Review Time
From the moment I talked to Garry, I knew I was in good hands. He asked all the right questions to create the perfect itinerary for my needs. I had the time I needed for visiting family and friends, and Garry also booked me on some amazing tours that I never would have found on my own. A luxury cruise in Sydney Harbour? Not what I would think of as my "style," but they made me feel like royalty--quite a treat. The tour of Phillip Island was something I never would have thought of myself, and it was a highlight of the trip.
Having never used a travel agency and traveled over 10 million air miles, we chose Swain since we had never been “down under”. The visit to New Zealand & Australia were planned very well and we had excellent guides with a special thanks to Maureen from Canterbury Trails who found alternative activities and kept us entertained when our Akaroa harbor cruise was cancelled. Mt. Cook, including accommodations, food & star gazing were magnificent. The Sydney harbor cruise with Sydney Princess Cruises was with picturesque stops, great seaside tables & food. Thank you to Amy who made it all happen. My only misgivings: I wish we had made our trip longer!
With the support of the team, we crafted a month-long journey to Australia and New Zealand filled with adventures, stops, and logistical challenges. The outcome exceeded our expectations. Background - We are a family of six, including a 2-year-old. We required transportation, accommodations, and a schedule that would satisfy everyone. We visited four cities/areas in Australia, and then my husband and I traveled to New Zealand, exploring both the South and North Islands. Highlights:
- All logistics were seamless and nearly perfect. Any issues were swiftly resolved.
- The team maintained constant communication to confirm all arrangements and keep us on track - this was greatly appreciated!
- Most tours were extraordinary, though a few were average and the weather had some influence. The New Year's Eve Cruise in Sydney was spectacular (adults only).
Sydney Bridge Climb was a highlight.
The Dart River Speed Boat in New Zealand was amazing.
Glow Worm Caving and Tubing was a fantastic experience.
The Hobbiton Movie set was a blast, even for those not into Hobbit lore.
We enjoyed various hikes in New Zealand and around Australia, especially near Sydney and Manly Beach. We opted not to drive, so we had drivers arranged everywhere. Most were excellent, even if a couple were a bit chatty, and all arrived on time. They also provided great vehicles that accommodated all our luggage. All hotels were ideally located, allowing us to easily walk to attractions and navigate the area. I wholeheartedly recommend collaborating with the team for travels in Australia and New Zealand, and I may consider other destinations with them in the future.
Incredible Anniversary Getaway
We enjoyed an unforgettable 3-week anniversary trip to Australia, all thanks to the service. We experienced a wonderful mix of cities and nature, and I realized my dream of scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef. The personalized trip plan ensured I didn't miss any crucial experiences. The team meticulously organized every detail, allowing us to relax without worrying about transportation, destinations, or activities. Each location contributed to our celebration, making the experience thoroughly enjoyable. During our stay, we received timely text updates about departures, tours, and drivers, keeping us informed. Our travel consultant curated some fantastic accommodations and skillfully balanced our diverse interests with opportunities for relaxation. I couldn’t have managed this trip without her expertise and support. The service came highly recommended by a friend, and I wholeheartedly extend that recommendation to anyone planning to visit Australia or New Zealand (hoping for our next adventure with them soon!).
The representative worked hard to create the itinerary we desired, and the support team provided fantastic communication throughout our journey. Some of the accommodations were truly exceptional, while a few did not meet our expectations in terms of quality, location, views, sound levels, amenities, and customer service. Most tours were as anticipated, and the transfers were perfectly arranged, especially when we faced flight delays. We always felt supported!
This was our second African safari trip planned by Swain within a 10 year period. It was our dream to return to Africa to share what I still call "the trip of my lifetime", this time with our adult children. Now we can add many exclamation points to that and our children feel the same.This trip focused on South Africa and Botswana and once again, Swain, Kathryn, and her team listened to our goals and built a perfect itinerary! From planning to lodge selections, air travel to in-country coordination, every detail was thoughtfully managed and executed. We experienced one episode of lost baggage for 4 of the 6 of us and thought we could manage it ourselves, however when a 24 hour delay started to become 48 hrs we called Swain and Deidre from the local office jumped on it and worked her immediate magic. Her communication was incredible and we were reunited with our bags closer to 24 hours! Huge appreciation from all of us!The broader Swain "team" including drivers, guides and airport coordinators were all excellent. Our son commented on how much he enjoyed learning about the local culture even during a short interaction from several of these folks. We have recommended Swain to several friends and will confidently continue to do so! Thank you Kathryn, and the greater Swain team for creating a truly memorable family adventure.
Our 16 day trip to South Africa was meticulously planned and executed. We were treated to first class everything from the moment we stepped off the plane. Our guides, the meals(we had some challenging food restrictions in our group), the accommodations, the personalized touches, our experiences both in Capetown and in the bush exceeded our expectations. We had a passport snafu that could have disrupted our trip but the team responded quickly and handled it seamlessly. Our group of 6 were blown away by this epic adventure. Shout out to Kat Mccue for all her work coordinating this life changing trip.
Our two week trip to Australia was perfect. The Swain team locked down every detail, coordinated everything, and booked incredible lodging with fabulous food. The tour guides they chose for our various experiences were fantastic as well. This is our second time using Swain Destinations. The first time was for a trip to South Africa. I will use them again for New Zealand.
Claim your business profile now and gain access to all features and respond to customer reviews.
Master Designers of Luxury Travel for over 35 Years
Swain Destinations is the respected leader in customized luxury vacations. Our culture of integrity, value, and personal service has earned us the reputation of the "Luxury Traveler's Choice."
Nothing we do is cookie-cutter. We have access to places and excursions that can only come with time, relationships, and experience. Whether you desire private touring, reclusive accommodation or a fully-guided holiday, allow one of our knowledgeable and dedicated experts to assist you in creating your most memorable "Luxury with Heart" vacation.See more
nadracardcentre.co.uk
ciaoitalytours.com
hajjumrahpackage.com
climaxnature.com
easyglobalvisa.co.uk
wheelandanchor.ca
pelago.co
alhudatours.com
emiratesvisaonline.com
travelopod.com