Australia 2000 Travel

Australia 2000 Travel

Thank you from Tim Heyden

Dear Karen & Hillary,

Photo Credit to Tim Heyden

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

Thank You from Dan & Erica Nye

Photo Credit to 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.

Photo Credit to Dan & Erica Nye

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.

Photo Credit to Erica & Dan Nye

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

Spicers Potts Point ~ A Luxury Sydney Hotel. An Urban Oasis in the Heart of One of Sydney’s Most Iconic Suburbs.

Photo Credit: Spicers Potts Point

Welcome to Spicers Potts Point where history meets modern luxury

Photo Credit: Spicers Potts Point

Nestled in the midst of Potts Point on the edge of the Sydney CBD, surrounded by fashionable shops, cafes and restaurants Spicers Potts Point is a luxury boutique hotel with a distinct urban feel. Comprised of three meticulously restored Victorian terrace houses that, with a neutral, peaceful and restrained palette reflect a fresh contemporary style. The blend of old and new has created a private club feel that envelopes each guest once inside and away from the hustle and bustle of busy city life.

Photo Credit: Spicers Potts Point

On my recent stay at Spicers Potts Point I was delighted to experience the same unparalleled service synonymous with the Spicers brand as I had encountered on past occasions. From the warm welcome on my late-night arrival to the luxury of a warm bath and exquisitely comfortable bed I knew a marvelous sleep awaited me.

Photo Credit: Spicers Potts Point

The following morning a scrumptious breakfast created from a selection of fresh cheese, smoked salmon, fruits, croissant and vegan delights sent me on my way for my return trip to the United States. I’m happily looking forward to the next warm welcome I will receive at Spicers Potts Point this December.

Whether you seek romance or adventure, food or wine, Spicers Retreats offers a broad range of experiences for you to enjoy. Do give Australia 2000 Travel the opportunity to include Spicers Potts Point in your Bespoke Aussie Adventure.

Cheers!

Karen Hardy Hodgson
President
Australia 2000 Travel

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.

Say G’day to our BRILLIANT Travelers Geoff & Natalie

We can honestly think of no greater compliment than to hear from our passionate travelers during their travels. Thank you Geoff and Natalie for taking time out of your Bespoke Kiwi and Aussie Adventure to share a bit of your journey with us. We are elated to hear from you and look forward to discovering the favorite highlights of your trip when you return home.

Just wanted to say so far this trip has exceeded all my expectations. Sydney was fantastic, such a walkable, livable city and Orpheus is wonderful without being pretentious. I couldn’t have asked for anything better. Thank you so much for all your thought and guidance. It has been marvelous so far!

Geoff & Natalie

Photo Credit to Geoff & Natalile

Thank you from 2 Happy Germans, Peter and Meggie and Their Family

Welcome Back to Fiji – Photo Credit to Peter Schmitz

It is exactly 15 years ago that I asked Karen to apply some of her magic and work out a trip to the Southern hemisphere for my wife’s and my 30th wedding anniversary.

I thought it is about time to have the honeymoon trip we never had since, at that time, I was still attending university and we didn’t have the money.

And what a trip Karen proposed!

It started on Fiji’s Nukubati Island, a small private island off the Northern coast of Vanua Levu, an hours drive from Labasa. It is a paradise for those who like a quiet and peaceful time to relax and recharge batteries. Luxurious service, pristine waters, outstanding scuba diving, fishing and so many more things to do and last but not least, being pampered by the wonderful Fijian people.

We spent Christmas on the island and then went on to Sydney for the New Year celebrations.

Harley-Davidson Tour – Photo Credit to Peter Schmitz

Not surprisingly, Karen found what we believe- is the best location to experience this event: The Quay Grand Sydney Harbour hotel at Circular Quay, with a direct look at the Harbour Bridge and in walking distance from the Opera House and the center of the city. Sydney is a great place to visit, a truly wonderful city.

After a few days in Sydney we continued to the Whitsundays further North. Seaplane trips to Whitehaven Beach and out to the reef for some snorkeling are a must.

