sycamore

What are some of the best tour companies doing both Australia and New Zealand? Right now we are consdidering the Australian Pacific Touring (APT) 21 day Royal Escorted tour. We have looked at the brochures for Odysees Unlimited and Overseas Adventure Travel.
Thanks so much!

Orlando_Vic

APT does a very good job, but a 21-day escorted trip will involve significant regimentation and little free time. The schedule is tight and that means that individuality is sacrificed. That is the trade-off for efficiency of touring. Last year we took a 14-day escorted trip of NZ and we saw a lot, but had very little free time for such things as just walking around, shopping or even doing our laundry at night. When one person on the bus catches a cold, almost everyone else gets it too, and there is little chance to buy tissues, cough drops or OTC cold medication.

On the other hand, Australia and NZ are very easy to navigate for English-speaking visitors and you can customize your trip to suit your interests, if you travel independently.

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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

prue

We have just returned from a three week tour of New Zealand with Grand Pacific Tours - it was an excellent tour with plenty of spare time for exploring, shopping etc. and yet we felt we had also had a very thorough touring time.

ElendilPickle

I haven't been to Australia, but it's pretty easy to get around New Zealand on your own - unless you have a particular reason for wanting a tour.

Lee Ann

Orlando_Vic

sycamore, I couldn't tell from your profile where you live, but if it is the U.S. and you belong to Costco, Costco Travel will take 10% off the brochure price of the 21-day escorted tour you are considering. Offer is good until 3/31/12. http://www.costcotravel.com/#13_____...PacificTouring

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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie