travel agents nelson

0800 24 35 44

Flight Centre Nelson

Our travel experts can assist you with, getting the best quote for your trip, planning the best trip path, securing the hottest deal right now, site quick links, help & support.

© Flight Centre (NZ) Limited.

Lowest Airfare Guarantee is no longer valid at Flight Centre stores in New Zealand as of Thursday 14 July 2022. Click here for more information . *Travel restrictions & conditions apply. Prices & taxes are in NZD and are correct as at the date of publication & are subject to availability and change without notice. Prices quoted are on sale until the dates specified unless otherwise stated or sold out prior. Prices are per person. We charge a Travel Expert Service Fee for bookings made with our travel experts in store, via email or over the phone and an Online Booking Fee for flight bookings made online. These fees are charged in addition to the advertised price and displayed fares. Merchant fees apply and depend on your chosen payment method. View Booking Terms and Conditions for more information.

Destinations

Our Top Deals

Pacific Islands

New Zealand

Central America & the Caribbean

South America

Polar Regions

USA Alaska Hawaii

Middle East

Subscribe to our store newsletter for updates, news and special email deals..

Make sure you're on our mailing list to be the first to receive our best deals, delivered straight to your inbox.

You must enable JavaScript to submit this form

Our Happy Customers

Contact Us Now

• Destinations
• Experiences
• Specialists

• Contact Kelly Bowater Travel
• Mobile. 021 252 8686
• Location. Nelson / Tasman
• Email. [email protected]
• Facebook. www.facebook.com/kellybowatertravel

• Print Profile

* Required information

Meet the Team

Testimonials, about kelly bowater travel.

Kelly Bowater Travel  is an award winning Travel Brokerage located in Nelson specialising in boutique travel services.  One of the most frequently asked questions we get is "What is the difference between Kelly Bowater Travel and a Travel Agent?"   Being an owner operator, Kelly Bowater Travel is completely dedicated to client needs.   While arranging your travel we offer you a quiet, relaxing and private environment to discuss your needs which is certainly very pleasant and personal.

The team at Kelly Bowater Travel love planning detailed itineraries and tailoring travel to suit your requirements.   Whether you are planning a dream holiday or need to travel for business, they offer you expertise, experience, professionalism and independent advice.

And if you need assistance while abroad, Kelly Bowater Travel is contactable 24/7, which is very comforting if the unforeseen happens.

Kelly Bowater

Owner / travel specialist.

Hi I am Kelly. I live in stunning Nelson, New Zealand with my two daughters. Travel is certainly my passion! I have been in the travel industry for over 15 years as a Travel Broker. These years have been extremely rewarding to me! I love designing personal itineraries to suit my client’s requirements. Everyone has completely different needs when travelling and I understand that. I offer the experience and knowledge to make your travel most enjoyable and cost effective. My Hometown is Nelson. My favourite city in the world is Paris as I am a bit of a romantic at heart. I have travelled to Asia, UK, USA, Europe, Fiji, Rarotonga, Noumea, Tahiti, Africa and Australia. The most memorable travel moment was when I had a wild lion stroll past me in Africa so close that I could have touched him, MAGNIFICENT! When you book your trip with me, may it be for business or personal travel not only will you receive professional, experienced advice you will also get 24/7 back-up while you are overseas. That in itself is priceless. Remember "Without a Travel Broker, you are on your own". 

• Phone. 03 544 4622 or Mob: 021 252 8686

Travel Specialist

Hello, my name is Jojo Gary. I am excited to have joined Kelly, now working as a full time Travel Broker. I have been working professionally in the travel industry for the past 4 years here in Nelson. Prior to that I was busy off exploring this amazing world! I have travelled extensively and lived overseas, experiencing many different cultures and discovered my love for travel. After returning home to Nelson, I launched my career in travel and haven’t looked back! My passion for travel, along with my own incredible experiences and expertise in the travel industry is what makes me excited to create amazing itineraries with my clients. Whether it be a quick trip across the ditch, an adventure packed holiday or a European getaway, I am here to help and guide you through the process and open doors you may not have known existed! Give me a call or send me an email to put the wheels in motion and book your travels the seamless way!

