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Zoe, we’re back from our wonderful trip. Tired, confused about our time zone, but full with magnificent memories. Thanks for all of your help. All arrangements went smoothly and worked well for our purposes. All of the accommodations worked well. Only suggestion for others is that we were on a low floor, street-side room at
The Saville, which was very noisy.
Silky Oaks, Dunk Island, the house in
Katoomba and
Hunter Valley Lodge Estates were great. Actually, Saville was just what we needed, just too close to the street. All of our air and hire car arrangements came off without a hitch. Our appreciation for your guidance." John & Barbie L., Savannah, USA (3 Jun 03)
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Hi Mary ; Matthew and I have been meaning to write you for MONTHS - the honeymoon you helped us to plan in November was FABULOUS - a dream. Your thoughtful touches - like sending the travel documents with foil heart confetti and having a package of very useful things (hats, sunblock, repellant) waiting for us at our first stop at
Heron Island was very appreciated.
We have recently mentioned your name and GlobeNet Travel to friends of ours who are planning a trip to Australia (perhaps they will be contacting you) and will continue to do so. We would be happy to give you feedback on the places we stayed, if it is helpful. We also wanted to let you know about a great hotel / restaurant we found in the
Blue Mountains called Echoes. I recall that we were scrambling to find a place after Lilanfiels canceled to refurbish and thought I'd let you know about this fabulous accommodation option.
Thank you again for helping us to plan a trip of a lifetime. We will certainly contact you when we are able to return Down Under!" Michele M., San Francisco, USA (21 May 03)
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Hi Jo, We had a great time. I think that it was quite ironic how we made all the accommodation arrangements and ended up with the smallest room, but we had the convenience and service of the hotel.
Channer's Corner is a particularly nice place and so fully equipped. There were a lot of excited people around the hotel when they knew there was going to be a wedding as apparently there are very few weddings held at
Norfolk Island. I can't understand why because it is so idyllic. There was a society wedding on the Friday so the place was very busy, but fortunately that wedding was held at the same church as we were getting married at, and I hadn't arranged flowers, so the minister asked if they would leave their flowers.
Yes, we had a lovely wedding and honeymoon. There is a great chef at the Norfolk and they have these theme dinners about twice a week for $25 (3 courses) which I think is good value.
Please let us know of any specials you may have. We are contemplating Tasmania around Christmas time for about 2/3 weeks. Probably some of that time could be spent around Melbourne. Regards," Meiling and Ross B., Sydney, Australia (15 May 03)
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Dear Kylie, I am sending you some pictures so... here's the first one, and the best one from our 18 days in AU& NZ that you so beautifully and professionally put together. Thank you again for your help, and good work! (It does take me a while to get things done.) Best regards, R.S., Los Angeles, USA (15 May 03)
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Dear Zoe, while we were really impressed with your service, we were less impressed with
Daydream Island Resort. Room cleaning was not great - just small things like glasses we had taken to the room were left there, no replacement bags for sanitary towels, no restocking of the toiletries, even though we were there a week. The corridor to our room was rarely cleaned, and was pretty grubby. Also the service at dinner was continually being duplicated but remained very slow, and also inflexible - I asked for some bread with my salad for lunch and was told that I could go and get some from another outlet, for example. For the price, I think this was not appropriate service.
Perhaps more seriously some things were brought up on the luggage trolley from the boat, but then disappeared - three of my kids' jumpers, all their hats and my hat - their hats were eventually found in lost property but even that seemed to be a major ask on my part but I was persistent as the hats are their travelling hats which I use to identify them in airports as I travel often on my own with the 4 of them. The spa was lovely and the diving team and sailing team great.
I hope you find this useful and am sorry that I couldn't be more positive in the round. Thanks again for your help." Jane C., Hong Kong, China (15 May 03)
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HI Zoe, We had a fabulous holiday. Everything ran really smoothly and we enjoyed the accommodation. If we go to
Cairns again we would probably try to stay closer to town.
Port Douglas was the best. We ran out of time to everything and will definitely return in the years to come. Thankyou for all of your help with organising our holiday." Mandie T., Melbourne, Australia (13 May 03)
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Sonia - Planning trips for people to your beautiful country must be a blast. We just returned from a too short 21 days Tuesday eve and are still suffering a case of serious jet lag. All of your suggestions for hotels and tours were right on. We especially liked
Thala Beach and
the lodge at Freycinet Bay. Tasmania was absolutely gorgeous and we are already talking about returning.Thanks again for all of suggestions in the daunting task of trying to see Oz in 3 weeks. Yours," Bud B., Jacksonville, USA (13 May 03)
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Hi Mary, Well we're back. I hope Kylie received my thanks for getting my jewellery to me at the
Stamford Plaza. We were totally jet lagged when we left the
Palazzo Versace, and I didn't even realise I had left it all there. When Kylie rang we were fast asleep at the Regal in Port Douglas, and I didn't know whether I was coming or going. Would you please pass on my sincere thanks to Kylie, we really appreciate her efforts.
