Australia 2000 Travel

Australia 2000 Travel

The Face of Australia 2000 Travel ~ Karen Hardy Hodgson. Featured this month as Hour Detroit Magazine?s Faces of Detroit 2019

Australia 2000 Travel weaves a touch of Aussie magic into every Bespoke Luxury Journey, handcrafted for the discerning traveler seeking to explore Australia, New Zealand, and remote South Pacific islands from a unique perspective.

Australia 2000 Travel was established in 1992 by fifth-generation Australian Karen Hardy Hodgson, whose mission is to help travelers discover the South Pacific through a local’s eyes; experience the vibrancy of immersive travel during stress-free journeys tailored to include each person’s specific interests and desires; and take travelers beyond the beaten path, where lifelong memories of wonder are created.

Australia 2000 Travel stands alone with recognition by Tourism Australia as Michigan’s only Premier Aussie Specialist, by Tourism New Zealand as one of Fewer Than Ten North American 100% Pure New Zealand Life-Time Gold Specialists, by elite Luxperience as one of the Top Two-Hundred-Fifty Travel Designers in the World, and by Hour Detroit as Detroit’s Best Travel Agency.

https://www.hourdetroit.com/faces-of-detroit/australia-2000-travel-karen-hardy-hodgson/

 

Thank you from Susan Gibbs

Dear Karen,

Our trip was wonderful. We saw beautiful countries, had knowledgeable and energetic guides, and experienced the friendly people of New Zealand and Australia.

Overall the trip was stress free and I attribute that to your detailed planning. The drivers were always there to meet us; the hotels were always ready for us; the guides were always there to pick us up. We had local contacts to address any questions and concerns.

Because we could trust the plan, all we had to do was follow the itinerary and show up. It would be hard to go away for a month and not have any glitches. However, ours were minimal and were resolved quickly.

Thank you for helping to make this a positive, pleasant memory. I would recommend your services without hesitation.

Fondly,

Susan Gibbs

Thank you from Natalie Robinson

Karen planned the perfect trip of a lifetime for our family of 5 (kids are age 22, 19 and 16) for our 30th wedding anniversary. It had been a dream of mine to visit Australia and although I usually plan and book all our trips I wanted to make sure that I sought expert opinion for this one. I had a couple of initial meetings with Karen where we discussed preferences and options and budget and Karen then put together an initial plan. I would say our final trip consisted of 95% of Karen’s suggestions.

Photo Credit to Natalie Robinson

We stayed in 5 different locations in Australia and New Zealand and they were all superb from the flights, accommodation to the airport pick ups and drop offs to the excursions. The majority of our excursions were private with an expert driver/guide who looked after us extremely well. Our highlights of the trip were Orpheus, just paradise! Sydney harbour tour with lunch, Queenstown is a beautiful city and our accommodation at Millbrook was fantastic. Doubtful Sound is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited and the tour was very well planned. The least interesting city we stayed in was Auckland but it was worth it for our day trip to Waiheke (an island 35 minutes ferry ride from Auckland) with another expert guide where we visited wineries and olive groves.

Photo Credit to Natalie Robinson

This trip slightly exceeded our initial budget but it was well worth it to have the expert planning and attention from Karen and her team in Australia and New Zealand and to have so many exceptional experiences. I would recommend Australia 2000 to anyone looking to travel to Australia and New Zealand.

Thank you from Patti and Howard Taxe

Photo Credit to Taxe

Hi Karen,

Photo Credit to Taxe

We wanted to let you know how truly fabulous our trip to Australia and New Zealand has been. Both countries showed us a great time – the hotels, tours, hospitality shown by Gary and Dietske at The Manse?I really could go on and on. ??This was a trip of a lifetime. Howard and I always felt we were in great hands. Thank you again for planning such a diverse, well rounded, fun, educational and carefree vacation for us!? We are grateful to have worked with you and Wendy.? We are experienced travelers who have visited many countries on our bucket list.? This is the first trip we have taken where we feel a burning desire to make a return visit to explore new areas and meet even more of the laid back friendly locals.?

Howard & Patti Taxe

?