• Phone. 03 544 4622
• Email. [email protected]

I'm thrilled to be joining Kelly's esteemed team. Over the past eight years, my career in the aviation sector across New Zealand and Australia has fueled my passion for travel. While I'm new to this industry, my background is rich with firsthand adventures - from sleeping under the stars in the Sahara Desert with Nomads to sailing the stunning French coastline or sitting front row at the Hungarian Grand Prix. I've cherished unforgettable family holidays across the Pacific and Australia creating wonderful memories and deepening my love for exploring new destinations. I understand from personal experience the value of having a travel broker by your side for peace of mind relaxed travel be it for personal or business. I look forward to contributing to Kelly's award-winning team and discovering exciting new horizons for you in the world of travel." "Ready to elevate your next getaway? I'm here to ensure your experience is seamless and unforgettable. Contact me today to plan your tailored journey and let's make your travel goals a reality!"

• Phone. +64 21 632 099
• Email. [email protected]

Kelly planned our whole African trip and I barely did a thing. She made the whole process so easy for us and pulled off the most amazing trip of a life time. Cannot recommended high enough! Will always use Kelly for future travel plans.  Bub Taylor via Facebook

Kelly is our go to girl for all our travel plans! She organised our honeymoon to Tahiti and it was awesome! She really has a fantastic industry knowledge and experience!  Prue-Nathan Sharp-Pinkerton via Facebook

• High Flyer/Top 10 (Travel Managers Group NZ) - 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015
• Terms & Conditions
• Broker's Login
• Privacy Policy
• Cookies Policy

Level 5, 124 Vincent Street, Auckland

Nelson, Nelson 19 travel agents near you

Hire the best travel agents in nelson.

Abel Tasman Coachlines

Travel agent.

Powerhouse Insurance Services Ltd

Orbit Corporate Travel

Flight Centre

Nz Travel Brokers Nelson

Auszeit Neuseeland

Jj'S Quality Tours

Air New Zealand Travelcentre

Abel Tasman Sea Shuttle Ltd

United Travel Nelson

Travel Smart

Orbit Corporate Travel Nelson

Happy Valley Adventures

Touring New Zealand Ltd

Brook Waimarama Sanctuary

Touring New Zealand Limited

Take A Break Ltd

What training or studies are needed to work in a travel agency.

Before we delve into the different courses that allow you to work in a travel agency, let's start by highlighting the fact that no diploma is required if you want to open your own agency or work in one. In fact, since 2015, it is no longer mandatory to have a BTS in tourism or a similar degree to create your own travel agency. You can therefore practice without a diploma, however skills and experience remain key elements for success. Let's not fool ourselves, creating this type of company, or even just working in it, is not within reach of those who are not passionate about the subject of travel and foreign cultures, and furthermore, it is never too late to train and learn. If you have no diploma to help you, but you want to change your career to become a travel agent for example, know that it will be possible to train yourself via your "Compte Personnel de Formation" (CPF). Inquire with Pôle Emploi to find out where your account stands and how much you have to train yourself. After having said all this, let's now take a look at the courses that are most often favored before entering the world of work in a travel agency. After high school: 2 years to obtain a BTS in tourism or operational commercial management; 3 years for the BUT (Bachelor Universitaire de Technologie) in commercialization techniques. Specialized schools also offer bachelor's degrees. After a two-year degree: - BTS in operational commercial management - BTS in tourism - Salesperson in business travel and tourism After a three-year degree: - BUT in commercialization techniques - Professional license in tourism professions: commercialization of tourism products - Professional license in tourism and leisure professions After a five-year degree: - Master of Science in Tourism and Destination Management

What is the scope of intervention of a professional?

On a daily basis, the activities of a travel agent are diverse and varied, so much so that the professional will rarely have time to get bored during their days, provided their agency is running properly. These tasks can be very different from one company to another. However, to give you a more precise idea of what to expect when practicing this profession, we will summarize for you all the main functions, as well as the most common, for which a travel agent is responsible: - To start, they must of course be familiar with their agency's tourist offerings in order to inform their customers and be able to illustrate their point with detailed information if necessary. - They must also be able to welcome customers in person or over the phone, with the appropriate tone, voice and warmth. - They must also respond to requests for quotes or information by email, which is an administrative task that takes a lot of time and requires organization and rigor at all times. - They must also select tourism products according to the customer's request, then present their characteristics in a constructive and, if possible, argumentative way (the strengths, the prices). - They must also advise the client on the different products (transportation, services), make the reservation, and then establish the contractual documents necessary for the commercial exchange. - They must also check travel documents in advance so that the traveler does not encounter any unpleasant surprises during their trip. - They must also establish the terms of settlement of a dispute or pass it on to legal or litigation services. - They must also provide information for monitoring activity supports so that the agency can have an overall view of its activity and its evolution over time. - They must organize the display of the sales space, with a certain marketing spirit. - Finally, they must perform sales promotion operations, especially during periods specifically conducive to this.