What can I say Mary, we had such a wonderful time. The hotels were great. The Versace was out of this world, and although we were jet lagged, we still managed to appreciate it. We had a truly fabulous stay, and an excellent meal on the 8th April for Chris's birthday, also at the Versace. Everybody there was so helpful and professional.
Port Douglas was also great.
The Regal only had a minor problem, in that they had no lift, and we had to carry very heavy luggage up several flights of stairs, and I have a knee injury, so that's worth noting. The room was great however, and we loved the area. Snorkelling on the
Great Barrier Reef was superb!!!
We fell in love with
Brampton Island, and hope to return (as we do the Versace). Our Ocean View Room was definitely worth the money. We loved the kangaroos and lorikeets on the island, not to forget the migrating butterflies. We swam with beautiful fish and turtles, literally just outside our room. Unbelievable!!!
We then spent a night in the
Stamford Plaza in Brisbane, which was magnificant. We ate in
Siggis Restaurant, one of the best meals ever. Totally loved the experience, and will definitely return. We felt like King and Queen sipping our sparkling wine, in our huge white robes, overlooking the Brisbane river.
Fraser Island was mad at Easter, but we enjoyed visiting the island, hugely fascinating and beautiful.
Then came
Sydney, wow.
The ANA Harbour was well worth the money. They didn't have us booked in which was odd, but we were upgraded to a Junior Suite, great. Fabulous place. Couldn't believe our eyes when we were shown to our table on the 36th Floor of the ANA,
the Japanese Restaurant, on our first evening, and Sydney Harbour was there as far as the eye could see, the bridge, the Opera House and the fabulous view.
We had a wonderful time in Sydney, doing as much as possible. Didn't get to the Blue Mountains, but we have to return shortly to do that. We found the Australians so friendly and helpful, everyone, not just people working with tourists. Australia was everything and more than we could have hoped for. Wonderful weather, people, scenery and atmospher!!!
We then took off to
New Zealand. The Bay of Islands was gorgeous, totally stunning. We really didn't want to leave.
The Copthorne Resort was very nice, and we thoroughly recommend the waterview. We couldn't believe our eyes when we open the shutters in the morning and saw the view. Wow!!!
We left the Bay of Islands are a few days, which was my only real regret, I would have liked to have stayed longer, much longer. It was also busy getting there on the Thursday before Anzac Day, which we British were not really aware of.
So we set off to
Auckland, feeling very sad to leave the Islands. Auckland was busy, a typical city really, people less friendly. We didn't really like the
Hyatt Regency Hotel (the only hotel we didn't particularly like). They were doing building work, and we could see it from our room. We didn't really have a very good view of the Harbour which they claim in their write up on the internet, so it was a bit disappointing.
The room was nice though, but the staff were not particularly helpful, or I guess professional. I think we would stay at the
Stamford Plaza if we were to return, although, most definitely we would stay on
Waheke Island, an absolutely fantastic, beautiful island, about 35 minutes from Auckland City, then perhaps travel in to Auckland. On our next visit to
New Zealand, we hope to travel south.
We have far more we want to do in Australia mind you, so we are saving frantically to get us back over there. We still haven't fully recovered from the jet lag, and I'm celebrating my 40th birthday tomorrow, so much going on.
Thank you so much for all your suggestions Mary, you helped us to have a truly wonderful, memorable holiday, most certainly the best holiday of our lives so far. Let's hope there will be many more!!! All the best." Jan and Chris J., Illinois, USA (7 May 03)
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Hi Gayle : I had a wonderful trip, with much of the credit going to you for you your valuable assistance. To benefit future clients, I'd like to give you some feedback.
Grand Medina Sydney : Location was adequate, but not excellent. Easy walk to Darling Harbour, which was a plus, though the immediate neighborhood is not great. Room was adequate, but nothing special; I probably would've been happier paying a bit more.
Brampton Island : All air and helicopter connections were perfect, and the fun of taking the helicopter more than justified the extra cost. The resort is pleasant and the beaches are very pretty. Island hiking is very nice. Snorkling a little disappointing--I expect it's better further north. Resort's fitness center is woefully outdated and underequipped; I pointed this out to management. Dinners are top restaurant quality; breakfast and lunch pretty ordinary. Resort is very couples/family-oriented. Good value.
Stamford Plaza Double Bay : location and hotel excellent. Double Bay very pleasant and accessible, though ferry is currently out of service due to construction. Hotel accomodations and public rooms very nice and concierge service was excellent. Fitness center is tiny and poorly equipped, with some of the equipment out of order the entire week; as you may recall, I moved to this hotel because of on-site fitness center. I pointed this out to management. On balance, the hotel is an unusually good value and location. Didn't go to Blue Mountains, but braved a rental car and took a day at Hunter Valley, which was very enjoyable.
