Testimonials

Australia Day 2016

Tuesday January 26, 2016

Greetings from down under!   Just wanted to let you know that we are having a fabulous time so far.  Today was Australia Day which was quite delightful.  The hotels have been great and transportation seamless.  I plan to send more detailed feedback when we are back but I want you to know that you and Hannah hit it out of the park on the train portion of the Kuranda tour. The gold level service should have been called triple platinum - I don't remember when I felt more pampered!!

Thomas K

Solo Trip of a Lifetime

Friday January 08, 2016

This is my last night in New Zealand. It's been a terrific ride.  You selected a great hotel for me in Queenstown and really created a solo trip of a lifetime. From the bottom of my heart! Thank you!!!

 

 

 

Jason

A Proposal on the Great Ocean Road

Friday July 11, 2014

The Intercontinental was amazing!!! and just wanted to say thank you for what you did with the planning! it was a great trip overall.  Watch this video it has a nice ending to it! Thanks again!

Check out some great shots of Justin & Vanessa's Aussie adventure and suprise marriage proposal.

Congratulations Justin Pak and Vanessa Weber!

No Surprises

Sunday April 20, 2014

We would also point out that we were very, very pleased with everything you booked and scheduled.  Our biggest surprise on the trip was a lack of surprises on the airplane, hotel, transfers and excursions.  We heard from other travelers of their horror stories, and we had none to tell.  Jim

A Million Thanks

Thursday July 18, 2013

I want to thank you so very much for the incredible job you did planning our  trip to Australia in May. It was beautiful beyond words, and so very well organized. We had the most wonderful time imaginable. Mom and I just kept looking at each other and saying, "I can't believe all we got for our money!"

It was a spectacular journey and we couldn't have done it without your help. We've told all of our friends.

Thanks again,
Kate and Marcia Watson

The only agent I call.

Friday May 03, 2013

I don't book too many trips to Australia but, when I do - Sue-Ann Hime is the first and, therefore only, agent I call. She is the best - knowledgeable, friendly, bright....a dream to work with. She is helping me with a rather pricey booking, for some upscale clients. She has found everything they have asked for - they are very happy. She even reminded me that the non-US citizen needs to look into visa requirements. Avoya has a lot of agents and I've talked her - and DUA - up on our community forum. I would not hesitate to recommend Sue-Ann and DUA to anyone who asks.

Iris Messina

Helpful, responsive, knowledgeable, friendly, and professional!

Tuesday April 09, 2013

My husband and I recently had the pleasure of working with Tammy Lindsey on a trip we will be taking to New Zealand later this month. From our first email, Tammy has been unfailingly helpful, responsive, knowledgeable, friendly, and professional. I wanted you to know that you have an exemplary associate in Tammy Lindsey. It is unusual these days to run across someone who is so helpful, well-informed, and committed to customer service. Our trip will begin on April 24, and I have no doubt that if we happen to run into any difficulty along the way, a phone call or an email is all it will take, and Tammy will be available to help.

Thank you.

Michele and John Potts
Woodbury MN

30th Anniversary

Monday April 08, 2013

Just a late note to tell you what a wonderful time my husband and I had in Australia.  It was a great way to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary.  We packed each day in with as many activities as we possible could!  It is a vacation that we will always remember.  Thank you for all your  help in putting this together along with Groupon.  We never would have been able to do it without both of you! 

Steve & Judy Gordon

Outstanding Customer Service

Monday April 08, 2013

I have been working with Chris Mead and have had some success in selling and promoting Australia.

She is the most fantastic person I have had the pleasure of working with, She knows her job and the destination and my clients are all raving about their trips. She has put together trips that are just outstanding, and her customer service level is the best. Great follow up and communications.

 

Raj
 

First time traveler

Saturday April 06, 2013

As a first time traveler abroad to Australia, naturally I wanted to make the most of my trip. Down Under Travel Agency has provided me the ability to make this possible. The stress and time commitment that is usually needed searching for the best and centralized hotels, deals on flights, flight seating, and even finding the must see sites in Australia were each provided to me by the travel specialist whom assisted me, Allison Hogan. She was patient, kind, understanding, and extremely efficient and diligent. I could not be more satisfied and appreciative than the services provided to me from Down Under Travel specialist Allison Hogan. I would definitely recommend using Down Under as a travel agency and if possible, specialist Allison Hogan. 

