Testimonials

We love living vicariously through our clients’ adventures. There’s nothing more rewarding than hearing their stories. Here is just a sample of our traveller’s experiences.  Below are 100% actual travelers reviews and comments.  For the latest client feedback, check out our Facebook page.

Australian Vacation
Barbara

What are your overall comments on working with the company and the travel consultants?
I was very pressed for time in planning this trip as the opportunity to extend a last minute business trip came up unexpectedly. I knew generally where I wanted to go and what I wanted to see and how much I was comfortable spending. I was fortunate to discover Down Under Endeavours quite by accident and then engaged in a chat with Rachel. I can’t say enough nice things about Rachel and how easy she made the whole planning process. Her familiarity with the locations that I wanted to visit and her ability to ask the right questions to understand what type of vacation I was seeking allowed her to make excellent recommendations for everything – accommodations, tours, flights and transfers. Because I was extending a business trip, I was travelling much ‘heavier’ than I typically do and the fact that she arranged for private transfers to and from the airport, where possible, really helped to reduce the stress level of the necessary travel logistics associated with visiting multiple locations on a compressed schedule. In addition, the tours that she arranged for me were perfect. They were smaller groups and allowed for the opportunity to get to know my fellow travelers. This was especially important to me as I was travelling alone on this adventure.

What advice would you give for future travelers?
Unless you have family or close friends in Australia who can help you plan your trip and avoid ‘newbee’ pitfalls, book your trip with Down Under Endeavours and, specifically, with Rachel. Australia is not an inexpensive place to visit both from a time and monetary perspective. I am certain that I saved money and an incredible amount of time by engaging Down Under Endeavours to plan my trip for me. I would also recommend that if you have a choice as to when you visit Australia, that you try to do so when it isn’t the rainy season. Again, Rachel forewarned me that it would be rainy where I was going and I was able to pack accordingly so as to be able to enjoy my vacation regardless of the weather.

Luxury Australia Family Vacation - Sydney bridgeclimb and Opera House, Adelaide
Robert

What are your overall comments on the trip and travel company?
This Australia travel agency - and our consultant Candice, were great to work with. We were not easy clients, constantly making changes and she easily adapted. Was our first time using an Australia travel company and would not hesitate to use them or recommend them, especially for a custom trip to Australia.   We did fly premium economy and that ended up being a good choice. Provided more amenities and room than economy for not a lot of increase in pricing. For that length of trip, definitely worth it! Also - having private transportation made everything so much easier for us. Always a courteous driver who helped with everything. There is a little extra cost, but very much worth as well!

What were the most enjoyable or memorable parts of your trip?
There were several parts that were absolutely terrific. The best of which was the Sydney Bridge Climb. Even if one is afraid of heights, this is a "Must Do" My wife is afraid of heights, but she said the one thing she was more afraid of was everyone else doing and talking about how unbelievable it was - and her having to listen to the talk. Did the twilight - up in the day and down in the night, it was great! (Plenty of city light) It did rain a bit at the top, but was not a problem, they provide rain gear. Also did the classic bike tour - that was a really great way to see a lot of the Sydney quickly.  We also did on our own - a backstage tour of the Sydney Opera House we really enjoyed that. (We did not have the agency book as it was a last minute decision once there!)

If you could take your trip again, what would you do differently?
We were really only able to spend 9 days on the ground and think if we could do over again (and if we could have), might have spent a couple of extra days. We stayed in Adelaide only one night and did not get a whole lot out of it, but that was as much our doing as anything. Might have cut out the first night in Sydney and added a second in Adelaide so we could have done more. Would have liked to have seen Melbourne as well. Also - again, due to our restrictions, would like to have done the Great Barrier. (They had it scheduled but that was one of the changes we had to make !) Would have also, with more time, done a wine tour.

Luxury Australia Family Vacation - Cindy

What are your overall comments on the trip and travel company?
Our Australia trip was everything I wanted. The accommodations were superb and everything organized to the letter. I would choose this Australia travel agency for my next trip but I would ask for Candice to be our advisor each time. She was always available, prompt, did what she said she would or what I asked, and knowledgeable. I have only worked with two other travel advisors but the service wasn't comparable.

What were the most enjoyable or memorable parts of your trip?
Each one of us had favorite things. That shows how well rounded the trip was, as we had a diverse group with diverse interests. All so good that I cannot pinpoint one thing. We really liked Cairns / Queensland.

