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Most Australians I know have either been or are going to New Zealand one day:Can you relate to that statement?
Now let’s put this into context…most people stay less than 3 weeks. Spending time in the main centres Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch with perhaps two days in Queenstown.
As you read on I will share my personal experiences as to why New Zealand is the jewel in my travel crown and why it could well become the same for you.
Stunningly Beautiful...thank god you cant see the sandflies!
Let’s start with a little story if I may…
Back in September 09 my son Jason, his partner Lisa and 2 friends went snowboarding in the South Island. I joined them in Wanaka after they drove down from Mt Hutt. Every day there was a fresh dump of snow while at night we enjoyed the great tastes of local food and wine.
One evening our conversation turned to New Zealand as a destination. And this is where it got interesting…you see before Jason and his friends arrived in New Zealand each agreed they were “pretty much over New Zealand” and wouldn’t be back for quite some time.
That is until now…
“What changed you ask?”
The answer…New Zealand.
Ok… I know New Zealand didn’t just change… what I mean is it is constantly changing …man, the Kiwis are forever coming up with new attractions, exciting activities and eating experiences.
I personally have traveled to New Zealand more times than I can remember in the last 30 years and just love sharing my many tips and inside secrets. And that is what I am going to do for you.
But first here is a perspective that will give you some sense of what lies ahead…
My sister and her partner have been exploring New Zealand now for the past 5 years using their bus as a home while branching out on foot, bike or Suzuki 4×4. I will be posting some incredibly beautiful pictures they have snapped over the next couple of weeks. These pictures are from vantage points the main stream traveller often never gets to.
I mention my sister Wendy because when I was last home I asked her how much longer would her and Peter need to complete their New Zealand odyssey? Wendy said we figure it will take us 10 years to fully explore New Zealand.
Probably just like it looked to Captain Cook back in 1769
They are missing so much…just take a look at Queenstown on Google maps…this is the self proclaimed adrenaline capital of the world. What it also has is quaint hidden secrets like the cow shed…which the majority of people miss and to think it is smack in the centre of Queenstown.
I digressed sorry about that. Back to Jason and his friends…in the space of 6 days they had gone from “Over New Zealand” to wanting to buy an investment property in Wanaka (thanks Google maps). All because of what they experienced and the many new attractions they were able to try.
We are not over NZ...just kidding!
My point is that New Zealand is perhaps one of the most underutilized and misunderstood destinations because people simple don’t know how to create a customized travel plan so they can optimize their time, budget and experiences.
So I am going to do something about right here…
- Over the next couple of weeks I will walk you in detail through how we would go about planning memorable travel just as though you sitting in front of me in to our office.
- I will include video travel tips.
- I will share the 6 key questions that I guarantee once you consider these questions you will feel very comfortable in either going to New Zealand for the first time or revisiting with a renewed sense of adventure.
Finally I will bring it all together with a webinar that condenses everything into one easily to follow system covering the car hire, motor home and coach travel. It will be obvious just what is best for you.
Of course you can ask any questions you have about your travel so please use the comments area to ask away.
Until we next meet…“when I share the very first question all travelers must ask themselves” and doubt you can guess what it is.
Here is a thought…why not write you think my very first question could be in the comments box and I will give away a $50 travel vouchure for each correct answer. So be sure to leave your email.
That’s it for today.
Enjoy all things good.
John C Spark
Expert Travel Planner
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13% happy to sleep with strangers on flights
Really!!!
Couldn’t help myself when I saw this headline…
Just had to ask your thoughts.
First here in part is what I recently read in an article …
13% of people would be happy to share a Skycouch with a stranger they met in queue, according to the latest poll from flight comparison site Skyscanner.
The Skycouch, which has been developed by Air New Zealand, works by converting a row of three airline seats into a bed. It is being heralded as the first ‘lie-down economy bed’, and the first major improvement in economy class travel comfort in 20 years.
Now I for one would be very happy to see some more comfort in economy.
It goes on…
Three seats must be purchased together, with the third seat offered at a discounted rate. Each of the seats has a cushion that folds up from beneath, and arm rests all tuck away, creating a flat mattress that will allow two adults to stretch out.
Stretch out…you certainly get my vote!
73% of the people who voted in Skyscanner’s poll said that they would happily pay the extra for a Skycouch, of which 60.5% said they would share with their partner. 25% said that they wouldn’t pay the extra and would rather save their money.
Nearly 500 people voted in the poll, and the overall results show that Air New Zealand’s innovation is a winner with long haul flyers and a lucrative move for the airline.
Where is this taking us…must say I certainly would have to give a lot of thought before considering this option…with a complete stranger…mmm. Nah …cant see me doing it myself.
What about you?
Lets see what others are thinking shall we…take the pole…might be surprising.
