Carmelita Patricola
Brick, New Jersey Travel Agent
Travel By Carmen LLC, a Internova Travel Group Network affiliate agency
Email MeCertified Australia & New Zealand Specialist
I'd love to share my more than 30 years of travel experience—over 15 specializing in Australia and New Zealand—with you.
I've visited every state in Australia, including Tasmania, multiple times. I can say the same for New Zealand, both North and South Islands.
I first visited Australia thanks to a friendship... and my Aussie friends made sure that I didn't miss seeing anything of interest. I've stayed and traveled with them many times since and also traveled on my own.
Over the course of my travels, I've discovered the wonders and well-kept secrets in this beautiful land.
I've done all the hands-on experiences that Americans dream about when they think of the land Down Under—and I can arrange all of the same adventures for your trip.
Many parents visiting their children in Australian schools want to take advantage of the opportunity to visit and see this amazing land. I've coordinated many a trip for these occasions.
As a result of my travels to Australia, exploring New Zealand was only natural. Since I have friends there as well, I've been privileged to take in almost everything this small country has to offer. I can provide that excitement for others with a wide variety of activities, including:
- Glacier hiking
- Bungy jumping
- Wine tasting
- Water rafting
- Hot air ballooning
- Fishing
Or how about taking the Middle Earth Hobbiton Trail?
This is a country for enjoying the outdoors. I've also driven around both islands to get a feel for the adventure that driving on your own provides.
I'll take care of every detail of your journey to make sure it lives up to your idea of the experiences you want to have... it's your dream, after all, not mine.
Because I've done so many activities around Australia and New Zealand, you can trust that I'll plan your trip the right way and offer advice on what not to miss.
I look forward to working with you on a vacation to either or both destinations.
What My Clients Have to Say
holding a koala was a dream come true ...
I'd be pleased to supply references from some of my past clients upon request. They have told me that they will be happy to take your calls and answer your questions about their experience. They can tell you all about how they found my standard of service.
I invite you to visit my website, www.travelbycarmen.com, for additional insight on who I am.
My Areas of Expertise
DESTINATIONS
Carmen is perfect.
Reviewed By teanecknana - sarasota, florida | Traveled to
She did our trip or trips, cant remember with no hassles.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
25 of 49 people found this review helpful
Reluctant Aussie traveler
Reviewed By Alexis - Westchester, NY | Traveled to
In 2004 my son was taking a semester abroad in Sydney. I took the opportunity to go for 2 weeks when his semester ended. I was widowed in 2003 and my late husband did all our travel planning, booking, arranging. I had my round trip tickets, the idea and not much else. I wanted to go and yet was reluctant to plan my trip. I contacted and met with Carmen in October for my November trip. She was amazing. My son and I met in Sydney, our accommodations were deluxe, concierge service at the Intercontinental. Flew to Cairns, the Great Barrier Reef, tours, day trips, etc. Flew to The Red Center, accommodations in the park, sunrise walk around Uluru, aboriginal show (in Alice Springs), hiking and sunset at "the rock". Flew back to Sydney, tours to the wineries, tickets to the Opera House. There was not a thing that Carmen did not think of or arrange. With Carmen you get a knowledgable Australian expert and an upbeat, positively charming woman. Since that trip Carmen has arranged other trips, Paris and Aruba, always professional, always responsive.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
31 of 62 people found this review helpful
Trip of a lifetime!
Reviewed By BDSpina - United States | Traveled to
My husband and I decided to treat ourselves to an Australian honeymoon once we got married. Carmen was referred to us and we haven't looked back since. She was very attentive to our needs and responsive to all our questions and concerns. Every activity that she recommended and booked were amazing. She was very knowledgeable about all the areas we wanted to visit. The trip would NOT have been the same has we booked it ourselves. This is why we keep going back to Carmen for our trips outside the USA.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
26 of 54 people found this review helpful
My trip to Australia was amazing....
Reviewed By Hollis - NY | Traveled to
I booked a trip to Australia with Carmelita a few years ago. I had always wanted to go and Carmelita created an amazing 3 week trip that took me to Sydney, Cairns, Adelaide, Brisbane, Uluru, Alice Springs and Kangaroo Island. Her knowledge of the country and what was available at each location made the trip that much better. I knew what to expect and, as I was traveling alone, the detailed itinerary she provided was fantastic. She booked me into tours and locations where I met fellow travelers doing the same things and I made friends along the way. I was able to do so much in the 3 weeks and never felt as though I missed anything or was cramming things in. The trip & travel within Australia was perfectly timed.
