealand fur seals basking along the rocky shores and adorable blue penguins making their way home to roost. This unique cultural and ecological experience was both enlightening and enchanting.

Next, we enjoyed a scenic ride on the Coastal Pacific train to Kaikōura, with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean on one side and the rugged Kaikōura Ranges on the other. Our stay in Kaikōura was elevated by our wonderful accommodations in a one-bedroom treehouse, which offered a perfect balance of immersion in nature and luxurious comfort.

While in Kaikōura, we took a shared whale watch cruise expedition, an experience that was nothing short of phenomenal. Seeing sperm whales, dusky dolphins, and other marine life up close in their natural habitat was an awe-inspiring highlight. We also took time to tour the charming coastal town, where the local seafood and welcoming atmosphere made every meal and interaction memorable.

Another scenic train ride carried us to Nelson, where we picked up a rental car and settled in for a two-night stay. This gave us time to explore the region, including a trip to Stevens Bay and the magnificent Abel Tasman National Park, where golden beaches, turquoise waters, and lush native forests created an idyllic paradise.

Our next stop was Queenstown, set against the jaw-dropping beauty of New Zealand’s Southern Alps. We spent two unforgettable days cruising on the pristine waters of Lake Wakatipu, soaking in the stunning views from every angle. A visit to a working sheep farm gave us the chance to see sheepdogs in action, a fascinating and entertaining demonstration of Kiwi rural life. We also sampled world-class wines at a local winery, adding another layer of indulgence to our Queenstown visit.

The pinnacle of our time in Queenstown was undoubtedly a half-day helicopter tour over Milford Sound, with a thrilling alpine landing on a remote glacier. The sheer grandeur of the fjordlands, combined with the exhilaration of stepping out onto a glacier, created a moment of pure magic we’ll treasure forever.

From Queenstown, we traveled to Te Anau, where we marveled at the rugged beauty of the southern Alps and the pristine New Zealand coastline. A day of private trout fishing on a local river gave us peaceful immersion in some of the most stunning natural scenery we’ve ever encountered, surrounded by crystal-clear waters and snow-capped peaks.

Our final stop was Rotorua, where we were immersed in the region’s fascinating geothermal wonders. Watching geysers erupt and boiling mud pools bubble offered a visceral reminder of the Earth’s power beneath our feet. We capped off the experience with a visit to the fabulous glowworm caves, where we drifted through cavernous darkness beneath a ceiling of shimmering living lights—a magical and truly otherworldly conclusion to our trip.

All in all, this was a fantastic introduction to New Zealand, a land of breathtaking scenery, warm and welcoming people, and sensational food. Every destination offered something unique and unforgettable, leaving us with a deep appreciation for the natural beauty, cultural richness, and spirit of adventure that define New Zealand.

The South Island of NZ is spectacular. The highlight was our stay in the Hapuku Lodge, a beautiful place nestled between the mountains and the sea. The rooms are luxurious and private. The food is delicious. From there, we went on an Albatross Tour and saw many species of seabirds, ranging from the goofy to the sleek. We also walked the Kaikoura peninsula trail, which climbs up to high meadows and then descends into fur seal whelping grounds where we saw literally thousands of seals and their young. Fantastic. Overall, Sarah and Sara did a great job!

I had the great pleasure of working with Sarah and Sara, my travel designers for my trip to New Zealand in October 2024. In a word, they were spectacular. I initially had a zoom call with them to discuss my hopes for my trip, what I was most interested in seeing and experiencing, and how I liked to travel. Even though their company is based in New Zealand and Australia and I was in NYC, the time difference was never an issue. It was as easy as dealing with any travel company in the US.

I always do a bit of research before my trips, which I think is so important, but it can also be very overwhelming especially when the number of places I wish to visit exceeds what I can realistically do in the time I have allotted for a trip. This is where they excel. Their deep knowledge of both North and South islands far exceeded anyone else i spoke to about the trip. But, beyond that, they immediately picked up on my particular travel style and what would make me most happy and the kind of experiences that would thrill me the most.

I really wanted to see both the North Island and the South Island, so that meant a lot of planning as i was traveling alone and didn’t want to drive myself. But, there was so much i wanted to experience, from the beautiful vineyards of Waiheke Island off the coast of Auckland, to drinking in the sweeping ocean views up the coast of the South island, to zip lining above a majestic forest and waterfalls near Queenstown, to experiencing life on a vast & exquisite sheep farm at one of the most beautiful 5 star lodges with jaw-dropping vistas near Pallister Bay on the North Island. And at each location, the most delicious and fresh foods prepared by awarded chefs.

New Zealand is one of the most beautiful places i have ever visited, and I have traveled the world. Sarah and Sara made it so special by picking just the right places for me, and in some cases, the perfect room in a particular lodge! They also were in touch with me throughout the trip, which was especially important because I was there in spring, where the weather could change a number of time a day, and certain helicopter or boat excursions needed to be adjusted often. Even though I traveled by myself, I never felt alone. I always knew either Sarah or Sara were a mere phone call away. It was an awe-inspiring once-in-a-lifetime trip curated magnificently by Sarah and Sara. I will be forever grateful for their kind and thoughtful advice and support.

Sarah and team did a fantastic job of curating a great trip on short notice and in high season. Fantastic!

Our travel planners Sara and Sarah were absolutely fabulous! The itinerary was perfect for our family, and all of the details such as coordinating transportation and types of room accommodations allowed us to enjoy the trip without worrying about them. Even when airlines threw us curve balls with delays or changes, Sara and Sarah were incredibly responsive and notified the necessary parties so we could continue without a hitch. Our family thoroughly enjoyed our vacation, and I’m confident our trip experience was heightened because of their knowledge of the area and the best tours, guides and properties. I would highly recommend their company and can’t wait to use them again.

Sara and Sarah planned a trip for my husband and me to New Zealand Nov 27 to Dec 10, 2024. It was our 4th trip to New Zealand, so we asked for some different experiences from what we had already done. Sara and Sarah did an amazing job of finding fantastic properties for us. We stayed only on the South Island (except for one night at Auckland airport) and started out at Bay of Many Coves Resort. It was an amazing property, with gorgeous views and so many activities. Another favorite was Lake Hawea Station. We were not sure what to expect here, but the Lake House was heaven on earth. I would highly recommend this property to anyone looking to unplug and connect back with nature.

I feel that Sara and Sarah added a lot of value to our trip, in finding properties that were special and unique. They were also wonderful about planning horse trekking, hiking, massages, etc. as requested. We will certainly contact Sara and Sarah again when we want to return to New Zealand. It was an absolutely wonderful trip!!!

