Testimonials 

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 our 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 the 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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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."