After four weeks, which were filled with lasting impressions and just flew by, we returned home and for weeks, we couldn’t stop talking about this miraculous trip, praising Karen’s magical work. As a result, we got our kids all wound up so that we promised to take them also on the same trip, which we did a few years later.

New Zealand – Photo Credit to Peter Schmitz

Since then Karen has organized 12, four to five-week trips to Australia, Fiji, and New Zealand.

Every trip was top notch and even in the places where we returned to, like Sydney, Karen made sure that there was always something new to see or experience. Not one boring minute in now nearly one full and exciting year of accumulated travelling time.

Australia, Fiji and New Zealand, their wonderful people, lifestyle and breathtaking nature are worth to sit 20+ hours on airplanes to get there and every dime spent, was worth spending thanks to Karen!

We have seen many wonderful places and met great people among them some very memorable:

Tasmania Australia – Photo Credit to Peter Schmitz

Cities: Auckland, Melbourne and Sydney.

Nature: The Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef, Nukubati’s Great See Reef, Flinders Range and Tasmania, North and South Island of New Zealand.

Locations: Nukubati with wonderful Jenny and the Nukubati family and The Manse in Hawkes Bay with the equally wonderful hosts Dietske and Gary.

Karen will never cease to amaze me with the magic she does. We cannot thank her enough and I hope that she will continue with this wonderful work for at least as long as we are fit for travelling those distances so that we can continue to put our travel plans in her expert hands.

Photo Credit to Peter Schmitz

Thank you from Dawn and Phil Minch

Photo Credit to Dawn & Phil Minch

Thank you, Australia 2000. Our trip and wedding that was orchestrated by your team was everything we could have dreamed and more. From the moment we landed in Sydney, every detail of our travel was exquisite. The escort company that Australia 2000 selected, met us at the airport, took us on our tour of Sydney and transported us to airports were professional, friendly and informative. The owner, Karen, made sure that our accommodations were top notch. Radisson Blue was within walking distance of the Sydney Opera House, Royal Botanic Gardens, the Rocks and so much more in Sydney. She extended our trip in Australia to include Tasmania, where we stayed at a transformed cannery, The Henry Jones, located on the bay. The d?cor was old world charm with contemporary room accommodations. It was one of the many highlights of our visit to Australia.

Karen knew that we have a passion for wine and opera and incorporated this into our vacation. She arranged a backstage tour of the Sydney Opera House and tickets to an outdoor stage performance of ?Turandot?. The evening included dinner at the Platinum Club, a moving performance and fireworks during the opera. They were many more delightful experiences in Sydney but I must move on to Tasmania and share that portion of our trip also. This is where Karen and Australia 2000 fused our love of wine and our wedding during our trip.

Photo Credit to Dawn & Phil Minch

My husband and I had a fleeting thought of the possibility of eloping during our trip to Australia and shared this with Karen. From that thought a beautiful wedding was created and performed at a winery in Tasmania, Frogmore Creek, by a celebrant that was handpicked from many interviewed, Bridget. This was all done by the expert minds at Australia 2000. The vineyard wedding was followed a 14-course luncheon at the winery.

Photo Credit to Dawn & Phil Minch

The next day we departed for our memorable rustic honeymoon on Maria Island, a beautiful National Park, for 4 days and 3 nights. I must explain that Maria Island has been reborn as a well-maintained haven for hikers and campers. Accessible only by boat, my husband and I comfortably experienced the wilds of Australia as we were chaperoned by guides that cooked, nursed and shared their knowledge of the island while we trekked.? If you have ever heard the term or dreamed of ?glamping? you must experience this part of our trip.? Everything was 5-star from the guides, meals, rugged huts and evenings with candelabras and wine. ??By the way, we did ?see the southern cross for the first time? while on the island!? The boat picked us up after our last breakfast on Maria and whisked us off to the Hobart airport for a quick flight back to Sydney.

We had one more night at the Radisson Blue and spent the evening relaxing and discussing how soon we could come back. ?We were saddened when our driver arrived at the hotel in the morning to take us to the airport and send us home. I will finish with, ?of all trips we?ve ever taken, this trip of two weeks in Australia is the only one that we still remember every single moment?. I could not include them all in this letter.

