Once Upon a Trip

Monika created an extraordinary New Zealand trip that felt perfectly tailored to us.

She truly listened to our interests, spectacular nature, unique experiences, and a thoughtful pace and designed an itinerary that showcased the best of the South Island’s beauty. Every detail felt intentional rather than generic, with a wonderful balance of adventure, culture, and relaxation.

One of the most unforgettable highlights was the overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound. Waking up surrounded by misty fjords, waterfalls, and complete silence was magical and remains one of the most memorable travel experiences we’ve ever had.

Throughout the trip, Monika was responsive, flexible, and genuinely invested in making everything seamless, even when plans shifted due to weather. Thanks to her expertise and care, we experienced New Zealand in a deeply personal and meaningful way.

We couldn’t recommend Monika more highly.

This was an amazing trip! Milford sound and is an absolute must see for anyone going to the South Island. Clyde was a beautiful hidden gem and Oliver’s lodge was very cool. Lake Tekapo was a blast and I would definitely add a helo trip to the Mt Cook area if you have the time. Kaikoura was so much fun with the ocean and the mountains all at the same place. Golfing is so easy and cheap in New Zealand. There is virtually no one on the courses!! Jet boats on the Shotover River is a must!

Hotel Reviews

Olivers Lodge

Clyde

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Amazing hospitality! Andy will take care of you!

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Fairways at Ocean Ridge

Kaikoura

The apartments are amazing! Laundry was available, perfect after a couple of weeks on the road. I would rent this place for a month and live happily!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Shakespeare B&B

Te Anau

So close to anything you need in Te Anau!

Authenticity & Character

So much character!

Location

Staff

Liz and Nathan were absolutely great hosts!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Jet Boat the Shotover River

Queenstown (NZ)

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Walk the famous Milford track and cruise on Milford Sound (day tour from Te Anau)

New Zealand

Watch out for Sandflies!!! Bug spray and cover those ankles!!

Quality of Experience

Food

Perfect! The bag of food kept going!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Roo did a great job and took care of us all day!

Transport

Eco Zip Line Kaikoura

Kaikōura

This is a must! So much fun and the views are spectacular!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Charlie and Olive were great!!

Transport

Monika at Kim Kim did a wonderful job putting together a vacation with the places and experiences we had prioritized. She was available when we had questions. She also placed us in great hotels. The cities we went to included Queenstown, Wanaka, Auckland, Christchurch, and we spent time hiking and boating at the Franz Josef Glacier and hiking in Arthur's Pass. Milford Sound is a must see and flying over it is spectacular. I would recommend time in all of these places. We were only in Auckland 1 day b/c our plane landed there. The countryside in New Zealand is diverse and beautiful. Our outfitters and guides were universally excellent. We also visited the glow worm caves which is a unique and wonderful experience. You need to be able to kayak to do this. Wanaka winery tours gave us a wine tasting experience we will never forget. I would also recommend the Trans Pine train ride across country. Be aware if you want to hike Arthur's Pass the trailheads are between 10-12 kilometers away. We ended up hitching to get there and back. Our visit was 2 weeks and we spent time on both North and South Islands which I would recommend with their unique aspects.

This is one of those trips that will forever stay with me. The beauty of the land, the vast differences in experience from one place to the next, the cleanliness and consciousness in environment, and the kindness of the people everywhere is what really made this trip stand out. Our guides, as well as our drivers were fantastic! Highlights: Mulford Sound (beautiful waterfalls, seal and dolphin sightings), and a highly recommended plane ride over the mountains when returning to Queenstown. FYI, -The drive is long (winding roads that could impact a weak stomach), but well worth the trip. Also, Mt. Cook, the Tasman Glacier Cruise, the Glowworm Caves (near Rotorua), Wai-O Tapu’s geothermal activity/mud pool, and the very scenic TranzAlpine train ride from Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass, are all well worth seeing. If you like hiking, Arthur’s Pass has some great trails, but beware, the distance from the train station to any of the well known trails is quite a hike in itself (and not too scenic by the main road), so plan on getting a ride to the trail if possible.

