Testimonials 

Jane and I had been wanting for some years to go to Egypt, and the trip certainly exceeded our expectations in all ways. Egypt is fascinating, chaotic, very different to any other country we have been to. The personalised itinerary that Innovative Travel organised for our trip was ideal, and everything went flawlessly . We would particularly want to thank our guides Carter, Ireni and George who were passionate in passing on their knowledge of their country.

The accommodation was both quite luxurious yet still had a real Egyptian feel to it. At all times we  felt totally safe, even in the large crowds of people and vast numbers of cars (though I am pleased I was not driving).

We would have liked to have known more about the intricacies of baksheesh, or tipping in Egypt. We would certainly recommend getting as many small denomination Egyptian pound notes as you can carry, to be able to give something to the large number of people who will try and help you all day long.

Do go to Egypt, the temples and pyramids and museums are quite extraordinary, and the people need tourists now more than ever. And do get Innovative Travel to organise your trip!

Charles & Jane - February 2013
Agent: Janette - House of Travel Wanaka
For our full range of Egypt holidays ... read more

ISRAEL & JORDAN

In June, I had the amazing opportunity to go on tour to Jordan and Israel.

It was nothing short of an exciting adventure of living, breathing history, cultures, creativity and colour.

The diversity of the different people groups, the richness and depth of their way of living all portray a century's old life style that has been handed down through the generations and that is still vibrant and alive today.

The people are open and friendly, and love to laugh and look for all the good things in life to celebrate. Israel especially is also a very spiritual place where I couldn't help but see and feel God everywhere I went. For me it has been a positively deeply moving and life changing experience. If I could I would go back in a heart beat for there is so much more yet to be discovered and explored.

Pauline - June 2012
Mike Hawke Jordan and Holyland Tour 2012
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TURKEY

A huge 'Thank You' to the Innovative Travel Company.  We were going to stop in Istanbul for a couple of days prior to catching our 6 star cruise around the Mediterranean and were talked into a 2 week "Glories of Turkey" bus tour. We were so glad we did this bus tour as it became the highlight of our journey. The cruise was great but our Turkey tour was brilliant.

The whole experience was full of delights, the people are wonderful, the scenery is spectacular, the history rich. And the Innovative Travel Company were so very helpful when I had to sort out a problem from afar.  The photo is of a small part of the White lime stone terraces of Hierapolis in Pamukkale, it gave us a feel of our lost "Pink & White terraces of Tarawera (by Rotoura)".  Many thanks Innovative.

TURKEY

I approached my Turkey experience with trepidation, as really had no interest in Istanbul at all, and was only going there based on my travel agents recommendation.  As it turns out, I had a blast. The Turkish people are wonderful, so patriotic and kind. My experience on arrival, at the hotel, and on the tours, was top notch.

Special mention must be made of my "Gallipoli" experience. I arrived with another bunch of people, only to be whisked off to the Crowded House hotel by the Innovative Travel representative.  I was a fed up with a lovely meal, but was then taken on a private tour of the Anzac area. How amazing. I got to tailor the tour to my liking, and got to achieve my dream of walking in the footsteps of the Kiwi ANZAC soldiers, and walking up to Chanuk Bair.

I then was even more amazed the next day when I had another private tour of the Helles region, and was totally blown away. This is truly an experience that Kiwis need to be made aware of. You get to see the biggest NZ cemetery and memorial, along with the Commonwealth memorial and the amazing Turkish memorial. I got to hear and see all the aspects of the naval battle, and the primarily British and French attacks on the bottom of the peninsula. NOT TO BE MISSED.  After seeing the amazing sites of the Gallipoli Peninsula, Troy was a let down, and not worth the visit.

Huge thanks to the team in Eceabat - they were just fantastic! I can imagine that staying in their hotel would be one heck of an experience!

Sherry - May 2012
Agent: Kristin @ Edgeworth Travel, Auckland
For our full range of  Turkey holidays  ...read more

GREECE & TURKEY

On our private tour of Turkey all the hotels were good.  The hotels in Athens and Istanbul were well placed, but the best hotel (by far) was the Taskonaklar in Uchisar (Cappadocia) – it was beautiful, family run, not particularly big, well placed and had a great view over the valley and the early morning balloons.  The Hotel in Eceabat was simple - but it made up for it with friendly staff, really nice well-priced meals, and the great tours. Comment from MD Robyn Galloway: This hotel was chosen for its superb location directly on the Gallipoli Peninsula - otherwise clients are based in Canakkale where there is a greater choice, but it is further away).

The 4 day Classical Greece tour with Meteora was really good with a great guide.  I'm glad I did the 4-day trip, as the 2 day trip would have been too rushed with not enough time in Delphi.