Sara & Sarah helped us organize a great trip to NZ. We were there in April of this year and just returned. While we had lovely stays on Waiheke (The Boatshed) and at Taupo (Acacia Cliffs)—both wonderful lodges—we really fell in love with the South Island. Our time at Cabot Lodge in Manapouri was a highlight, as well as an overnight boat trip on Doubtful Sound. The Fjordlands area is special. We finished our NZ time in Queenstown. We were glad to be there in the fall when crowds were a bit less, cool evenings and colors beginning to change. NZ people are lovely, very easy trip for Americans once you get past the long plane ride. Great memories.

Just back from New Zealand and what an amazing trip! Sarah Farag and colleague Sara Devenie were our travel experts. Loved how they worked with us in the planning sessions to ensure our trip met our likes and travel goals. It was so valuable to us to have experienced, proven, on-the-ground travel experts who knew the area, could design an amazing trip, and most importantly provide support 24/7 when unexpected problems arose. And we unfortunately had 3 unexpected problems, so we can attest first-hand how important it is to have proven travel experts on the ground.

The first unexpected problem was a flight cancellation from Canada to New Zealand and the fact that our new available flight added 3 more days to our trip. Sara and Sarah worked their magic and were able to extend our stay at the Auckland Hyatt, add activities, adjust our itinerary, and coordinate all logistics making everything seamless. Then when we were in Queenstown we needed their help again. The night before we were to check out of our hotel, I got the flu and was so sick I had to cancel our 5-day Milford trek hike. We then had no place to stay, no plans and I was sick. Fortunately, Sarah/Sara had booked us into the Hubert House, a fabulous family-feel boutique hotel with amazing staff who Sarah & Sara knew well. Clearly one of our favorites. The night manager of the Hubert House learned I was sick and called Sara. Together the manager and Sara’s team worked on finding us lodging. Sara contacted me in the morning to check on how I was doing and later let me know Hubert House had a last-minute cancellation and we could stay right where we were. Hallelujah! Sara also put together some ideas of things we might do in Queenstown and the surrounding area when I felt better.

Which brings me to the third problem we faced and needed assistance. From the list we decided we should go on the Milford sound cruise before the weather changed. This was a popular activity. The cruise had room, but all the flights to get there were booked. I called Sara for help. No problem, Will, Sara’s colleague, was on it! He and the airlines worked hard and finally were able to find two different planes each with one hopper seat left. We were in! Thank you, Will! The Milford Sound Cruise and flight were definitely a highlight of our trip!

With all the activities we selected from Sarah/Sara’s suggestions, the great hotels and the amazing support, it really was the perfect trip. Highlights in Auckland included spa on arrival, Waiheke Island trip, Auckland bridge walk, sky tower, outdoor art walk at Brick Bay, and wine and foodie experiences and fabulous private drivers. Such a beautiful, fun city and a great starting point for our trip. After our friends arrived, we drove on our own to Rotorua. Everything was well planned, transport to rental car place and all activities on the way to Rotorua. We enjoyed Waitomo glow worm caves & thermals around Rotorua and loved our accommodations at Solitaire Lodge. Especially enjoyed the hike to Wai-O-Taupu (Sacred Waters) quick boat ride from our hotel. That was a wow! Great hike, amazing waterfalls, diverse vegetation, good workout. Loved it. Beautiful accommodations.

Oh and then there was Queenstown, a super fun adventure place—loved our E-Bike ride around Jack’s Point, Shootover boat ride, Milford Sound flight and cruise, Arrowhead museum, hanging out with the locals in Arrowhead and lunch at Ayrburn winery. We ended the trip with a drive up the west coast with friends stopping at fun beach towns on the way to Franz Joseph Glacier. We loved the Franz Joesph helicopter ride and getting off onto the glacier was exciting—weather changed so no hiking but still fabulous.

In Nelson stayed at the Pihopa retreat, another of our favorites—great food, ambiance was top-notch and the town so cute and fun, boating with dolphins in Abel Tasman National Park was also awesome. Then on to Marlborough wine country. Loved the Marlborough hotel, the beautiful area and the bike wine tour was a hoot. Thank you to Sara and Sarah for arranging a most magical trip for us. We couldn’t have been more pleased.

My husband and I just returned from an amazing 3-week trip to New Zealand, thanks in large part to the tireless help of Sara and Sarah. They listened closely to the way we like to travel, our interests, and what we were hoping for on this special trip to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary, and curated an itinerary that ended up exceeding all of our expectations. Highlights included a private half-day tour with a Maori family in Rotorua, sharing stories, traditions, and a hangi meal prepared for us in their home and shared with other family members (something that we could never have arranged on our own), touring Connells Bay Sculpture Park on Waiheke Island (unexpected and remarkable), E-bike riding on the Great Taste Trail and beyond in Nelson, boating with dolphins in Abel Tasman National Park, hiking the Hooker Valley Track and heli-hiking on the Mt. Cook/Tasman Glacier, staying at the Wilderness Lodge in the Southern Alps and enjoying all the activities — from sheep shearing to nature hikes with Jonathan — that they offered each day, and finally, in Queenstown, the awe-inspiring airplane ride from Queenstown to Milford Sound and the boat excursion through the fiord, and the Dart River boat adventure. And these were just the highlights…there was so much more we enjoyed. We were very pleased with all the accommodations that were recommended by Sarah’s team, especially the Pihopa Retreat in Nelson — a very special place run by an incredible hostess, Sarah, and her wonderful staff. It’s a place not to be missed.

It is clear to us, as we reflect back on our trip, what a benefit it was to use a travel agency that was actually located in New Zealand. Sara and Sarah were very easy to work with, and always responsive to emails, questions, and changes. And it turns out they also keep track of how everything is going while you are on your trip, checking with drivers and accommodations to make sure everything is perfect. Thank you once again, Sara and Sarah!

We worked with Sarah’s company, and it was a top-notch experience. We traveled on both the North Island and South Island for two weeks, 3/22/2024-4/7/2024. We are glad we took the time to consider with them lots of alternatives within the country, as well as a workable timeframe and budget. Sarah and Sara listened well and guided us to decisions that we were very happy with. They have exquisite taste and seem to know and have connections with lots of lodges and other housing options. They welcomed our input, did not feel challenged by it, and worked to plan a trip that would show us what we asked for — a representation of NZ, including many outdoor activities, with some exposure to cities, mostly as transit/transitional points. The trip included stays in Waiheke Island, Rotorua, Kaikoura, Christchurch, Lake Manapouri, Doubtful Sound and Queenstown/Glenorchy. The itinerary they provided was very detailed and accurate and made for a very easy roadmap while we were in NZ. They were a total pleasure to work with.

Jeff Grinspoon and Jon Foley found a rainbow near Sterling Falls in Milford Sound.

I have never heard my husband spontaneously declare days after our return home: “That was the most amazing trip. We are so lucky,” which he had done repeatedly and continues to do. And I completely agree.

New Zealand was everything we expected and hoped for and so much more and we plan on returning (the husband is considering buying there). We traveled three weeks in March, which is their late summer, and we had a delightful array of weather but we also traveled the expanse of the two islands, which include several micro-climates. It was a bit cooler than we expected at times so would consider going a bit earlier in their summer, perhaps.

