First time long haul holiday-planning

isplumm

oysterman wrote: »

Cheers for the replt
I probably could do a lot more on my own, but thought going through a travel agent would be easier, if there is any problems they can sort it out without me chasing different people if problemw occur.

Hi,

I suggest that you look at TAs like Travel Republic & Freedom of Australia - they do NZ as well - get them to give you a quote for the whole package - then see whether it can be beaten ... sometimes you you might find that the flight section can be cheaper doing it yourself ... look at flight centre for deals.

Mark

isplumm

oysterman wrote: »

Cheers for the reply, but that is why we want to do SI first, a bit more relaxing than chasing all the time.

Quite understand that - we rushed through NI slightly, but then spent 3 days Franz Joesf, 4 days Queenstown .... I think you could cover NI as well - but understand why you wouldn't .... the SI was the best bit for us!!

Mark

isplumm

oysterman wrote: »

Cheers for the reply, have been looking at Hong kong as well. The wife has always dreamt of going to Fiji but will have a gander at other islands.:T

We visited HK ... quite enjoyed it .... but might suggest that you do HK on way out & Singapore on way back - for example. Or just to break journey on way back - stop @ HK for 1 night - good airport hotel - with shops - also access to giant budda .... worth seeing.

Mark

nearlyrich

When we went to NZ we priced up flights etc got our local TA to look at it, he price matched then offered free travel to the airport which is worth about £60-£70. We flew Emirates to Aukland picked up a hire car and just set off. There are some amazing motels, high standard of accommodation for a few dollars per night. Highlights for me were Kaikoura for the whale watching, Wanaka because it's just stunning scenary and the glacier helicopter trip.. I want to go again.

isplumm

nearlyrich wrote: »

When we went to NZ we priced up flights etc got our local TA to look at it, he price matched then offered free travel to the airport which is worth about £60-£70. We flew Emirates to Aukland picked up a hire car and just set off. There are some amazing motels, high standard of accommodation for a few dollars per night. Highlights for me were Kaikoura for the whale watching, Wanaka because it's just stunning scenary and the glacier helicopter trip.. I want to go again.

I would 2nd all of the places that nearlyrich is talking about - great ....

Mark

gingefam

isplumm wrote: »

Hi,

I suggest that you look at TAs like Travel Republic & Freedom of Australia - they do NZ as well - get them to give you a quote for the whole package - then see whether it can be beaten ... sometimes you you might find that the flight section can be cheaper doing it yourself ... look at flight centre for deals.

It may also be worth asking Kuoni, they can often get fab flight and hotel discounts. No harm trying ! Either way it sounds like a brill 25th Anniversary trip, I will point my DH in the direction of this thread when our time comes.

oysterman

isplumm wrote: »

We visited HK ... quite enjoyed it .... but might suggest that you do HK on way out & Singapore on way back - for example. Or just to break journey on way back - stop @ HK for 1 night - good airport hotel - with shops - also access to giant budda .... worth seeing.

Mark

That's why we picked Singapore on the way out, must admit have'nt given a great thought to the return journey(yet) but that sounds good.

oysterman

nearlyrich wrote: »

When we went to NZ we priced up flights etc got our local TA to look at it, he price matched then offered free travel to the airport which is worth about £60-£70. We flew Emirates to Aukland picked up a hire car and just set off. There are some amazing motels, high standard of accommodation for a few dollars per night. Highlights for me were Kaikoura for the whale watching, Wanaka because it's just stunning scenary and the glacier helicopter trip.. I want to go again.

We have already penciled in Kaikoura & the helicopter trip as a must do, but just reading about the place there is so much to see & do. Is 3 weeks long enough i wonder:rolleyes: