Karen Hardy Hodgson Archives - Australia 2000 Travel

April 8, 2020

Thank you from Karen Peterson

Once my husband and I decided we would take a long awaited trip to Australia and New Zealand, we cracked open the guide books and began the arduous task of deciding where to visit, where to stay, what to see, how do we get there and all of the other logistical nightmares that come with planning a month long trip to a foreign country.

Feeling completely overwhelmed by our options and all the possibilities, we started to contact various travel agencies. Of course, the large, well- known companies came to mind, but when we spoke with them, we felt as though they wanted to pigeonhole us into the established tours they offered, not a customized itinerary. We felt disappointment at every turn.

Then a friend, who we had not seen in some time, told us about Karen Hodgson and Australia 2000 Travel. That changed everything!

Karen, an Aussie living in Detroit, has received numerous awards during her 20+ year tenure as a travel specialist. After our first conversation, I knew Karen was the agent for us.

She asked all the right questions, listened attentively during our calls, made sure she was meeting all our needs, regardless of how much effort and work she and her team would have to do to make this dream trip a reality.

Karen’s extensive knowledge of these two countries, her creativity (“how about taking a guided tour on a Harley” a highlight of the trip), her recommendations, connections in each town, attention to every detail were unsurpassed. We had a contact in each country who was there to welcome us and intervene if needed. Karen was also available and often emailed just to make sure the trip unfolded as we had imagined it would.

Looking back on our trip, in these troubling, unprecedented times, I am thrilled to say our vacation exceeded our expectations and we are grateful to be able to call to mind all the wonderful experiences we had. It is the perfect escape from the Corona Virus epidemic.

Our thanks to Karen and her team for a lifetime of precious memories. Our only regret???? Not having the pleasure of meeting this extraordinary woman in person. On our bucket list!

Karen Peterson

February 19, 2020

Thank you from Karen and Scott Lewis

Hi Karen and Hillary,

We want you to know about our wonderful adventure to New Zealand that you planned for us.

First and foremost our trip was flawless. Upon meeting Karen on our first encounter she listened to our requests regarding what we wanted to experience in New Zealand. She executed the most perfect trip for us, putting together an adventure (a lot of hiking, biking and kayaking) that met all our expectations, including eating with a family in New Zealand! The guides were top notch and very knowledgeable.

It was the most wonderfully planned and organized vacation. Kudos to Australia 2000!

Karen and Scott Lewis

October 30, 2019

A Ruined Woman

After returning home from our wonderful trip to New Zealand, people ask me “How was your trip?” The answer I have given is “I am a ruined woman.” I cannot imagine any future trip that I could take that could be as breathtaking as the New Zealand trip. This being my first real international trip, I needed someone to hold my hand. I could not have picked more helpful and secure hands than Karen’s Australia 2000 Travel. The itinerary was comprehensive and detailed. The people with whom Australia 2000 Travel collaborate were highly professional, giving my husband and I the utmost confidence from day one. When a plane was late taking off, their people had an alternative plan seamlessly in place so there was no disruption to our itinerary. Even when the Christchurch tragedy transpired the day preceding our flight to Christchurch, Australia 2000 Travel and their associates were reassuringly on top of how our travel plans would proceed. We simply needed to relax and wait for their directives. They handled it all. Upon reflection I realize that my greatest dilemma was whether to order an expresso or Americano. International traveling and tragedy should equate to stress, but if you are in the hands of Australia 2000 Travel expect reassurance and pampering while the professionals work it all out for you.

Lyanna Leibert

September 25, 2019

Thank you from Christine Riggle

Bula Karen and Hillary,

To say that Faith and I loved Savasi Island is an understatement. Words can’t describe how wonderful it was. The entire staff were so friendly they felt like family and it was very hard to say goodbye. We were enormously lucky to have the yoga instructor all to ourselves the first week. Very quickly she became one of our favorite people and we looked forward to spending time with her everyday. The Cora Villa was awesome. Although very close to the main building and another villa it was very private. The infinity pool was beyond words. When we weren’t in the pool, we were swimming at one of beaches. We enjoyed every minute and wouldn’t hesitate to return.

Vinaka vakalevu for finding Savasi. It exceeded our expectations and we left happy, relaxed and a little sad for having to leave.

Christine

August 30, 2019

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/

August 2, 2019

What is the Meaning of Luxury Travel?