Sarah was our trip planner, and her team was exceptional in every way and every step of the way. Our trip was pushed back twice by COVID lockdowns and once by an unfortunate hip-surgery and while we’re sure the workings in the background were demanding, they made the changes seem so easy and clearly, we didn’t miss out on a fabulous place or incredible experience.

We were blessed with a delightful variety of locations and experiences, and they were all wonderful, though people’s preference will affect how much they appreciate the wine-tastings versus the hiking and hunting. The planning misstep was that one location, Huka Lodge, was a base for us to hike the Tongariro Crossing and an unseasonably early cold-front came through, rending that no longer an option, but, surprisingly, there wasn’t much else to do around Taupo. We had a great day with a great guide, but he let us know that had we had a backup plan for alternative activities pre-booked would have given us more options.

Sarah’s office was holding our hands the entire way with backup plans for all transportation risks and we felt the love the entire time.

We highly recommend traveling by helicopter when possible. We often take helicopter tours when traveling, but had never used it as a primary mode of getting from point A to B and New Zealand is a perfect place to do this. They have a strong helicopter culture with plenty of skilled pilots and reliable machines and there is no direction to which one would travel that it’s not beautiful.

Our favorite stay was at the Minaret Station, but a close second was The Landing and both were very different. The Minaret Station being an actual working station (ranch) that is dependent upon helicopters for running the station, each day they flew us to a new adventure and it was unforgettable, from grappling lobster pots from the west coast seas to hiking the Tasman Glacier to hunting Himalayan Tahr. And even without all of that, the excellent lodging experience in such a stunning, remote location made it very special.

Sarah’s team did everything perfectly and it’s humbling to think how a trip that we might have arranged ourselves would compare to the extraordinary experience created by them. At every lodge and experience, they knew the owner personally and spoke highly of the quality of work they do and the quality people that are on the team. Not only did they put together one of the best travel experiences we’ve ever had (and we are very lucky in that department generally), we know that they leveraged their reputation to provide us with deep and rich micro-experiences all along the way. We’ve already recommended them to everyone we’ve talked to since we’ve returned and will continue to do so.

And, of course, we will continue to find other amazing tour planners of this quality through Wendy Perrin.

We are not sure where to start. The Sarah/Sara team and others there made this trip not only memorable, but seamless and fabulous. They really listened to what we liked, what types of places we like to stay at, and even ok’ed us making changes that they thought might have added a bit too much to our plates (of course those decisions were ours but they did it all with a smile). They were great at making sure we were well taken care of at each accommodation and found a way to end the trip in an extra-special way—we are pretty sure they elevated the trip in ways we will never know because of how well we were treated and even upgraded. Their dinner recs were spot-on as well. They even arranged great weather for us! Well, maybe that was not their doing. Highly recommend them to everyone!

The trip was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for us. It was by far the longest holiday we’ve ever taken and the furthest location to which we have traveled.

Sarah and Sara in New Zealand and Jacki and Stuart in Australia did an amazing job creating, organizing and coordinating our itinerary. All the individual guides were wonderful. We stayed in 9 different locations during ~3 weeks. There were a lot of flights involved. We used Cranky Concierge and they were excellent also. They constantly kept us informed of any flight changes or delays and had alternatives ready if needed. This really reduced the stress of all the traveling between locations.

New Zealand
Our stay at the Huka Lodge was wonderful. The accommodations overlooking the Waikato River were quite memorable. Our highlight there was a day spent hiking through the bush followed by an afternoon boating on Lake Taupō with fresh snow on the peaks of the mountains.

We then flew to Nelson and stayed at a B&B, Pihopa Retreat. The breakfasts there were terrific. For dinners we ate at local restaurants, which quite frankly was a welcome break from the over-the-top meals at Huka Lodge. Our favorite experience here was a full-day private cruise of the Abel Tasman National Park coastline. We also got the chance to do some hiking and sea kayaking.

We then flew to Queenstown through Christchurch. We stayed in Glenorchy at Blanket Bay. The natural beauty of being on Lake Wakatipu, surrounded by the snow-capped Southern Alps, truly was spectacular. The suite we stayed in was luxurious with the same gorgeous views. Our favorite adventure here was the Dart River jetboat ride into Mt. Aspiring National Park.

Sadly we then left New Zealand but continued our trip to Australia.

Australia
We stayed 3 nights in Sydney at the Park Hyatt. We spent our time around the Harbour, walking the gardens and visiting the Opera House. Our 2 favorite activities were the Sydney Harbour Twilight Cruise and an independent walk we did along the coastal boardwalk from Coogee Beach to Brontë Beach to Bondi Beach.

We then drove to the Blue Mountains and stayed at Spicers Sangoma. The food was wonderful. Our favorite outing here was hiking the Wentworth Falls.

We next flew down to Hobart to begin the Tasmania portion of our trip. We truly loved Tassie.

We started in Hobart. The highlight here was spending a full day on Bruny Island hiking above Adventure Bay. This is were we had our best guide, Andrew (shout out).

Next, we drove to the Freycinet peninsula and stayed at the Saffire Freycinet. Here the accommodations and food were truly outstanding. Our favorite activity was a 2-hour walk holding hands exploring an isolated beach in a moderate rainstorm. We got soaked and truly enjoyed this very romantic experience.

From here we moved on to Melbourne. We enjoyed what felt like a less touristy city than Sydney, but certainly multicultural. We explored the city on foot and used the tram in the CBD.

When we left Australia our flight was connecting through Singapore, so we spent a day and a half exploring the various ethnic communities. Here we enjoyed a relaxing evening having dinner and walking around Sentosa.

This truly was a sensational trip. I’m very satisfied that I used Sarah and Stuart to plan out the trip. I also used your recommendation for the flights (Cranky Concierge).

Next time that we return, we will plan to spend more time at less locations.

We had a trip to New Zealand & Australia which was partly a cruise and partly land. The land arrangements were handled by Sarah Farag’s and Stuart Rigg’s offices in each country. This is a review of the New Zealand portion, but our contact throughout the process was Sara Devenie. Sara planned our January 2024 dates which included both North & South Island cities.

Sara was absolutely wonderful! She was responsive and helpful, giving advice on things to see and restaurant choices. We had an idea of things we wanted to do on our first trip to NZ and Sara steered us in the right directions. She had listened to our interests and made suggestions that were right for us. She had everything planned thoroughly and we had detailed information on our itinerary as it was fine-tuned. We had not really been interested in the WETA Workshop in Wellington, but she encouraged us to go there and we LOVED it! We also wanted to go see a sheep farm and she made that happen. It was one of our favorite days. She suggested candidates for a hotel in Auckland. We chose the Hotel Britomart and it was perfect—intimate but in a great, lively area. If we return to New Zealand, we would absolutely use Sarah’s company.

