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4.5
44 Reviews
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Once Upon a Trip

As in country experts, our services ensure your vacation exceeds all your expectations.
We create tailor-made New Zealand tours. We know this country, these regions, and accommodations in a way that the internet won't allow you to. We specialize in custom New Zealand and South Pacific Island itineraries.

Our philosophy is to listen to your vacation dream and then using our first-hand experience of living and traveling all corners of New Zealand, to design the trip of a lifetime specifically for you. No two customers are alike so no two New Zealand vacations we create are alike.

Once Upon a Trip is part of the following groups: Fiji Travel Agents, New Zealand Travel Agents

Featured trips & expertise

Top itineraries and travel advice
Highlights of New Zealand - 10 Days
This action-packed itinerary dives into New Zealand's South and North Islands for a wide variety of landscapes and attractions. Kicking off in the adrenaline capital of the...
Best of New Zealand’s South Island - 10 Days
This 10-day road trip in the South Island combines the best New Zealand has to offer. Discover jaw-dropping scenery here, including Lake Tekapo and its turquoise waters, Mt....
Highlights of New Zealand: From North to South - 15 Days
Traverse New Zealand on this two-week adventure-packed trip, covering the highlights of North and South Island. Discover diverse landscapes, from world-class surfing beaches,...

Recent Trip Reviews for Once Upon a Trip

New Zealand 16-day Auckland to Queenstown
New Zealand | Mar 2 - Mar 17, 2024

Thomas
Thomas T.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Apr 17, 2024
Our Travel Pro, Monika, was very patient with us while we worked through the itinerary for our New Zealand trip. In fact it took us (not Monika) 3 months to finally settle on the detailed schedule. We just kept asking questions and Monika developed options for us to consider. In the end her original itinerary was close to what we chose; well we added a few excisions and some of the hotels and B&B's changed. I will say all the options Monika provided were excellent. Monika was very... Read more

Our Travel Pro, Monika, was very patient with us while we worked through the itinerary for our New Zealand trip. In fact it took us (not Monika) 3 months to finally settle on the detailed schedule. We just kept asking questions and Monika developed options for us to consider. In the end her original itinerary was close to what we chose; well we added a few excisions and some of the hotels and B&B's changed.

I will say all the options Monika provided were excellent. Monika was very responsive to reschedules (due to weather) and in fact moved an excursion up a day, to keep us on schedule and allow us to do a challenging hike the next day that got cancelled because of weather.

If I had one recommendation to the reader, 16-days is not enough; if you are driving. We saw many highlights and are already thinking of our next visit to New Zealand. Monika was very cognizant of the travel times and provided us guidance to minimize our hours on the road and provide useful, fun, entertaining, & amazing stops along the way.

Monika will be our go-to for our next New Zealand adventure. It was so helpful having a local (she is based in Queenstown) expert.

Thanks,
Tom T

Hotel Reviews
Kamana Lakehouse
Queenstown

Excellent location, great view of the lake. Great Staff

Authenticity & Character
It is called Lakehouse and it didn't disappoint with the Lake Views
Location
Staff
Came to get us when one of our excursion drivers showed up early!
Cleanliness & Comfort
The staff was responsive to a messy towel day
M Social
Auckland

Modern Hotel in the middle of everything! The first 2 days we just walked everywhere we needed to go.

Authenticity & Character
Modern and Modern
Location
Right on the waterfront
Staff
Helped with some tech issues and made recommendations
Cleanliness & Comfort
just great
Naumi Hotel Wellington
6141

Quirky mid-town hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Quirky, what more is there to say! In a really good way.
Location
Well except the parking, but we were RIGHT DOWN TOWN
Staff
Pointed us to a few interesting things to see.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Great bed and linens
Beaufort House Akaroa
Akaroa

The hostess and host were excellent and this is an incredible B&B

Authenticity & Character
French town with this chateau feel
Location
Small town and this was a walk to the waterfront.
Staff
Excellent Omlete
Cleanliness & Comfort
These linens I really want to know where they get them, was unbelievable comfortable!
Activity Reviews
Redwoods treewalk by night
Redwoods treewalk by night
Rotorua

Just fun and interesting in the evening!