I am not sure if this is too long! But I really wanted to convey how much you have helped me in planning this trip!

Thanks!
Brittany

Very different than our tropical beach vacations!

Tuesday March 26, 2013

Overall our trip was amazing & very very full & quite busy.  Very different trip than our tropical beach vacations that we are used to & mostly do.  We are so glad to be home & learned that 32- 34 days, depending on how one counts the days, was too long for us.  We also learned that moving around so much is not what we will choose for our future trips.

We loved NZ & the Kiwis are wonderfully friendly & lovely folks.  This is what we heard before we went & they live up to their reputation.  The country over all is beautiful.  Much reminded us of a combo of Hawaii & Calif.  The country & the people are much more relaxed than folks here in the states.  It was very nice to be around that state of mind.  No worries!!!

Our first day & night at the Langham was comfortable.  We took the ferry to Devonport & had a lovely relaxed first day.  Slept well & felt ready to travel.  Ken ,thank goodness, did all the driving while we were away.

 I am very glad I requested AC & was persistent about it.  We needed it in most every place even if it did cool down at night.

 When we arrive at the Grand Mercure Puka Park someone there had made a mistake in the reservation & had double booked.  The Executive Apartment w/ AC was not available our first night.  They had a room with no ac available instead.  The general manager did what he could to make us comfortable, even took us to another condo by the beach that had AC to take a look at that.  It wasn't OK since there was no AC in the bedroom.  We decided to stay at puka park in the non ac room.  Though we weren't happy about having to change rooms the second day, it worked out fine.  The manager ( I forgot his name) offered us a complimentary dinner at the restaurant there our first night. I asked for comp. bikes & we biked the next day around Paunui.   Puka was one place that did seem to cool down at night, so we opened the sliding door & w/ the ceiling fan we slept fine our first night there.  However, we were very glad to move into the bigger ex. apt. w. a.c. the next day w/ 2 bathrooms & living area & separate bedroom.  It was a lovely property.  Though a bit out of the way from a few things.

We went to Hot Water Beach & left.  Far too many people.  Kate you may want to warn people about that.  We enjoyed the Lost Spring spa instead.  Hiked to Cathedral Cove another day & enjoyed that.

Taupo area:  We loved loved Chalet Eiger.  Hei Min & Emil, our hosts are sweet & caring people.  Hei Min cooked an awesome lamb birthday dinner for Ken. It was the best.  We had the B&B to ourselves every night except for our first night  We hiked to Huka Falls, went to the geothermal pools, walked around the town, got massages, & took a boat ride to the carved rocks.

Wellington:  The Bolton Hotel was comfortable & we loved having a suite w/ a kitchen.  The tour of the Parliament Building. was a highlight as well as the cable car to the botanical garden.

Moteuka:  We loved loved Eden house.  How can you not?  Peter & Bobbie were superb hosts.  They were so helpful w/ planning activities for us. Loved having a cottage to ourselves!  The property is so beautiful & I finally relaxed there.  We Biked on Rabbit Island, took a water taxi at Kaiteriteri to hike in the Abel Tasman Park, our favorite was a private helicopter ride w/ a picnic on the beach made by Bobbie...Yum!  That was one highlight of our entire trip.

 Queenstown:  We loved Queenstown & staying at The Sofitel.  They upgraded us to a suite.   AWESOME!  The service is superb there.   It was so good to be in one place for 5 nights.  We've learned that moving around so much to so many places is NOT what we want to do for any future trips.  We'd rather go to fewer places, see less & spend more time in one place. We drove to Arrowtown & had lunch, took the gondola & did a zip line, dart river jet boat & safari, TSS Earnslaw to the working sheep farm-loved loved that.   And got some massages. Not all in one day, of course.

Te Anau:  Loved Fiordland lodge.  Probably the best scenery &  view from our room than any place we stayed.  AWESOME food.

It rained the day we went to Milford Sound, though a long day, it was worth it.  Too bad I left my rain jacket in the room.  I managed w/out it.   We hiked on the Kepler track....7 miles round trip.  Glow worm caves that night were great.

