Harriet's New Zealand
New Zealand
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Feb 25 - Mar 10, 2024
Harriet was completely on target with both her recommendations and her alerts. We enjoyed every destination enormously and only wish we had more time to have fully enjoyed some of them. Harriet pointed out that our itinerary was aggressive (by our request), and it was! We wouldn't have changed it. Overnight on the Milford Sound was the highlight of a trip full of highlights. TSS Earnslaw in Queenstown was an unexpected pleasure. The Glow Worm tour with Steven at Real Rotorua was a personal favorite--informative and intimate in size. Napier, the Blenheim wineries, Aoraki Mt. Hood, Te Anau, Christchurch, Queenstown, Franz Josef...none disappointed! Car rental in Auckland was difficult, time-consuming, inefficient, frustrating. We were warned of long lines at that rental location, but it was not a well-run branch. All of our accommodations were exceptional or very good. We recommend Harriet and KimKim 100%.
Hotel Reviews
The stay at The Dome in Napier was exceptionally fantastic. The location, service, and overall experience were top-notch. This hotel exceeded expectations and left a lasting positive impression.
The stay at Distinction Luxmore Hotel in Te Anau was decent overall. The accommodation was clean and comfortable, but the hotel was huge, very busy and full of tourists.
The stay was comfortable and enjoyable. The accommodation was clean, but nothing particularly exceptional stood out during our one-night stay.
Activity Reviews
I had low expectations of this. I expected it to be kitschy and silly. Instead, the gardens were beautiful, the guide was entertaining, and I enjoyed far more than I thought I would.
My personal trip highlight. I was looking forward to seeing Glow-Worms, but the experience far exceeded even my high expectations.
Accommodation was mind-blowingly good. Napier locale is beautiful, art deco town rivals Miami Beach, Bluff Hill is beautiful--it would have been easy to spend more time here.
Kaikoura was a pit-stop for us, but along the drive we saw a HUGE dolphin pod feeding. Dolphins were swirling, breaching--it was quite amazing.
Good food and fun. Touristy in the very best way.
THE TRIP HIGHLIGHT!
The sheep shearing, working dog exhibition, buffet dinner, gardens, transport by steamship were all unexpected and excellent.
Crew was personable but the food was awful.