To put it simply, our answer is for you to experience
the Joy of the Journey!
For some people this means more time spent sightseeing and less time waiting in train stations…
for others it means laughing with new friends over a cool drink as the sun sinks low over a clifftop village in Santorini…
while for others the real value is the peace of mind that comes when you know that there’s a delicious meal and a comfortable bed awaiting you at the end of the days travels (and that there’s a trusted friend to guide your path again tomorrow).
Whatever your travels plans may be we’d love for you to tell us what’s important to you, and have the opportunity to show you how Travel 2U can make your journey more enjoyable.
TRAVEL 2U PUTS YOU FIRST
Getting to know you and finding out what’s on your mind is the important first step of the journey. We want to truly understand your travel needs, your hopes, fears and dreams. By taking the time to listen to your aspirations we can offer sound advice and recommendations, then work together to plan and arrange a journey to suit you, and your budget, perfectly.
Travel 2U’s small and dedicated team provides personalised service that caters for a wide range of travel requirements. Our professional services includes all forms of travel, from flights on all major airlines, ocean and river cruises and coach tours to special interest tours, fully escorted small group tours, inbound group tours and charters. We also arrange travel related services including accommodation, car rentals, transfers, insurance, passport & visa requirements… the list goes on! Let Travel 2U’s experienced and friendly travel consultants take care of every aspect of your travel needs. You can focus on packing your bags!
““Our professional services includes all forms of travel, from flights on all major airlines, ocean and river cruises and coach tours to special interest tours, fully escorted small group tours, inbound group tours and charters.””
A LITTLE HISTORY
The year was 1997… China regained sovereignty of Hong Kong after 155 years of UK rule… Steve Jobs returned to the helm of Apple… and the Oscar for Best Actor was ‘As Good As It Gets’ for Jack Nicholson. 1997 was also the year Travel 2U first offered personalised travel services to the people of Christchurch.
Many things have changed over the years, however our aim has remained constant: to tailor travel services to fulfil the needs of each individual, with an even more personalised service for those who still enjoy talking over their travel plans without feeling rushed or pressured. As our business and range of services broadened so our client base spread to include people throughout New Zealand, as well as clientele in many countries around the world.
Travel 2U has become well known for our Personally Escorted Small Group Experiences, something we are very proud of and value enormously. We’ve invested a lot of time and energy creating these tours and building a dedicated team of tour leaders.
Every year we share many amazing travel experiences with our tour guests and have formed many strong friendships. We’re honoured to have approx ¾ of our tour guests return to join us on another tour.
As we move forward we’re continually seeking to improve and fine tune our travel services. Our small team structure, with lower overheads, together with our combined experience in the travel industry (over 100yrs and counting!) and partnerships with other leaders in the field, means that we can provide you with the best value you’ll find anywhere.
Travel 2U is a fully licensed member of IATA (International Air Transport Association) and a fully bonded member of TAANZ (Travel Agents Association of New Zealand), providing added financial security for our clients. We also offer international guests a truly unique ‘Kiwi’ experience: exploring the wonders of New Zealand through our sister company SeeNZ Tours.
After nearly 20 years in our beloved 100 year old Villa we made the move to our new premises in December 2015. The bigger, brighter two storey offices and function rooms, allow us to host groups in-house, and our permanently set up 150” screen really brings the images of the places you’re going to experience, to life. You’re always welcome to drop in and say hello if you’re passing, you’re part of our ‘family’ after all.
MEET THE TEAM
We're pleased to have this opportunity to introduce our Travel 2U team.
TESTIMONIALS
What some of our guests have to say about our small group experiences.
We would like to say a huge thank you to the team at Travel 2 U especially Ryan. My husband and I dreamt of a European trip for years, and this year we decided to do it! Lots of communication over several months prior as he drafted our plans. Ryan really listened to us and spent many hours ensuring everything was perfect! Then the absolutely faultless organising and attention to every detail made our once in a lifetime trip the most amazing 6 weeks of our lives!
From the flights, hotels, cruise ship, trains and even a fantastic rental car. (Italian rail strike left us in the lurch at one stage, but Ryan managed to organise a bus within a few hours.....we were so grateful and it truly showed us the importance of using a trusted agent that really cared.)
We can't recommend Ryan enough, My mum has been on lots of fabulous trips organised by Travel 2 U over the years and I know she feels the same way.
What a team, thank you.
Kind Regards. Peta & Peter Murch
We travelled with Travel 2U for the first time, after many years with a previous company, and any questions we had of service and professionalism were soon allayed following our conversations and emails. At Travel 2U the customer/client relationship is taken to a new level, to the extent we feel like family, and that is the impression we get, that you (Travel 2 U) have a genuine interest in us. What more could we ask for.! We look forward to planning our next great adventure abroad, and when we do we know who we’ll be calling.
Kind Regards. G & J Hide
Our 7th tour with Travel 2U. We keep coming back because we know that we will be well catered for in excellent accommodation on these excellent tours. The tour escorts are all fun, friendly and helpful. Fellow travellers, a great bunch – we have made some good friends.
Dave & Eileen Jorgensen – Spain, Portugal & Morocco
Sharon & Jill were excellent tour guides for this fantastic trip. The combination of fabulous hotels, great sightseeing and historic places, combined with ample free time to enjoy the beaches and hotel pools made this the best holiday possible.
Carol & Dave Tait – Croatia, Dalmatia & Istria
A well-paced tour so I was able to enjoy the places we visited. Andrew’s knowledge and enthusiasm to share the different aspects of the countries we visited added a deeper appreciation of this area of the Mediterranean.
