Guest book: New Zealand tour reviews

Hello Erynn, We were delighted with the tour package that you put together for us to the Bay of Islands and Cape Reinga. Everything worked exactly to plan. The coach drivers were all very good and informative. The Kingsgate Hotel was very well placed and met all our requirements although it can get a little bit busy at breakfast if you arrive at the same time as a large tour group! I was also very impressed with the personal service given by yourself, Erynn, from the initial phone call which you made to me in England right through to the final emails containing our tour documents. I am more than happy for you to publish any of the above. Thank you very much and Happy New Year. Dave

Thrifty Tours provided us with a wonderful holiday. It was very well planned and any variations in itinerary we requested were made. At every arrival we were met as arranged, even if we had been delayed. At every stop we were always met with a friendly welcome. We stayed in motels that had been recommended by Thrifty Tours and they were all of very good quality. Three places we stayed were exceptional: Regal Palms, Rotorua; Picton Waterfront Apartments, Picton; and ‘858’ on George Street in Dunedin. Our transport was provided by various companies whose drivers were friendly and informative and if they were making good time would provide short additional stops at sites of good photographic opportunity. One company, Iconic, was exceptional – our driver on the first day was John who seemed to be well-informed about almost everything on our journey from Mount Cook to Dunedin. He took us on little detours to places he suggested might be of interest. He made a long journey a great experience. The following day we were picked up at lunchtime as arranged and because our driver knew the coach we were taking to Te Anau was running a little late, he gave us an impromptu tour of some areas of Dunedin we hadn’t seen. This company, Iconic, is to be highly recommended. All too quickly our 16-day tour passed; our once in a lifetime trip was a joy, completely free of worry as everything was taken care of by Thrifty Tours.

Hey Shelley, we have been meaning to get back to you on the fantastic trip that you planned for us. We couldn't have asked for a more perfectly paced adventure. All the arrangements were right on the money. We especially appreciated your prompt attention when the bus failed to pick us up at Mt Cook. It is difficult to pick out one activity that was our favorite but I must say that from now on when I think of your beautiful country, I will remember how wonderful everyone was to us. That certainly adds to the picturesque nature of your island. We would really like to thank you for your attention to detail and consideration when arranging our trip. We will definitely recommend your services to anyone we know who plans on going to New Zealand. We give you 5 stars!! Thanks again and hoping you have a happy and healthy New Year. Jan and Barry Johnson

Hi Alarna, We had a wonderful time in NZ. Everything was well done. Probably only one little thing, the hotel in Rotorua do not offer free Wi-Fi in the room, and only 30 minutes free Wi-Fi in the lobby. Other than that, everything else was perfect. I will absolutely give you a star rating on Google. I don't have Facebook. I will also send some photos to Tracey. Thank you for your help in making our vacation a memorable one. Best wishes to you too, and Merry Christmas! Mimie

An unbelievable trip around an amazing country - so many memories that we will remember for many years. The arrangements made by Annelise and Thrifty were absolutely perfect. The various accommodation on our travels were lovely and perfectly located. The coach travel was ideal, regular breaks and, more often than not, we were both informed and suitably entertained by the drivers. We were so impressed that each time we arrived at a new location someone was waiting to deliver us to our next accomation. It would have been impossible to have made theses arrangements without the benefit of Thrify Tours - Many thanks indeed.

Dear Dionne, On behalf of my friends ,, I would like to extend our thanks and gratitude towards yourself, Sara and to your management. Your company has honoured our request and we found it worthy and honest in its dealings with customers. My friends are also pleased. We will recommend your tours to anyone we know who are keen on New Zealand touring. Thank You and best regards. From Clara Saminathan

Dear Christina, Just a note to thank you for the wonderful holiday you arranged for me in New Zealand. I was thrilled with all you had been able to bring together for my trip and feel I know a lot more about New Zealand and it's history now and have seen the beauty also. I particularly loved Queenstown for is beauty with the lake and the Remarkable mountains, and also Dunedin and as my ancestors are from Scotland, I was able to progress my research through various places I visited there and bought a few books also which will be wonderful. The tours you arranged of Larnach Castle and Olverston House were quite remarkable and enjoyed immensely, also the tour in the red double decker bus to the main sights of the University, the famous station, botanical gardens and other sites of interest was a wonderful way of seeing all this city had to offer and I enjoyed it all very much. The accommodation everywhere was close enough to walk to the places I needed to see and very comfortable too. The whole trip was perfect so thank you once again for everything. Now home safe and sound, I hold very fond memories of New Zealand. Best Wishes, Berenice Watson