We began our trip to Australia and New Zealand on April 1 and returned on April 24. We were happy that we selected this time of year as we did not get much rain (2 days altogether) and the temperatures were mild. We started in Sydney and spent 2 nights there and found it to be a very cosmopolitan city. We had a tour guide take us around the entire city and its suburbs. We had a good selection of restaurants for dining.

The next day we flew on to Tasmania. We landed in Hobart, where we were picked up and driven to the the Freycinet National Park. We stayed 2 nights in a very simple cabin and had wonderful meals at the Freycinet Lodge. On one of our walks in the forest we saw a wallaby. We returned to Hobart and spent 2 days exploring the area. While there we visited Maria Island and hiked. Along our hike we got to see some wombats and beautiful natural rock scapes. Hobart is a very interesting city with lots of history and we enjoyed our short stay.

The following day we flew to Cairns, as we wanted to experience the Great Barrier Reef out of Port Douglas. The snorkeling at the reef was amazing. Very surreal. This was our most memorable time in Australia.

All of our excursions, our guides and drivers were wonderful. We never experienced any glitches and our accommodations were beyond our expectations. We found the Australians to be warm and very easy to get along with. We left Melbourne feeling we had truly experienced Australia from one end of the coast to the other. Sarah did a good job with our itinerary, our accommodations and our excursions.

From Melbourne we flew to Auckland, and early the next morning headed to Rotorua. This was almost a 4-hour drive, which gave us a good taste of the North New Zealand Island and again a wonderful driver with good information about New Zealand. Rotorua is a geothermal area of North NZ and while it was very interesting visiting many of these natural hot “pools,” learning about the Māoris, and seeing the Redwood forest, we found it difficult to find good eating restaurants and the accommodation was mediocre. We spent 3 nights there and we would recommend 1 night. On the 4th day our driver picked us up and drove us to Wellington (3-4 hr drive) to catch our flight to Nelson.

Nelson is a beautiful city on the Southern Island of NZ. Our accommodation was spectacular. Pihopa Retreat was formerly an Anglican bishop retreat and sits on 5 beautiful acres of trees and flowers. Here the service was impeccable and the reservations for our restaurants were made by the person who managed this wonderful gem. The dining experience in Nelson was spot-on.… Nelson has beautiful national parks along its coast. It is a must see to explore. We spent an entire day there, hiking in the forest and walking on its beaches. A wonderful excursion. Next day, we then flew to Christchurch and again we were driven by an excellent driver/guide to Kaikoura where our accommodation was right on the ocean and superior. Again we took an excursion offshore to see albatross, whales and lots of dolphins. Another wonderful day. We spent 2 days there and then flew to Queenstown where we were met by our driver and spent 2-3 hrs driving to Lake Te Anau. We spent another 2 wonderful days in a beautiful lodge situated on top of a beautiful hill on 2,000 acres with spectacular views. We did an excursion in the Fiordland National Park. Absolutely spectacular forest, which included a boat excursion viewing waterfalls and also a hike. The visit to this area was most enjoyable. We could have stayed here longer, the chef at the lodge fed us delicious meals, and everything about this area and place was magical. After 2 days we headed to Queenstown for 2 nights in this beautiful, vivacious city with great dining, shops and a port. Once again, our accommodation was beyond our expectations. This boutique B&B was also situated on a hill with great views of the city and harbor. We went on a jet-boat excursion that was exciting and exhilarating. This trip was a whirlwind trip, in retrospect if we were to do it again we would stay longer at some of these cities.

Sarah did a great job at putting together within our timeline a well-organized itinerary customized to our requests of nature activities and experiences we had talked about. Everything throughout the trip went exactly the way it was planned.

The Sara(h)s were absolutely amazing. It wasn’t the easiest trip to plan because things kept changing — United massively changed their schedule after we’d booked our tickets and so our itinerary had to be rejiggered. Then two of the hotels closed and they had to find replacements last-minute. Throughout it all, they were calm, efficient, full of good ideas, and very reassuring.

Sarah’s office did a fantastic job helping us plan and execute an amazing trip to New Zealand. With their help we spent three glorious weeks exploring both the North and South Islands. Their experience and expertise were invaluable. Also much appreciated was their initiative. With the weather looking iffy for our ferry crossing to the South Island, they jumped in to put us on a flight to avoid any issues. They were extremely professional and attentive. Very highly recommended.

Our foursome has traveled extensively and frequently do not utilize the services of a travel agent, preferring to spend weeks together, studying guidebooks and maps, hammering out an itinerary and familiarizing ourselves with the history and culture of our intended destination. However, this time we decided to put ourselves in the hands of Sara’s office, after being directed by Wendy Perrin, and it was the best decision we could have made!

Sarah and Sara (or as we called them, The Saras), arranged our 2 1/2-week stay in New Zealand from 2/12 to 3/1. Before even departing from the USA, we felt assured we had made the right choice. Through a combination of phone calls and emails, with return communications always occurring without delay, the Saras helped us to put together a FOMO’s dream vacation. Whenever we wanted to add additional sites, we never heard the word No, always being told that it could be worked out, even if it meant revamping plans already made. The Saras listened carefully to our interests and prioritizations and put together a trip that exceeded our specifications.

It is easy to give praise when everything works out exactly as planned, but the true worth and value of your travel advisor is tested when conditions go awry. This is where we cannot give enough high praise to The Saras.

The day we arrived, we were one of the last flights into Auckland before the airport (and everything else) closed in anticipation of the arrival of a Category 3 cyclone. While we were still in the transportation van from the airport, we began to receive information from Sara Devenie regarding mass evacuation orders issued for the Coromandel, our first planned stop, bridge closings and expected transportation problems made worse by 3 weeks of rain and epic flooding which preceded our arrival. She preemptively presented suggestions to reroute our trip, giving us options and suggestions, and was able to extend our Auckland reservations and add additional nights to another reservation, so that our trip could continue with relatively minor inconvenience. She also provided us with a 24/7 hotline phone number should we need any assistance and texted us daily to ensure everything was going smoothly.

After that rocky start, the trip went seamlessly. On the North Island we explored the geothermal parks of Rotorua, relaxed in the hot springs of a day spa, hiked the trails at Tongariro National Park, and enjoyed the Te Papa museum, botanical gardens and Aucklandia Reserve at night in Wellington, to name a few of our activities. A unique experience was a private walk with a guide through her husband’s Māori village. She shared tribal history, culture, and traditions to give us a deeper understanding of New Zealand’s history. This is exactly the kind of experience we requested, rather than attending a tribal “show” along with busloads of other tourists.

Crossing by ferry to the South Island also required some readjustments, as the cyclone had affected shipping in the channel as well. But again, Sara made all the needed arrangements and communicated these changes quickly and clearly.

