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Meet Joni, one of our travel experts for New Zealand.
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Born in the Southwest, raised in the Northwest, I have called the South Pacific home for over 30 years. I founded J2 Travels in the late 1990s to share our knowledge with other like minded travelers – remembering always, that the joy is in the journey. I currently live on Maui, I'm endorsed by IATA, and am a member of the Fiji, Tahiti and New Zealand Tourism Boards.
Testimonials from Joni's clients:
"I want to say a big THANK YOU!! We had the most amazing time on our trip. Everything was wonderful. We absolutely loved Queenstown. We took the bus out to Milford Sound and then took a helicopter back as you suggested. It was raining the whole way out there but then the rain disappeared so we saw so many waterfalls it was breathtaking! We also went horseback riding in Glenorchy (well, I did – Pete got sick!) and that was amazing. The drive out there was beautiful and the ride itself was really fun. We tried to go skydiving but unfortunately it cancelled twice because of the winds. We also went jetboating,and spent a lot of time in the restaurants and bars in town. We then spent a few hours in Nelson and went out to Bleinhem for a day and did some wine-tasting, which was a lot of fun. When we were in Motueka we spent sometime relaxing and then did an 8 hour kayak/hike through Abel Tasman, which was truly amazing…and tiring! We spent a lot of our time in Rotorua just hanging out at the hotel and relaxing because it was just so beautiful, but we did go to hell’s gate which was really neat. In Auckland we spent a day walking around and then played golf one day. We also went to dinner at the Mudbrick restaurant in Waiheke which was great.
And on to Fiji...it was amazing! We loved Tokoriki. It was a beautiful spot and the Fijian people that worked there were so warm and friendly. The honeymoon bure that we stayed in was absolutely amazing, and we spent a lot of time just hanging out in our plunge pool. We also went snorkeling a few times, which was great. The food was also really good. As for the seaweed, there was definitely a fair bit of seaweed around and a slight smell of it, but it really wasn’t a big problem. After the first day we didn’t even think about it. I would definitely recommend Tokoriki to others, and would love to go back someday.
Thank you again for all of your help. We will definitely let our friends and family know how great you were when they head off to NZ / Fiji!
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- Megan & Pete
Testimonials from Joni's clients:
"We had a fantastic time in Fiji. Qamea was particularly wonderful-rustic, authentic, beautiful, and communal. Staff members were incredibly friendly and always very accommodating. Namale was spectacular and definitely more upscale. Our bure was so elegant and we had a private deck overlooking the ocean that was phenomenal. We appreciated the remoteness and feel of Qamea over Namale, however, so we were delighted to have been there longer. I would certainly recommend Qamea to anyone traveling to that area of the world.
Thanks again for arranging this remarkable trip. It was incredibly unique and one we will remember always. We're both grateful to you.
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- Naomi & Matt
Testimonials from Joni's clients:
"The Four Seasons Maui and your recommendations for the other island resorts we visited were wonderful. The Four Seasons Maui is impeccable, as we also enjoyed the Halekulani on Oahu and the Hyatt at Poipu on Kauai.
Thank you so much for your attention to detail, your availability every step of the way planning our honeymoon and assisting our guests. Your surprise gifts to us and our guests were extra special touches, and I can't rave enough about you. Even through the most stressful times I endured, you always kept your calm and made sure we were taken care of. You went above and beyond for us, going to the Four Seasons to take pictures of the construction before we got there for the wedding so we would be prepared, calling around to local stores to help me find items for gift baskets, giving us the scoop on where to shop, eat, etc.-all in such great detail as well!
You really are a true, experienced travel agent that doesn't just book trips, but travels to and knows the areas and resorts in which you book your clients and you become a trusted friend. It is with the utmost gratitude we write this in appreciation for everything you did to help make our honeymoon dreams come true for us and our guests.
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- Michelle & Scott
Testimonials from Joni's clients:
"We are now home and slowly acclimating to reality. We had the most fabulous time on our holiday and want to thank you for seeing to it that every little detail was well planned, organized, and executed. We feel you really listened to our desires and planned "THE PERFECT" holiday...thank you so very much. We will definitely call you again and have recommended you to several of our friends. It is obvious that you really know both New Zealand and Fiji as I'm sure you know the other locations you book for your clients, I especially liked how you found locations that were less "touristy" and more reflective of the countries we were visiting...just as I requested. Thank you!"
- Randy and Teresa
Testimonials from Joni's clients:
"Kurstan and I had the most amazing time on our trip to Maui. The wedding went off without a hitch, even though when we arrived at the house that we rented for the occasion there were hurricane strength winds. They died down in just enough time to get the flower circle in a perfect place overlooking the ocean and everything went according to plan. The ceremony was thoughtful and such a happy time for us as well as Kurstan's mom and Jack who seemed pleased with the arrangements as well.
As for the honeymoon, that was a vacation of a lifetime. I have never been as happy as I was on this trip. The hotel was lovely and the service was fantastic. Our room was more spacious than I imagined and the view was breathtaking. The hotel itself was beautiful from the lounges to the restaurants to the pool area to the beach. The beach was the best that we saw on the island.
Also, Joni, you were so helpful in getting everything arranged with us and Kurstan's mom. It was difficult for us not having ever been to Maui figuring out where to stay and what to do, but you were more than helpful in making this a trip that will be remembered throughout our lives. What a way to start a marriage!
And, thank you for the champagne you sent to our room upon our arrival. It was such a great way to start our trip.
Thank you so much for everything, and we'll definitely contact you for any help we need with travel in the future.
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- Heather & Kurstan
Testimonials from Joni's clients:
"Lisa and I had a magical experience at Qamea and everything was wonderful! You prepared us perfectly and all the details were worry free. We had a beautiful sunny day outdoor wedding in Michigan and then whisked away to paradise.
