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Franck Lemaitre
5395 messages · active 8 hours ago -
Monika Vinsova
5833 messages · active 1 day ago -
Michelle Srzich
3941 messages · active 1 day ago -
Kathrin Gerstel
active 2 days ago
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.
Featured trips & expertise
Top itineraries and travel advice

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...

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....

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
We enjoyed working with Monika and kimkim for our trip to New Zealand
New Zealand
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Apr 7 - Apr 28, 2025


Hi Bev,
Thank you so much for your kind words—and for taking the time to share such a detailed review! It was a real pleasure helping you and Alan plan your New Zealand adventure, and I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed the journey, the experiences, and the people you met along the way.
Wishing you both many more wonderful travels ahead!
Warmest regards,
Monika
Hi Monika!Thankyou for organizing such a won...
New Zealand
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Apr 17 - May 1, 2025
Hi Monika!
Thankyou for organizing such a wonderful trip for us!!! We loved
1. All the cities you guided us towards
2. All the hotels; all lovely
3.all the activities!!! Special shoutout to doubtful sound cruise; train ride and hike to Arthur’s pass ; food tour in ? Napier; Māori cultural event and more!!!
4. It truly was( as my 14 year old grand niece said after she went to a Taylor swift concert) “ a life altering event”
Thankyou for your guidance and your hard work!!
Kelly ( aka Elisabeth) and Bruce Sutter

Hi Kelly and Bruce!
Thank you so much for your wonderful message! I'm thrilled to hear that you had such an amazing time. It’s fantastic that the cities, hotels, and activities all lived up to your expectations.
I’m so happy I could help make your experience unforgettable. Thank you again for trusting me with your trip! Wishing you many more incredible adventures ahead.
Warmest regards,
Monika
Had a fantastic time. Loved where Sir Edmund ...
New Zealand
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Apr 17 - May 1, 2025
Had a fantastic time. Loved where Sir Edmund Hillary practiced for his famous assent to Mt. Everest. Loved New Zealand’s meat pies in Queenstown.

Dear Brian,
I’m so glad to hear you had a fantastic time! Mt Cook is truly a special place, and it’s wonderful to hear you enjoyed the iconic meat pies in Queenstown as well.
Thank you again for sharing your experience—I’m so happy everything went well!
Warm regards,
Monika
Just returned from the trip of a lifetime to New Zealand
New Zealand
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Apr 17 - May 1, 2025


Wow, thank you so much for the amazing message, Cindee !
It was such a pleasure putting this trip together for your group, and I’m absolutely thrilled to hear how much you enjoyed it—from the glowworms to Doubtful Sound and everything in between! Your kind words truly mean a lot, and I’m so glad it all came together just right.
Wishing you many more unforgettable adventures ahead!
Warmest regards,
Monika
A Trip of a Lifetime
New Zealand
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Mar 17 - Apr 7, 2025


Dear Edward and Jen,
Thank you so much for your kind words. I'm so glad to hear that your return to New Zealand, Edward, was everything you had hoped for, and that you were able to share those special experiences with Jen this time around. It was a real pleasure putting your trip together, and knowing that each moment created lasting memories makes it all the more rewarding.
Thank you again for trusting me with your adventure. I wish you many more incredible journeys ahead, and I’d be delighted to help whenever New Zealand calls your name again.
Warmest regards,
Monika
A fabulous three weeks in New Zealand!
New Zealand
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Mar 28 - Apr 17, 2025


Dear John & Wendy,
Thank you so much for your lovely message — I’m absolutely thrilled to hear that you had such a fantastic three weeks in New Zealand! It was truly a pleasure helping you craft an itinerary that brought together such a wonderful mix of places, activities, and memorable experiences.
Thank you again for allowing me to be part of your journey. It was a real joy working with you both, and I’d be delighted to help again if New Zealand ever calls you back.
Warmest regards,
Monika
I worked with Michele to plan our trip to New...
New Zealand
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Mar 31 - Apr 7, 2025


Thanks so much for your review and feedback Joan and I really enjoyed seeing your photos too.
It was a pleasure working with you to put this trip together and I am so glad everything worked out for you and the weather was pleasant in April, our early Autumn season which i think is a great time to visit New Zealand.
Happy future travels with Kimkim!
Michelle planned a great trip
New Zealand
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Feb 18 - Mar 1, 2025


Hi Janis
My pleasure! Thanks for your review , I am thrilled to hear the self-drive trip worked out so well for you and Keith.
Happy future travels with Kimkim!
Just returned home from two very exciting and...
New Zealand
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Mar 15 - Mar 28, 2025

Michelle devised an itinerary based on my desire to see as much natural beauty as possible and managed to stay within a reasonable budget. She created a two week schedule that did not overwhelm and facilitated my ability to travel solo... Read more

Hi Linda
Thank you so much for this review and for sharing your incredible photos of your time here. We did manage to fit in lots of highlights and I am thrilled to see it all worked out so well . We do try really hard to make sure the plans all coordinate together perfectly so hopefully people see the value in using a local agent for this. It was fun working with you to put the trip together and I wish you happy future travels with Kimkim!
When we decided to travel to the South Island...
New Zealand
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Feb 16 - Mar 14, 2025


While it is normal we receive far better feedback on the more expensive and upscale accommodations, naturally some like Waiorau Homestead at a much lower price point may not live up to the same standards as you so rightly acknowledge. We love to hear... Read more