Starlight Gourmet Kayak Tour - Glowworm Caves
Starlight Gourmet Kayak Tour - Glowworm Caves
Rotorua

Really glowworms only exist in 3 locations in the world, our guide was excellent and we really enjoyed the adventure.

Zealandia - Night Tour
Zealandia - Night Tour
Wellington

Everyone should do this excursion because it tells you about how New Zealand is reintroducing native birds.

Fly Cruise Fly – Queenstown to Milford Sound BY PLANE
Fly Cruise Fly – Queenstown to Milford Sound BY PLANE
Queenstown (NZ)

Everyone has pictures of Milford, but you need to experience it yourself!

Local specialist: Monika Vinsova
Monika
Monika Vinsova
Local specialist in Queenstown, New Zealand | Replied on Apr 17, 2024

Hi Tom and Terry,

I truly appreciate your thoughtful feedback! It was such a pleasure assisting you with your New Zealand journey, and I'm delighted to hear that you had a memorable experience.

I'm thrilled that you're already considering another visit to New Zealand! There's so much more to explore, and I'd be honored to help you plan your next adventure whenever you're ready.

Thank you again for choosing me as your travel consultant, and here's to many more incredible adventures ahead!

Warm regards from Queenstown,

Monika

New Zealand was AMAZING ! Trip plan d efinitely exceeded our expections!!!
New Zealand | Mar 18 - Mar 30, 2024

Jodi Lynn
Jodi Lynn G.
Saint Michael, MN | Reviewed on Apr 02, 2024
Thank you Franck, of KimKim/Once in a Lifetime. The trip you planned for us to New Zealand exceeded our expectations. We kept saying, “thank you Franck”!! We loved the process of planning. You came up with a first idea plan and listened to how we wanted to personalize it to fit our dreams. We liked all of the accommodations upgraded to water/view front and we asked for something unique. It was nice having a few days in Auckland at MSocial to check out the bay and whale/dolphins... Read more

Thank you Franck, of KimKim/Once in a Lifetime. The trip you planned for us to New Zealand exceeded our expectations. We kept saying, “thank you Franck”!! We loved the process of planning. You came up with a first idea plan and listened to how we wanted to personalize it to fit our dreams. We liked all of the accommodations upgraded to water/view front and we asked for something unique. It was nice having a few days in Auckland at MSocial to check out the bay and whale/dolphins excursion and acclimate to the 18 hour time difference. We loved the night time redwood tree walk and our morning stroll again in Rotorua. We had a breathtaking tour and wonderful chat with Jill Simpson, own of beautiful Akaroa Garden; then off to a fun and worthwhile dolphin cruise . Mount Cook Lakeside retreat on lake Pulaski was luxurious; great views, chef cooked meals and perfect location to explore the Mackenzie region. We had a private plane, The Grand Traverse to fly over the glacier and mountain areas of Mackenzie Aoraki National Park. Two of us made it to stargazing after a wonderful dinner in the dining hall, lead by lodge owner. Magnificent!!! Crazy, amazing place to stay (photos). We had an informative and fun backcountry tour as one of our adventures while there. We also got up close to an iceberg and glacier at Lake Tekapo, Next we drove to Clyde and stayed at a unique and authentic Oliver’s Lodge. The people are so welcoming there! Our favorite place was Milford Lodge staying at Cabot Lodge. Breidi met us with umbrella and she and husband Brad Alexander/owners made us feel so welcome. Such a luxuriously unique accommodations on the beautiful hills of their Lodge overlooking the Fiordland National Park and Lake Manapouri. Breathtakingly beautiful. Milford sound is a magical place. Jeff, of Trips and Tramps was our bus driver, part of our coach, cruise and walk tour. We snuck in a helicopter ride that he set up while we were there.

Thanks again Franck. It was a trip of a lifetime. You took care of every detail from pick up driver at every needed venue, rental car, and several amazing meals and awesome excursions. This was our second time using KimKim and you did not disappoint.

