Make Your Next Trip Extraordinary

Brent and Kathy Larsen holding a Māori pounamu.

Brent and Kathy Larsen hold an heirloom Māori pounamu, made from a type of jade.

Okay, here it is—a straight and true impression of our trip to New Zealand (Aotearoa), using Felicity as our planner through Wendy Perrin: It was simply great. Felicity and her team were awesome. Felicity worked tirelessly with me in designing the perfect trip to share New Zealand with my wife. I had served as missionary for my church as young man 1971-73. I fell in love with the people of New Zealand; the Māori and Polynesians are a fabulous people to work and live with. I wanted my wife to experience that same feeling I have carried in my heart for 52 years.

It was a great honor to be part of the traditional welcoming ceremony inviting us into the tribe and the Māori community, and to hold the pounamu. Dane Tumahai told us that the pounamu club was his great, great grandfather’s, I believe, and has been passed down to the sons for generations. He also stated that his father was a chief within the tribe and had used it in welcoming ceremonies and other ceremonies all of his life. Having lived among the peoples of Aotearoa for 2 years only intensified the feelings of the moment for me personally and for my wife. It was a beautiful and heartwarming experience I will never forget.

Felicity just knocked it out of the ball park. From every detail, from the pre-arrival planning and suggestions to sending a program to review the driving laws of New Zealand, to the last night in Auckland. The hotels, B&Bs, the individual tours, and dinner suggestions were all top class, without breaking the bank. I gave Felicity my budget and what she did with that budget was amazing.

I could not have believed all this was possible! What a WOW trip at every turn. You will not regret it.

Felicity and Ellen did a great job choosing age-appropriate family activities (I have twin 4-year-old boys), recommending excellent restaurants, making on-the-ground and on-the-fly recommendations, and assisting with alternate plans when the weather did not cooperate (which is unfortunately a frequent occurrence in the beautiful South Island). Our time spent at Tamau Pa with Tom Loughlin, as well as in the Marlborough Sounds on the Tutanekai, a private hundred-year-old boat, were especially memorable.

My boys thought seeing the South Island railway bridge collapse (we actually witnessed it) was pretty exciting, as was their mom calling “111.” Our “virtual observatory” at the Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat in Lake Pukakaki was spellbinding. The Mt Cook glacier? Meh. Alaska’s were a lot more impressive.

Traveler Sandra McLaughlin on the Hokitika Gorge suspension bridge, New Zealand.

Sandra McLaughlin on the Hokitika Gorge suspension bridge. Photo: Brendan McLaughlin

Wendy Perrin’s recommended experts curated a magical two-week trip through New Zealand for my wife and I. As first-time visitors, we trusted the experts to combine “must-see” attractions with more unique, off-the beaten path (they say “track”) experiences. Jean-Michel’s office didn’t disappoint.

Felicity Watson and Lynn Paterson checked in with us daily to make sure we were making all our connections and enjoying the accommodations and tours. One memorable morning included a helicopter glacier tour out of Queenstown. When we landed back at the small airport jittery with excitement at what we had seen, our wine tour guide (the amazing Beau Rapley) was waiting to whisk us to the wine country to calm our nerves!

We highly recommend Wendy Perrin’s travel services and plan to use them again soon!

Felicity planned a perfect trip for us. It was our first time in New Zealand and we had no idea how to navigate it all. She planned every single thing and we just had to show up. It was a great mix of free time and activities. We had boat trips that were amazing, our lodges and hotels were incredible and all our tour guides were so knowledgeable. We would not have been able to do near as much or see as much if Felicity had not planned it. Ellen was our point of contact once we arrived and both she and Felicity kept us updated on flights, helicopters and drivers so we always knew where to be. We loved New Zealand and are so grateful to Felicity and Ellen.

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