(polls)
That’s it for today just a quickly…as I said really could not help myself when I read that article.
Cheers
John C Spark
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"A big thankyou to all my clients"
Kelly Spinks can certainaly be considered an expert travel planner after recently being awarded the the top revenue consultant for Jetset in Australia for the 2nd year in a row.
Kelly and her team at Jetset Albany have won many awards over the years in recognition for work well done. But this one was extra special so…
To celebrate I cooked a special lunch which we shared as a team.
Kelly is not one for the spot light, in fact I consider her a rather modest person who has achieved incredible results for her clients since she became a travel planner just over 10 years ago. So when I said I wanted to feature her along with a photo and video…well let’s just say Kelly agreed!!!
When Kelly was approached recently by a local newspaper reporter and asked what is her secret, she said it is simple really…PASSION... “I love travel” and everytime I help clients I think of how can I make this travel special.
Kelly goes on to say…let face it anyone can book travel…however, what I love to do is create an experience…something that you will be excited to talk about for years to come.
Kelly’s passion and love of travel stems from her own extensive travel experiences gained in places like Antarctica, Africa, Nepal, China, Vietnam, Eygpt, Canada, USA and Europe…just to mention a few places dear to Kelly.
Travel Planners are expert at asking questions.
Next, she says you must ask the right questions while listening carefully to your responses. Many times people come in thinking they would to do one thing and then end up choosing something completely different. Because through Kelly’s expert questions and knowledge they discovered an even more rewarding option.
Has this ever happened to you while researching your travel plans…if so please feel free to share. We would love know more.
I could go on but really I just wanted to say that we are so proud of Kelly and what she does for her clients.
Thanks for allowing me my little Kelly indulgence…I just could not keep this to myself.
Until next …
enjoy good things.
John C Spark
Expert Travel Planner
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I want to start right off and say I may risk offending you by posting a Valentines message…SORRY…that is not my intention.
There are times in our lives when…well we simple don’t feel like putting too much meaning to Valentines Day.
http://www.youtube.com/v/0h_3b9elHQg
That’s perfectly fine. I understand.
But don’t let this be your reason to leave without watching the video…this is not about a romantic message to our loved one…well there is just a brief mention. Rather though, I am sharing with you my personal experience over the weekend which has several messages on how anyone even you can gain more from travel…it includes:
The Commissioner Of Police, a delightful hidden restaurant on a main highway and enjoying life now!
Perhaps the best part to me is that most of us think of travel as a major event on our calender…it need not be such and it can still bring much satisfaction and enjoyment.
My video was inspired in part by The Commissioner Of Police and in part from the quaint beautiful surrounds of the Old Kent River restaurant location
You are probably wonder why would I have video camera with me when I go to restaurants. Well we don’t for local…but if we are heading out of town then Nilla and I like to keep our eye out for unique interesting locations so we can shot travel tips that tie in with the setting.
Travel is not a job to us…it is our passion as is sharing what we have learnt to make a difference to your travel.
In coming posts Nilla and will share many life changing stories we have personally experienced as well as numerous one’s from client’s.
Of course it does not stop here…oh on…we want your story or if you don’t have one…then tell us what you would like to experience from travel. You never know we just be as we have in many others lives the catalyst that makes it happen for you.
OK…if you haven’t yet please go and check out the video…then leave a comment.
My aim today was to share with you how anyone can get some powerful easy to apply insight’s for life…within a short drive from your home.
it works for me…what about you?
Until next time…
enjoy good things.
John C Spark
Expert Travel Planner
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"I think I will stick to being a travel agent"
Hello again great to see you back…you have probably read my first introductory post telling you a little about my journey. If not just go back and have a read….
Now that you know a little bit more about me, I will continue my story so you will have a better understanding of who I am and the reason why I am so passionate about travel.
My story continues…
Back in 2005 I was in Perth undergoing Radiotherapy, (which was a result of having been diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2004), away from my travel agency, family, friends and my home for over 8 weeks. The procedure required me to visit the hospital each morning for 10 minutes for my radiation treatment, which was emotionally more painful than physically debilitating (my skin was red and tender…radiation burn!!!)
I found myself with plenty of free time to rest and catch up with people whom I would not have normally seen as I live five hours south of Perth, a positive in all that is before us.
I really enjoyed the opportunity to have lots of coffee’s, meeting people for lunch or dinner and as usual the conversations would end up being around travel, travelling or wanting to travel, a great way to take my mind off what was happening!!!
What this meant was that I could share my extensive travel knowledge and hard earnt skills to good use without having the pressure of me making the bookings or my friends feeling like they had to book their travel with me.
As a result John and I discussed that this might be a good business idea to embellish on.