The two highlights for me were

      1.  Gallipoli: The private tour was excellent and much better than I could have imagined.  We hit the main ANZAC sites plus a lot of extra stuff like hiking up Shrapnel gully from Anzac Cove to Johnson's Jolly, hiked up the spur that the NZ Wellington Battalion attached Chunuk Bair with views of old trenches and tunnel entrances, and spent time in the southern part of the peninsula looking at the British/French/Turkish parts including the landing beaches.  I also have a souvenir of some shrapnel balls from the battlefields.  It was well worth the effort in organising the private tour.

      2. Cappadocia:  What impressed me most were the remote rock churches and monasteries that were a little bit off the beaten track.  Our guide was really good and took us to places not on the usual itinerary also such as the rock monasteries at Selime and rock churches in Soganli Valley – natural and unspoilt by tourism

John - May 2012
Agent: Joanne @ The Terrace Travel Ltd, Wellington
For our full range of Greece & Turkey holidays  ...read more

I very much enjoyed the 2 voyages I made with Croisi Europe . They were very well organised and efficiently run  with varied and interesting excursions in very picturesque and historic towns and cities . I recommend Rudesheim coffee !! The quizzes were fun and stimulated interaction and disagreement with other passengers. Passing through such wonderful scenery , especially the Romantic Rhine on a ship was  fascinating.

There were  14 English speaking people ( Australians , Canadians and N.Z.) on the first voyage plus a group from Turkey.The other passengers were French , as were the majority on the second voyage. I sat with an Italian couple for meals but ,as the food was not to their liking ( unbelievable as the cuisine was excellent), they did not come to all  meals. The menus followed similar sequences for each voyage as did the entertainment -  Those crew members do work hard !!

The French people were very nice  - I have always found them courteous and pleasant whenever I have visited France. Many of the crew spoke English and  the daily programmes were printed in English and Italian which was helpful. On the first voyage we English speakers had our own guides and on the second I was usually provided with written info. e.g.  at the  Rudesheim wine cellar and mechanical music museum, or an audio guide ( Heidelberg castle). 

I can recommend CroisiEurope provided people read the info. provided by your company (which was very helpful) and  are aware that a lot of the other passengers will be French. I am thinking about making another voyage next year - I have not been to Vienna yet!

Denise - May 2012
Agent: Serena @ Air New Zealand Holidays, Milford
For our full range of Croisi Cruise holidays  ...read more

TURKEY

Our trip was very well organised.  Because Tony had a walking stick and a crook knee the Innovative Travel operator gave us priority treatment.  We were taken up to the memorial Services and had priority seating.  The next day we were collected and taken on a trip to the Anzac sites  First was to the beach where the boats were meant to have landed, but because of the currents they were swept past to Anzac Cove.  We were taken to both beaches.  Anzac Cove had an 'eerie feeling to it.  Tony looked at the graves while I went for a walk along the beach.  Next we were taken up to where the general Memorial Service was held.  We had a good look around the area.  Then to the Australian Memorial site - very impressive.  Next we visited the New Zealand site, including a walk in the trenches.

The whole trip was very well planned.  Our guide was very informative and our driver very save.  A thoroughly enjoyable trip, in spite of the carnage that had happened there in the past.  I would recommend the trip to anyone interested in doing it.  The Innovative Travel Company Turkish representatives who we travelled with were great.

Sandra & Tony : April 2012
Agent: Roger @ House of Travel Wanganui
For our full range of  Turkey holidays  ...read more

We have just completed the "Egypt in Style" holiday in your Ancient Kingdoms brochure and want to pass on our comments on your Egyptian Ground Handling company and one of their staff (Carter).  All our pickups were on time, Carter was always pleasant, well dressed and attentive to our needs, all vehicles were neat and tidy, and at all times Carter left us in no doubt that he was there for us and that we could phone him at any time should we have need to.  He was great at making changes – sometimes at short notice – at our request, and even helped us reconfirm our return flight to New Zealand.

We would thoroughly recommend Innovative Travel and their Egypt Ground Handling Agents to anyone planning a trip to Egypt.

We are in the initial planning process for an Indian holiday early next year, and as Innovative Travel's performance met our expectations on our recent trip we are looking seriously at their Indian packages.

Geoff and Joan - May 2012
Agent: Diane @ United Travel, Feilding
For our full range of Egypt holidays  ...read more

Our Turkey trip is now over and we are back in a very cold NZ. I just wanted to let you know that we were absolutely delighted with all your organisation.  Everything went superbly well and we thoroughly enjoyed our trip.
Fehmi Bey Hotel was just the best accommodation for what we wanted. Great location in easy walking distance to sites we wanted to visit, and the Grand Bazaar as well as heaps of local cafes/restaurants with lovely Turkish meals. A clean, comfortable family style hotel. An excellent breakfast on the terrace with great views. The staff could not have been more helpful, courteous and friendly.