Ivan Jones – Croatia, Dalmatia & Istria
Everything was far beyond my expectations it was a fabulous holiday. A lot of thought and research has gone into making this trip a wonderful experience, the sights were amazing and we didn’t miss a thing. We were treated so well.
Bev Jones - Canada & Alaska Cruise Tour
This was my 6th tour with Travel 2U and each time they get better and better. A great firm to travel with and all the stress taken out of your trip with the escorted Travel 2U team.
JM – Southern Belle & Caribbean
The Wild Africa Tour was the first time we had travelled with Travel 2U. We had a fantastic time and were very impressed with the attentiveness of John and Tim our escorts. The itinerary more than met our expectations, especially the three game parks. It was great to have the companionship of a great group of New Zealanders.
J & G L - Wild Africa
As always a very well planned itinerary exceeding our expectations. Every detail was taken care of leaving nothing for us to worry about.
Janette & Cyril – South America Sensacion
A wonderful trip. The variety of scenery, history and experiences was amazing. Thanks Kerry for their awesome leadership, and the great group I travelled with.
Lorraine Bampton – America’s Mid-West, Canyon’s, Parks and Prairies.
India Unveiled lived-up to its title for me. Booking late in the day it wasn’t the trip I wanted but it proved to be the most amazing adventure I ever expected to have. Trip was well planned and lead in a very professional manner by two terrific tour leaders whose knowledge, passion and understanding of the culture brought it alive. Top marks to Travel 2U for their planning and communication. Definitely value for money. Would I use them again – I booked for 2019 before going to India – so YES! Would I return to India – given half a chance I would be gone in a flash!!!!
Jocelyn Partridge – India Unveiled
We loved everything about the tour, Angela & Vijay’s leadership. Halku & Raja looking after us on the coach, the great hotels we stayed in, but most importantly the amazing people and the sights of India.
Sharon & Roger Thomas – India Unveiled
I found the whole tour exceptional. Everyone joined in and John and Marie made sure everyone was included. Food experiences “out of this world”, Sicily was amazing!
Alison Davis – Southern Italy & Sicily
We have been on many tours with different companies but found the level of care for all group members to be outstanding with Travel 2U.
I & C Jenson – Southern India & Sri-Lanka
Our tour escorts were fantastic. I enjoyed being looked after with the worry and decision making in their hands. This was a fantastic experience that I really enjoyed and will never forget.
Judith Denise – European River Classic, Coach and Cruise Tour
Larraine & I have been clients of Andrew both before and since he established Travel 2U. This was our first group tour. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour, it had a very good itinerary, everything was well planned and the day to day management and support from Marie and John was second to done.
Peter and Larraine Sharr – European River Classic Coach and Cruise Tour
I enjoyed every moment of my holiday. What a wonderful destination. Spain, Portugal & France – awesome sightseeing! Again, another super trip with Andrew as our guide and a great group of ‘new friends’.
Fay Leonard – Spain, Portugal & France
Just love you people!! Amazing on my first big OE for 40 years!
Ruth Mitchell – Croatia, Dalmatia & Istria
We have done many tours & overseas trips. Travel 2U USA East Coast was the best trip we have ever done. To have someone like Andrew, with his lovely Michele leading us, caring for every detail and seeing to every arrangement was truly relaxing for us.
Neil & Robyn Struthers -East Coast USA & Canada tour
Well organised and led tour by Sharon and Tim, our wonderful leaders. A fabulous 24 days of amazing weather with spectacular scenery. My first trip with Travel 2U and first long-haul flight to an ideal destination to experience scenery similar to the South Islands Fiordland area!
Susan Philpott – Canada & Alaska Coach Cruise Tour
Andrew went above and beyond what any group leader would do to make sure we had the best travel experience. We are very grateful. Amber has lovely qualities as well and will make a very capable group leader as she gains more experience.
J A Wylie – Southern Belle & Caribbean
This tour blew me away. I can’t believe how exciting it was. This was not a holiday – it was an adventure.
Robyn Steele – Wild Africa
Another amazing and well organized tour presented by Travel 2U. The experiences of visiting India was exhilarating from beginning to end. There wasn’t a single highlight, but highlights wherever we travelled. I thoroughly recommend this tour to others.
Noeline Flood – India Unveiled
On the tour of the American National Parks and Mid-West we viewed amazing places including stunning geology, huge cliffs, canyons, hoodoos, arches, mesas and Buttes. Each day we said “it couldn’t get better than this” and it did! The thermal areas in Yellowstone, animals which included hundreds of bison, and a wolf. Visiting areas where the history of the Mid-West was won and lost, with knowledgeable guides all contributed to a wonderful and memorable tour.
Lena C Metcalf – America’s Mid-West, Canyon’s Parks and Prairies.
This has been an awesome experience. A feast of visual and sensory overload with the mix of culture, opulence, history mingling with the many contrasts of Indian life. The whole journey enhanced by detailed preparation and planning. Thank you Travel 2U
Chris – India Unveiled
India Unveiled should be on everyone’s “Bucket List”. Angela and Vijay made our trip a wonderful experience and a trip to remember..
Ann Sutcliffe – India Unveiled
I loved this trip, it had a great mix of history, beautiful art and architecture, UNESCO and World Heritage sites, stunning scenery and importantly time for shopping! All this with the superb guidance of John & Marie who let no stone unturned to make the trip an absolute pleasure.
Kath Kirk – Southern Italy & Sicily
