Australia and New Zealand are huge countries, yet most people are only able to visit once in their lifetime. At BLUE HORIZON TRAVEL we have found that our clients appreciate traveling with a small group escorted by one of our consultants with advanced “Aussie Specialist” certification who have previously traveled to the destination. We like to add additional on-tour cultural experiences for just our clients. With every Blue Horizon group we plan pre-tour social & educational gatherings and always a fun post-tour photo and memory exchange.
Recently we worked with Collette Tours to accompany 17 “first-timers” to both countries for a 3 week trip. We specifically asked for Peter Camara to be our tour manager as we had worked with him in 2007, and knew his level of expertise. Due to our special relationship with him, our Blue Horizon group was able to share his emails about visas, security for 8 airports, weather patterns, and special group interests PRIOR to departure.
In Sydney we lined up a private Harbor Bridge Climb for 14 with a group photo and video message captured on top of the bridge to put on Facebook! We also toasted our accomplishments atop the Sydney Tower Eye with a much different view of old town Sydney. In the evening Blue Horizon arranged dinner at a “by invitation only” club called Watergrill Kirribilli with two Australian friends known by our agent. Our exclusive group experienced the best nighttime view of illuminated Sydney! Upon arrival in Auckland, New Zealand, Blue Horizon arranged a private dine and learn with a retired New Zealand Supreme Court Justice to discuss landmark legal issues which impact the indigenous Maori population before the group set out for Rotorua the next day.
BLUE HORIZON YACHT CHARTERS offers private crewed yacht charters in the Virgin Islands. A sailing vacation is ideal for singles, couples or families. Every charter is different and unique. Everything is customized for the group according to their time, budget & interests. This summer we had a multigenerational family of five with ages ranging from16 years to 75 with varying interests. After looking at several boats that we offer, they chose the Catamaran Steppin Up with 3 gueen cabins each with their own bath. The family filled out food, drink & activity preference sheets which were sent down to the crew. A personalized menu and suggested itinerary was arranged. Since the kids had never been in the ocean we recommended the family stay their 1st night at Emerald Beach Resort in St. Thomas.
The next day the family boarded their Catamaran in Red Hook and sailed over to Watermelon Bay, St. John, for some snorkeling and anchorage for the evening. In the morning they sailed into the British Virgin Islands; cleared customs at Soper’s Hole in Tortola and got a little taste of island shopping. From there the family with the Captain and his 2 new teenage crew members sailed over to Norman Island for some snorkeling at the Caves and later drinks at the Willy T, a floating bar. Since no one in the group was a scuba diver, activities for the whole week revolved around beaches, snorkeling, paddle boarding, hiking and sailing. Each day with the help of the Captain and our suggestions, the family planned their own activities. Highlights included snorkeling at the Indians; Deadman’s Bay, Peter Island; the Baths on Virgin Gorda; Feeding the Tarpon at Saba Rock; White Beach & the Soggy Dollar Bar, Jost Van Dyke; Prickly Pear Island and the Wreck of the Rhone.