Why use a professional?

The idea of traveling is often a source of anxiety for those who are preparing for it, as there are many things to consider so that the trip goes smoothly and without any hiccups. In this section, we will specifically discuss the main reasons why you should consider using a travel agency or at least a professional in the sector to organize your trip. Preparing for a trip, even one of just a few days, is not easy. Certainly, a lot of information is available on the internet, but compiling it all to organize your future trip takes a lot of time. First, let's realize that going through a travel agency will allow you to save a lot of time. No need to spend several hours searching for the right flight or finding a hotel to sleep in, finding a rental car, etc. Calling on a professional means giving yourself more time to devote to other things that could also, why not, optimize your trip. Then, entrusting the organization of your trip to a provider means trusting the experience and know-how of a professional who has the required skills to organize a trip that meets your expectations and advise you properly, both in terms of tourism, legal, or even geographical aspects. Calling on a professional, contrary to what one might think, often turns out to be less expensive in the end than organizing everything yourself. Indeed, thanks to their relations with suppliers, the professional is likely to find very good deals for you and offer unbeatable prices, for example for flights, but also for accommodations. It is precisely the addition of all this that will allow you to save money. To conclude this section, we would like to emphasize that for each of us, safety and assurance during the trip are two essential things, regardless of the final destination. Thanks to their total mastery of the travel world, a travel professional will be committed to ensuring your safety throughout your stay. Furthermore, you will benefit from after-sales service and, in the event of an unforeseen circumstance (whether it be a canceled flight, an airline strike, or other), you can obtain assistance simply by contacting your travel agent, who will then take care of finding a solution to your problem.

When should you call a professional?

There isn't really a rule about this, as long as you don't wait until the last minute. Consider that the sooner, the better, so planning a trip to the other side of the world cannot be done overnight. The agent has to find a flight, accommodation options at the destination, and a whole bunch of other services that you might want to take advantage of once you're there. It is therefore better to start planning at least a few weeks or months in advance. This will also allow you to benefit from better prices, which is not insignificant. Note, however, that some agencies specify a maximum anticipation date, meaning that, for example, it will not be possible to book a flight or even a hotel 2 or 3 years in advance... but this is natural and almost goes without saying.

How to find a professional to organize your trip?

No matter where you are or where you want to go, finding this type of service is relatively easy, as long as you don't live in a too remote area. Whether you live in Nelson downtown or in the deepest countryside, start by asking your acquaintances and loved ones, although it must be acknowledged that word-of-mouth is not necessarily the most effective way to find the rare gem (but you never know...). If you live in a very remote area, in the middle of the countryside, not finding a travel agency nearby (within 20 or 30 kilometers) should not stop you or discourage you; be sure that you will find an agency in the nearest medium or large city! In any case, rest assured that the right professional, once contacted, will be more than willing to make your life easier, and if necessary, subsequent exchanges can be done through emails or phone calls. If word-of-mouth yields nothing, which is very possible, then it is recommended to use the internet, by consulting a site like StarOfService, for example, which lists all professionals in a certain field, based on where you're conducting the search. In just a few clicks, the site will provide you with the contact details of the said professional and you can contact them right away, and this also applies to travel agents. From there, you are free to shop around or simply choose the one closest to your home, it is no longer our concern...

How much does a travel agency service cost?

The rates that we are going to indicate here are not contractual, but simply average values ​​obtained throughout the French territory. Each agency has its own way of billing, so we cannot recommend enough that you ask for the details of the services from the relevant agent. Only then can you have a precise idea of ​​what you are paying for. Having said that, let's now move on to the pricing, which, while not to be taken as exact figures, will still give you an idea of ​​the prices practiced on the market. In general, it should be noted that the majority of a travel agency's income comes from commissions paid by the various suppliers involved during the stay; these are percentages that are taken from each sale made. Generally, the agent on average takes between 8% and 10% of the public price for a plane ticket sold; regarding other services, the percentage is between 9 and 15% of the public price. Consulting fees, act and reservation fees are also sources of income for a travel agency, but it is up to each brand to quantify its services. Therefore, you will have to ask the question or inquire when the time comes.