If you could take your trip again, what would you do differently?
We wouldn't do Tasmania at that time of year (May). Too much traveling and weather.

New Zealand and Fiji Honeymoon

What are your overall comments on the trip and working with Down Under Endeavours?
Overall, I was very pleased with both the trip and the New Zealand travel agency.   This New Zealand travel agency did a great job of incorporating our interests into a tailored experience. Our accommodations and activities fit our taste quite well and I attribute that to the counseling Down Under Endeavours provided in our trip planning.

What were the most enjoyable or memorable parts of your trip?
The two greatest highlights of our trip included biking around the Marlborough region of New Zealand and tasting delicious wines, and staying at the Azur Lodge in Queenstown in a beautiful villa overlooking water and the mountains. We spent a day and a half in Blenheim and it was wonderful. The weather was great and the wineries were welcoming. Both the wine and the food were exceptional. The Azur Lodge was a special experience that we particularly enjoyed. One day we were almost happy that it rained because it gave us an excuse to stay in the villa. The lodge is beautifully apointed, the views are spectacular, and the staff is extremely attentive and friendly.
We would also strongly recommend dining at Hopgoods in Nelson, New Zealand. In a relatively unassuming establishment, the food was tremendous.

If you could take your trip again, what would you do differently?
If we had to do it all over again perhaps we would have skipped Fiji and opted for a beach in New Zealand. Fiji is gorgeous, but there really is very little to do on those remote islands. By day 3 we were getting a little restless. In New Zealand, I probably would have spent a day less in Nelson and skipped our afternoon trip to Founders Park, which is a cheesy tourist trap. I would have either tried to stop by another city in the South Island or spent a day touring the Central Otago wine region.

Luxury Australia Vacation - snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef and kayaking Sydney - Alyssa

What are your overall comments on the trip and travel company?
I couldn't have asked for someone better to plan our trip. This Australia travel agency was amazing, especially Candice! She included everything we wanted while respecting our budget. She offered substitutions for tours we wanted to do that would give us the most for our money and suggestions for tours that I am grateful we did not pass up. She was responsive to every question and concern and also gave helpful tips for while we were in Australia. She didn't miss a thing! Even after we came home from our trip she was still interested in how our "holiday" was and wanted to see pictures. Down Under Endeavors is just as genuine through out planning your trip as they are even after you have come home. If I ever go again, I will not hesitate to go through this agency!!!!

What were the most enjoyable or memorable parts of your trip?
ALL OF THEM, but mostly snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef. The colors of the coral and the fish were breath taking, the water was crystal clear and the cruise out to the the reef was beautiful as well. We also loved Kayaking in Sydney and the Boutique Wildlife tour! Well... also Josephine Falls!!!!

If you could take your trip again, what would you do differently?
Save more money to stay a month longer and have more spending money! Australia was too wonderful to leave, but too expensive to stay!!!!

Fantastic Luxury Australia Trip of a lifetime
Roberta

What are your overall comments on the trip and travel company?
The travel company was extremely responsive to all requests, very professional, very well-informed. The individual Australia travel agent always responded to our questions in less than 24 hours, and was very good at responding to our needs and putting the trip together. No negative comments.

What were the most enjoyable or memorable parts of your trip?
Diving on the Great Barrier Reef; morning airboat at Bammuru Plains; rock paintings in Kakadu National Park. Too many things to even list. What a fantastic trip!

If you could take your trip again, what would you do differently?
Well, it would be nice if it wasn't so expensive. But we had decided in advance that this would be the trip of a lifetime, and it was. We wouldn't do anything differently.

Romantic Australia Honeymoon, Sydney, Blue Mountains, Ayers Rock, Kings Canyon, Alice Springs, Cairns, Melbourne
Erica L.

What are your overall comments on the trip and travel company?
Had some issues with the car service and some of the hotels we did not like. Other wise the planning of the trip and travel company was great.

What were the most enjoyable or memorable parts of your trip?
Holding a koala, feeding kangaroos, diving the great barrier reef, exploring Sydney.

If you could take your trip again, what would you do differently?
Not much different, probably just upgrade our hotel in some of the destinations.

Luxury Australia and New Zealand vacation by an expert agent - Qualia Resort, Blanket Bay
John S.