Thankfully, the weather improved and our South Island activities were all as planned. The only hitch was a weather-enforced cancellation of a heli-hike on the Franz Joseph glacier. When we called Sara and apprised her of the situation, she again jumped in and was able to schedule a similar excursion on Mount Cook the next day! This was above and beyond! Our other activities included a private daylong boating excursion at Abel Tasman, wine tasting and lunch at a vineyard in Marlborough, whale watching in Kaikoura, glow worm caves in Te Anau, jet boating in Queenstown, and a most spectacular night of astronomy and star viewing of the Southern Hemisphere sky—at the Dark Zone at Lake Takepo, while comfortably floating in a large, hot springs pool. There was even a spectacular showing of the aurora australis on our night in Queensland.

While most tourists find themselves visiting Milford Sound, with many day visitors and large boats plying the waters, we were directed by Sara to Doubtful Sound, an equally stunning location in Fiordland of towering cliffs, tumbling waterfalls and local wildlife. The difference was, we spent our overnight boat trip on a 5-cabin small vessel and never saw another boat during our 24-hour stay. This was the trip’s highlight for me—seeing incredible vistas, accompanied by a large, playful group of bottle-nosed dolphins following our vessel, eating fresh lobster taken from traps set the day before and fishing and catching our dinner of blue cod straight from the water. The tranquility, splendor and induced awe could not be matched.

I could go on about the beauty of New Zealand, the friendliness of its people, and the many opportunities afforded for hiking, boating, biking, and just rounding a corner to see jaw-dropping vistas at every turn, but I know that we wouldn’t have seen half as much, or been better directed and cared for than by the team of Sarah and Sara. We have never had a better experience with any travel consultant, large or small, anywhere else in the world. I have already referred 2 of my friends to their company and will continue to do so in the future. Thank you, thank you to The Saras!

Sarah’s office did a commendable job planning our trip to New Zealand. My name is Gary Gabel, and my wife and I visited New Zealand from February 13 to 23, 2023. Our first stop was Queenstown, a vibrant city among the mountains on the South Island. We stayed at the Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel. The hotel was small, very nice, with afternoon wine and munchies served. The people working there were incredibly accommodating. We were supposed to go to Hawkes Bay after a few days in Queenstown—but the Cyclone hit and devastated Hawkes Bay. Diego at the hotel found rooms for us for several additional nights. We then flew to Rotorua and stayed at a nice room at Peppers on the Point. We had a driver, Kevin, who took us on several excursions, and eventually drove us to Auckland, where we ended the trip. Kevin owns Signature Chauffeur Services, and he was absolutely the best!

We used Sarah’s office to plan our New Zealand trip. We were very happy with the comprehensive approach that they provided. We liked all of the local guides and drivers they arranged. Local guides and drivers were also very complimentary of the team as a partner to work with.

Sarah really shone when she rearranged our itinerary on the spur of the moment to get us out of the path of a cyclone and associated airport closings. We would not have been able to manage this on our own.

Our favorite day was a tour of Waiheke Island with Gabrielle of Terra and Tides. Gabrielle was very knowledgeable about New Zealand as a whole, in addition to the one island she was showing us. We had a wine tasting and lunch and she drove us to many different sites on the island where the views were fantastic, and she always added historical and cultural insights about what we were seeing.

I felt like the unique benefit of the experience of working with Sarah’s team was the chance to have extended conversations with our various drivers and guides, which yielded insights into the New Zealanders’ character and culture.

This was our second trip using one of Wendy Perrin’s WOW List travel planners, and we had another incredible experience! Sarah was phenomenal—she was extremely organized, listened and really heard us, and tailored a trip that was above and beyond what we had hoped for. I could go on and on about her and the details of our 3+ week trip to New Zealand, but what I think really stood out, that others would want to know, was that to begin with, she was very mindful of our budget and in the end, we were shocked at how she planned such wonderful things for us and the trip felt very reasonably priced for so many unique and private experiences and exquisite meals and lodging. She really listened to our interests and tailored the activities, meals, lodging and transportation to be what was right for us. We did not feel like we had a typical or cookie-cutter trip, but a very bespoke experience. In addition, she was worth her weight in gold when we encountered some weather-related issues due to extreme weather conditions. When an internal flight was cancelled, she had the expertise and was immediately available to help us re-route and get our rental car switched to a new city—while everyone else was waiting in line at the airport, with one call she had us sorted out and our holiday continued with only a 25-minute delay! In addition, her knowledge of unique experiences (like spending the night on a boat with just 5 couples in Doubtful Sound) was wonderful. When we told locals what we were doing, they were surprised and pleased that our plans were not typical tourist plans but really took us to interesting places that locals love and are proud of. Before we even left on our trip, we already felt so much confidence in Sarah that we recommended her to some friends to plan their trip, which was a month after ours. When we saw their itinerary, it was completely different from ours and that made us feel that she really listens and creates trips and experiences that are for individuals. We also loved that she knew and had been to the places and people she was sending us to. Her depth and breadth of knowledge and experience and her keen listening skills make her an outstanding choice for planning a trip (and a trip that won’t break the bank). I love that I can always count on Wendy Perrin to find the best travel planners. This was another home run!

Sarah Farag, and Sara Devenie who works with her, made arrangements for us to spend two weeks on New Zealand’s South Island from January 20 through February 1, 2023 (the middle of New Zealand’s summer).

Wanting to have a very relaxed, unscheduled vacation, we requested only accommodations, a rental vehicle, and recommendations for sightseeing while we were there. Sarah and Sara, responsive to the type of trip and arrangements we requested, recommended a new hotel in Christchurch, the Mayfair, where we had a very comfortable room within walking distance of the central business district, several lovely parks, and the botanical garden. The city, well underway in its recovery from the major earthquake of 2011, offers lots of parks, good and diverse restaurants, and shopping. Sarah and Sara suggested several side trips, including one to Akaroa, a small, picturesque community established by the French on the coast south of Christchurch, and to Arthur’s Pass National Park, several hours drive to the west in the Southern Alps. Both drives offered beautiful and unusual scenery.

For the other half of our trip, Sarah and Sara recommended staying in Wanaka, a small town on the southern shore of the lake by the same name about a six-hour drive southwest from Christchurch. After the route turned inland from the coast, there was an interesting variety of terrains and landscapes — plains, rolling hills, and mountains variously covered in pasture land, forests, and mountain vegetation. The route passed several large lakes that were an otherworldly color of blue, including one that provided a framed view of snow-covered Mt. Cook, New Zealand’s highest at 12,316 feet. Sarah and Sara recommended we stay in a rental condominium that was directly across a street from the shore of the lake (and had a beautiful view of the lake and the mountains beyond). It was spacious, clean, quiet, nicely furnished and maintained, and only a block from the commercial area of the small town which offered good restaurants and interesting shops. Queenstown, which has been called “the adventure capital of the world,” is only a 90-minute drive from Wanaka, through old gold-mining towns and impressive mountains with amazing natural scenery. For those interested, Wanaka is a base from which to access boat rides, jet skis, swimming, mountain hiking and climbing, ATV and horseback rides, helicopter and airplane rides over the Southern Alps, and other outdoor and water activities. For those who want stunning scenery, peace, and quiet, it offers those as well. It was a place with which we were unfamiliar, so we greatly appreciate Sarah and Sara recommending it to us and arranging an excellent place for us to stay while we were there.