Hi Kelly It was on my mind to write to you guys, but unfortunately couldn't find dedicated time to acknowledge and jot down in an email. Firstly great great thanks to Annelise for all the patience she has had with me. I remember starting to talk to her somewhere in Jul but by the time i literally finalized the trip it was Oct. Hats of to Annelise for hand holding me all throughout. Also for responding promptly to all my stupid questions . Really love her for all that Special thanks and regards to the team, to take care of these guys especially on their way to Milford sound and shifting them instantly to an emergency center. Overall big thumbs up to the whole team for arranging everything so well. Loved the hotels ,transportation ;it was luxury for the price. Just two suggestions (It's like picking a needle from the hay) 1. Breakfast could be slightly better (I know it depends on the hotel. but could pass on the suggestion to them) 2. Within the price paid, i think a few more sightseeing could have been covered TRULY MADLY DEEPLY APPRECIATE THE ENTIRE TEAM AND EFFORT BEHIND Cheers Raksha!!

Joanna It was all too short, was most amazing time and I am now a Hobbit convert. Starting to watch the dvd’s. I meet some amazing people, some were with same group and we crossed paths a few times. Weather was grand and finished with 5days in Wellington or just up the beach from. You could not have arranged anything to suit me better I will be back Thanks again for such a great trip planned to perfection Accommodation and the bus drivers were so grand and went out of way to show us extra things and even recommended things to do at night (local knowledge) Thanks again Barb

Hi Laura, The holiday was great with exceptions of a few minor things. Our first heartland accomodation was two single beds instead of the queen bed stated. No one picked us up to Clearbook service apartment. It was alright though, as it was a short walk from where the bus dropped us off. We got there by asking a few friendly people. But otherwise, all is great! It was well plan and very beautiful!!! Thank you Laura and we will be sure to recommend you if anyone is going to New Zealand! Warmest Regards, Sharifa & Wanyi

Hi Louise I am now safely back in Auckland after the most fantastic trip ever! I can't thank you enough for arranging such a great trip and everything worked like clockwork. I even got upgraded at the Wellington hotel to an executive suite with my own lounge/diner, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom, complete with washing machine and tumble dryer - shame I couldn't stay longer! The flight to Milford Sound remained the highlight and my stay at Mount Cook was second, but I did enjoy everything. The weather was very kind to me and the only rainy days I had were on the two train journeys. Otherwise it was sun most of the time and sometimes even too hot. It is much cooler in Auckland today. If any of my friends come to New Zealand in the future any I will definitely recommend you to arrange their trips. With very best wishes Maggie

Hi Heather, Thank you so much for arranging such amazing tour for us in New Zealand. We enjoyed our 1 week stay there and most of the transfers to activities planned were all smooth.

Hi ladies I just want to thank you for arranging my fabulous tour of NZ. It was truly wonderful. I will certainly recommend your company to my friends and family and would not hesitate to book with you again. Kindest regards Kaye Scinocco

Hello Erynn, Thank you very much :) Also thank you for your fast and uncomplicated help at all times! We enjoyed our tour a lot, my personal highlight was The cruise on Milford sound where we got to see dolphins :) Kindly, Georgina and Felix

Hi Alarna, Thank you for arranging my tour. I really appreciated that all the connections were seamless. On the whole there was little time to be and do things when we got to our destinations. We were twice in Queenstown but always in the dark. I guess I could have figured that out, if I had studied the itenary beforehand. On our trip to Mt. Cook the second snow chain did not fit after trying get it on for nearly two hours. So we went with one chain. After some time our driver took it off, because it meant that driving so slow, but then the bus really slid off the road while we were having our lunch. Poor Mark! However, I think the company should be responsible for snow chains to fit for a trip to Mt. Cook. When I go picked up in Dunedin the driver told me about a night tour to see albratoss and penguins. When I came to book such a tour they had left long ago. So that was a bit disappointing. Otherwise there were many good experiences. I did not fill in the questionaire from Thrifty Tours because I could not evaluate all this in terms of numbers. Best regards, Else

The Best of the North tour was everything I was hoping for. I had some really amazing experiences, and my tour agent - Alarna Dwyer - was very responsive and easy to work with. Would definitely recommend to others!

Hi Annelise, Sorry for the delay in reply! We absolutely loved our time touring the South Island. We got into Franz Josef about half an hour before dark so we got to do about 10 minutes of the walk, we still enjoyed the view. Then when we got back to our hotel there was a complimentary hummer to take us out for dinner! Queenstown was a huge highlight of our trip, it is up there on our list of favourite places in the world and we can't wait to go back and spend more time exploring. We caught a helicopter up to the snow which was amazing! We couldn't fault our journey and it's all thanks to you for organising it all and squeezing so much into the short time frame. Thanks Gemma