Tours Archives - Australia 2000 Travel

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 18, 2013

Thank you from Karyn McClary

Hi Karen,

I want to thank you for planning a wonderful trip for me. I know I did not give you that much time to plan it, but everything was perfect from the accommodations to the tours. Even the weather was perfect. ( How did you manage even that?)

Out of the places I stayed, the apartment in Port Douglas was probably my favorite. The beach was only a quick walk from my apartment, but it was paradise just to sit on the balcony outside my apartment and listen to the tropical birds call.

I don’t think I could pick a favorite out of the tours. They were all fantastic. The guides were very enthusiastic, so much so that I wanted to ask them if they were hiring. The other people on tour were a lot of fun. It actually made me glad to be traveling alone, because I don’t think I would have met them otherwise.

Although I couldn’t pick a favorite tour, I will say that my sailing tour of Sydney Harbour was extra special. There was only other one passenger scheduled; they didn’t show up, and I got a private tour of the harbour. When we anchored for lunch, I waved to the paddle boarders and kayakers who went by. I was being served steak and salmon on a yacht, and I think they thought I might have been a movie star in disguise. (Very much in disguise, I had been warned about the UV and was wearing a large sun hat.)

I have been recommending your company to everyone I can, and I would love to travel with you again if I get the chance. I can’t thank you enough for what you planned for me; it was the best vacation I’ve ever been on, and one of the happiest times in my life.

Thanks again,

Karyn McClary

February 6, 2013

Thank you from Dr. Gunta Wheeler

Hello Karen,

Our trip to Australia & New Zealand was absolutely a dream come true.

Sydney was everything you told us to expect. We thoroughly enjoyed our luxurious hotel and all of the wonderful tours planned for us, especially the small group city orientation tour. Our guide was totally awesome, he even brought us to the market so that we could do a bit of shopping and then to the Yacht Club for a fantastic lunch.

Lizard island was as we dreamed it would be ?out of this world? with absolutely the best food and service. The weather was as we ordered, sunny when we needed it to be and cloudy when we had a slight sunburn. Adelaide, the wineries and Kangaroo Island were also just perfect.

Our favorite part of New Zealand was Queenstown. On arrival we enjoyed a hot springs spa treatment and then headed into town where we joined in a Bar Crawl at the Ice Bar. That was the best night ever. My friends were trying to remind me my age, but I could not care less.

I must tell you that there is a new restaurant in Queenstown called Flame Bar and Grill where the ribeye steak is to die for. Also the Irish pub, Pog Mahones Stone Grill, has the best cuisine next to Lizard Island. Our favorite tour was the jet boat ride on the Dart River. It was thrilling fun and we had the best captain. I have to admit that I am totally ready to drop everything and move to Queenstown if I am ever offered the opportunity.

We also thoroughly enjoyed our chartered boat tour in Nelson. The captain was great and the Tasman Sea was at its best with lots of sun and seals, penguins and very artistic jelly fish. We sun tanned, swam and enjoyed our lunch tremendously. A highlight of the day was the terrific driver who told all about the Nelson area and even stopped at the local market so that we could purchase fresh fruit.

WOW was as wow could be, we were shocked out of our pants, that Nelson has a magnificent museum. After visiting the museum our private guide took us to the wineries where we savored the best ever smoked salmon. Paired with a prized Chardonnay, the salmon was simply splendid. Overall we thoroughly enjoyed Nelson thanks to the tours and fantastic tour guides.

Now the toughest part is to get back to ordinary food and work. I truly feel that New Zealand is calling me to return as I felt so very much at home there.

Thank you so much for a truly glorious trip!

Dr. Gunta Wheeler

March 13, 2012

Thank you from Marianne McCarty

Hello Karen,

Our Trip was fabulous… exceeded my expectations in all areas.

I cannot thank you enough for all of your suggestions, everyone one of them was on the mark. Tours and guides were excellent and full of stories related to the history of your country along with their own personal family history. Amazing group of people; they were all?awesome.

I’m sure Colleen will fill you in on the food and wine… She’s the foodie I’m only the guest who follows her suggestions and I’m always pleased and satisfied.

You might ask what was the highlight of the trip… cannot say… would need some time to sort it out… right now I’m still on cloud nine.

Thank you for everything Karen, you made my trip Down Under so special and one that I’ll savor for a very long time.

Marianne McCarty

August 16, 2010

Down Under Adventures Begin Atop Birmingham

Published: Monday, August 16, 2010 by The Oakland Press

Karen Hardy-Hodgson ? a corporate wife armed with a green card and a passion for her homeland ? has developed a thriving international boutique cottage travel business.

When she isn?t jumping out of planes, the Sydney native and Australia 2000 Travel founder can be found going on a walkabout or perched above the downtown Birmingham street scene where she creates ?trip of a lifetime? adventures for her diverse client-base of honeymooners, retirees and adventure-seeking world travelers.”

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