If you are interested in traveling to New Zealand, our experience is that Sarah and Sara can build a trip that provides the kind of vacation you prefer using dependable, high-quality vendors — if you tell the trip planners what you want and don’t want and what you like and don’t like, and respond to their initial proposal so it can be tailored to your satisfaction. While we didn’t need to make use of it, we were reassured that Sarah’s office provided us with the ability to contact its personnel by phone 24/7 to obtain their help in addressing any serious problems that were encountered.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time in New Zealand; we’re glad we went and chose this time to do so, and glad we used Sarah and Sara to make the arrangements for us.

I managed to get a steal on business-class flights using miles to New Zealand. I only had 10 days in the country and I wanted to maximize my time, so I turned to Sarah Farag and Sara Devenie. They produced a wonderful ininerary for me. They booked some great experiences (like seeing sperm whales in Kaiboura), while giving me enough time to explore on my own. All of the accomodations were excellent. No fault of theirs, I had issues — my flight outbound to New Zealand was impacted by weather and I missed my Auckland connection. My return flight was cancelled. It was great to have someone on the ground to rework my itinerary in real time and get be back on track.

We travelled to New Zealand and Australia over the holidays (Dec 2022 – Jan 2023) and had a wonderful time. Because both of these countries had only recently opened up, they were fairly busy. Fortunately for us, our travel agents for both countries helped us make all necessary reservations, not only for activities but for dinner reservations. If we had not done this, we now know how difficult it would have been to do once we were there. We were very grateful for this coordination, as we saw many folks turned away at the various restaurants we went to. The hotels our agents recommended were great. Our highlights were the helicopter trip over Millford Sound and a surfing lesson on Bondi beach. We loved our trip.

Let me start by saying that, to me, excellent is an impossible standard for trips extending five weeks or more. There are always lowlights, but that’s part of travel and often leads to interesting stories. I would, however, highly recommend Sarah and her team to any traveler going to NZ. First, the initial arrangements were exactly to our specifications. Second, when adjustments needed to be made (and there were a few as we were traveling during a developing pandemic), the agents handled the details quickly, efficiently, and to our complete satisfaction. Finally, the guides, charters, room assignments, etc. were all very special and we could easily see the influence of our booking agents. This is something I could never do on my own! That alone would make me come back for more. So, if high end travel to NZ is on your agenda, don’t hesitate to use Sarah. Period!

My husband and I and two other couples (three golfers) went on a fabulous 2 week trip to New Zealand – organized by Sarah and Sebastien.

The trip exceeded our expectations.

We started in the bay of islands – Keri Keri – kauri cliffs lodge – The staff and activities that were part of our itinerary were so well organized. We hiked , biked , swam in the ocean – played golf and had a Mauri guide teach us the history of his people.

We went on an all day boat ride around the bay of islands with Marilyn and don who couldn’t have been nicer- they even built their boat from scratch!!

Our driver Merv who transported us was full of personality and made the time in the car a hoot. He even bought us blueberry ice cream.

From there we flew to Queenstown where we toured Arrowtown and had a fabulous time with Kate – an art specialist- She drove us to galleries and introduced us to many of her artist friends in the area. One artist took us to a private home where some of his sculptures were on display – it was a magical place!!

– when we thought it couldn’t get any better…Kate surprised us at the end of our tour with champagne strawberries and chocolate – lakeside as the sun was setting!!

The next day was our full day Milford sound excursion. We had planned on flying in and out of Milford but because of weather conditions we had a change of plan – Sarah and Sebastien were quick to reroute us so we could still fly in but the weather and winds were increasing so we would have to drive back to Queenstown-they rearranged everything to make our Milford sound day happen!!!
Even though it was a very long day it was a highlight- we saw bottle nose dolphin – seals -spectacular waterfalls – a lush 3hr hike in Fiordland- absolutely spectacular!!!

I can easily say that every part of our tripped was carefully crafted by Sarah to make sure it was flawless – there was nothing that was missed on our itinerary- every lodge that we stayed at offered us a unique experiences different then the others (and great golf).

Our activities were so unique –

In Taupo we were guided by a Mauri elder thru his wife’s Mauri village. We were greeted by children of the village between the ages of 5-14 – they performed Mauri songs and dances. We then sat and chatted with them about life – it was such a moving experience – we were the first group that they had ever performed for –

I applaud Sarah and Sebastien because we tried to change up that day and they told us not to that it would be very special and they were right!

We ended our trip in Hawks Bay
We stayed at Cape Kidnappers – another wow lodge!!
So different then the others…
A 6000 acre working farm
Cows and sheep every where!!
Me being an animal lover I was in heaven!!the kiwi discovery was a dream come true ( I saw a kiwi) the work being done by cape sanctuary to save the kiwi bird from predators and extinction is amazing!

The sheep herding and shearing was incredible to watch.

Viewing the gannet bird colony on the cliffs of hawks bay – standing inches away from their nest egg and babies was truly a highlight!

Our husbands came to golf and Sarah & Sebastian set up an amazing itinerary so they could do it all!

I can honestly say that this was a trip of a lifetime

I would highly recommend Sarah & Sebastian and use them again when we revisit New Zealand they were fabulous!!

Sarah and her team planned a wonderful family trip to New Zealand for our family of 5 (kids ages 10, 13, 16). We had two weeks over the very busy Christmas period, and she handled our requests so well. With the constraint of flying from the US in and out of Auckland on the North Island, a certain amount of internal travel is simply necessary. Sarah chose excellent times for the flights and arranged those transfers as seamlessly as possible. We were worried about our initial post-flight adjustment and jet lag and didn’t want to land in Auckland and get on yet another flight. So she suggested we stay on Waiheke Island for two nights to adjust. The property and its owner were simply wonderful. We loved exploring the island and enjoying the many beaches. Our next stop was a sheep station outside of Christchurch near Arthur’s Pass. It was truly a magical place to stay, with sheep available to romp among and feed (such a hit!), gorgeous hiking and scenery and warm hosts. We also hired a car to self-drive here and were happy we did. On to the bigger tourist destination of Queenstown (though from a NY perspective, the “crowds” here were minimal) for exciting outdoor actives and NYE. The fireworks were great for those of us who stayed up to watch them from our hotel window–perfect view! Finally, back to the North Island for a stay at a lodge near Rotorua. When small changes or issues arose immediately before and during our trip, Sarah was always available to help and reached out herself a couple of times to check in. We always felt we could ask for advice. Thank you!