Dunedin:  The only cold & rainy weather we got.  Very nice city.  Fletcher lodge was lovely & we had a nice big room.  We explored the city on our first rainy cold day in NZ.-  art museum, art galleries, railway station, settlers museum.  The second day the weather cleared & we went to Lanarch castle with a guided tour.  Very nice.  We also drove to the Penguin Place to see the yellow eyed penguins.  Very good.

Christchurch:  The George was probably our least favorite place out of all the others.  The hotel was adequate.   The room was smallish & had I realized getting a balcony room meant a smaller room I may not have requested it.  We would have upgraded to a suite but they were full. Also, by the time we got to CC we were burnt out & ready to go home.

Nevertheless we did some cool things in Christchurch.  Punting on the river Avon was lovely & relaxing, we explored & walked around the city to the container stores.  Impressive.    The second day we drove to Littleton & took the ferry to Diamond Harbor.  That was OK.  Not great. Though we ate lunch at a lovely cafe & talked with the owner.  Our last day we went to Akaroa Bay.  Nice place.

 

Rona

Amazing Country

Saturday February 23, 2013

. . . what an amazing country and what great people..our stay at The Dairy was fabulous..the owners are happy to give you anything you want..the tea is complimentary..the breakfasts were fabulous and our room although small had a nice view.  Over the top helicopters was the best..had the picnic.-amazing food. And then our pilot gave us the bonus of a two hour fly over to Milford sound and other places of interest...we are at Grasmere now getting totally spoiled ..I would recommend this stop to anyone..

Lucille

Marvelous Trip

Monday February 11, 2013

Every connection was made.
Every shuttle there on time.
Every hotel ready.

2,400 miles in 3 weeks on the south island.
Didn't miss much.

Incredibly friendly, helpful people.
Gorgeous country.
Relaxed pace of living.

Can't say enough good things.

Please pass on our appreciation and thanks to DU!
CONGRATULATIONS ON ARRANGING A MARVELOUS VACATION!

Rick and Jerry
 

Honeymoon of our dreams

Friday February 08, 2013

Hi Sue-Ann,

I hope this finds you well.

Both Jeremy and I want to sincerely thank you for helping to create the honeymoon of our dreams. It was incredibly amazing, and we loved every moment. We really appreciate all of the work and time you put into making it "just right" for what we were seeking, and it truly was a perfect adventure and just the way we wanted to begin our married life together.

Again, many thanks for your expertise and assistance through the booking process. We truly appreciate it.

Best,

Megan

Thank you for a terrific itinerary!

Monday February 04, 2013

Tammy,  Just a note to thank you for the absolutely terrific itinerary for our trip to NZ last month. We can't believe it's over and that we have been back for 11 days.  We are still traveling back mentally to catalog another adventure or spectacular site in our over-loaded brains. Tonight we are going to open some wine and see our photo collection from the trip and relive it again. I've got the Marlborough Sauvignon blanc in the frig already!

You really listened to the details of thetype of trip we hoped to make. We felt that we had a wide exposure to the geophysical features of the country and the incredible array of outdoors activities afforded by those features.  The hotels varied in the luxe factor but all were comfortable, clean, convenient and welcoming.  The inn keepers were  so helpful.  We would return to any of the hotels and inns without hesitation.  Their locations made finding good quality local dinners and lunches manageable and delicious. Good thing we like wine, seafood and lamb!  Sight-seeing was also easy from the hotels and the transports you arranged made connections easier. We ended up taking some buses and boats on our own, again easily accomplished in a country with good transportation options and adequate cellphone and Internet access. New Zealand is a traveler's dream.

We loved every stop, every hotel, every site , but not every transoceanic flight.  Could you do something about that??? Just kidding, of course. We even gained confidence about driving on the left side of the road, which was initially stressful!

Rest assured that we will refer any of our friends who voice interesting a similar trip to contact you!

Best regards,
Janet and Fred Leonberger

Attention to detail . . .

Tuesday January 15, 2013

Tammy,

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO DETAIL WITH THE MARSHALL PARTY!!!

Mr Marshall is back and very pleased with the entire trip. Certainly a once in a lifetime event for him and his family. You made me look like a rock star.

