Well-Planned, Stress-Free, and Full of Great Experiences
New Zealand
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Dec 18 - Dec 31, 2025
Monika did an excellent job organizing our itinerary and truly listened to our preferences and suggestions. When we were unsure about renting a car, her recommendation turned out to be a great decision and made the trip much smoother.
The activities she suggested were absolutely on point—especially the jet boat experience, the glow worms, and the Māori cultural experience. These were things we probably wouldn’t have booked on our own, and they ended up being some of the highlights of our trip.
She handled all of our accommodation bookings. Overall, the hotels were great. While we had a minor issue with the elevator at the hotel in Taupō, our stays in Napier and the final hotel in Auckland were excellent choices and very comfortable.
We also appreciated that she suggested additional activities we could do on our own if we had the time and energy, provided helpful restaurant recommendations, and made sure we were well informed about immigration steps before traveling. When we needed medical advice while in New Zealand, she was quick to offer helpful guidance as well.
Overall, she was thoughtful, responsive, and incredibly helpful throughout the planning process. We felt well taken care of and would highly recommend her.
Hotel Reviews
Good location, provided paid parking for your car, celebrated our anniversary with a kiwi friend
Location was good, parking is easy, laundry is token operated. Sulphur smell could bother some people.
Location was amazing, view was breathtaking, staff was great and helpful
Elevator was old and far from our room. There were steps that lead from the hallway to our room so it was difficult to get in at times. The shower was also on the smaller end. My husband who is 5'11 kept hitting his elbow on the wall.
Staff were great here. They took our luggage to our room when we went looking for parking (there is only paid parking at this hotel but there are a few cheaper options nearby). It was a high tech hotel where a robot brought us room service. The room had foam rollers, yoga mat, and Alexa echo. Celebrated our anniversary with us with chocolates and a kind note.
Activity Reviews
Stephen was an amazing guide with extensive knowledge of New Zealand’s flora and fauna. My husband and I weren’t sure what to expect going into the experience, but we ended up having a fantastic time. We learned about the silver fern, saw New Zealand possums (much cuter than the ones in the U.S.!), and even learned about the different types of torches (flashlights) used during night walks. We were able to get very close to the glow worms, and Stephen also pointed out many fascinating plants and creatures along the way, including the kawakawa tree, the mānuka tree, the wētā, and, of course, the iconic silver fern. To top it all off, at the end of the walk he treated us to hot cocoa and biscuits, which was a lovely and thoughtful touch and answered all of our questions. If you’re looking for an easy trek and have an interest in New Zealand nature, this is definitely the activity for you.
Learned a lot about Maori culture and New Zealand history. The Maori family was so welcoming and kept us engaged through the various activities during the experience. However, the food and dining experience has room for improvement.