When I plan a trip, I do not always utilize the services of a travel agent. We have traveled extensively, and pick and choose when we use an agent. Usually, if we are putting together a complicated planning trip, with a lot of moving parts, we will always use a travel agent. Moreover, when we are not familiar with the country and we have no direct contacts inside the country, we find a travel agent to be a great source of comfort, especially when Plans must be unexpectedly altered.

I must say, Sarah and her team are a brilliant example of how an amazing company of travel experts, can make or break one’s trip.

First, let me say we spent two months on our vacation; a month in Australia and then off to New Zealand. Together with Sarah and her team, we had a number of pre-trip conferences and e -mail communications, in order to frame the trip we desired. I can only say that Sarah listened to us, because the trip we experienced was amazing. More important, Sarah was able to get the specific rooms at the specific hotels which she had discussed and recommended. The trip was framed around such intricate knowledge and planning, known to Sarah and her team.

During our trip in New Zealand, there were changes that had to be made on an immediate basis. As examples only, the infamous New Zealand weather conditions challenged planned helicopter rides, speed boat experiences, and other plans at the last minute. Other examples were predictions of rising flood waters due to anticipated rains, which were due to arrive. Sarah and her team monitored all of these situations, not delaying modifications pending the outcome of the rising flood waters, and made amazing substitutions, which in no way decreased the enjoyment of our trip. Without going into intricate details, I can say that only an agent with an amazing web of contacts in her country, could have made the miracles happen, to adjust aspects of the trip and lodging, last minute, from these unexpected pressures on our travel. In some instances, Sarah’s newly devised plan, or hotel substitution, was actually at a higher grade than we had been booked, without any additional charge to us!

Moreover, Sarah made sure that on any activity that had to be cancelled, a full refund from the provider would be made. Sarah promised the refunds and they all were completed within a very short time after the trip! Not one additional follow-up was needed on our part.

Well, one can tell I am a fan of Sarah and her team. When the problems arrived, she handled them all with ease, humor, and a sense of being stress-free for us.

We can only give our highest praise for Sarah and her team. Thank you.

We used Sarah Farag’s deputy, Sara Devenie, to plan our family trip to New Zealand. All five us went during the winter for roughly three weeks, and it was the best three weeks of our lives. Wendy’s team put us in contact with Sara, and I can’t imagine planning the trip with anyone else. Sara accounted for everything and anything we requested and wanted to do while we were there. Even the changes and other requests we made while we were on our trip. She was extremely responsive, accommodating, helpful, insightful, and the list could go on and on about how amazing she was throughout the planning process and trip.

I was actually put in contact with multiple specialists for New Zealand but none were nearly as great as Sara. Even after the trip, I still stand by that statement and my choice to go with Sara over others. She was so quick to respond and gave the advice you need when you plan on going during a less traveled season. She tailored our trip to all our requests, including just about everything that she thought we could do during the winter while seeing the most of the country.

Not only was the planning process a breeze but the trip was as well. This was my dad’s first time using a travel specialist and he can be a tough one to sell — and now he says he would never do it any other way. THAT is how amazing Sara was! The guides and drivers that she used throughout our trip were just as amazing. They were extremely informative and helpful on what were other things we could do on our time off and really added to the experience altogether. One driver even took us to get the best pies (which quickly became on of our favorite New Zealand dishes) ! I don’t think I would be able to find such amazing guides and drivers without Sara’s expertise and they really were that great. She even included little pitstops on recommended places to visit on the parts we drove ourselves. She made all of our restaurant reservations, which were especially necessary in most cities because lost of places were all booked up. She had a restaurant guide for each city and that was so helpful because it can be so overwhelming. We LOVED Azabu in Auckland, highly recommend it! We went to two All Blacks games and she told us the most affective ways to get to and from the game since they can be quite chaotic for the city and streets even are closed. Everything was stress free and done in a breeze. The only slightly stressful part, and rightfully so, was driving ourselves in the extreme weather conditions. We ended up leaving a day early and spending an additional night in Queenstown to try to beat the worst of it. Sara worked everything out and rearranged everything so we left Franz Josef in a breeze and got to Queenstown just in time to relax after driving in the whiteout. It seemed like when we snapped our fingers with a request that would need to be done in a timely manner, in this case trying to beat the bad weather, Sara made it happen.

Although during this time of year in New Zealand the weather can be quite rainy and cold, we still got to do almost everything we planned on. A lot of the stuff started to get canceled during the beginning of our trip because we got there right when their largest storm of the year hit. Lucky for us it was perfect for skiing because the resorts finally opened the entire mountain since there was enough snow! My mom doesn’t ski so Sara arranged for a spa day for her and we all ended up enjoying the day. Unfortunately, a lot of our activities were canceled due to this extreme weather but we called Sara, as we were obviously starting to get a little bummed out, and she reworked TWO itinerary options and gave us her recommendation on what she would do. She made all the calls and arrangements to see what would be available if we were to reroute our trip, and we are forever grateful for her time and effort that she put into it. Our visit to Fiordland National Park got canceled because of the weather and we could no longer do a helicopter ride with a glacier and beach landing but Sara flipped around a few days to get a driver to take us to Fiordland National Park and do a boat tour. I had done this before but was more than happy to do it again so my family could at least see it and they were ecstatic that Sara was able to work this all out, weather permitting. She even managed to get Hapuku Lodge, one of the luxury lodges of New Zealand in Kaikoura, to open early and accommodate only our family while we were there. They were closed for the season but Sara managed to book us for our stay there. This something we definitely could not manage planning on our own and are so grateful for it because our stay there exceeded our expectations!

Stuart Rigg and his team in Australia and New Zealand made our honeymoon trip a dream come true. Six months prior to our trip we had a conference call with Stuart and Trevor on Sarah’s team, who asked detailed questions about our likes and dislikes. That was followed up with a written proposal for activities and excursions in both countries. As we were traveling on a Seabourn cruise, they had to consider our cruise itinerary and ports of call to coordinate the days and times we would be in port. This was complicated and they handled it all for us. We did not want to book our excursions through Seabourn as we wanted a more personal approach, rather than be part of a larger group. Stuart and Trevor on Sarah’s team planned an amazing itinerary for us.

Highlights included a driver and guide, Adil, to Auckland’s spectacular West Coast Beaches where we saw many gannets in their natural environment. Another was a day on Waiheke Island. We had a very knowledgeable guide, Geoff, who has, as we do, a big interest in wines. He guided us to 3 vineyards, all different in style, including a wonderful lunch at one. At every stop on our cruise, we had terrific guides who met us as we disembarked at the various ports and whisked us away on another adventure and delivered us back to the ship in time to move on to our next destination.

After the cruise ended, a driver was waiting for us and again, took us directly to our hotel. We had great tours of Sydney and Bondi Beach as well as a day hiking in the Blue Mountains with locals who have lived in these places their entire life. So much knowledge!