This is what he wrote on my Facebook Page:

"We're on the last leg of this incredible trip...quick shout out again to you for not just putting together our itinerary based on some sights I wanted to see...but for putting together a seamless journey that has taken my family from home and throughout some amazing sights in Australia...and by seamless I mean no interruptions or thoughts of who, how or what was happening next...I never realized how wonderful escorted transportation can be...no worries about taxis or rental cars or directions...thank you Roberta...everything has been perfect so far and we're in a tropical Australian paradise now with three more adventures to go...auss-ome!"

Cruise & Tour Masters
 

Huge Fan

Sunday January 06, 2013

I'm a HUGE fan!  You and Teresa have been wonderful.  Thank you so much for all of your help and I look forward to working with you in the future.  Have a great day!  Heather Howe, Travel by Heather

WOW!

Thursday December 13, 2012

Tammy,

What can we say except...WOW, WOW, WOW...an Amazing trip from start to finish...

You didn't miss a beat...from the incredible hotels to the airport transfers (one in a BMW X5) the entire trip was Insanely Amazing

Would be great to chat so I can give you more details, but I am looking forward to planning our next down under trip with you.

Thanks again for putting up with my many many questions.

Happy Holidays

Kori

This trip was amazing!

Thursday November 15, 2012

The Cook Islands were great.  We rented bikes and road everywhere.  The deep sea fishing was super, my wife caught a 50 plus pound Mai Mai.

Australia / Cairns was also great, we actually did 2 full days at seas / barrier Reef driving.  Needless to say great!!

New Zealand / Queenstown was beautiful as expected!  Milford Sound cruise was great.  We also did a wine region tour, that was a fun day.

In all we will definitely travel back to that part of the world and when we do so we will look you up again!  Also, know that we have been referring your services, as we were very happy with them.

Thanks again for everything,
Ryan Zenke

Great Hotels

Monday September 17, 2012

Allison,

 Ann and I just returned from our tour.  It was excellent.  Great hotels at central locations.  Great itinerary.  AOT did outstanding job in arranging tours and pickup.  Suggestion:  Raise tour price to include breakfast.  Would recommend to friends.  Ann and Dayton Auyong

A “find”

Friday September 14, 2012

I have passed on your name to another consultant in our office who does a lot of the South Pacific and I know she is planning on working with you!  You were a 'find' Teresa!

Ani,  Dick Ranian Travel Advisors

Hayman offer on Groupon

Sunday February 19, 2012

Kirk

I just spent the last few days on Hayman  (it is looking beautiful!) and during my time there I met some clients who had booked via DUA on the Groupon offer.  They had a great time and were very complimentary of your company and service. They said they had never booked a Groupon offer before and were a little nervous but that Sue-Ann Hime was brilliant and gave them confidence.

Kindest regards

Anna Guillan

Executive General Manager Sales & Marketing

HAYMAN

 

Travelzoo Offer

Sunday October 03, 2010

My family went with Down Under Answers for our first ever international trip together, to Australia and New Zealand, after finding a deal that was posted through Travelzoo.  These guys made everything so simple and straightforward for us; we definitely would consider them for another international expedition.  The package deal they put together was so much better than we could have done for a mid September departure and they even offered a bit of flight flexibility to leave up to two weeks earlier if we preferred.  But since we knew that September is the start of spring time in that part of the world, we wanted to go as late in the season as possible.

This trip was a 14 day trip which included 2 travel days (with one flight leg going from SF to Auckland and the other flight leg going from Sydney to SF).  The other days of the trip consisted of 4 days in Auckland (New Zealand), 2 days in Melbourne, 3 days in Cairns, and 3 days in Sydney.  The entire package came out to a spectacular $1900/person total with taxes/fees included.  In addition to the international flight tickets, also included in the trip package was all the intermediary flights from city to city and stays at 5 star hotels: Hyatt (Auckland), Crown Towers (Melbourne), ShangriLa (Cairns), and Marriott (Sydney). 

Most communication was through e-mail but they were extremely responsive via telephone and made sure to answer every detail, concern, and question that we had.  Confirmation were quickly provided through the days coming up to the departure and reservations for all plane flights and hotel stays were flawless. 

For future reference, they did let me know there is the flexibility to add or subtract days to travel packages so if there is a particular combination that you would like to have, don't hesitate to get in contact with them.  Obviously if you want more days, you'll have to pay more money for the package but it's the utmost importance to have a trip that is best for you in order to see the things you want to see.  DUA Travel....you're GREAT!!!

Albie F
Submitted on Yelp