Company Details

Great on trip planning and good back and forth to get the perfect itinerary. Recommended things we would never have done on or own.List of recommendations for restaurants was very helpful and spot on. I would urge anyone who wants to do New Zealand ,but NOT on a tour, use them. Not one problem with anyone or any place they suggested. They are a world class resource.

Latitude South planned a perfect vacation for us. We were in New Zealand for 4 weeks, covered both islands and had a fantastic time. We had great accommodations, transfers, guides and adventures. The trip of a lifetime for us!!! We would highly recommend using the team at Latitude to plan a visit to a great country.

Description: Family vacation to Australia and New Zealand (two parents and children age 14, 18, 20). 15 days, December+January 2018 Trip request: We did not know where to go, so much advice needed. The children want physical, outdoor activities (no museums, etc.). We have traveled a lot so locations and activities should be distinctive/memorable. If possible start later in the morning so the kids can sleep late/not be grumpy. Best luxury accommodations and private tours. Results: I interviewed two travel agencies specializing in AUS NZ. Latitude South was best at creating a draft vacation plan, and after several conversations with Karen we had a great itinerary, something that I could never have created myself. It would be impossible, or have taken forever, to identify the private excursions and hotels. Also Karen was candid about issues we might expect (such as a typhoon at the Barrier Reef, which was very cool but not great for snorkeling). Claire did a lot of followup with trip details. Quick reponses to questions. We visited Sydney, Hobart (Tasmania), Port Douglas (Barrier Reef), and Queenstown NZ. The travel agency we did not use was also professional, but I felt that the proposed trip was more routine, paint-by-numbers.

We discovered Latitude South through Zillow, where 2-3 travel agents vie for your business on a specific trip. We could tell right away that Karen at Latitude South "got" us. From our first conversation, Karen was able to put together a trip which included all the sights we wanted to see and with the level of luxury that we desired. One thing that we always worry about in unfamiliar locations is transportation (especially when they drive on the opposite side of the road). Karen did a fabulous job of finding us reliable drivers when needed. Latitude South takes care of every detail and makes sure that your trip goes very smoothly!

Karen and her team at Latitude South made our New Zealand travel dreams come true. She helped my husband and me plan an incredible 2 week vacation in the North and South Islands. Every detail was perfection. Karen knew all the right questions to ask and she and her team put together an experience more wonderful than we could have imagined. We recommend Latitude South to everyone we know!

New Zealand has been a destination on the top of my trip list for almost 50 years. So it was a leap of faith when we entrusted the planning of our month long trip to NZ to Latitude South (LS), instead of using a (larger) Canadian or US tour company. And we are so happy we did! From beginning to end LS took care of us. They determined our particular interests, needs, like/dislikes, changes (on the fly), and updates, putting together an itinerary that was flawless in its execution. I can honestly say there was not a "step" out of place throughout our trip. Karen and Claire from LS made sure we were comfortable with the trip's itinerary and what to expect from start to finish. They and their team are easy to contact, and planning and pre-trip calls were scheduled at our convenience even with the date and timezone difference. We will certainly recommend LS to all our friends and family interested in a curated travel experience to NZ.

Latitude South Travel from our first contact by phone were truly amazing. They could here in between the lines of what I was looking for, planning a very unique experience for seven people. Their ability to hear deeply with their heart, to recognize that they had to be the eyes, ears, and guides for people who had never been to New Zealand or Australia and to organize to the finest detail to ensure we had an experience of a lifetime. There were many details to be worked out from places to stay, to eat, special meals, and several flights. Karen and her staff care deeply for what they do and more important for the people they are providing a service for. Karen and her staff will be deeply in our hearts for a lifetime as they are special people providing a very special service that is beyond anything I have experienced. I have travel many places in this beautiful world and had contact with many people, the love and support was beyond what I could imagine. Thank you.

Karen and her team overwhelmingly exceeded our expectations when planning our honeymoon. She made sure to have an initial interview and took all of our interests into consideration when planning our trip and made it completely individualized for us (a mostly nature trip which is exactly what we wanted). We met many people on our trip and heard all kinds of itineraries and truly felt that Karen chose the best for us. I can't speak of her company more highly and am so grateful I went with her team.

My wife and I wanted to visit New Zealand and Australia. I began my research by looking at websites of the large travel companies. I could not find a right "fit" for our needs. Further research led me to Zicasso. I completed their web form requesting information about a vacation to New Zealand and Australia. Soon, I was contacted by Karen Pettit of Latitude South Travel Company. She set up a telephone call with us and we talked with her about our likes, budget, number of days, etc. Karen was easy to talk with, and a good listener. She promised us a draft proposal. The proposal arrived and we were blown away by the itinerary. Yes, we wanted to do the trip of this proposal. The customized proposal of 23 nights was more to our liking than the itineraries of the larger companies. However, we let Karen know that the price was a shade high for us. She went back to work and made a few changes, but with still the same basic itinerary of 12 nights in New Zealand and 11 in Australia. Later, we took the trip with another couple. Everything was as advertised - a dream vacation. Flights, transfers, hotels, excursions - all planned to the detail. We stayed in places that we would not have considered "affordable," and we had excursions that were suited to our tastes. We also had free time to add to our adventures. I absolutely and without reservation recommend Latitudes South Travel Company.