How to choose the right travel agent or agency?

No matter where you are or live, whether in a particular city, region or department, finding this type of professional is relatively simple, based on studies on the subject. So whether you live in the inner city of Nelson or in the depths of the countryside in Moselle or Gironde, we advise you to start by asking around among your acquaintances and friends, as word of mouth is always a good way to find the right address for such things (we all know people who have traveled through a particular agency, so let's start by looking in that direction...). If this first search yields no results, it is then possible to use the Internet, as it is the most common way to purchase travel services, not physical agencies. Once online, no matter which search engine is used, we suggest consulting a site like StarOfService, for example, which lists all professionals in a particular field, depending on the location of the search and where you live. In just a few clicks, the site will provide you with the contact details of the professional and you can contact them within minutes to inquire about their availability, rates, etc. Don't hesitate to consult a large number of customer reviews and comments, as they are essential information for getting an idea of the level of service provided by the agent or agency in question.

Here are some questions to ask a travel professional during your first meeting:

- How long have you been practicing this profession? What training or diploma do you possess to carry out this activity? - What are your rates? Can I have a detailed breakdown of them? - Will you provide me with a proper quote prior to starting the work? - What are your availability to discuss my travel project? - Can you guarantee the respect of deadlines and rates that we agree upon?

Trending in Nelson

Explore on starofservice, professionals available nearby.

• Store & Consultant Finder

• Destinations
• Store & Consultant Finder
• Nelson / Marlborough

House of Travel Richmond

Let’s connect.

Welcome to House of Travel Richmond

We are excited that you are keen to travel and we are confident that we will provide you with the service and commitment to meet your travel requirements. 

Why choose House of Travel Richmond:

• We are a team of well-travelled consultants and have a wealth of knowledge, particularly in our individual specialised areas of expertise. We have got you covered with our experience in all corners of the world and for all types of travel!

• We really do care – we know that your holiday is an investment, and we are committed to making your getaway amazing and everything you want it to be

• We are passionate about what we do and every time we plan a getaway for our valued customers - we want you to know we appreciate your business as we are 100% New Zealand owned and operated

• Buy local with someone you know - we offer personal service and the best part is - you will be supporting 6 amazing women and their families, to be involved in their communities and follow their travel dreams too!

• We have heaps of amazing, exclusive deals to House of Travel in all sorts of adventures including but not limited to cruises - river and ocean, tours, cycling, trekking, barging, private touring and many more fabulous travel experiences. 

• We share ideas as a team and compile exciting, comprehensive tailor made itineraries – just for you and your family - and your special requirements are taken into account to make your individual holiday just what you want it to be!

• We take the hassle out of researching and booking yourself, particularly with the overwhelming amount of information available on the internet

• We provide you with our one-on-one, undivided attention when you make an appointment with us to discuss and plan your holiday as we realise time is important to you

• We are there for you 24/7 when the unexpected happens with your travel plans 

Share your plans, hopes and dreams with us, and you will find we are better together!

Amanda Radovanovich Owner Operator

Meet the team

Amanda Radovanovich

Sally Mallory

Sarah Pomeroy

What our customers have to say, news and events.

What does the future of air travel look like?

Disney announces cruise line expansion - 4 new ships!

First class for the price of business class?

Ever wondered what it's like to race on an F1 track?

Disney reveal the name of their newest Disney ship!

Qatar's new in-flight AI assistant

Our travel stories.

Sao Tome and Principe

Located in West Africa, this stunning Island Nation that is East of Gabon goes fairly unnoticed by most of the world. My love of flags encouraged me to book the ticket when a flight alert came up for a 50% reduction compared to normal fares. The main language here is Portuguese, some people might speak English or French and you can definitely get by with Spanish too.    

Postcard from Fiji

I first feel in love with Fiji when I went on a family holiday as a child.

Store awards

Travel Agents Brokers in Nelson Region

Worldtravellers motueka, helloworld nelson, house of travel, african safaris ltd, wildside travel motueka, yourtravel & tours, simplytravel, vanessa carmichael - air new zealand holidays travel broker, helloworld richmond, world travel nelson, click-nz.com, worldtravellers limited, nelson travel broker., kelly bowater travel broker, diane grigg the travel brokers, andrew welch the travel brokers.