Taskonaklar Hotel in Cappadocia was magical. A wonderful cave hotel with all the comforts one needed. Views were out of this world. The staff went out of their way to be helpful. eg with very early breakfast provided the day we left, immediately forwarding a left behind clothes item to our Istanbul hotel.

The visit to Ephesus was very memorable. Having a private guide was ideal - he was able to change around the days visits so that we could avoid the intense 40deg heat for walking through the remarkable ruins. He had a great knowledge and feel for the area and added some extras to the day with a genuine Turkish lunch, seeing how silk carpets were made and visiting a family based pottery.

Not being part of a specific tour I know was quite a bit of work for you but the planning meant a hassle-free smooth running, enjoyable holiday for both of us.

Myra - June 2012
Agent: Cathy @ Adventure Travel, Christchurch
For our full range of Turkey holidays ...read more

JORDAN

Just a short note to say how much we have enjoyed Jordan and how great the Innovative Travel Ground Operators in Jordan have been to deal with and how excellent Ahmed our driver has been. Nothing has been a problem and we have had the most wonderful time imaginable. The service has been excellent and Ahmed is a treasure.

The hotels have also been excellent.  We don't want to leave!  Please pass on our thanks to the Innovative Travel and their Jordan tour operator.

Sheena & Diane - May 2012
Agent: Peter Dunne @Adventure Travel, Christchurch
Ancient Kingdom Jordan itineraries ...read more

Just wanted to let you know we had a fantastic time, the tour was excellent and we met a lovely bunch of people…. It was "full on" every day and plenty to see..Our Guide "Mel" was extremely knowledgeable and what we now don't know about the History, Politics, Culture, Customs and food of Turkey is not worth knowing !

Sue took over 400 photo's on her I-phone so we have plenty to remind us of all we saw and did…and a few goodies too…another Turkish rug and we both bought beautiful leather coats not to mention the spices we had vacuum sealed at the Spice Market !

Singapore Airlines were brilliant - nothing was too much trouble.
Your people in Istanbul were great and we even had an unexpected transfer at the end of the tour - to Fehmi Bey Hotel - which we didn't expect.
So thanks again for such a lovely prize !

Having looked forward to visiting Egypt for many years we were dismayed to read about the uprising in January this year and had to think long and hard about carrying on with our travel plans. We should not have worried.  From the moment we arrived at Cairo airport to the minute we left, we were looked after superbly. Our driver and tour manager ensured we got to see all the sights we were promised and they were friendly and polite at all times.

It was extremely humbling to be visiting Egypt at such a watershed time for the nation, and we heard many stories of bravery and courage.  Tourism is so important to the economy and it saddened us to know that without tourists going there, many of the locals couldn't work.  Mention must be made of your guides in Cairo and El Alamein & Alexandria who both provided us with expert commentaries and advice (especially with shopping!)  We also received great service by your local rep inside Cairo airport. He whisked us through customs, got our visas, organised our luggage and changed our money. 

Elinor and Fergus - June 2011
Agent: Jo @ House of Travel Merivale
Ancient Kingdom EGYPT itineraries ...read more

INDIA

We spent four weeks touring India, from New Delhi around the Golden Triangle to Mumbai, then south to Kochi and Chennai. We loved every minute of it.  It is advertised as Incredible India, and we never thought that it would meet that description. We were wrong; it not only met that description but exceeded it.

In the portion from New Delhi to Udaipur, our driver introduced us to many places that he knew, taking us for amazing diversions off the planned route. The people were friendly, treating us as honoured guests, and the scenery, the cuisine and especially the colours are etched in our memories. Photographically, it is superb.

We have travelled to many places in the world, but India was definitely one of our best trips.

Anne and Warren, Orangeville, Ontario, Canada
Ancient Kingdoms INDIA itineraries  ....read more

We travelled on a Sail/Cycle Island Hopping tour in early June 2011.  We just loved the holiday.  For us it was the perfect mix of exercise, relaxation, with culture and heritage thrown in.Our daily cycle trips were 25-35 kms, which given the fact that each trip starts at sea level,  and the countryside is undulating, was plenty, when you add in a couple of stops (or more) to take photos, and of course an obligatory coffee stop.The boat we travelled on, the Magellan, was new and very well appointed. 

The guides were a good mix of efficient and fun-loving.  We thoroughly enjoyed the small-group touring aspect.  There was plenty of opportunity to do things alone,  together as a couple, or with the rest of the group.There was a lot of friendly rivalry and bantering among the different nationalities on board thorough out the trip, which culminated in a concert on the last night.  The "English" contingents'  version of "My Way" was magnificent – well we thought so anyway!