Hotel Reviews
Cabot Lodge
Manapouri

Cabot Lodge is a luxurious accommodation that is nestled in the hills overlooking Fiordland National Park overlooking Lake Manapouri. It is so warm and welcoming. The views are AMAZING. We loved the special attention we received from owners Breidi and Brad Alexander. The meals were chef cooked and delicious and had the best wine of the trip. We loved the gathering room overlooking the lake Manapouri and Doubtful Sound. We took a hike of their hill through hundreds of sheep. So incredible.

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful gardens frame this unique lodge. Very quaint with a few privately luxurious rooms. There are separate gathering rooms that worked out well to meet new people and play backgammon with our friends we traveled with. They also have a great library.
Location
On the sheep and red deer covered hills overlooking Lake Manapouri and mountains. Breathtaking!
Staff
So friendly and authentic. We were excited to get back and see them and eat their delicious feed. Lovely, hard working family.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Everything was SPOTLESS. Every detail was covered. We were met in the parking g lot, the was a hand-written note welcome us with homemade cookies everyday. Brad was always smiling and do good about answers g our many questions. Our rooms were spotlessly cleaned every day. They even sent us home with Breidi’s homemade soap. I really do how I can go back again some day.
Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat
Lake Pukaki

Amazing view on lake Pukuki. The accommodations were luxurious and spacious. Very comfortable

Authenticity & Character
The inside of the home was warm, inviting and very comfortable. We loved the wood fireplace every night. The bedrooms and bathrooms were huge. Each room had a magnificent view.
Location
We were kind of all by ourselves. Very private. We had our own outdoor sauna and wood hot tub overlooking the mountains and glacial lake.
Staff
We had a private chef made meal every morning and night brought to our cozy accommodation. Everyone was friendly.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Everything was immaculate. All new and we’ll take. Care of.
Olivers Lodge
Clyde

We loved this quaint hotel. It was very unique, unpretentious, and so original and authentic.

Authenticity & Character
Amazing character. We had breakfast together in an old kitchen with old dishes. I loved the tea cups. I felt like so was in my grandma’s home, only bigger.
Location
Staff
Staff was friendly and warm.
Cleanliness & Comfort
QT
Queenstown

This was not our favorite.

Authenticity & Character
Not our warm and cozy kind of hotel.
Location
Close to Queenstown and the airport. Not a very good view.
Staff
Seemed a little disorganized
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rooms were clean, but it was not comfortable. To modern and seemed cheaply put together. Bathroom was nice and clean
Local specialist: Franck Lemaitre
Franck
Franck Lemaitre
Local specialist in Auckland, New Zealand | Replied on Apr 04, 2024

Dear Jody,
Thank you for this very positive review, happy to read you had such a great time in NZ. Hope to see you soon back to NZ, otherwise enjoy other trips with Kimkim.

Read all New Zealand reviews

Memories of a Lifetime!
New Zealand | Mar 23 - Mar 30, 2024

A
Anna S.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Mar 31, 2024

Franck was able to plan the perfect vacation for us. We took the quiz and everything he recommended was spot on! We had plenty of down time to choose our own adventures along the way. When our flight to the South Island was delayed, Monika messaged us and gave us options. Everyone was so helpful and we made memories that will last a lifetime!!! I will definitely book through KimKim again!!!

Local specialist: Franck Lemaitre
Franck
Franck Lemaitre
Local specialist in Auckland, New Zealand | Replied on Apr 04, 2024

Dear Anna,

Thank you for your testimonial, it is good to read you loved your trip and that Monika was able to assist you while I was away. Keep booking your trips through Kimkim any local agents worldwide are true experts of their destination.
Kind regards
Franck

Read all New Zealand reviews

Fantastic Trip to North Island of Aotearoa (New Zealand)
New Zealand | Mar 1 - Mar 13, 2024

C
Cindy L.
Canada | Reviewed on Mar 20, 2024

Our 12-day trip to the North Island was fantastic and exceeded our expectations! Our trip was originally scheduled for Nov 2020 and because of Covid we had to defer. Franck helped re-plan the itinerary for March 2024. Highlights included a New Zealand food story tasting menu at Ahi in Auckland, the Wai Ariki Spa at Rotorua, Mt. Takawera crater walk, Waiotapu geothermal area, Tongariro National Park and Kapiti Island. The trip was perfectly customized to our preferences and everything worked very smoothly.

