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* new zealand specialist
#02-35 HOTEL MERIDIEN SINGAPORE & SHOPPING CENTRE,
TEL: 6732-2628, WWW.NEWZEALANDSPECIALIST.CO.NZ.
OPEN MON TO FRI, 9AM-5PM; SAT, 9AM-1PM.
WHAT Managing director Po Tan lost his heart to
New Zealand 19 years ago on his maiden visit, and
started his agency, which specialises in New Zealand
travel, in 2003.
HOW IT WORKS Browse through its smorgasbord of at
least 200 pamphlets (from whale watching and hot-air
ballooning, to staying in a treehouse and campervan
holidays), pick what strikes your fancy and they’ll put
together an itinerary for you. Or do it online.
HOW MUCH Land packages and air tickets are sold
separately. Land packages range from $1,506 a person
for an eight-day trip to $6,522 for a 20-day package.
Airfares to Christchurch and Auckland start at $1,050.
WHY WE LOVE THEM The staggering range of
activities and luxurious lodges offered. Po, with  16 years’
experience in New Zealand travel, gives great advice, like
telling you when’s the best time for a campervan holiday.
SERVICE The service is warm and personal. They charge
$50 to develop a customised itinerary, refunded when you confirm your booking. Self-drive tourists are also given maps and directions.
MUST BOOK Given its expanse, the best way to see
New Zealand is to drive. The Wings and Wheels Self
Drive package ($863 to $3,434 per person, excluding
airfare) has 10 options, from an eight-day to 23-day
trip, departing from Auckland or Christchurch. The
package includes rental car and accommodation,
plus an itinerary. For $246 more, you could even add
on a hot-air balloon flight. |
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* worldwide honey tours
#02-36 PENINSULA PLAZA, TEL: 6738-2955,
WWW.WORLDWIDEHONEY.COM.
OPEN MON TO FRI, 10.30AM-7PM; SAT, 10.30AM-2PM.
WHAT A nondescript offi ce in Peninsula Plaza that’s a
treasure trove of wellness and spa packages at private
and luxurious retreats, such as Chiva-som International
Health Resort in Thailand, Six Senses Hideaway Ninh
Van Bay in Vietnam and Banyan Tree Maldives. Most are
in the region, others are in Bhutan, Australia and India.
HOW IT WORKS If you’ve read about a wellness retreat
somewhere, call to see if they offer it. They’ll handle your
flights, transfers and accommodation.
HOW MUCH A three-day, two-night package to Casa
Del Mar in Langkawi, Malaysia, costs $1,008 per person,
while a four-day, three-night stay in Banyan Tree Lijiang
in Naxi, China, costs $2,658 (excluding airfare).
WHY WE LOVE THEM There’s something for every
budget. Managing director Susan Teng visits almost
all the resorts to make sure they’re up to mark – 35 of
the 60-odd resorts offered have won accolades.
SERVICE After your trip, give them your feedback and
they’ll pass it along to the resort.
MUST BOOK Four-day, three-night Spa Retreat at
Losari Coffee Plantation in Java, Indonesia ($1,798
to $2,478 per person). Also check out the five-day,
four-night Uma Paro Himalayan Haven in Bhutan
($4,868 to $5,608 per person, includes a one-night
stopover in Bangkok), where you’ll get to stay at a
five-star 29-room spa resort in the hills of Bhutan. |
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