Luxury travel commences when the discerning traveler meets a passionate, knowledgeable travel designer who specializes in handcrafting bespoke, luxury journeys to a specific part of the world, based upon each traveler’s interests and desires.

At Australia 2000 Travel we focus on luxury travel to Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific Islands, notably Fiji.

In visiting those countries annually I meet the locals, select boutique accommodations, choose the quintessential vibrant, private tour guide, move beyond the cities, seek the usual from a unique perspective.

As a travel designer I ask travelers, ‘”what” makes your eyes sparkle and your heart sing? And so begins the magic of creating individual, one-of-a-kind, stress-free, immersive travel experiences. Experiences that could include waking in a luxury tent at sunrise to see water buffalo walking by glistening in the sun after an early morning swim, dining in a local’s home, private wine tastings with the local vintner, visiting sacred indigenous sites, helicopter flights over Lord of The Rings country, firework displays at New Year, private garden, gallery and museum tours, diving on a glorious Fijian island.

I’m considered one of the top 250 travel designers in the world and recognized by Tourism Australia and Tourism New Zealand for my expertise. We take care of every single detail. All travelers need do is show up and be prepared for a good time. Past clients often say I helped them create the best trip of their lives. Now that’s luxury travel.

Vinaka vinaka, Nga Mihi, Cheers

Karen Hardy Hodgson

President

Australia 2000 Travel

Creating Bespoke Luxury Journeys to Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific Islands

March 22, 2019

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

March 8, 2019

Thank you from Tim Heyden

Dear Karen & Hillary,

Thank you so much for putting together such a great trip for us. We really appreciate all the bottles of wine, chocolates, nice cards and notes you sent.

Our birthday celebration was a terrific day all around, we loved our cruise and lunch, thanks for making it all so perfect for us (I’m telling everyone about the sparkling Shiraz)!

All our accommodations, guides and hosts were top notch. Of course, the most exciting parts were probably petting the kangaroos and seeing koalas up close on Kangaroo Island. Jackie and I also just loved the Lord of the Rings tour it was just what we were hoping for.

Thanks for an adventure we’ll never forget!

Tim Heyden

March 1, 2019

Thank you from John, Sue and Lily Chase

Hi Karen,

Lily and I had such a great time. Not one moment went anything other than great. And I’m not a light critic of our travels. We met so many nice people, our hosts and guides were very accommodating and friendly.

Photo Credit to John, Sue and Lily Chase

I can’t thank you enough for setting this up for us. New Zealand is going to have a hard time getting rid of us. We will be speaking with you again soon about another trip back, I’m sure of that!

Keep in Touch!

John and Sue Chase, Lily as well-

March 1, 2019

Thank You from Dan & Erica Nye

We met with Karen about a year and a half before our Honeymoon trip to Australia and New Zealand. The entire process with her has been fantastic and very fun. We met a couple of times in person during the planning phase and then once more in person right before the trip. During the planning phase most of the correspondence was through email, which she did great at keeping us informed of what our itinerary looked like and what the plan was. She has been very supportive, accommodating, and had great communication (let us know when she would be travelling, how long to expect updates, etc.). She gave us recommendations of the best time to go, things to do/see, and what to expect. The activities and excursions she had us signed up for were incredibly fun and once in a lifetime experiences. All of the travelling went very smoothly and even though we were busy and did a lot of things, Karen still managed to build into the itinerary plenty of time to relax. The scenery and everything we experienced had the perfect amount of romance attached to it as it was our honeymoon.

Our trip started in Sydney (Botanical Gardens, Private Harbour Tour, Bridge Climb, Opera House tour and show), then up to Cairns/Port Douglas (Dive Great Barrier Reef, Rain Forest Resort, Aboriginal Tour), then to Brisbane (Night in the city), then over to Auckland (Hobbitton/Shire tour, Waiheke Island winery tour). Every stop had breath-taking views and awesome guides (majority of time was all private, which helped make everything more romantic). All of the flights, airport pickups, and excursion drop-offs were right on time and went perfectly.

The 2 and a half weeks spent in the land down under will be remembered and cherished forever. We’re planning on going back every 5 years to celebrate our anniversaries and as long as Karen is still doing travel arrangements we will absolutely go through her.

Thank you again.

Dan & Erica Nye