Local specialist: Franck Lemaitre
Franck
Franck Lemaitre
Local specialist in Auckland, New Zealand | Replied on Mar 21, 2024

Dear Cindy,
Indeed, you have finally made it 4 years later! Thank you for being that patient and for being flexible as some suppliers booked on your original trip are no longer operating.
Happy to read you had a great time.
Kind regards
Franck

Read all New Zealand reviews

Very Memorable Vacation
New Zealand | Feb 22 - Mar 4, 2024

J
John M.
Windsor, CA | Reviewed on Mar 07, 2024
Very Memorable Vacation It was my first time using kimkim and I wasn't sure how it would work out -- I mean the concept is great --they have a system where you state what you want to do and hook you up with a local expert who designs a trip, then you give them a lot of money and (hope!) it works out. you get a paper with your confirmation codes for the various things (car rentals, hotels, activities) but we never needed it. We just gave them our name and that was sufficient. The hotels... Read more

Very Memorable Vacation

It was my first time using kimkim and I wasn't sure how it would work out -- I mean the concept is great --they have a system where you state what you want to do and hook you up with a local expert who designs a trip, then you give them a lot of money and (hope!) it works out.

you get a paper with your confirmation codes for the various things (car rentals, hotels, activities) but we never needed it. We just gave them our name and that was sufficient. The hotels he picked were really amazing (honestly, I would never have found most of those on my own and some of them were really amazing) and most of the activities (hikes, biking, kayaks, etc.) were really fun.

We did have to make a few 'game time changes' while we were in New Zealand in terms of some activities but It was easy to work with the tour groups to make those changes (we moved some times around while there and upgraded to e-bikes for one of the rides), folks in NZ are generally pretty chill....

My biggest advice is to really look at your itinerary and the distances and timing. In our case we sometimes had activities that were either sort of far from the hotel (1- 1.5 hours away) and sort of early (9:00AM start) which made for some really early mornings (again, we were able to move most of them around while there).

Hotel Reviews
M Social
Auckland

really great location and a great way to start the trip

Azur Lodge
Queenstown

This was the most amazing place we stayed -- great service and amazing views!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ruapehu Country Lodge
Ruapehu

Bernie is a great host! He gives really personalized advice and was a lot of fun to talk with.

Black Swan Lakeside Boutique Hotel
Rotorua

This one surprised me -- It was nicer than I expected and very comfortable -- a true boutique hotel

QT Wellington
Wellington

This was a nice hotel but kind of funky? weird death masks in the hall and what not (seriously) Great location though

Galaxy Boutique Hotel Tekapo
Lake Tekapo

This was fine -- it was clean enough and had a nice view of the Lake but was otherwise unremarkable.

Local specialist: Franck Lemaitre
Franck
Franck Lemaitre
Local specialist in Auckland, New Zealand | Replied on Mar 12, 2024

Dear John,
Thank you for this positive feedback, happy to read you overall enjoyed your trip to NZ. We included the highlights of both islands but do not hesitate to come back, there is more to be seen.
Well noted about Galaxy Hotel in Tekapo. Choices are very limited in this area, this hotel is the newest one, but you are right, it offers clean and nice lake views but nothing unremarkable.
Thank you for trusting our company as your travel planner.
Kind regards
Franck

Read all New Zealand reviews

New Zealand is Amazing!
New Zealand | Feb 12 - Feb 28, 2024

D
Diane B.
Canada | Reviewed on Mar 04, 2024
I would like to thank Franck for helping us plan a magical trip to New Zealand! Going to NZ is like going back in time. The country is beautiful and so clean, the people genuinely friendly and the food and wine delicious. We absolutely loved the places where we stayed and overall the tours we took were great. We travelled from Auckland to Queenstown and in each place had wonderful experiences. Highlights included: wine touring on Waiheke Island, nighttime kayaking to see glowworms and... Read more