I'd highly recommend booking with Carmelita Patricola if you are planning a trip to Australia.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
24 of 54 people found this review helpful
Knows her stuff!!!
Reviewed By Msmall724 - Beachwood, New Jersey | Traveled to
Carmen was extremely knowledgable helping us plan our dream vacation to New Zealand. She had many great suggestions and help put extra special touches on our vacation whether it was room with a great view or an excursion to suit us perfectly. You won't be disappointed using Travel by Carmen, she is very hands on and guides you through every step of the process.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
17 of 43 people found this review helpful
HONEYMOON OF A LIFETIME
Reviewed By THE MATOS FAMILY - NORTH HALEDON, NJ | Traveled to
Besides Carmen's delightful personality, the knowledge she has on Australia is amazing. Carmen booked my husband and my 3 1/2 week long honeymoon trip to Australian and Bora Bora. She made sure that we didn't miss a thing and made sure she added some downtime. It was a trip of a lifetime and nothing has compared to it! We have continued to use her for all our vacations. She is very knowledgeable, listens to your desires and makes them come true! I can not say more wonderful things about her. After using Carmen you no only acquire a travel agent, but a life long friend!!!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
18 of 45 people found this review helpful
Planned a GREAT Trip
Reviewed By jclarkep - Blacksburg, VA | Traveled to
She helped us plan our 20th year anniversary trip to Australia. We had a wonderful time. Stayed in great places saw many amazing things. Her guidance was invaluable. The trip was in August of 2006 arranged the spring of 2006. I couldn't select that for the month year trip arranged
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
23 of 55 people found this review helpful
Listened to what we wanted and made every effort to craft a great trip
Reviewed By SueP - Vestal, NY | Traveled to
We arranged our trip strictly through emails to Carmen. She was always very prompt in her response to our emails. This was to be our trip of a lifetime and she came through! We wanted to hit the highlights of Australia with only 3 weeks time available. She offered special events (such as a private tour of the Sydney Opera House), booked us into spectacular resorts (Southern Ocean Lodge, Longitude 131) and arranged all our (many) travel transfers, flights and insurance so we had no worries over the course of the trip. There were a few minor glitches which we reported upon coming home and Carmen worked the problems and arranged for some greatly appreciated, but unnecessary reimbursement for our "inconvenience". I have no hesitancy in recommending Carmen to anyone traveling to Australia or New Zealand.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
17 of 46 people found this review helpful
She listened to what we wanted!
Reviewed By Janine - Princeton, NJ | Traveled to
We only needed help with certain parts of our trip since I had lived in Australia before. Carmen was wonderful to work with. She is very knowledgeable about the area and great with all the logistics. We had a wonderful trip as a result of her planning!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
22 of 56 people found this review helpful
Excellent suggestions on hotels, places to visit, and tour groups for special excursions
Reviewed By Martha - New York, NY | Traveled to
Carmen is an excellent resource, especially for far off places that have innumerable sights and not enough time to see every single sight! Was able to accommodate budget items as well as the "splurge" items requested in some areas. Very responsive to requests for changes in honing in on final itinerary. Would recommend services highly. Have used service more than once and was more than satisfied each time.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
24 of 60 people found this review helpful
We had the best time thanks to her knowledge of the area
Reviewed By E&M - New Jersey | Traveled to
Carmen helped with our planning every step of the way. I was the best trip ever. I fully recommend her knowledge and expertise of the region and it's amenities.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
21 of 56 people found this review helpful
Australian Grand Tour Including Sheep Station
Reviewed By Beverly D - Lambertville, NJ | Traveled to
This was a bucket list trip for me and Carmen made all the arrangements for me to travel solo including a trip to a sheep station in the Outback. Without her I would never have been able to make all the connections and see everything I did. I went from Sydney to Adelaide to the Outback and on to Alice Springs and Darwin and Kakudu ending up in Cairns and the Great Coral Reef. One excursion to Kangaroo Island hadn't even been on my list but it turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip. Truly the trip of a lifetime.
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
24 of 63 people found this review helpful
We felt she went with us on the trip
Reviewed By New to NZ - Sussex County, NJ | Traveled to
Carmen was wonderful. She was patient with our endless need for details in our itinerary; concerned for our safety. She was tremendously flexible to ensure that we had the experiences that we wanted. We were in New Zealand for a month and every single detail had been taken care of. Amazing!
I would recommend this agent to my family and friends
16 of 49 people found this review helpful