Designing New Zealand, Australia & Island Vacations, One Trip at a time | |
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Kia Ora & G'day!
Many years ago I did my, as we say in New Zealand, big 'OE', aka overseas experience. During that time I lived in Australia, Japan and the UK. I backpacked across Europe before finally settling in San Diego. During my travels I used trains more than any other mode of transport. I remember it being such a fabulous way to travel and enjoy the scenery. I also toured Canada - this was the one place I visited that I felt rivaled New Zealand scenery, of course, I had not yet been to Yosemite, which is a place I now visit twice a year on rock climbing expeditions. I guess you could say my love of mountains is strong. I share this since this months newsletter includes train itineraries in two mountainous countries, New Zealand, and Canada, both with stunning scenery, recently listed in Conde Nast Magazines "Best Train Journeys in the World; and bookable through us.
Other news:
- Visitors to Hobbiton (the only living movie set in the world) can now venture into a Hobbit Hole!
- Let us handpick an aboriginal culture experience from a collective of over 200 authentic experiences
- Fiji for romance and relaxation
- Still space on some Hiking New Zealand departures early 2024 (subject to availability at time of booking.
- Read what a group of six, just returned from Australia and New Zealand had to say in their "testimonial/google review" below
We're here through the holidays so look forward to hearing from you. Wishing you and your loved ones a very happy holidays!
Jane & the team at Active Downunder
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Tick Canada's famous 'Rocky Mountaineer '
Train Journey off your bucket list!
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Since 1990, Rocky Mountaineer has been taking guests through majestic landscapes on their luxury trains. Travelling through stunning scenery with highlights best seen from their expansive glass-dome coaches, your journey will be complemented by vibrant storytelling, regionally-inspired cuisine and exceptional service onboard the train.
When you’re ready to book this 'Journey of a Lifetime' we’re standing by to make it happen.
2025 Rail Packages are now available to book. For the first time, Rocky Mountaineer has launched their Canadian two- and three-day rail journeys and their longer Canadian route packages at the same time.
Their US route, 'Rockies to the Red Rocks' two-day rail journey is also available to book, while the longer 2025 packages for the US route, will be launched for sale in late Spring 2024.
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Map of
14 Day Grand Adventure
Circle Journey
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Exclusive offer as a
Virtuoso affiliated agency
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Canadian Off the Grid Luxury | |
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Vancouver Island’s celebrated luxury outpost Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge skirts the banks of its namesake ocean inlet, Clayoquot Sound and offers an escape to the still, tranquil beauty of Canada’s remote wilderness. Accessible only by seaplane or boat, the journey to Clayoquot is symbolic of a real departure from the everyday. Set among magnificent conifer forests, the lodge offers guests an unforgettable experience of the landscape and its wildlife. Adventure-filled days are bolstered by local produce-driven, sustainable dining, fine wines, world-class accommodation and the chance to unwind in generously appointed campaign-style guest tents.
Lodge is open May 23 - September 22, 2024
Essential Information
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Located at the heart of Vancouver Island’s natural wild-west playground, Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge sits in the pristine UNESCO-designated Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve. The lodge offers a series of extraordinary nature-based adventures and a personalized itinerary is created for each guest and presented on arrival. Guests have direct access to 600-acres of gloriously wild nature reserve and opportunities abound for adventure, education, natural enrichment and personal connection. Experiences span equestrian, marine-based and land-based and are led by personal guides.
View Experiences Brochure
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Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge offers packages based on a three night stay arriving Thursday and departing Sunday, a four night stay arriving Sunday and departing Thursday, or seven and ten-night stays arriving either Thursday or Sunday. | A stay at the lodge is generously all-inclusive of breakfast, lunch and dinner with inspired daily changing menus, a premium selection of wines, beers and spirits, signature guided experiences and one 60-minute relaxation massage per stay (adults and youths only). | |
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Complimentary
seaplane transfers
| Enjoy complimentary return seaplane transfers on your 2024 stay when you book before 31 December 2023 | | | |
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New Zealand Up Close Tour
17 Day Guided Rail Tour
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Discover off the beaten track locations and bustling urban centres by three world-famous scenic rail experiences. Be led by a New Zealand expert as you experience thrilling activities on this scenic adventure of a lifetime.