What are your overall comments on the trip and travel company?
A wonderful itinerary with the right mix of locations, good number of days at each spot, perfect activities, on-ground logistics were all great. Only snafu was a very poorly handled trip insurance situation by the travel agent (we booked trip and bought policy after being assured in emails and on the phone that we had "cancel for any reason" insurance, but on closer inspection, that was not the case) and we spents months trying to sort it out before the agent involved left the company and the owner took over. We never did get back to our original coverage, but thankfully, we didn't need to use the insurance.

What were the most enjoyable or memorable parts of your trip?
All three resorts we stayed in were world class fantastic! Qualia on Hamilton Island, Australia, Wolgan Valley in the Blue Mountains of Australia, and Blanket Bay near Queenstown, New Zealand. Sydney was wonderful as a destination, although the Intercontinental Hotel was just okay, except for the perfect location, steps from Circular Quay, the Botanic Gardens and the Opera House.  The most memorable moment on a splurge, once-in-a-lifetime 30th Anniversary trip was the helicopter trip to Milford Sound, New Zealand on Over The Top helicopters. Seeing the waterfalls, glaciers and surf up close was fantastic--great pilot!

If you could take your trip again, what would you do differently?
Only a few little things not worth mentioning. It was a great trip. I HIGHLY recommend Australia and New Zealand if you have the time--wonderful, friendly people; awe-inspiring scenery, flora and fauna; great meals; no third world security or heath issues; exotic, other side of the world feel without the risks.

***Since John's trip and post travel feedback, we have since switched travel insurance providers to ensure our clients are 100% protected during their travels if they choose.  We apreciate our travelers honest feedback.  We cannot improve our service and experiences without this vital feedback.  Thank you John - Corinne Goodman

Luxury Family Vacation to New Zealand, Australia, Milford GBR kangaroo island
Natasha M.
Australia, New Zealand, Fiji

What are your overall comments on the trip and travel company?
All the arrangements made were great and without a hitch.

What were the most enjoyable or memorable parts of your trip?
Wilderness lodge in Arthur's Pass, Great Barrier Reef and Kangaroo Island

If you could take your trip again, what would you do differently?
Skip Christchurch

Luxury New Zealand Adventure Honeymoon - Doubtful Sound, Queen Charlotte Track
Cynthia and Nathan, Chicago

What are your overall comments on the trip and travel company?
We found travel to be smooth and easy, all of our flights connected fine and our rental cars worked out fine. We went without a GPS and didn't have much trouble navigating. It turned out that we weren't able to check our luggage all the way through to Auckland from Grand Rapids, so we ended up carrying it all on (luckily we had packed light enough to do that), but we suspect the crabby airline worker maybe just didn't know how to do it. We found it very easy to change cash at the BNZ with no fee, which was more convenient than getting charged a fee at the currency exchanges.

What were the most enjoyable or memorable parts of your trip?
Well, it's hard to pick highlights from the trip because we had a great time all around! If we had to pick a top few, I would say we especially enjoyed the Waimangu volcanic valley and Wai-o-Tapu thermal wonderland, the Polynesian Spa, the Queen Charlotte Track, and Queenstown. The geothermal sites were fantastic, and we're glad we went to both, they were different experiences. The lakeside pools at the spa were an amazing way to relax after our long flight, and very picturesque. We loved the scenic hike of the Queen Charlotte Track, as well as the accommodations along the way. Furneaux and Mahana were gorgeous with very friendly staff and great food, it was a pleasure to hike all day then arrive for a good meal and a warm fire. Queenstown was a great way to end our trip with a longer stay. On our free days there we ended up taking the Skyline Gondola up the mountain and doing the luge ride, walking in the gardens, and doing a horseback ride at Dart Stables in Glenorchy.I have to say Doubtful Sound was also a highlight...and the TranzAlpine train ride we had perfect weather for...see, it's hard to pick! I think the only thing I haven't mentioned is Franz Josef and the glacier hike. The glacier itself was a lot of fun, but it was a little disorganized until we got onto the ice-- our guide was new and the group was larger than they were prepared for, I think. GlenfernVillas was adorable, we loved the full kitchen.

If you could take your trip again, what would you do differently?
The only thing on our itinerary that we wouldn't rave about was the Te Po hangi feast-- the food and performances weren't that great. That said, the geyser at the end of it was probably the best geyser we saw.  Feel free to ask any questions about other specifics I haven't mentioned, obviously we enjoy talking about our trip! Jill, you put together a great itinerary for us, and everywhere we went it was easy to hand in our vouchers for tickets, rooms, etc.