Unfortunately because of how I was emotionally and mentally this did not come to fruition
Five years later and a little bit wiser, John and I have re-looked at how this concept could work, as it would be a shame to not share my 30 years of knowledge, wisdom and love of travel. I want others to benefit from an award winning travel planner who has owned several award winning travel agencies.
Travel has developed into far more than a business… it is my passion and the vehicle I now know serves my lifes purpose…
“To lead, inspire and make a difference”.
Each week I will share with you my personal journey in travel, how it has inspired me, and how I have helped many of my clients achieve some life changing travel journeys…
This has been very Powerful…
Travel has as many opportunites, challenges and most of all, massive rewards…may I share with you one experience that had a powerful impact upon my thinking, while opening my eyes to the beauty and sincerity of another people and their culture… this happened on one of my trips to Peru where I was asked by the village Vice President to be god mother to his precious daughter, Benedicta.
Huilloq is Benedicta’s beautiful village which is nestled high in the mountains near Cusco and the Inca trail. This is another amazing story that I will share with you soon..
Travel has taught me so much and I feel that it is the most incredible learning tool. It teaches you about yourself, other peoples cultures, food, communication and the list goes on.
John and I will be sharing our passion and insights into how travel can change your life… just like it has ours. So you may want to keep an eye on www.yourspiritualjourneys.com as well.
Phew!!! I think that is enough for now…for those of you that know me…know that I can talk for hours without taking breathe, looks like I’m doing the same here…
Yes…there is more so keep in tuned to the next exciting episode of Nilla’s travel tales!!!
Thankyou for being part of our lives and I look forward to hearing you say…“thankyou for introducing me to the hidden wonders of travel via www.yourtravelplanners.com“
Love and blessings
Nilla Spark
Expert Travel Planner
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“To lead, inspire and make a difference in people lives through travel”
Hello my name is Nilla Spark and I am so excited to be able to share with you each week my extensive travel experiences.
To say I love travel and what it can do for any of us is a gross understatement…you see travel has changed how I look at life.
What really excites me…is when I help others to also experience the wonder of travel. It is the most rewarding feeling when a customer returns barely able to contain themselves as they enthusiastically pour out their own unique journey’s every detail.
I am getting ahead of myself here…please know that I will be writing every week with tips, planning ideas, and of course answering your pressing questions.
Perhaps though you might like to discover a little more about Nilla Spark and what makes me so enthused about your travel.
…I started my travel journey way back in 1974 when I went on a 21 day South Pacific cruise and I haven’t stopped travelling since…wow!!! That is 36 years ago, I’m really not that old am I?
As a result of my love of travel, people, food and cultures I embarked on making “travel” my life and lived my passion.
In 1979 I enrolled at TAFE to study at night for 3 years, and I graduated with a Certificate in Travel Operations, and during that time studying I became involved in the travel industry.
My first introduction to travel was in 1980 at the Jetset Headoffice, where I started off as a receptionist.
I was soon promoted to the ticket office (at that time that was a very elite department), then I was poached (by my lecturer actually) and so I went to work for my lecturer’s travel agency in 1982. This is where my true love for travel consulting began. To be able to sit with a person and help them realize their travel dreams was an incredible feeling, and I still today love watching people’s faces when we plan a trip of a lifetime and then to see them when they return full of amazing stories… this fills my heart with glee.
It was during that time that I met and fell in love with my husband John, John saw the love and the passion I had for the travel industry so we decided in 1985 to start our own travel agency. We actually purchased it with a credit card…amazing when I look back on it…remind to share this story one day. Now 25 years later and with several award winning agencies in Perth and acknowledged nationally for our achievements, we are still involved in the industry…and loving it even more.
Do you like the idea you could tap into a rich vein that has 30 years worth of travel knowledge at any time of the day or night 7 days a week? Tell me you think in the comments below. I would appreciate that.
Tomorrow I will continue the journey.
Before I sign off is there something about travel you always wanted to know? If so go ahead and ask me…I promise if I do not have first hand knowledge I will research the answer and post it here.
Thanks for being a reader of yourtravelplanners.com. Please know that we encourage dialog as together our combined experiences will “lead, inspire and make a difference to others”.
I want my posts to be meaningful…I promise to be guided by your feedback in the comments.
To your better travel…
always,
Nilla Spark
Expert Travel Planner
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Steady as she goes Captain
Or said another way …“Here’s How To Select An Amazing, Enjoyable Cruise…every time”
Follow these simple cruise industry secrets which are proven to hold true for all types of travelers.
- Take a short duration cruise if in any doubt what so ever about a cruise…it is much better to get off a cruise wishing it were longer than to have stayed to long.
- Find a cabin in mid ship as it is generally the area of a ship with least motion from the ocean…be careful not to be over the disco or theatre though. Also keep away from lift’s as you will hear them all hours of the day and night.
