New Zealand Travel Agent 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

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/

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 15, 2019

Thank you from Aileen Rothbard

We are home and already missing our wonderful experiences. We adored New Zealand. The trip was executed seamlessly with all your connections as planned. Guides, hotel/B&Bs, transport perfect. Thank you for an exceptional experience.

Best regards,

Aileen

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

July 26, 2018

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.

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.

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.

April 1, 2017

Thank you from Patti and Howard Taxe

Hi Karen,

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

December 19, 2016

Thank you from Hillary & Andrew

We used Australia 2000 Travel to plan our honeymoon to New Zealand. Karen planned an amazing honeymoon for us that allowed us to experience the country like a local rather than just going to all of the tourist destinations. We met with her and told her our budget and what we enjoyed.? She handled everything else and developed a customized itinerary?for us. The day before our trip started a major earthquake hit New Zealand. Karen and her crew worked tirelessly to rearrange our trip so that we stayed safe and away from the impacted area.

She communicated frequently and had our new itinerary to us before we made it to the airport. ?All the accommodations that she booked for us were astounding with amazing views. Everything from our progressive wine dinner to our trip to Doubtful Sound couldn’t have been better. She included numerous sites to see and places to eat at every city we visited as well. This was our first time to New Zealand and our first time using a travel agent and were extremely impressed with both.? We?highly recommend Australia 2000 Travel!

?Thanks,?

?Hillary and Andrew