Flawless Arrangements Organized by the Aussies at Australia 2000 Travel

Adele with private chefWhen you plan a trip with the Aussie Specialists and 100% Pure New Zealand Specialists at Australia 2000 Travel we take care of your every need from start to finish.? We book international and domestic flights, all accommodations, all tours, all transfers, rental cars and motor cycles. According to your desires we also make restaurant recommendations and reservations, purchase Hendricks with Rolftickets to theatre and sports events, book spa treatments, games of golf, wine tastings, water taxis, arrange dinners in private homes and walks through private gardens. We have the ability to book your special desire from charter sail boats and airplanes to fly fishing excursions and tandem parachute jumps.? When you plan a trip with Australia 2000 Travel the sky truly is the limit!? Contact us to plan your personalized adventure today!

Explore Paradise ~ 74 Islands Floating Like Jewels in Australia’s Coral Sea

Discovering Australia?s Great Barrier Reef is one of life’s must-dos.

Photo Credit to Sarah_Ackerman

In the heart of Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef, lie the Whitsundays – 74 Islands floating like jewels in the tropical warm waters of the Coral Sea.

Sail, snorkel, dive, ski or swim in the calm blue seas or take off on a scenic flight over the reef. The weather in the Whitsunday Islands is sub tropical making it perfect for beach side holidays. The Whitsunday Islands lie on the same tropical latitude as Honolulu in the northern hemisphere and Mauritius in the south. They have a year round warm tropical climate with an average temperature of 81?F .

While exploring the Whitsunday Islands, join one of our specialist guides and set sail on a snorkel or scuba adventure to explore the Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven wonders of the natural world.? Experiencing paradise is what it’s all about.? You?ll check it off of your “bucket list” and return from your adventure with memories to cherish for a lifetime.

Contact us! We are Aussie Specialists drawing on our passion for the GLORIOUS South Pacific to create once in a lifetime journeys for discerning travelers.

Baby Boomers Seek Unique Travel Experiences

Australia: Aboriginal Culture 009
Photo credit Steve Evans

It?s finally here, the year that ?baby boomers? begin to retire.? Baby boomers, defined as individuals born post World War II during the ?baby boom? between the years 1946-1964, have begun to turn 65 this year and this article brings to light the many ways in which ?boomers? are carefully considering their future.

?It?s no surprise that today?s boomers are planning to work longer than earlier generations of retirement age.? What’s interesting is that they?re not doing so just because they need the money. They also want to stay stimulated and engaged.”? read entire article

It?s been presumed that ?boomers? grew up in an age of privilege, were the healthiest and wealthiest generation of their time and considered themselves ?special? to the generations of those that had come before.? They grew up in a rising era of technology and medical accomplishments, have worked hard to provide for their families and vigilantly saved for the ?retirement years?.

[Read more…]

Savvy Travelers Turn To Travel Specialists

Course 5
credit to Sarah Ackerman

Many travel professionals have seen a decline in business or have shut their doors altogether as travelers turn to booking their own airline tickets, tours and accommodations online but those who offer specialized service focused on taking the burden off of the traveler are leading the way in this new travel era according to this Washington Post article.

“…For years, it looked as though the travel agent had gone the way of the milkman. As online booking sites such as Orbitz, Expedia, Travelocity and others soared in popularity…. The travel agents who have survived have had to change their modus operandi…. And most now have specialties.” Read article…

More than ever people are cautious of spending their hard earned money as the economy slowly rises from recession. More time is being spent at the office with the building pressures in the work arena as so many struggle to keep the jobs they have. With little time and energy left for much else, many simply do not have the time it takes to plan, research and coordinate a well deserved break. Savvy travelers are turning back to travel professionals who can take the burden off of their shoulders to plan a well organized vacation with little or no effort from the traveler.

[Read more…]

Should Technology Take the Place of Personal Service and Interaction?

As technology is taking over practically everything it touches perhaps it’s time to get back to basics, human contact and interaction.? This NY Times article touches on the both sides of the issue.

Some hotels have begun to expand the definition of concierge to mean more than just a knowledgeable employee. It now can also mean smart digital devices. Software companies are creating programs that offer information like restaurant tips, flight arrivals and departures and driving directions via these devices to guests at midtier hotels that do not provide traditional concierge services.

Even more upscale brands that employ human concierges are joining in, by offering location-specific information, accessible via the Internet, iPhone apps and even live chats. And all Hyatt hotels let guests send requests, via Twitter, to customer service agents who are on call 24 hours a day…read more

[Read more…]

Contact Us

Phone: +1-248-647-4530
Email: cgoodman@downunderendeavours.com