I had the most fabulous trip arranged by Latitude South. I went to Australia and New Zealand for a solo trip. I had no qualms about the trip. they discussed every step of the trip prior to my departure. The vendors they used were gloriously professional and even adapted some of the walking tours (hikes) to my physical ability (or lack thereof). I felt like a princess as the itinerary went smoothly and I knew that Latitude South 'had my back' the entire time. There was a minor issue with a tour one day and while the vendor handled it well, I still got a call from Latitude South to make sure it was resolved to my satisfaction...now THAT is service! I give my unreserved and ecstatic recommendation for Latitude South. Valerie B. (Baton Rouge, LA)

Our trip put together by Latitude South Travel Company was AWESOME!! During the planning stage, our travel planner listened carefully to our general planning ideas and talked with us about our previous travels and what we liked and disliked about the activities on those trips. She coordinated conference calls to ensure that she had input from each of the four of us. She provided insight and sensitive opinions to our original general itinerary ideas that were ‘spot on’, and together we were able to hone in on what we considered to be a perfect schedule for all four of us. For example, our travel planner highly recommended that we spend at least one night, if not two, at the an ecolodge in Cape Otway along the Great Ocean Road. We changed our travel dates by a few days to wait for them to open in the spring. That was truly one of the memorable highlights of our trip. Once we signed the contracts, the rest of the travel company staff were mobilized. Just like our travel planner, they were all friendly and personable, while providing very professional and competent assistance and guidance through the process. They were all very good about communicating with everyone in our group about what we needed to do and where they were in the process of finalizing our arrangements. One of the people in our group had a serious accident only a few days before the commencement of our adventure, which meant that the two of them were not able to share in the travel experience. The advanced test of an excellent travel agency is not in the initial planning, but in how they handle a last minute change to the plan. Our travel company really came through for all of us - making changes with all of their providers on short notice and almost immediately providing all the information necessary for making travel insurance claims (ALWAYS get travel insurance!!). The hotels/apartments that the company booked for us were elegant and well-appointed, as well as being centrally located for our activities. There were absolutely no hitches in the itinerary - from transportation to and from the airports to pick-ups for our scheduled tours and activities. The individual tour guides were excellent - knowledgeable and personable. If you are looking for an extremely organized, knowledgeable, insightful and experienced travel agency for Australia and New Zealand, we HIGHLY recommend this company!! They made us feel like we we were their most important client - a sentiment shared by another of their clients that we met along the way! It is difficult to pick out the most memorable part of our trip, as each day brought its own joy and unique memories. We absolutely loved Port Douglas, and the trip to the Great Barrier Reef was something that no one should miss when in Australia! Even if you are not a swimmer, you can experience the reef in a glass bottom boat. Our personal guided tour by an aboriginal artist was interesting and very educational - we learned a lot about aboriginal history and culture. The Sydney Opera house is another icon to be experienced, not just viewed in a picture. The Great Ocean Road is best experienced with a guide - so that you can take in one awesome view after another. We truly enjoyed the Cape Otway eco lodge and highly recommend a two night stay. Seeing koala bears and large numbers of kangaroos in the wild is amazing. The lodge staff provide history and education about the animals of Australia - as well as elegant and tasty breakfasts and dinners. The ‘Sound’ boat trips of Queenstown, New Zealand are awe-inspiring. The bus trip to the Milford Sound is quite long, but they make scenic stops, so it is worth it. We recommend flying back to Queenstown - not only does it shorten the day, but the views are breathtaking! Another fun activity is the Dart River jet boats! A dinner in the home of a Maori family provides a very personal connection to learn about the Maori culture and history that you may not experience in a large group. Wonderful people! Traveling through the caves of Waitomo, with their glow worms, is also a very unique tour! We recommend going to more than one cave, as each of the tours provides a different view and understanding of these interesting creatures. If we had the money, we would love to spend more time in both countries!! We would definitely arrange the trip with Latitude!! Otherwise, it was as we dreamed and planned.

This was the most amazing company I have ever worked with. Karen planned the perfect trip for us, and she was communicative, thoughtful and went well above and beyond throughout the entire process. From her travel itinerary to her phone calls before the trip to her incredible attention to detail, she was the consummate professional! It was truly a perfect trip to New Zealand, all thanks to Karen and Latitude South! Andie, NYC

We enjoyed a wonderful journey through areas of our choosing in Australia and New Zealand with the guided assistance of Latitude South. We discussed our preferences and must see and do with Karen who worked zealously to ensure we experienced all we expected and more. She recommended sights and excursions tailor made for us. All accommodations were up to billing and personal guides and tours were exceptional. Our travel from one location to another was seemless,all arranged by Karen. I highly recommend Latitude South if you are planning a trip to Australia or New Zealand .