Kudos to KimKim (and more specifically, Monika), for customizing this trip in a way that hit all of our specifications and needs. If NZ is on your bucket list, go for it while you can. You won’t be disappointed!

Mel climbed a mountain with me. Wonderful. The helicopter couldn’t go due to weather, but the backup plan was great.

Overnight cruise was a highlight of the year. Dave, our captain, Mikey, our chef, and Anna were all great as were the other guests. Lobster catch turned into dinner as did our fish from our fishing efforts.

All was great.

Our trip to New Zealand was a huge success thanks to the guidance and help of Monika. I had only the vaguest of ideas of where I wanted to go and what to do once there. Monika took my ideas and curated an unforgetable experience for me and my daughter. The planning was flawless -- no issues with hotels, car or activity bookings. She was also timely and helpful answering our questions while we were in New Zealand. Thanks Monika!!!!!

Hotel Reviews

Fyffe Country Lodge

Kaikoura

We loved out stay at the Fyffe Country Lodge. Innkeeper Chris and Colin were welcoming and helpful. The location is beautiful and close to town.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

PurePod Greta Valley (Korimako)

Canterbury

What an amazing experience! The remote location made for a beautiful end to our New Zealand adventure. The drive there was a bit unnerving but doable, even in our tiny rental car. The cabin is well-appointed and we enjoyed cooking our dinner with the food we ordered before arriving. Highly recommended if you're looking for complete serenity.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel

Queenstown

The hotel is lovely. Our room was spacious and had a view of the mountains. But what made our stay great was the staff. They went above and beyond for every need and request.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Headwaters Eco Lodge - Glenorchy

Glenorchy

A lovely hotel in a great location. The food is amazing -- fresh, local and imaginative.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Galaxy Boutique Hotel Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

The room was clean and comfortable. The included breakfast was dismal

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Routeburn Guided Walk Full Day

New Zealand

Our guide, Antonio, was amazing -- charming and knowledgable. It was a strenuous hike but well worth the effort. My one complaint is that the provided lunch was pretty unappealing.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Progressive Māori Dinner Tour (kai safari)

Christchurch

We loved our dinner tour with Gracy! He is engaging, knowledgable and charming. Highly recommended

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Such an amazing experience in NZ! 18 days of complete beauty. We loved everything our agent booked for us, all the hotels & excursions were fantastic. Our Clearwater experience was beautiful , we even saw a penguin! We especially loved our small plane ride to Milford Sound, & the steamboat cruise ship dinner. We loved everything about Queenstown. Such a cool place. Mount Cook was beautiful, we did 4 different hikes, all amazing. Wellington is a beautiful city, do not miss the botanical garden. Breathtaking. Lake Tekapo is so blue, & a cute little town to visit. We especially loved the kayaking to the natural hot springs & then to the glow worm caves…. So fun. Our guides were phenomenal. Such cute guys! The night sky while we kayaked back was the prettiest I’ve ever seen. We also loved exploring waimangu volcanic valley with the cruise. So interesting, our boat guide was awesome. Hobbiton was fun, don’t miss even if you don’t love the LOTR movies, it’s really interesting to learn about. All in all we loved our vacation & would highly recommend working with Michelle.

Hotel Reviews

Distinction Dunedin Hotel

Dunedin

Beautiful hotel, very clean. Great location.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Close to the octagon

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean! Beautiful furnishings.

Ramada Suites Queenstown

Queenstown

Great location, clean & updated Just beware that parking can be tricky unless you pay for hotel parking. We parked on the roads but often times it was a few blocks away.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Great Ponsonby ArtHotel

Auckland

Very unique hotel if you are looking for something different. Clean & good location. Late 1800’s vibe.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Room was clean, but no AC in our room. It was very hot & humid.

Mt Cook Lodge & Motels

Canterbury

Super private, clean, all the amenities Restaurant was really good Easy to access washer & dryer Beauty at every turn

Authenticity & Character

Such cute little apartment style rooms!

Location

Staff

Staff was always so friendly.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Fable Christchurch

Christchurch

Beautiful hotel, spacious rooms

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Very friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean & comfortable

The Gables

7220

Darling little cottage! We had amazing service & the cottage was perfect for our needs. Very spacious, charming & unique.