© 2024 Thryv New Zealand Ltd. All rights reserved.

Simply Travel

• What We Offer
• Photo Gallery

Simplytravel Has Gone Mobile

We have moved from the office on Trafalgar Street and gone mobile, so it’s business as usual with us working from home Please continue to contact us on our usual telephone number 03 546 9229 and email addresses

We remain committed to continue assisting with ongoing and new bookings, all travel requirements and enquiries, and look forward to getting you travelling again

Business hours are Monday to Friday 9:00am to 4:30pm

(Closed on Public Holidays)

© 2024 Simplytravel. All rights reserved. Click here for our Terms & Conditions

SunRoom Website Design Nelson

• Destinations
• Request Info.
• Book Online

Our Vacation Specialists all work remotely from their home offices, and are available to assist you during normal business hours; Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. To contact Travel by Nelson, please phone our business line at (651)731-8026. All phone calls will be forwarded to a Vacation Specialist. You may also reach us by email at; [email protected] . We are happily accepting new travel requests, and appreciate the opportunity to assist you with your travel plans! Thank you for your continued support, loyalty, and friendship. Your Vacation Specialists at Travel by Nelson, Ltd.

Your the type that wants to relax on vacation and have nothing to worry about. If you're looking for true relaxation, with no added worry, then check out our travel packages.

Head for the vacation of a lifetime on the high seas. Enjoy the excitement of a cruise with the destination of your choice. With a long list of exotic and historic destinations

Ready to have the vacation of a lifetime? We offer a long list of luxurious accommodations for your next travel experience. From lively cities to exotic locations

Travel by Nelson Ltd "Let our experience benefit yours!"

Travel By Nelson is a full service travel agency located in Woodbury, MN that is committed to outstanding service and exceptional value. We have been in business since 1986, and specialize in booking packages, cruises and honeymoons. We are located in the Season's Market in Woodbury on the corner of Radio Drive and Tamarack Road in Suite 105B.

Featured Promotions

Globus 2026: independent brazil & argentina with brazil's amazon (isi2).

From $4,239.00 (USD)

When my baby smiles at me, I go to Rio! You'll be smiling from ear to ear on this Independence by Globus vacation in Brazil and Argentina with plenty of much needed I-time in Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and the Amazon Rainforest.

GLOBUS 2026: Natural Wonders of Costa Rica with Manuel Antonio (SRE)

From $3,559.00 (USD)

If you were the type of kid who always marched to your own drum, this bold tour of Costa Rica is just the escape for you. Wide-open spaces, multi-hued creatures, and bright, vivid scenery welcome you with open arms and a no-holds-barred spirit.

GLOBUS 2025: Great Resorts of the Canadian Rockies with the Rocky Mountaineer (CDE)

From $6,855.00 (USD)

Just because the Canadian Rockies is home to some of the most rugged terrain in North America doesn't mean you have to rough it!

GLOBUS 2025: Greek Island Adventure (RN)

From $2,600.00 (USD)

Calling all adventurous spirits to embark on an odyssey and discover breathtaking sights and ancient legends.

INFORMATION

Woodbury, MN 55125

(651) 731-8026 [email protected]

• Travel Specials
• Travel Inspiration
• Travel Insurance
• REAL ID Act

Travel Leaders

Travel better, your extraordinary vacation begins here.

No matter where in the world you want to go, we can help get you there. Our experienced agents will take the time to answer your questions and listen to your ideas, before making expert recommendations that fit your budget. We believe extraordinary vacations begin with careful planning, that's why we are devoted to ensuring our clients always have the best possible experience—both before they leave and while they're away.

What makes us special?

Personal Service

Featured Video

Best Vacation Ever

Join our mailing list.

Dedicated to helping our clients travel better, our experienced agents are passionate about sharing their industry knowledge and first-hand insights.

SEE THE WHOLE TEAM

Stacy Hauge

Liz Oberstein

Your information will only be used to connect with this travel specialist

Agency Specialties

Preferred suppliers.

(507) 452-1990

Privately Guided, Inspiring Personalized Journeys

Private luxury travel with Latitude South is about unpretentious exclusivity and connection to place. It’s about doors being opened to you as an eagerly anticipated visitor – a welcomed guest.

With an emphasis on richly immersive, deeply personalized travel, Latitude South private journeys celebrate the characters, environments, wildlife, culture and the gastronomic delicacies of Australia & New Zealand.  We embrace refined, authentic and nonexploitative experiences, personally and carefully curated by some of the most discerning experts in Australia & New Zealand luxury travel today.