Again, thanks for your help. Hope this information is helpful to you in planning for others. Regards," Alan G., Washington DC, USA (6 May 03)
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Hi Kylie, The holiday was AMAZING ! What can I say, the trip was unforgettable and I loved each place we visited as much as them all. Australia is one fabulous place and I want to visit again very soon.
Peppers Palm Bay Long Island was just like a postcard however my only slight moan would be they overcharge for food and drink (knowing they can get away with it because its the only choice) - however you did warn us of that so we wasn't too suprised..
I want to say what a brilliant job you did of arranging our trip. Everything was organised to perfection and professionally too. I have already recommended you and your company to a friend and will continue to do so. I can't thank you enough Kylie - you are one excellent travel consultant !!!!!
Thank you thank you again and take care, hope to speak to you soon for our next trip." Louise & Nick G., London, UK (4 May 03)
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Hello Zoe, Our holiday was great! We had a very nice time and except for the weather in
Sydney we had everyday sun.
Heron Island was the best and it was a pity to leave there so soon. We 'd like to go back one day. The plane to
Cairns was half an hour earlier then the schedule so luckily we went on time to the airport and we could catch the plane just in time.
Port Douglas was also nice although we didn't like the hotel that much. It was too big for us. We really like more smaller places. What was also not so nice is that they didn't clean the house everyday. Except by paying ofcourse. Port Douglas itself was a very charming city which we 'd liked very much. It was good to stay in Port Douglas and not in Cairns because this was a too big city and to far from the reef.
Sydney was also great. Ths sunbus didn't arrive at first but everything was arranged very quickly after a phonecall. Thank you very much for the good arrangements and I hope to send you a picture as soon as possible. Regards," Saskia G., USA (29 Apr 03)
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Hi Tosh, We had an amazing time at
Palm Cove and on
Hamilton Island. Thanks so much for all you help in making our Honeymoon so enjoyable." Robert S., Hong Kong, China (23 Apr 03)
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Hello Kylie, Thankyou for helping us to have such a wonderful holiday. Everything went well and we are still reeling from the lovely things that we saw. All of the arrangements that you made for us turned out fine. We went to
Cairns on our second week and found the check in for
Virgin Blue was simple.
We were collected from the airport and taken to
Bay Village Tropical Retreat. The hotel was really great and within walking distance of
Cairns centre. We can highly recommend the hotel and their great helpfulness in all things. We spent one week there visiting the
Great Barrier Reef, Kuranda railway and the Flying doctor museum among other things. We all really loved Cairns. It is really unique.
On our return to the
Gold Coast we were collected from the hotel on time and returned to the airport. We have nothing but praise for the whole schedule. We are now over our jet lag and have got most of our photos back. I am sending one of Stan & I in
Sydney. We went to Sydney for 3 days at the end of our holiday. Everwhere was GREAT and we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Our friends who came with us asked me to thankyou on their behalf. Best wishes," Margaret F., London, UK (23 Apr 03)
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Dear Gayle, The four girls had a terrific time in
Hamilton Island. All you arrangements went flawlessly! Thanks for your efforts and I will remember you they next time we travel to Australia. Thanks again," Armand M., Tustin, USA (22 Apr 03)
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Hi Kylie, We are back on London, arrived back late March. Honeymoon was fantastic, everything was absolutely wonderful.
Hayman Island was spectacular, we did nearly all of the activities. ( Water plane rides, scuba, diving, snorkelling & cruises - to name a few). Food was brilliant, although rather on the pricey side (25 dollars for a steak burger!!) I think maybe they've slightly overdosed on the pricing of food. Apart from this, everything else was perfect, and our room was excellent.
It was wise to go to Hayman for 10 nights, as many of the activities were booked days in advance, so if your only there for a couple of days, you could quite easily miss out on some of them.
Qantas flight was great, and the launch service was fab, champers from the minute we arrived, fab!!
Raratonga, was once again fantastic, we were upgraded to the
Grand Beach front seat, it was just perfect. Island tour was great, a real insight into some of their cultural aspects of life.
We found Raratonga to be truly a great place, we will definitely be returning their for more holidays.
Air New Zealand, do not have anything positive to say about them. Flying with them was truly and eye opener! We will never fly with them again, if by choice. Running out of food, running out of drinks, someone smoking on the plane, in their seat at which point they did nothing about, even though every-one was complaining, the person was also grossly intoxicated and was shouting and screaming, they made no effort to ensure the comfort of other passengers.
There are many more things about them, I could go on, but won't because these things did not hinder our fun, it was just a shame they are so bad.
That's about it really Kylie, we just wanted to say, thanks for arranging our honeymoon for us, you did an bloody fantastic job, it's probably the best Travel Agency service I have ever received. Thanks also for the extra little goodies we received. (Bags hats etc.) Anyway hope you have a great easter and maybe speak to you when we book our next holidays. I'm sure you'll hear from us again soon. Take care and thanks for everything. Regards," Damien F., UK (21 Apr 03)
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