FAQ
QUESTIONS ?
How do I know what to pack?
Even on a surprise trip, you should be appropriately equipped and prepared for every occasion. One week before you depart, we will send you the weather forecast for your mystery destination along with a small packing list.
What if I don't want to go where you send me?
Well, hopefully that's not the case! We select your destination and tailor your Wander Weekend based on your interests and answers in the survey you complete. Therefore, we are confident that what we offer you is aligned with the type of weekend you’re after. We're sure that with our local tips in hand, you'll stumble upon some hidden treasures no matter where you go, and you might just fall in love with a place you knew nothing about.
How long are the trips?
Our trips are all 3 days/2 nights, with a departure on Friday morning and return on Sunday afternoon/evening. If you have specific time limitations (e.g cannot leave before 3pm on Friday, or must be back by 8pm on Sunday), please indicate it in the survey and we will do our best to respect it but please note this is not guaranteed. Our Luxury Wanderer package allows more flexibility with departure times.
What if my weekend doesn't fall on Friday - Sunday?
No problem! We know that everyone's schedule is different. We're happy to plan a trip during the week for you, but it will still be 3-days, 2-nights, unless otherwise noted. When you're booking your Wander Weekend, just be sure to list the departure date, and you'll be all set!
Can I bring my kids?
At this stage you can book for adults only. If you do want to bring your kids along, please send us an email with your request and we will do our best to accommodate it.
What if I want to take a checked bag?
Our Wander Weekends include carry on luggage only. If you would like a checked bag, please let us know in your survey. Please note there will be an additional fee for this.
How does my payment work?
Once you have selected your Wander Weekend, you will be directed to the payment page where you will enter your payment either by credit card or Paypal. Your credit card will be charged immediately for the full amount. Even if your trip is several months away, for credit card security, we cannot store your payment information to charge you later!
What types of accommodation do we book for you?
On your Wander Weekend you will be accommodated in simple, boutique and luxury properties depending on your package. Based on your survey, you could be in a boutique hotel in the city or an escape in nature.
What happens if my flights get cancelled?
Of course we always try to organise your trip so that nothing goes wrong. Nevertheless, we are unfortunately not safe from storms, strikes and the likes. If your flight is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, we will assist you with making alternative arrangements, alternatively a partial flight refund will be offered if your flights are unable to be rescheduled.
Is this only for couples?
Our packages are for a minimum of two people but you can travel as a couple or as a group with friends, colleagues or your family.
When will I receive my envelopes?
You will receive your envelopes with your mystery destination and itinerary two days before you depart.
Which airports can I start my trip from?
We book flights out of the four main New Zealand cities including Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.
Does my Road Trip Wanderer package include petrol?
It doesn’t included petrol, it would be very difficult to estimate how much you would spend on petrol, so this expense is on you.
Can I give a Wander Weekend trip as a voucher?
A gift that really surprises - twice! We do vouchers from $100 to $3,990 which we will send you as a PDF voucher, that you can print out yourself. The voucher will include a promo code which you will apply when booking your Wander Weekend package. Vouchers expire within one year of purchase. Your travel date does not need to be before the voucher expires, you just have to book your weekend in before the expiry date.
Is a rental car included with every trip?
Our Superior and Luxury Wanderer all include either airport transfers or a rental car. We always book full insurance for rental cars. Should anything happen, you will be required to pay your own excess. You must be over 18 years old and have a full New Zealand drivers license in order to have a rental car included in your Wander Weekend.
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What is my surprise and delight going to be?
This one is a surprise, but you will be delighted! It could be anything from wine and chocolates to a surprise activity.
If I select food, how many meals are included?
Meals could be pre-ordered groceries, meal vouchers or breakfast as part of your accommodation. It is not guaranteed that all meals are included, this is dependent on the budget we are working with. We usually leave some meals for you to choose.
When will I know at what time I have to be at the airport?
We will let you know an approximate time when you have to be at the airport once we have confirmed your arrangements. We will also tell you what time you’ll be back, so you can arrange transport home if needed. You’ll receive your exact flight details after revealing your destination.
Can I travel over a holiday weekend?
Yes - but we have a couple of tips! For holiday weekends, we always suggest that you select a higher budget than when travelling over a non-holiday weekend. Why? Travel + accommodation costs tend to be higher during these peak travelling times and we always want to be able to get you to a destination that you will love!
One last note - If you are able to plan your trip on a non-holiday weekend, you may have a more enjoyable experience for a few reasons. Holidays and 3-day weekends tend to be busier travel times in general, which can cause congestion at airports, surge pricing for hotels and airlines, and issues that are not as common during non-peak weekends. We want to offer you the best possible travelling experience, so if your dates are flexible, you may want to consider a non-holiday weekend for your Wander Weekend!
Can travellers in the same group depart from different cities?
For our three packages that include flights, yes! If each member of your group is departing from different places, it can get tricky to coordinate one destination - so we'll do it for you! When you're booking your weekend, the main traveller can put their departure airport and in the survey you just need to include each traveller's departure airport and address so we can send all guests their envelopes.
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For our Local Wanderer, we do require that all travellers depart from the same location so that we can create custom road trip directions for your weekend.
Does my package include transport to/from the airport in my departure city?
No, this is something we will leave up to you. We will let you know well in advance approximately what time you need to be at the airport and what time you will return so you can arrange your own transportation.
Is travel insurance included?
Full insurance is not included in your booking, however, we are more than happy to arrange this for you. Please email us for a quote.
Can the Road Trip Wanderer depart from anywhere?
Yes! The Road Trip Wanderer can depart right from your doorstep.
What is the longest distance I will drive on my Road Trip Wanderer?
This package is called local for a reason. We promise we won't send you across the country, your drive could be anywhere from an hour to a maximum of 5 hours. If you do have any time restrictions or specific requests, please let us know in your survey.
Why do I need to book 8 weeks in advance?
When planning your Wander Weekend we want to ensure our preferred suppliers and accommodations are available to provide you with excellent service wherever you go. The earlier you book the better as prices often increase closer to the time and accommodations get booked out.â € We are passionate about making sure you get more bang for your buck and include as much as possible in your mystery weekend.
What happens if I want to cancel?
Refunds are considered on a case by case basis. When we book your trip, we pay deposits and/or make payments in full to secure reservations therefore refunds are subject to the terms and conditions of the activities, transportation and accommodation providers through which your reservations are made. We make no guarantee or promises as to whether providers will issue a refund. A service fee will be charged if partial refund is issued. These change and cancellation fees reflect the reasonable, direct and indirect costs, time and effort incurred or involved in us providing booking and advisory services to you, as well as processing and managing the changes to, or cancellation of, your booking. Please refer to our terms and conditions for more details.