I would like to thank Franck for helping us plan a magical trip to New Zealand! Going to NZ is like going back in time. The country is beautiful and so clean, the people genuinely friendly and the food and wine delicious. We absolutely loved the places where we stayed and overall the tours we took were great. We travelled from Auckland to Queenstown and in each place had wonderful experiences. Highlights included: wine touring on Waiheke Island, nighttime kayaking to see glowworms and exploring the Waimangu Volcanic Valley in Rotorua, boat tour to Apawapa blue pearl farm, whale watching in Kaikōura, staying in the remote and very private Scrubby Bay at Annadale, 2 different 4WD tours one with Micheal on “The Road to Mesopotamia and Christine on the Cass Valley Backcountry Tour, our fabulous stay at Azure in Queenstown and finally our private wine tour with Kate from BlackZNQ.
There were a couple of things that stopped me from giving this trip a 5 star. Franck, overall, did a wonderful job organizing the trip but we found his Travel Book somewhat confusing and sometimes lacking in detail. One situation in particular we ran into difficulty when flying from Rotoura to Blenheim. We did not have detailed flight information and when we showed up at airport we found our flight had been delayed and we were not on the flight we expected. If it wasn’t for the amazing Air New Zealand staff we would have lost a whole day of travel. As well, I was disappointed with our Marlborough wine tour. We were happy Franck had arranged a private guide but unfortunately the guide knew nothing about wine and the vineyards we visited for tastings gave little information about region or wines. I would recommend asking for an experienced guide with in-depth knowledge of wine and region and request to talk with the guide to plan the day. Luckily we had very knowledgeable guides for our other 2 wine tours but it still would have been helpful to discuss expectations before hand. We loved our trip to New Zealand and appreciated the service KimKim provides!

Hotel Reviews
Park Hyatt Auckland
1010

Location fantastic, rooms clean and beautiful with great amenities and breakfast fantastic!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Black Swan Lakeside Boutique Hotel
Rotorua

The Black Swan was lovely, clean and comfortable. We enjoyed wine and cheese by the pool and the breakfast was good. We also enjoyed our dinner in the restaurant. We were disappointed the morning we had to leave early when we understood breakfast was served from 7 and no one was there. Overall, we enjoyed our stay and would recommend this hotel.

The Marlborough Boutique Hotel and Vineyard
Marlborough

We loved this hotel! The property is spectacular and staying there feels like you have gone back in time. We loved our room, it was spacious, beautifully decorated and filled with extra goodies, the delicious breakfasts we had each morning and the creative canapés and cocktails we had each evening were memorable. The heated pool area was a favourite place to drink wine, swim and enjoy the summer weather at the end of our busy days. All the staff were friendly and helpful but want to give a special thank you to Chris for her outstanding service. We can’t wait to return!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses
Kaikoura

It was a pleasure to stay in this unique hotel. Loved everything about it. Only wish our stay was longer

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Annandale
Pigeon Bay

Wow, this place is exceptional! From the personalized thrilling cliff hugging drive to the secluded private bay with Caroline leading the way, to the beautiful, fully stocked home with floor to ceiling windows across the front, to the gourmet meals provided daily by the chef, this place exceeded all our expectations. The food was abundant and delicious, the hot tub spa provided a fabulous place to star gaze and soak sore muscles after climbing the cliffs on both sides of the bay. We loved our stay at Scrubby Bay, Annadale and can’t wait to plan our next visit.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Vicarage Geraldine
Geraldine

We enjoyed staying at the Vicarage, Geraldine. We stayed here one night on route to Queenstown and found it clean and comfortable and located right in heart of Geraldine.

Azur Lodge
Queenstown

This place is amazing. The staff were so professional, friendly and helpful. We enjoyed the delicious breakfasts and canapés with cocktails and appreciated the shuttle to and from the Azure. Thanks for the great stay!