Thank you, Karen and Australia 2000 team, for all the efforts that went into the arrangements and ensuring that every detail of our trip was 5-star plus.

Thank you from Dr. Rachel Polando

This latest trip with students, my third with a class, could not have been more perfect!? Every detail was taken care of and we could just enjoy the beauty and wonder of Australia.? The students could not get enough snorkeling at Michaelmas Cay, I had to chase them back to the boat.? ?They could not believe all the wonders of the Aboriginal culture of the Kuku Yalanji, our guide, Juan Walker was one of a kind.? We learned more that day than we could in a week of lecture.? Our magnificent trip ended in Sydney with a fabulous tour of Sydney Opera House and ?a walking tour of the city.? We were also lucky enough to enjoy the beauty of the bush in the Blue Mountains.? All of our guides and transportation was excellent, it was almost like we were family.? This trip would not be possible without the knowledge and dedication of Karen and her staff, they put all of their effort into making a once in a lifetime trip possible!

Dr. Rachel Polando

Associate Professor of Biology Manchester College Indiana

 

Thank you from Donna Mann

When my husband and I decided to go to New Zealand and Australia to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, we turned to Karen and her team at Australia 2000 to help us plan it.

Photo Credit to Chris & Donna Mann

At our first meeting, we talked to Karen about the places that interested us, the types of things we liked to do, and discussed our budget.? Then Karen used her knowledge of the area and her extensive contacts to develop the itinerary and recommend hotels, tours and experiences for us.? After some discussion and advice from Karen, we decided to fly Premium Economy on Air New Zealand for our flights over the Pacific, and it was worth every penny.? We were so much more comfortable that we would have been in coach, and we arrived in New Zealand ready to begin our adventure.

Photo Credit to Chris & Donna Mann

Karen also arranged transportation for us when we needed it so we didn?t have to worry about driving in unfamiliar places on the opposite side of the road.? That worked flawlessly.??? We felt so spoiled!

Karen chose a nice mix of B&B-type lodgings as well as traditional hotels.? All were well located and offered excellent service and food.? She also arranged a number of excursions for us, including:

  • A guided hike on the Routeburn Track
  • A luxury overnight cruise on Milford Sound
  • My husband?s fly-fishing trip
  • Touring Kangaroo Island to see koalas, kangaroos, seals, sea lions and even an echidna in the wild
  • A day long tour of Sydney
  • Our farewell dinner at Cafe Sydney, where we were seated at one of the best tables in the restaurant

We really appreciated Karen?s suggestions and her expertise.? There is no way we could have put together this kind of trip on our own, and we would have missed some amazing experiences had we tried.? Plus we met so many wonderful and interesting people along the way who not only helped us out, but also were excited to share the places they lived with us.? Knowing there were local people we could call if we had any problems made us confident that we would enjoy our trip to the fullest.? If you want a customized and personal vacation, turn to Karen and her team at Australia 2000.? They won?t disappoint!

Donna Mann

 

Thank you from Ellen Moellering

Dear Karen,

Photo credit to Ellen Moellering
Photo credit to Ellen Moellering

Dave and I had the most awesome trip ever. Thank you for arranging our wonderful 3 week journey through Australia. Everything went perfectly as planned.

This trip was an eye opener for us. Seeing the outback national parks by staying in all the unique, comfortable and exclusive accommodations you provided was heavenly.?

The food was always delicious and a culinary experience.

Photo credit to Ellen Moellering
Photo credit to Ellen Moellering

It would of seemed impossible to explore the destinations we visited without the transportation your team provided. Every pilot, captain, guide and work staff were so friendly and informative. This was surely an historical, cultural trip for us. Thanks again, to all the people we met on this trip thru your booking.

We really had fun in beautiful Sydney, going to all the delightful spots. Just a great city and full of historical culture. Loved the beaches, all thru Australia, wow!

Thanks again Karen, job well done.?

Sincerely,

Ellen Moellering

 

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