- Choose an itinerary you really find interesting…then find the ship that best matches your style and budget. This will not always be as easy as it may seem. Be flexible!
- Most people think they never spend much time in their cabins…think again it is your home while your are at sea. Your budget will govern your cabin to some decree…that’s fine…where possible get a balcony cabin as not only will it come with more comforts but also it may include special on board credits as part of the deal.
- A very popular MYTH…Busted…you are unlikely to get bored!!! Want proof…90% of first time cruise passenger’s take another cruise. No more to say about that one.
- I get sea sick in the bath…so I can’t cruise. If you are willing to take some medication and consider a cruise with an itinerary that may be mostly in calmer waters you will be fine. Also refrain from drinking too much water or liquids…it will slush around in your stomach. Instead eat some bread.
- OK so you not into medication for sea sickness…but you still want to cruise…then stay tuned for what I promise will be an unbelievable highly effective no medication sea sickness cure. I will be making a short video of a charter yacht skipper with 30 years sailing experience and he will share his fail safe sea sickness cure later this week. DO NOT MISS THIS VIDEO if you are concerned about sea sickness.
That about covers the first part of “How you can select a really great cruise” On my next post I share :“What’s hot in the cruise world right now”
In the mean time why not share your tip on how you were able to find and enjoy a wonderful cruise?
Or if you had a shocker of a cruise tell me that as well. My worse cruise experience involved being denied boarding in Acapulco in Mexico…remind me to share that with you one day…some good lesson’s learnt.
Spoil yourself with rewarding travel
John C Spark
Expert Travel Planner
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Well...what do you think of the South Pole?
Approximately 40,000 South Pole tourists in 2009 were either ignoring or ignorant of claimed scientific evidence that supports they contributed through the cruise ships they traveled on to increasing CO 2 emissions in this pristine environment.
Firstly I think we need to ask…“can scientists be believed when it comes to travel destination advice?”
Now I want to say I do not know if the studies done by Michiel Lamers, a Dutch Scientist reflect a true picture or not. I am a travel agent not a scientist.
What does interest me though is whether people will knowingly travel to destinations even when they understand that their very presence may in fact be contributing to it’s destruction.
Over the years many people have come into our business wanting to visit somewhere before it is too late or not permitted. I have been guilty on a personal level of supporting such travel by offering travel advice. Now I wonder…was this the right thing to do?
What would you do in my position if someone asked you to arrange travel to the South Pole?
Maybe you can share whether you would personally take such a journey to a threatened destination…
Remember Your Travel Planners is here to help you make even better informed travel decisions…the key is sharing to gain.
Until next time…
enjoy all things good.
John C Spark
Expert Travel Planner
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Can package travel really offer you better value in tough economic times…Club Med Holiday’s think so
You may want to give this some consideration as to what it could mean for your next holiday?
So how is it then that a company like Club Med which offers all inclusive holiday packages can be enjoying growth from all over Australia in these tough times?
Let me quote Gwenola Hanaut Marketing manger for Club Med in Australia…
“Families are recognising a Club Med holiday allows them to budget, pre-pay in Australian dollars, and more importantly, stick to that budget on holiday, because it is all included, so there can be no nasty surprises at the end,”
Nobody likes nasty surprises right?
Interestingly this highlights why cruise and coach tours are also enjoying great popularity of late…few of us spend less that what we planned on a trip.
I am sharing this with you that even though you may feel a little restricted with a preplanned and paid for type of holiday because it could be just the ticket to reducing budgeting worries.
You may also be interested to learn that often times the prepaid travel can be more affordable because the supplier gets bulk rates. As an example a coach company will lock in a whole years projected bookings which usually represents a large dollar value comapered to a single booking rate. The Hotel not only gives them a great rate but will also go above the call of duty to keep you pleased so that they get the ongoing coach companies booking year after year.
Now if the coach company is really smart they will pay the Hotel either early or ahead of the expected payment date which is very good for the Hotels cash flow. But even better for you because they have an extra reason to please you as it directly impacts cash flow.
Grandpacific Tours is one such company that without giving away too much adopts a policy along the lines of paying earlier…the result is rave reports from clients who are impressed because of the high level of personal attention they get on tour from Hoteliers and attraction suppliers that are keen to impress Grandpacific tours. After all few companiespay there bills on time let a lone early.
Maybe you are considering a New Zealand Holiday then check out one of thier most popular tours of New Zealand here www.newzealandcoachtours.com
Before you go…have you got any experinces with pre paid package travel that supports or refutes Club Med’s claim to offering better value?
Let me know if you have a hot topic or pressing concern when it comes to planning travel.
Cheers
John C Spark
Expert Travel Planner
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