Highlights
- Encounter the volcanic peaks of Middle Earth in Tongariro National Park
- Experience the bioluminescent glowworm caves of Waitomo
- Cruise through magnificent views while crossing the Cook Strait
- Sip world-class wine amongst the vines in Marlborough
- Discover Haast Pass on a unique Kiwi-style Road Trip adventure
- Uncover the home of the sacred pounamu, mesmerising blue lakes, and ancient forests on the West Coast
- Be captivated by the storytelling of your Tour Director along this great journey
- Escape on nautical adventures along Milford Sound, Queen Charlotte Sound and Lake Wakatipu
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Transportation
- Northern Explorer Scenic Train
- Interislander Ferry journey across the Cook Strait
- Coastal Pacific Scenic Train
- TranzAlpine Scenic Train
- Private Coaches to reach regional gems
- Private shuttles (excluding airport arrival)
- Porterage
Meals
- 16 Breakfasts
- 2 Lunches
- 7 Dinners
- 5 Meals on the train
Accommodation
- 4 to 4.5 Star Hotel (16 nights)
- Twin Share
- Single Upgrade Available
Group Size
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Note: There are multiple sections of New Zealand doable by train which we can
incorporate in a train/self drive itinerary should you not wish to do 17 days.
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Venture into a Hobbit Hole!
An enchanting new experience has been unveiled at Hobbiton Movie Set in New Zealand. Bagshot RowTM allows visitors to venture beyond the door into an authentic Hobbit HoleTM interior, bringing them closer to the magic of Middle-earthTM. This project has been years in the making and long anticipated by fans who can’t wait to experience this exciting addition to the tour experience.
The Hobbit Hole features a labyrinth of fully themed rooms: an entry hall, two bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, and dining area, equipped pantry and a parlour complete with a crackling fireplace. You’ll have to ‘watch your head’ through the maze of rooms and hallways, which have been constructed with a Hobbit’s stature in mind. The tour length at 2.5 hours.
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Let us connect you
with the oldest living culture on earth
Australia is home to the oldest living cultures on Earth and Aboriginal guides across the country offer a real connection to the place and a new way of experiencing it. Every part of Australia is Aboriginal country and every part of that country has a series of stories and experiences that are unique to it. Discover Aboriginal Experiences is a collective of over 200 quality, authentic Aboriginal guided tourism offerings we use when designing itineraries.
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Renew vows, marry or romance your loved one
Fiji consistently turns up the heat as a dreamy destination for loved up couples. Even though famously family friendly, you’ll find countless adult-only getaways tucked away in idyllic pockets or on remote islands, stay in a charming ‘bure’ amid floral-scented gardens, a lavish overwater bungalow or a spacious hilltop villa with jaw-dropping panoramic views. And, if you're looking to pop the question our team will work to ensure you have a dream location along with everything you need for this special moment. If you're on honeymoon, you've chosen the right place!
Some of our favorite resorts
Read our "333 Islands of Paradise" Blog
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Hiking New Zealand
15 Day North & South Island
Small Group Guided Hiking Tour - Max 16 people
Departs February 1, 15 & March 14, 2024
From $8,499 per person (based on double occupancy)
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Consider us for other destinations. We're connected! | | |
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If you've enjoyed working with us, then please consider us when planning trips or cruises to other destinations. We are affiliated with Protravel International which means we're connected to over 1,000 Travel Advisors who specialize in other destinations, along with Destination Management Companies around the world. Please reach out to discuss.
PROTRAVEL INTERNATIONAL was founded in 1984. Protravel is headquartered in New York City and supports 24 branch locations throughout the United States and the United Kingdom, plus a network of remote-based advisors and home-based agents in all corners of the United States. Today, over 1,000 Travel Advisors and professionals make up the Protravel organization. Our expertise in destination, international faring and competitive products – coupled with our superior network of contacts in the airline, hotel, cruise and hospitality industry – makes Protravel one of the most powerful selling forces in the travel industry.