Thank you does not fully communicate our appreciation and we will be sending you referrals at every opportunity. We will be in touch soon and again, sincere thanks and warm regards!
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- Scott & Lisa
Testimonials from Joni's clients:
"Hey Joni! Thanks so much for checking in. We had an awesome time! Best vacation ever!! Would love to talk with you about everything, let me know when is good for you? We really want to go back, maybe in a few years.
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- Traci
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Taste Marlborough Tour
A fabulous new full day tour of the Marlborough wine region specialising in stunning wine and food experiences, behind the scenes tours, winemaker hosted tastings and special reserve grade wines. Taste Marlborough has been created for visitors who love great wine and those who want to learn more about the region, the wineries, the wines and the people who create them.
Each winery experience has been specially created and privately hosted away from the public areas. You will not only receive fabulous private service but you will also get to see areas of the winery that are not normally accessible.
Taste Marlborough tours through a select number of boutique and iconic wineries, a group of wineries selected for their history, fabulous service and stunning range of wines. They are also a group of wineries where you will get to meet great people who know wine and love sharing their passion for wine. Wineries in the tour include Auntsfield Estate, Te Whare Ra, Cloudy Bay and Nautilus, with time out for a divine lunch at Drylands winery restaurant*.
* Please note that all the wineries included can and do change on certain days as we are very dependant on availability of winemakers and senior wine staff. Where required we will substitute for other wineries that can also provide a stunning wine experience.
Our Wine Tour Itinerary for Taste Marlborough
9.45am Collection from your accomodation in Blenheim and around the Marlborough wine region. (please contact us for details of Picton collections).
Start the day with a visit to the boutique winery of Te Whare Ra where owners and winemakers Jason and Anna Flowerday have built a strong reputation on aromatic whites and divine Pinot Noir. Today we will get to see behind the scenes with a tour through the winery and a selection of special tastings along the way. Founded in 1979, Te Whare Ra Wines is the oldest boutique winery in Marlborough. The name, that translates from Maori to mean 'The House in the Sun' It reflects the climate around Renwick, in the heart of the Wairau Valley wine-growing district.
The a tour around the vineyards at Auntsfield. We are taking you back to where it all started. Auntsfield Estate is the home of Marlborough's first colonial vineyard and winery. The original vineyard was established in 1873 and the original cellar in the hillside can still be viewed today. Now over 100 years later, under the watchful eye of the Cowley family, the vineyard has been re-established and produces a stunning range of wines. Todays tour will take us up to view the old cellar and then to the brand new cellar door for a tasting of the range of wines.
Iconic Cloudy Bay is our next stop for a structured wine tasting of the range of world renown wines. This privately hosted wine tasting takes the group away from the public areas to your own private tasting room, a very exclusive and enjoyable tasting. Described as the 'quintessential expression' of Marlborough, Cloudy Bay has a world wide reputation for stunning wines.
After a morning of stunning wines its time to really 'Taste Marlborough' with lunch at the Drylands winery restaurant. Enjoy fresh local produce and local wines in a delightful setting. (lunch at clients own cost). Drylands offers a extensive daily menu along with wines from Nobilo, Selaks and Kim Crawford.
After lunch we depart through to Nautilus Estate winery for one last special tasting. Enjoy fabulous hospitality with a private tasting in the specially designed Pinot Cellar. Enjoy tasting Pinot Noir directly from the barrel, a truely unique tasting experience and one that will test your senses..! Every vintage the winemaking team at Nautilus go through this process of barrel tasting and blending to create the ultimate blend for the Nautilus Pinot.
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Greenshell Mussel Cruise
Departing each day from Havelock Marina over the summer season at 1.30pm. This is a short stroll from the Slip Inn Cafe in the middle of the marina. This is a superb place to have lunch prior to departing on the cruise.
Cruise on the Marlborough Travel luxury launch Odyssea or Galileo. Both of these vessels are large and stable with all the home comforts of lounge areas and multiple viewing decks. A very nice way to cruise the Marlborough Sounds.
As we cruise out into the Marlborough Sounds you will be taking in the natural beauty and tranquility of this stunning area. Your experienced skipper has a wealth of knowledge about the Marlborough Sounds and the people who live here. His informative commentary will keep you entertained as you cruise through the inner Pelorus Sound and into the Kenepuru Sound.
Cruise through a Greenshell™ Mussel farm where your skipper will explain why this delicacy grows so well in the Sounds. See the Mussels growing on longlines in the clean waters and learn how the mussel farmers get the mussels to grow on the ropes.
While at the mussel farm your will get to try the freshest steamed mussels, served with a glass of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. This is a fantastic wine and food experience in a beautiful part of Marlborough. It really is a real 'Taste of Marlborough' ..
Overview
Welcome to Marlborough New Zealand and the touring company of Marlborough Travel.co.nz. Marlborough Travel is a family owned tourism company that has operated wine tours in Marlborough and Marlborough Sounds cruises for nearly twenty years. Owner- Operators, Chris and Sue Godsiff, are both born and bred in Marlborough, as were their parents and grandparents before that. This long line of family connection to the region and a total commitment to quality service has put Marlborough Travel at the forefront of tourism in Marlborough.
Marlborough Travel operates a well-established land and water based tour business offering a large range of tours of the Marlborough wine region and the Marlborough Sounds. This range of tour options include Marlborough wine tours and scenic tours of the Marlborough wine region. (Wine tours are available on a private tour basis or you can join a tour). Marlborough Travel also owns and operates a number of large luxury launches for cruises of the Marlborough Sounds and charter boat cruising.
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