Authenticity & Character

Super charming!

Location

Easy to walk to everything in Picton

Staff

Amazing service, so friendly & helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean. Did not have AC though

Bolton Hotel

Wellington

Perfect location, beautiful hotel, super friendly staff, highly recommend Very spacious suites Our suite also had a washer & dryer which was awesome!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Walk to most things, super close to the botanical garden

Staff

So friendly!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean

Kaitahi Lodge

Palmerston North

Cannot recommend this hotel enough. Amazing owner, the accommodations are incredible. Beautiful, spacious, unforgettable

Authenticity & Character

So unique, beautiful in every way

Location

Close to the city, but far enough away to feel secluded

Staff

Jazz was INCREDIBLE

Cleanliness & Comfort

So clean, honestly seemed to be brand new

Millennium Rotorua

Rotorua 3040

Great hotel, clean & spacious, great location, beautiful private deck

Authenticity & Character

Very nice lobby, room was perfect & spacious

Location

Walkable to everything

Staff

Super friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean

Activity Reviews

Queen Charlotte track (Ship Cove to Furneaux Lodge walk)

New Zealand

This was one of our very favorite days in NZ. Such an amazing & beautiful hike! We loved every second of the 10 mile track. Furneaux Lodge at the end of the hike… such a beautiful setting & delicious lunch. I could have sat there for hours. The boat ride there & back was easy & conveniently located in Picton. Highly recommend!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Te Pā Tū - Maori Cultural Experience

Rotorua

We loved this Maori culture experience, from the ease of the bus pick up at our hotel, to the authentic Maori war dance upon arrival, & the small group activities & learning. It was awesome. The music & dance show was so entertaining. The food was ok… really small portions. But the experience was great.

Quality of Experience

Food

Portions

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Waimangu Valley Nature Walk & Lake Rotomahana Boat Cruise

Rotorua

This was AWESOME! We loved the hike down to the lake, very informative pamphlet & we learned a lot about the area. The boat ride was super interesting. Our boat captain was so great, explained what we were seeing & answered all our questions. Highly recommend! Great way to spend the morning!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Loved our boat driver!!!

Transport

Starlight Gourmet Kayak Tour - Glowworm Caves

Rotorua

I wish I could give this 6 stars. Our guides were awesome. Funny & easy to talk to. The kayaks & gear were great. The hot pools were great, so fun to explore the different pools & temperatures. Dinner was great, & the glow worm caves were amazing. Cooler than I expected. The kayaking back in the dark… phenomenal. The night sky was as beautiful as I’d ever seen. Loved every minute of this excursion.

Quality of Experience

So fun!!!

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Coolest guides

Transport

Historic Steamship Cruise to Walter Peak Farm + BBQ Dinner

Queenstown (NZ)

Steamship ride was super fun, the boat is super unique. The sheep sheering & the sheep dog experience was awesome! Food was so so.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

New Zealand

Super awesome experience! I wasn’t a huge fan of LOTR, but honestly you don’t have to be to enjoy this experience. The guide we had was so great. Super knowledgeable about what scenes were in what areas, made the whole afternoon so fun. I highly recommend!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Great guide!

Transport

Loved the videos they showed in the bus on the way to the site.

Clearwater Wildlife Tours- 'Wild One' Tour

Dunedin

Such an amazing afternoon! Loved our guide, super knowledgeable. We even saw a penguin!!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Fly Cruise Fly – Queenstown to Milford Sound by scenic flight

Queenstown (NZ)

Cannot recommend this enough. The flight was amazing, our pilot was amazing, it was unforgettable.

Quality of Experience

So great to work with

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Everyone we worked with was fantastic

Transport

Big Sky Stargazing -outdoor stargazing tour

Aoraki / Mount Cook Village

Super knowledgeable guides Well worth staying up so late! The moon was bright so it wasn’t as spectacular as we’d hoped, but no fault of the company. Just the luck of the draw. Pick up was easy, the entire staff was awesome.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport