TESTIMONIALS
See what our clients have to say about us and their trips.
REAL COMMENTS FROM REAL CLIENTS
We completely understand that if you haven't used our services before you might be hesitant to book through us. We pride ourselves on providing the best possible travel services to our clients and our goal is to keep providing these quality services when they need to travel again. For peace of mind we can put you in touch with some of our clients that are more than happy to vouch for our services.
"This trip exceeded all my expectations."
"Just an email to let you know that I am home safe and sound. I cannot thank you enough for helping me have a trip of a lifetime! This trip exceeded all my expectations. The hotels and tours that you put together for me in Australia and New Zealand were FABULOUS! You heard what I wanted and fulfilled all my requests. Thanks for everything."
Ellie
"I never understood the value of using a travel agent until yesterday."
I never understood the value of using a travel agent until yesterday. I had the opportunity to extend a trip by a week, but when I checked the airline’s website, no possible return flight change options showed up. Mandy was able to quickly get online and rattle off three different options without a moment’s hesitation. Then she helped me call and talk to the airline agent to quickly make a suitable change for an extremely low cost.
Pam
"First time we have used a travel agent."
"I just wanted to thank you for all the work on putting out honeymoon together. I'm not sure if you remember me mentioning when we first talked that we'd never used a travel agent! Now that we have we will certainly use one again."
Matthew & Lisa
"Everything went smoothly."
"Our “trip of a lifetime” to New Zealand was just incredible. Everything went so smoothly thanks to your recommendations and personalized planning. Our mix of self-driving the South Island’s west coast, scenic flights and trains, jet boating, kayaking, hiking and city tours, along with plenty of time to explore on our own was perfect for our interests."
Mark & Billie
"From beginning to end, it went without a hitch."
My daughter and I accompanied Mandy and her husband on an 18 day safari in southern Africa. What a terrific adventure. From beginning to end, it went without a hitch. Mandy planned everything, constantly ensuring we had the best deals on airfare, lodging, and hotels. The safaris afforded us up close encounters with a variety of animals and our guides were outstanding. It was a stress free adventure of a lifetime that I would certainly do with her again.
Elliot
"Always accessible, timely and helpful."
I just recently traveled to Australia from the Washington DC area with Downunder Journeys and I can't say enough about how great Mandy Buttenshaw was to work with! She looked up every possible option for cheapest flights so I could pull off a great reunion trip back to Sydney which included a flight to Darwin for a wedding. She was so helpful and accommodating! She even navigated me through the JFK airport to get me to the right terminal for my connecting flight, which we both happened to be on in transit to Australia. My trip was about 4 weeks long and there were a couple of times that I needed to adjust parts of my flight, both in Darwin and trying to make it back home just before Christmas. Mandy was so great to work all of it out with as little cost to me as possible! She was amazing to work with! Always accessible, timely and helpful! I look forward to my next adventure working with Downunder Journeys! Thanks Mandy for a stress free trip!
Rosemary
"She is THE BEST travel agent I have ever dealt with and I have been using agents of over 30 years."
I have used Mandy for trips to Australia and New Zealand and several cruises plus help in obtaining travel insurance for trips. She is THE BEST travel agent I have ever dealt with and I have been using agents for over 30 years.
If a flight schedule changes, I know it. She is nimble enough to be able to make accommodations that, in one case, changed my departure date by a day so my flight home from Australia was not the grueling experience it would have been based on schedule change. She understands my particular needs for travel insurance and found a way to add to her available policies one that met my needs perfectly.
Basically, she does everything you ever thought the ideal travel agent should. I have found others in past that can do pieces, but she does the whole thing; complex custom trips, cruises, flights, hotels and travel insurance. She is a rare treasure in the complicated world of travel.
Nancy
"A1 job again. Everything went off without a single hitch."
Awesome, simply awesome. Huahini is one of the best kept secrets we have encountered. You had best be ready for quiet and solitude. Only way there is by launch, but it is well worth everything to get there. Not a whole lot to do at our hotel but eat, swim, and enjoy the sun . The staff is excellent, the accommodations luxurious, the island gorgeous. You can rent a scooter or car and tour the island, grab a bite to eat at the Huahini Yacht Club (little restaurant / bar. Go fishing, swimming diving , water sports. The food everywhere (especially at our hotel) is super fresh and prepared like a fine restaurant. You, my dear, did a superb, A#1 job again. Everything went off without a single hitch. You are truly awesome and made magic once again!
Rex
"Downunder is so much more than their name."
Downunder is so much more than their name. They've helped us have fantastic travels to Australia and New Zealand, but also The Maldives, Patagonia, Galapagos and even The Rugby World Cup. Mandy makes it easy!
Susan
"Everything turned out great."
I am finally getting to write to you after being home one week! The trip was great. Wow, what a wonderful country New Zealand is. We really loved the whole trip. All the hard work and planning paid off.I am not sure where to begin except that everything turned out great! David your private driver was wonderful, he took excellent care of us. And he was very good at dealing with each one of us. We all had different personalities. He was so helpful in all the places that you said he would know. And what a Foodie he is. Just what we like..someone who knew about all the specialties that we like to partake in.
There is so much to say, but I just wanted to touch base asap with you, so....congratulations on a job well done. I don't think it is so easy to please a group like ours.....Thank you for everything.
Carol
"We will gladly send a referral to the Pope."
WOW!! here is something to give you goosebumps (or something) I was going to send you a note to say "a year ago we were ......" Kemi we will gladly send a referral to the Pope or Queen or Obama or whoever concerning how VERY pleased we were with your professionalism, you time/patience, suggestions AND sense of humour!!! Stay healthy and happy!!!
Bill
"To say we had an awesome time would be an understatement, fair dinkum."
Hi Mandy; Just wanted to thank you for helping us with our trip. Got back on Tuesday. To say we had an awesome time would be an understatement, fair dinkum!! The hotels you booked us in were great, especially the Radisson in Sydney. Virtually everybody we ran into was warm, friendly and helpful. Of the 2200 passengers on the cruise, over 1500 were Aussies. It was great to learn so much about your country from them. New Zealand was spectacular. All the arrangements you made for us went off without a hitch. Thanks again. If any of our other friends consider a trip down under, we will absolutely refer them to you.
John B
"We would not hesitate to recommend you and your company."
I came across an old email from you and was reminded that I don't believe I ever sent you a final "Thank You" for all your hard work in planning our fantastic trip to Australia and New Zealand. We had a fantastic time and enjoyed all of it. We would not hesitate to recommend you and your company to anyone planning a similar vacation ! After we make a few more journeys to other parts of the world, we would love to go back and do more exploring. Thanks again!
J Fahning
"As the trip unfolded, whatever anxiety we might have had about the arrangements vanished."
First, we want to thank you for all the work you did to make our New Zealand adventure such an enjoyable experience. I was frankly astounded that every single arrangement, from hotels and internal flights, to super shuttle pick ups and car rentals went off without a hitch. Air New Zealand flights all went on time and baggage was all accounted for. We never had any difficulty presenting coupons for the many services you had arranged. As the trip unfolded, whatever anxiety we might have had about the arrangements vanished.
Bob & Rozanne
"As the trip unfolded, whatever anxiety we might have had about the arrangements vanished."
We had a wonderful family trip that worked for all ages.
The location was great and Mandy’s advice was spot on.
We look forward to another family trip with Mandy’s help in the future!
Wendy
"Peace of mind is what you get when you have Mandy looking after you when you travel."
Travel agents rock. Why? This year, my group of 8 booked a cruise to celebrate 2 birthdays and an anniversary. Mandy worked with the Cruises’ Group Coordinator to set up a special lunch for our group, complete with a wonderful chocolate birthday cake. Another day, She arranged a special cocktail party with shrimp cocktail and Manhattans. At the end of the cruise, when Hurricane Henri was bearing down on Boston where we were due to get off the ship, she was in regular communication with everyone to make sure we could all get home and even set up reservations at the airport hotel for some of our group.
Peace of mind is what you get when you have Mandy looking after you when you travel. She is a true professional travel agent who can do it all for you, your group, and all tour travel details.
The Nancys
"You helped us perfectly."
YAY MANDY You helped us perfectly, in all the right places.. plan our 2 month trip Down Under! It was our amazing trip of a lifetime, way back in 2009, and those memories pop up all
the time. You're the BEST, thank you'