Authenticity & Character
The private villa had amazing views of the mountains, was beautifully decorated with natural woods and neutral luxurious fabrics and colours.
Location
This was a secluded enclave of a number of private villas outside of Queenstown.
Staff
Everyone was friendly and helpful. Special thanks to Linda for the excellent restaurant recommendations!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lakestone Lodge
Lake Pukaki

The Lakestone Lodge is a great place to stay if wanting to explore Mount Cook but not stay in the village. The lodge had great service and the staff were friendly and helpful. The lodge is situated at one end of Lake Pukaki and looks up towards Mount Cook. We arrived late in afternoon on a gloomy day. Following a delicious dinner the weather had cleared so we climbed up the hill behind lodge. The panoramic view was spectacular but Mount Cook remained hidden. After sleeping in a clean, comfortable but smaller sized room with a private outdoor sitting area we awoke to a spectacular view of Mount Cook. It was a perfect sunny day without a cloud in the sky and this view was memorable. I will never forget the stunning blue of the lake and the distant snow peaked Mount Cook. Thank you for a wonderful stay.

Activity Reviews
Ahi Restaurant - 4 snacks and 4 courses
Ahi Restaurant - 4 snacks and 4 courses
Auckland

The creative menu and variety of unique foods was memorable. We enjoyed meeting Christian one of the owners of restaurant and particularly appreciated when he realized one of our party was not eating much and brought her a lamb dinner which she loved! Thanks so much for the exciting journey through NZ foods.

Waiheke Wine tour exclusive
Waiheke Wine tour exclusive
New Zealand

We loved the island, our guide and learning about the wine produced on this paradise!

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Glowworm Paddle Board Tour
Glowworm Paddle Board Tour
Rotorua

Such a memorable experience. Imagine paddling along in a tandem kayak with your husband on a star lit warm night. Then imagine gliding into small caves with glowing worms on the sides and ceiling. Magical!

National Hatchery
National Hatchery
Rotorua

It was very educational to learn about the endangered kiwis and how NZ and volunteers are making a remarkable difference in their survival! Well done!

Whale Watch Kaikoura by boat
Whale Watch Kaikoura by boat
Kaikoura

The VIP Captain Cabin feature was well worth it! The spacious comfortable seating, the top level viewing deck and the friendly and knowledgeable staff made the experience of viewing the male sperm whales memorable!

Local specialist: Franck Lemaitre
Franck
Franck Lemaitre
Local specialist in Auckland, New Zealand | Replied on Mar 12, 2024
Dear Diane,
Thank you for taking some time posting this review which is always helpful to appreciate your level of satisfaction. I am pleased to read that you did have a great time in NZ and did appreciate a couple of special places such as Marlborough Lodge, Hapuku Lodge and Azur Lodge. Scrubby Bay at Annandale is a very unique and special place that I do love as well, should you come back, we know a couple of other similar gems.
One of our main projects for the coming season is to develop... Read more

Dear Diane,
Thank you for taking some time posting this review which is always helpful to appreciate your level of satisfaction. I am pleased to read that you did have a great time in NZ and did appreciate a couple of special places such as Marlborough Lodge, Hapuku Lodge and Azur Lodge. Scrubby Bay at Annandale is a very unique and special place that I do love as well, should you come back, we know a couple of other similar gems.
One of our main projects for the coming season is to develop a new roadbook which should be easier to read and more friendly to travel with.
As per the wine tour in Marlborough, I will go back to our partner to better understand why your guide was not knowledgeable about wine, we work with them on a regular basis getting very positive feedback.
Thank you for trusting our company, it has been a pleasure for me working on such a quality trip.
I wish you all the best.
Kind regards
Franck

Working with Monika was a pleasant experience...
New Zealand | Jan 17 - Jan 24, 2024

T
Tyler B.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Feb 28, 2024

Working with Monika was a pleasant experience. She did a phenomenal job helping us plan our trip. Once we arrived in New Zealand we had a few changes to our itinerary due to weather and Monika was quick to respond and help us with our updates. We would highly recommend working with Monika if you are looking to travel to New Zealand.

Local specialist: Monika Vinsova
Monika
Monika Vinsova
Local specialist in Queenstown, New Zealand | Replied on Feb 28, 2024

Hi Tyler and Ashley!

Thank you so much for your kind words! It was truly a pleasure assisting you with your trip to New Zealand. I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the planning process and that I could be of help with the adjustments during your stay. Your recommendation means a lot, and I'm thrilled to have been a part of your travel experience.
If you ever plan to visit New Zealand again or need assistance with any future travels, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Wishing you many more memorable adventures ahead!

