Louise Hodge

Louise commitment to have a memorable trip in this amazing country was excellent. She done a great job booking all transportation which was my main concern. Very prompt in answering all my questions and requests. Well-deserved five stars!
Few feedback and recommendations:
- I had doubts about motels accommodations but seams that the motel 59 on Cron street at Franz Joseph was much better than Heartland hotel in Queenstown regarding facilities.
- At Franz Joseph, due to weather conditions, my heli trip was cancelled but I manage to find a driver to take me to Okarito. Was a great trip, see the beach and do the Trig walk, great views. I recommend having this option for the case another tourist facing same situation.
- The tour with Gray Line from Franz Joseph to Queenstown was split between two drivers. That was fine as was no need to transfer baggage, but the second driver was driving very fast and unsafe, even I mentioned to him that is driving very fast for a big bus he continues to do so. I was very uncomfortable and thinking even to make an official complain.
- At Milford Sound, thanks to the guide from RealNZ - Alisja, I could have a flight back to Queenstown. My wish was to have a helicopter tour on this trip, but the flight with the small plane and great pilot going around on top of the mountains can't describe how wonderful have been. :) RealNZ is a top class Tours Company! Five stars from me :)
- The tours with Cheeky Kiwi and Cheeky Kea were great, good drivers, funny and share information about areas we were passing.
- As a conclusion, the tours companies should give drivers enough time for the trips, their clients are tourists and want to stop more often in places of interest to make photos and enjoy the views.

My top two experiences are flying over the mountains and Mitai Maori cultural history experience.

As an overview I can say I had an amazing time. I'll share my experience with family and friends and hopefully I can come again.

Thank you Louise and thank you Kim Kim!

Adina Tutu.

Hotel Reviews

Bella Vista Christchurch

Christchurch

58 On Cron

Great hotel, big room, very clean, kitchen with all you need.

Location

Only 5 minutes walk from center but quite and great view of the mountains.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sudima Lake Rotorua

Rotorua

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sudima

Christchurch

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Nesuto Stadium Auckland

Auckland

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

TSS Earnslaw Farm Tour & Dinner

Queenstown (NZ)

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Milford Sound Coach/Cruise/Coach inc lunch ex ZQN

Queenstown (NZ)

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Real Rotorua - Thermal Path Tour

Rotorua

Quality of Experience

Rotorua to Auckland, Hobbiton

New Zealand

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Depart New Zealand

New Zealand

Quality of Experience

Transport

Glacier Valley Shuttle

Franz Josef Glacier

Quality of Experience

Mitai Maori Village

Rotorua

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore Queenstown on Your Own

Queenstown (NZ)

Louise was great to work with in planning my trip. With the exception of one lodging place, I give KimKim an A for the overall trip.
I visited so many incredible places- Glow Worm Cave, Doubtful Sound, Milford Sound, Otega Regional Wine Tour, Hiking Trails, Wharf in Queenstown!!
This was my second trip to NZ and it was worth seeing again. The citizens of NZ are the friendliest and sweetest people I’ve ever met in all my travels. The country is one postcard after another - even the retail areas are nice. Public bathrooms are cleaner than most peoples homes!!! You can just tell these people love the tourism as it provides the majority of their lifestyle. All other countries with this much tourism should use NZ as a model.
People in the states - stop going on the same ole vacation year after year - go to NZ. It’s a lifetime vacation and one that you will remember forever.

Hotel Reviews

Blue Peaks Lodge

Queenstown

Old, tired and very dated. No amenities whatsoever. It was clean and is very convenient. The staff was super sweet and friendly. But I would not stay here again.

Authenticity & Character

Everything. Cleaner parking lot, updated rooms, add a lounge, add a courtyard, don’t put trash bins in the front door.

Location

Staff

Both of the young ladies were great.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Clean and simple. Lots of people like this. I just thought I was in low income housing.

Distinction Te Anau Hotel And Villas

Te Anau

Great location.

Authenticity & Character

Typical NZ hotel.

Location

Heart of city center.

Staff

Very accommodating.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Could use new mattresses.

Activity Reviews

Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise from Queenstown

Queenstown (NZ)

Loved everything this sound offered. Spectacular in every way.

Quality of Experience

The incredible views.

Transport

Better shock absorbers for a smoother ride. More knee room in between seats. Window shades to block sunlight when necessary.

Te Anau Glowworm Caves

Te Anau

The rarity of seeing such a beautiful cave.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Buses are just too rough riding. The bouncing makes you car sick.

Te Anau to Milford Sound, Milford Cruise with Picnic Lunch

Te Anau

Never seen anything so beautiful.

Quality of Experience

I’m

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Better riding bus is needed. Just so much bouncing and roughness. It’s very car sick.

Appellation Boutique Wine Tour

Queenstown (NZ)

Loved the first and last stop. Beautiful wineries.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Worst driver ever. Rude. Non stop talking. Drove extremely too fast. Just a lousy driver.

Transport

Not luxury at all. It’s van. Nothing luxurious about it.