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Testimonial
"Six of us just returned from an 18 day excursion to Sydney, Tasmania and New Zealand set up for us by Active Downunder. I cannot say enough about the organization of this trip and the close attention to detail offered to us. Everything ran smoothly with no blips along the way. We opted for drivers in each location and everyone of them were knowledgeable and so pleasant to with. Jane and her team even made dinner reservations for us along the way which was a lovely addition and kept us from trying to figure out where to go each night (and each restaurant was fabulous)! We will definitely consider booking another trip with Active Downunder in the future!"
J. Pry
Nov, 2023
Read more testimonials
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Air Booking Service - Worldwide | |
Researching and booking air travel can be complex and time consuming. In addition, we all know the long hold times for customer support. Along with saving you time, we have access to Travel Agent Only Help Desks at each airline. Let us do the waiting and manage the schedule changes for you!
We are pleased to offer assistance with booking international air travel in Premium, Business or First Class. Ticketing fee of $75 per person.
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Airlines flying to New Zealand | |
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Air New Zealand offer the most direct flights to New Zealand from the US with flights departing: Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco and Vancouver.
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Qantas recently started New York (JFK) direct to Auckland.
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Delta, American and United are also flying direct from various US cities.
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Hawaiian Airlines fly direct to Auckland to/from Honolulu
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Air Tahiti Nui via Papeete
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Fiji Airways via Nadi.
We offer a full air booking service and manage any schedule changes along the way.
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Expedited Passport Service | |
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As long as you are traveling within 14 days we are able to secure your passport fast, in as little as 2 days + processing and shipping time. Pricing starts at $599 + $190 application fees.
Pricing is subject to change without notice.
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Travel Insurance
Protect your investment
Whether you're booking through us or planning a trip yourself, we can sell you a Travel Insurance policy. You shouldn't leave home without it!
In addition, we offer a Cancel Anytime policy which is only available through Travel Agents. (Max trip cost is $20,000 pp) which allows you to cancel for almost any reason and receive a refund of up to 80% of non-refundable trip related costs. This policy must be purchased within 14 days of making the first payment towards your trip, whether it be purchasing flights or paying a deposit.
See Travel Insurance Quick Reference Guide
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We look forward to hearing from you! | |
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Protravel International is one of the most respected travel agencies in the industry, holding the highest standards for personal and corporate travel planning since 1984. Protravel attracts a growing network of talented, relevant travel advisors who consistently exceed the high expectations of both business and leisure travelers. Protravel has a diverse team of experienced, well-traveled agents are renowned worldwide for their depth of destination knowledge and client-focused dedication. Protravel’s industry reputation power has earned them coveted relationships with every luxury travel brand, allowing us to open closed doors and pass along VIP perks to their clients.
Global Travel Collection (GTC), a division of Internova Travel Group, is the world’s largest collection of international luxury travel agencies, including the well-established networks of Protravel International, Tzell Travel Group, and Colletts Travel, as well as Andrew Harper, In the Know Experiences, All Star Travel Group and R. Crusoe & Son..
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Virtuoso is the leading global network of agencies specializing in luxury and experiential travel. They partner with over 1,800 of the world’s best companies such as hotels, cruise lines, tour operators, and more. Virtuoso advisors use their personal connections and firsthand expertise to craft bespoke trips for clients, including unique experiences, special values, complimentary perks, VIP treatment and rare access from a fabulous selection of properties worldwide.
A Virtuoso travel advisor elevates every trip. We know how to get the best value for your time and money, and, thanks to a network of global connections, we can VIP you at hotels, on cruise lines, on tours, and more.
Get inspired with real Virtuoso traveler stories and five reasons to consider working with a travel advisor.
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CST Reg No. 2060868-40 & 2063352-70 | | | | |