Read all New Zealand reviews

My trip with the help and direction of Franck... A once in a life time trip GREAT
New Zealand | Dec 30 - Jan 10, 2024

A
Ann Marie K.
Canada | Reviewed on Jan 21, 2024
My trip with the help and direction of Franck was great. Unfortunately with the change in weather we were not able to do all the things that we paid for on the trip to the rain forest as some of the roads were flooded but a driver John did try his best to help out and took us as far as he was allowed. But all was great and we had a wonderful time.
Thanks again Franck and his team Read more

My trip with the help and direction of Franck was great. Unfortunately with the change in weather we were not able to do all the things that we paid for on the trip to the rain forest as some of the roads were flooded but a driver John did try his best to help out and took us as far as he was allowed. But all was great and we had a wonderful time.
Thanks again Franck and his team

Hotel Reviews
Regent of Rotorua
Rotorua
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ruapehu Country Lodge
Ruapehu

The people were great ,food was wonderful, the animals were cute especially the goats and Lama

Authenticity & Character
cute place felt like home
Location
A little out of the way from downtown but it is in the country area so still beautiful
Staff
the family was great
Cleanliness & Comfort
everything was clean and comfortable
Naumi Hotel Wellington
6141

The colours were wild, very modern, only problem they do not have enough parking for visitors that have a car. Other than that ok.

Authenticity & Character
The wild modern colours
Location
Location was great right in the middle of everything
Staff
They were helpful and considerate
Cleanliness & Comfort
It was clean and comfortable
Activity Reviews
Wine Tastings & Vineyard Visits on Waiheke Island
Wine Tastings & Vineyard Visits on Waiheke Island
Auckland
Quality of Experience
Food
Transport
Mt Tarawera Crater Walk Experience
Mt Tarawera Crater Walk Experience
Rotorua

Loved it very scary and exciting all at the same time

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The driver and staff Jessie and Ahn made it more fun than expected
Transport
Bumpy ride but well worth it.
Glowworm Paddle Board Tour
Glowworm Paddle Board Tour
Rotorua

It was fun

Quality of Experience
It was with friends
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Staff very great and helpful
Transport
The driver was cute
Kayak Taupo - Maori Rock Carvings
Kayak Taupo - Maori Rock Carvings
New Zealand

The day was perfect no rain and very interesting information

Quality of Experience
Fun
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The captain of the ship was funny had jokes to tell along the way
Transport
Tongariro Alpine Crossing guided
Tongariro Alpine Crossing guided
Tongariro National Park

Did not get to finish the trip had a small accident on the way up but although we only got to do 12 k it was worth it.

Quality of Experience
Did it with friends
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The driver and staff was great waited for us to come down and helped us back
Transport
Great
Local specialist: Franck Lemaitre
Read all New Zealand reviews

Kim Kim is not for me
New Zealand | Dec 29 - Jan 5, 2024

C
Connor M.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jan 16, 2024
Knowing what I know now, I will never use Kim Kim again. To be fair, it has a market. If you aren't willing to do any trip planning and want someone to do everything for you for a 50% mark up, then Kim Kim is the tool for you. My main complaint: if a company is unwilling to give you an itemized bill for what they are charging you, then it is at least in a grey zone in terms of scams. I stumbled upon this service when trying to plan our honeymoon to New Zealand and Fiji. I was simply looking... Read more

Knowing what I know now, I will never use Kim Kim again. To be fair, it has a market. If you aren't willing to do any trip planning and want someone to do everything for you for a 50% mark up, then Kim Kim is the tool for you. My main complaint: if a company is unwilling to give you an itemized bill for what they are charging you, then it is at least in a grey zone in terms of scams.

