New Zealand Self Drive Tour Reviews

We just returned home yesterday as we continued our travels on to Melbourne after leaving New Zealand. Our time on the South Island absolutely exceeded expectations, from the phenomenal natural beauty of the country to the amazing activities, complimented by the warm hospitality of everyone we encountered - starting with you! I'll complete the survey and forward photos. I regret that we didn't have the opportunity to meet you so that we could personally thank you. Of course, I won't hesitate to refer family and friends to you for their travel planning to New Zealand.

phenomenal

Kindest regards,

Naomi, Michael & Tracy Nakata USA

Dear Sofie,

Thank you for the amazing itinerary. We had a really blessed trip, and I am very grateful for all of your hard work, and everyone we have met are just fantastic. We look forward to working together with First Light Travel again at some point.

Elicia and Erik Vik - USA

We were truly blessed to have Jo Taylor handle our arrangements, because there is so much about New Zealand that we didn't know. Add to that the earthquake, and we really felt fortunate to have all of our changes made by a professional person, in short order. Another benefit relates to the attractions and lodgings matching or surpassing our expectations. We went on a glow-worm tour by Waitamo, where we were the only customers on the tour. The guide had worked at the larger place, and his family started their own company to provide more personal service. To add even more to that, the farm that we stayed at had their own glow-worm site, where we walked down a short path, to see them on our own. We had a marvelous time, with the great beauty of New Zealand, the warmth and friendliness of the Kiwis, and having so many details sorted out by Jo. Thanks so much for all that you did!!

Diana & Tom Knodt - USA

First Light Travel made planning our first trip to New Zealand easy and within my budget. Our trip was absolutely amazing and I look forward to working with First Light Travel for a return visit when I plan my next vacation!

Tom and Cassandra Postler USA

This was a very professional and transparent experience. There were no hidden fees or secrets and all the activities and accommodations were just as we expected. No surprises (except for the champagne in some of the rooms for our honeymoon) and that is just how we like it! It was just the right pace for us and all the activities were up to our standards. We had an amazing time and would go back in heartbeat!

Brendan Jensen and Amber Beckley - USA

My daughter and I have taken a once in a lifetime trip every summer to experience what the earth has to provide us. We decided on New Zealand with First Light Travel after speaking with many other agents. Mr. Howell had the perfect plan for us to travel the North Island in a weeks time. Driving New Zealand was beautiful and extremely easy to travel from country road through the beautiful green hills and along the beach towns on the upper east coast.

They planned every day with an exciting adventure and accommodations were perfect! Contact through email was very easy to correspond different ideas of the trip. Could not ask for a better experience of New Zealand!

Thank you for the memories!

Robert Ecker - USA

We we feel so lucky to have traveled to your beautiful country "New Zealand . The Milford track ( Fjordland NP South Island) is the best and greatest walk in the world. No doubt about that. 
First light travel is a reliable , very experienced company , with excellent tips and advice. Organising , the best custom- made -trips is their challenge: And they are good at it.

Thank you Judith and First Light Travel for your fantastic advice and dedication to make this trip the best we ever made. 

Groet Marcel - Rotterdam

Hi Amelia! 

I tried uploading this on the feedback form and it said the file was too big…if you need/want more pics I’m happy to send, but here is a good group shot from the trip. We loved every minute!
Thanks,

Marla Finley - USA

Dear Jo:

Greetings from Washington DC !

My wife and I were extremely happy and comfortable with all the arrangements and bookings you had made for us. After months of back and forth, you and I managed to plan out a perfect trip with a mix of outings and relaxation as we had desired. And we really got a great experience of the beauty of NZ and the friendliness of the Kiwis. You have gained our confidence and respect.

Each accomodation you recommended was different and yet so perfect. We enjoyed Mt. Cook and you were so very right that its a misconception that the road would be hilly and winding. Far from it -- very enjoyable drive and the weather throughout our trip was perfect, except the last day in Auckland when we had some rain.
Saw the FirstLight office across from the Waldorf. Wanted to leave you a note but the main door was locked. I took the liberty of calling your mobile number on a Sunday, and left a long message. Trust it was not improper for me to do so. It was indeed a great pleasure talking to your over the phone midway through our trip.

Whether we will ever make another trip to NZ is an unknown but in you we have found a friendly relationship that we can cherish over the coming 
years; and if you ever are coming to USA, do feel free to let us know.

With kind regards,

Rohit Mehta - USA

First Light Travel gave us the vacation of our dreams. We knew that winter was not the best season to plan sightseeing in New Zealand, that we had limited time, and that we were making things awkward with requiring a trip to Napier (wonderful town) to see family, and having our daughter join us for the last 4 days, but Shelley was up to the task! She created the kind of trip that we will be boring our friends with for years! 

The country of New Zealand does a pretty good job of stealing your heart without too much help, but Shelley added the experience by finding tours that were run by locals, often smaller operations, that really added the personal touch. The innate friendliness of Kiwis themselves makes you feel like a continuously honored guests, but the vendors chosen by Shelley and First Light added layers of professionalism along with local Kiwi charm - and the beauty of going off-season meant that we often had the guides to ourselves. Shelley even made a point of my awkward diet, and not once was I made to feel as if it was a problem. Little touches like having soy milk in the fridge at the B&B makes all the difference! We will be recommending First Light Travel - and using them again ourselves - for years to come!

Bridget Bryson - United States