Jenny and Mark - June 2011
Agent: Fiona Burns @ House of Travel, Nelson
For Lifestyle Bike & Boat tours ...read more  

ITALY & FRANCE

Innovative Travel helped us tremendously with accommodation for our travels in Italy and France.  The accommodation was of a very high standard and placed by railway stations when we needed to be but once we were travelling by car we had some amazing countryside accommodation which was a fantastic experience for us.  At one point a four night stay in one place was ideally placed for us to walk to the local sights and spend some days exploring Provence, with a lovely base to come back to each night. 

It was a lovely surprise every time we arrived at a new 'home' as we were never disappointed.
Thank you so much for your help during a very difficult time for your company and staff in Christchurch.

Geoff, Roberta, Colin & Hazel - May/June 2011
For CIT Best of Italy & Europe  ... read more

TURKEY

"Turkey was a country of many varied and exciting opportunities to better understand the early civilisation of our world.....One comes away admiring the productivity within the country and the bond of respect between the Turkish people and New Zealanders.

"A huge credit goes to The Innovative Travel Company and Ancient Kingdoms Holidays for their arrangements in Turkey - in the choice of the tour director, who made every effort to give us all a broad understanding of the Turkish culture, food and family life.  The excellent choice of hotels and the high standard of meals were a delight - but not always good for the waistline!"

"While the language can sometimes be a challenge, we found everybody very tolerant and at no time did we feel unsafe.  A great experience"

Don - June 2011
Agent: Don Mcleod @ Hawkes Bay Travel Centre
For Ancient Kingdoms Turkey Holidays... read more  

EGYPT

"Just want to say a massive thank you for all the effort that was put into organising the holiday for us.  We had a fantastic time and everything went flawlessly.  The whole team over in Egypt were great, everyone was professional, knowledgeable and so happy to help with any request we had.  We genuinely had a once in a life time trip."

Andrew & Blair - September 2010 
TVNZ Breakfast Show prizewinners
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GREECE

"The Kalypso Hotel in Paros was a beautiful water front hotel - the best hotel in the whole trip!, but we also loved the Kamari Hotel in Mykonos for its beautiful swimming pool and great location.  We also found the ferries and Ancient Kingdoms local agent excellent".

Dave & Fay - September 2010
Agent:  Shelley Rich @ Travelcom Mt Maunganui
For Ancient Kingdoms Greece Holidays ... read more  

EGYPT & JORDAN

"Back from our lovely jaunt to Egypt & Jordan and just wanted to let you know that it couldn't have been better!  Everything went like clockwork, and as it was the first time I've ever been on this sort of tour, I'd never want to do it any differently - so nice to have everything pre-arranged, and everyone there to meet us at the airports etc.  I'd been to Egypt before (but as a backpacker) so it was nice to go in some comfort this time, and amazing how much I'd forgotten from the previous trips.  

The Ancient Kingdoms Egypt travel guides were all excellent.  Even though they do the same sights day in and day out, they never made us feel like they were just going through the motions, and always offered good advice before we reached each sight such as what to do and not do.  They had vast amounts of knowledge and were very helpful.

The Dahabiya 7 night cruise was amazing.  Main advantage of travelling on the Dahabiya is that they leave a day before all the big cruise boats, so you never came across huge amounts of traffic on the Nile.  At each destination en route (Esna, Edfu etc) it was just us and maybe another Dahabiya or 2 parked us, so we missed all the crowds that come with the larger boats.
Our Jordanian guide was great - a new museum had just opened showing the bedouin life style, so he made sure we visited.  Our guide went out of his way to find something special for us and it made all the difference."

Mandy - October 2010
click here for Ancient Kingdom Egypt and Jordan Holidays

DUBAI STOPOVER
 
"Thank you so much for the fabulous experience which was Dubai stopover.  Dubai was somethin' else.....over the top but quite wonderful.   Thank goodness you informed me there was a 20 minute walk on arrival at Dubai Airport so I ordered a wheelchair - and was very pleased I had.  The airport is amazing but HUGE and I was very tired. 

Transfers and all arrangements you made for me were spot on.  I did the city tour and the extra one which sailed across Dubai Creek to the fabric, spice and Gold Souks before returning to get changed for my visit to the Burgh Al Arab.  Now that is extra fabulous : Versace meets Eastern over the top.....and I loved it all.  I had a glass of the very best champagne while the sun set over the Arabian Sea at the 27th Sky floor restaurant.  What more could a girl want.   Dubai Mall offered all the shopping opportunities you would ever need : Bloomingdales, Jimmy Choo shoes, skating rinks, aquarium. It really is a one stop family attraction.

On the 4W Drive desert tour I saw lightning and rain which lasted for 10 minutes.  Apparently it only rains twice a year in the desert!  The colouring in the desert was so beautiful, I just loved the golden sands and I have marvellous photos to remember it by.  I got to sit on a camel and have my photo taken with a hooded falcon.  It was magic to be out under a clear desert sky watching a beautiful belly dancer and jets flying overhead! The traditional snacks were delicious.
Well it is all a beautiful memory now, but one I will never forget."