I stumbled upon this service when trying to plan our honeymoon to New Zealand and Fiji. I was simply looking for things to do and before I knew it, I had a lovely Kiwi helping me plan a trip. The time zone challenge was not her fault and to be fair we were running up against the clock for a popular holiday time in New Zealand. This made communication difficult. I felt rushed and that all my feedback into proposed itineraries was not acknowledged. For example, I wanted to use Marriott points, but I'm sure they don't have a deal with that brand and couldn't make money off it so they kept pushing us elsewhere. I felt pressured to do things I had zero interest in doing. They weren't able to book a rental car so I had to do that myself anyways. I think my main frustration was being in the dark of what we were paying for. I asked for a itemized bill, but they would only give total cost. So when we would remove things from our itinerary and our price didn't go down correspondingly, a lot of red flags were going off in my head. My wife and I literally booked the final itinerary separately and saw just how much we were paying for the service. We ended up going along with it out of guilt for the time spent by our specialist than anything else.

The Good: accommodations were great, insight into what activities were available, and ideas.
The Bad: everything else

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Local specialist: Monika Vinsova
Monika
Monika Vinsova
Local specialist in Queenstown, New Zealand | Replied on Jan 30, 2024
Dear Connor,

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with me — I'm always striving to provide our travelers a 6-star experience and hearing about your experiences helps us to continually improve. It seems there were some misunderstandings that I hope I can help clear up!

We specialize in booking full end-to-end packages so we can ensure both the quality of your experience and be able to step in to coordinate on your behalf while you're in-country, should you need it. While I... Read more

Dear Connor,

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with me — I'm always striving to provide our travelers a 6-star experience and hearing about your experiences helps us to continually improve. It seems there were some misunderstandings that I hope I can help clear up!

We specialize in booking full end-to-end packages so we can ensure both the quality of your experience and be able to step in to coordinate on your behalf while you're in-country, should you need it. While I can definitely understand the benefits of booking with points, booking accommodation on your own doesn't allow us to ensure a seamless experience for you as we wouldn't be able to step in as your authorized representative with the hotel should the need arise.

In terms of itemized pricing, our pricing structure includes not only the cost of activities and accommodations but also encompasses the expertise, guidance, and assistance provided by our specialists. While we understand your desire for an itemized bill, all of our trips are entirely customized based on your preferences and our expertise, as well as availability and seasonality. The final quotations we offer for you to consider before booking reflect not only the activities, transportation, and accommodations we feel would be best for you based on your trip request, but also the countless hours we dedicate to selecting, vetting, and ensuring the quality of our suppliers and our continuous in-trip support for our travelers—all these factors combined make it challenging to truly itemize the final cost.

I apologize if you felt pressured at any point in the process—that was certainly not my intention, but rather, to help you secure the trip you wanted by sharing changes to availability in real-time and suggesting trade-offs as hotels and cars booked up while you made updates to your trip. It's worth noting that in New Zealand, especially in rural areas, availability is often limited, and pre-planning becomes imperative, particularly during festive periods and the New Year when your trip took place. Requesting your trip so close to the New Year's Eve period meant that availability was already low, and the few cars accessible were not suitable for the locations you were visiting, you told us you had already secured a rental on your own before we could find a solution. We're constantly working to expand our offerings and improve our services, and your experience will help shape our ongoing efforts.

We appreciate your feedback, and it's essential to us as we identify areas for improvement. If you have any specific concerns or additional insights to share, please feel free to reach out to us directly. We value your input and hope to have the opportunity to assist you more seamlessly in the future!

We wish you and your wife many fantastic travels ahead!

Warm regards,

Monika

Franck and his team were excellent in their p...
New Zealand | Dec 30 - Jan 13, 2024

Jeff
Jeff P.
Parker, CO | Reviewed on Jan 16, 2024

Franck and his team were excellent in their plan for our vacation in New Zealand...he listened to what we wanted and set up the perfect itinerary...rooms that overlooked lakes and vistas that were amazing...the planned outings were superb...I would recommend this company to anyone if you want to see the real NZ

Local specialist: Franck Lemaitre
Franck
Franck Lemaitre
Local specialist in Auckland, New Zealand | Replied on Jan 17, 2024

Hi Jeff,
Thank you for your kind words. It has been interesting to reorganize your trip which was cancelled because of Covid knowing that your children were older and after other acivities. At the end of the day, it seems we managed together to tailor made the perfect journey.
Thank you
Franck

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