At the beginning of our trip after a long day of flying from Savannah to Auckland we were met by our driver and taken to our hotel. Stuart’s team booked excellent hotels in both Auckland and Sydney and everything was in place when we arrived. There were no gaps or misses.

This was our first time in both countries and we would not hesitate to call on Stuart the next time we go down under.

Thank-you to them and to Wendy Perrin for a gorgeous WOW Moment gift–we really appreciate it.

We had no idea what was happening until our driver delivered us to the Rose Bay Seaplane sight for our flight over Sydney and the surrounding beaches.

Tom and I both love flying so our introduction to Sydney in this way was so amazing. We were the only 2 passengers and Tom sat in the co-pilot seat enabling him to take fantastic photos of the beautiful city below us. The weather was perfect that day. It was over the top in every way!

You could not have planned a better surprise for us. We have been fans of your WOW list for many years, using your trusted advisors in Italy, Paris (twice), London, Africa (twice), and now NZ and Australia. Our next trip using one of your advisors will be to Argentina.

Wendy, you are providing a wonderful service to those of us who travel often and like to travel well.

Thanks also for the personal attention you gave us when we had a glitch with another advisor booking our cruise.

Note: Post-pandemic, Sarah is no longer assisting with cruise shore excursions.

My family of four spent three weeks in New Zealand and Australia in January. The entire trip was planned by Sarah’s New Zealand team and Stuart in Australia. We spent three months exchanging emails to plan this trip, and they always responded within 24 hours to my communications and were consistently pleasant and flexible. At the end I got exactly the trip I wanted.

We stayed at beautiful resorts throughout New Zealand. We saw incredible natural beauty and my husband fished for trout with knowledgeable guides. When weather prevented us from doing a trans alpine hike, the guide seamlessly changed plans to provide us with an extraordinary experience in the Fiordland. When my daughter decided at the last minute that she wanted to bungee jump, Sara and Trevor switched things around to make that possible as well. And, when weather caused our second Trans Alpine Crossing to be cancelled, Trevor spent a Sunday morning on the phone with me completely reorganizing our itinerary so that we wouldn’t miss a beat. Though we traveled in high season and most lodges were full, making room upgrades impossible, Sarah’s team worked its magic wherever it could. At Huka Lodge our dinner was served on the jetty, the nicest and most private spot available. At Fiordland Lodge, our kids were each given their own room rather than sharing. And we enjoyed a wonderful wine tasting experience on Waiheke island planned on the fly on a Sunday morning! They were supremely professional, extraordinarily flexible, and had deep knowledge of the country. I wouldn’t have done it any other way!

Stuart arranged 9 days for us in Australia, specifically in Sydney and on Lizard Island. Stuart and his colleague Tanya were extraordinarily responsive, always responding to emails within 24 hours. They were very flexible and tried to accommodate everything on my wish list. When I was struggling to choose between various GBR options, Stuart and I spoke by phone for about 45 minutes until we got everything sorted. I agree very strongly, Wendy, with your admonition to SPEAK with the travel specialists in addition to email correspondence. I was able to transmit in that call the nuance that can sometimes evade the written word. Our time was flawlessly planned. Stuarts VIP escort service met us at the airport and brought us to our lovely Sydney hotel, The Langham. We had two beautiful connecting rooms there. At every restaurant in which we dined Stuart had magically arranged for the best table with the best view. At dinner on our first night, we were presented with a bottle of sparkling wine, courtesy of Stuart and Southern Crossings. Stuart also arranged for Opera tickets, the BridgeClimb, and a surfing lesson–all of which were huge hits. When we traveled to Lizard we were upgraded, courtesy of Stuart. Our adult son who accompanied us had to work while in Australia. He was concerned with the internet connection given the remoteness of the island. We shared these concerns with Stuart who contacted the Lizard Island GM, who, in turn, generously offered his own office and landline for our son to use for certain hours each day. These are the moments (and those when you can see the Sydney Opera House through your wine glass) when one feels so very grateful to be using one of your WOW specialists! Thank you!

Wow! What can I say? I don’t even know where to begin. This was an amazing trip for my family! My two daughters, husband, and I had an awesome time in Australia– many thanks to Stuart for such great planning, execution, and many memorable touches! First, we loved all the activities– from biking in Sydney, the Sydney Harbor Bridge twilight climb, to the magnificent Uluru and Field of Lights dinner/walk, to snorkeling with green turtles on the inspiring Lady Elliots Island! Each accommodation was fantastic– our favorite was the Ovolo Inchcolm in Brisbane! And the Lady Elliots Island eco-resort was magical and the perfect finishing touch to an already incredible and wonderful trip! My daughters loved the sunset over the Harbor Bridge and the chance to embrace a koala. We were celebrating my husbands 50th birthday and he could not have asked for a more memorable holiday. For him, stargazing in the clear night sky was an added delight! We truly recommend Stuart and thank him for the incredible trip! And bonus points for the fruit basket waiting for us on our last night.

New Zealand— the Land of the Long White Cloud— such a magical place!   My family and I absolutely loved how beautiful and how eco-conscious this incredible place is!  It was a wonderful way to begin our journey.   Thanks to Sarah, Stuart’s colleague in New Zealand, we had plenty of time to wander and enjoy New Zealand at our own pace while still having pre-arrangements to hit all the highlights we wanted.   Auckland was charming and a great start point.   We really enjoyed the Waitomo Caves around Rotorua to Hobbiton in Matamata and the Weta Workshop in Wellington.   And the drive along the green and lush hills were breathtaking.   And of course, we were utterly taken by the breathtaking magnificence of Queenstown, the Remarkables, Milford Sound, and Skippers’ Canyon. We had the good fortune of comfortable dry and sunny weather throughout our time and we must give a shoutout for the beautiful Rees Hotel and the wonderful 2-bedroom suite with fireplace and private balcony overlooking the Lake Wakatipu.   The people were so friendly and we were pleasantly surprised and very impressed that Maori is the 2nd official language in New Zealand.   And while Queenstown and New Zealand are places of high adventure (don’t forget to do the Shotover Jetboat), we were particularly charmed by the Kiwi Wildlife Park where you learn about how New Zealand’s efforts around conservation are some of the most aggressive and yet sensible we had ever heard.   Thank you to Sarah for arranging a most magical trip for us in the Land of Kiwis.

Stuart and Sarah did two things that are very important to me – they listened to what my travel partner and I wanted out of this trip, AND they were great at communicating expediently and thoroughly. We had less than two months to pull together a two-week trip to Australia and New Zealand coming from the US. They asked our budget, we requested a luxury experience, and our expectations were surpassed. We had one lodging experience that was booked to our specifications, but upon arrival did not meet our expectations. It was late evening and Pam on Stuart’s team answered our call right away and arranged new lodging within minutes without questioning our reason for wanting to change lodging. If/when I return down under I will absolutely use them to create another amazing itinerary.