Our people are the gateway to the locations, the special moments and the experiences that reveal the heart and soul of Australia & New Zealand.  Each of our uniquely qualified Latitude South guides have the knowledge, connections and affability to ensure your journey is as personally meaningful and comfortable as it can be.  Our guides will lead you on spectacular hikes, introduce you to interesting and good-humoured local personalities and take you so far beyond the tourism façade that it will become immediately evident that you are experiencing an uncommon and stunningly beautiful tapestry of luxury, outdoor environments, wildlife, food and the many private and inimitable pursuits available to Latitude South clients.

The unequivocal beauty of New Zealand beckons you to stop, breathe & feel the exhilaration of this magnificent place.

This company did an outstanding and amazing job in planning and coordinating our vacation. Every detail was taken care of and everything went smoothly. We could not have asked for a more perfect time. I would use their services again in a heartbeat and have recommended them highly to all of my friends.

My wife and I had an absolutely amazing experience with Latitude South. Claire and Karen went above and beyond to make our Australian vacation excellent and hassle free. Their service and the trip itself exceeded our expectations and the personal touches were greatly appreciated. Without hesitation, we would recommend Latitude South to anyone and would definitely use them again if/when we travel to New Zealand or back to Australia!

We are home with a suitcase full of memories that we could not have created without Karen’s help.

Karen was immensely patient as we worked through multiple iterations of our itinerary till we came upon the one that was perfect for us. We were all over the map when we started and are so thankful for her guidance and her willingness to offer different alternatives for us till we landed on one that was just right for us.

The cultural experience that Karen arranged for us was most authentic and allowed us to really appreciate the Maori culture. It was an experience that allowed for introspection while enjoying a taste of a different lifestyle among the Maori, in a private home. It was far from the hokey tourist cultural experience that most visitors will have.I won’t spoil it but if you book this with Karen (and you must) you will meet some pretty famous locals who will welcome you and share their culture with you.

I would highly recommend Latitude South to all our friends who are contemplating a trip Down Under.

Working with Latitude South was as good as could be. In the planning stage, Karen spent as much time as we needed to assist in developing our itinerary. She is delightful, fun, flexible and extremely knowledgeable about all things New Zealand. Nothing was too much trouble to adjust or change as our preferences became clearer. Her entire team, whom we were lucky to meet while in Nelson, couldn’t have been nicer nor more accommodating. They were helpful on the ground as needed and always had a good suggestion. We would choose to work with Latitude South again and again and would definitely recommend them to anyone planning a trip to New Zealand.

New Zealand had always been on my husband and my travel bucket list, but when we decided to go, we really needed help in narrowing down our to do and see wishes. Latitude South Travel Company was our answer to getting a taste of New Zealand in two weeks. LSTC was absolutely the most professional and organized company we’ve ever worked with. They listened to our ideas, made up an itinerary based on them, and then submitted it to us. After we approved it, they made all the reservations (including all air travel), and all we had to do was show up and ENJOY. We were not disappointed in anything.

What an amazing trip we had to Australia and New Zealand! It was everything we had hoped for and so much more! Every day unfolded with a new adventure or wonder of nature. Latitude South absolutely listen to our desires but also added their own expertise to ensure that each day was seamless and every minute well-spent. Even our down-time was perfectly timed to when we needed to stop, breathe and do laundry.😊 After 4 weeks – 2 each in Australia and New Zealand – we still weren’t ready to head home! Trip of a lifetime and memories of a lifetime indeed! Thank you Karen and Team Latitude South!

More travel reviews

To touch and feel Australia on the most authentic terms allows this great southern continent to shine.  With Latitude South, Australia will express herself fully and very personally to you.

Latitude South Travel Company

We are a bespoke travel company that specializes in high-touch, totally authentic trips to New Zealand and Australia with stopover opportunities in the Fiji and Cook Islands.

Hand-picked experiences to thrill and inspire based on your own individual dreams and goals.

Move you away from mass tourism and into the homes, hearts and treasured places.

Experience an artful blend of luxury and authenticity.

To Travel is to Live

Hans Christian Andersen

Experiences to last a life time

Discover more experiences

• Request roadside service

Welcome to AAA Washington

To ensure you receive the best service possible, please enter your zip code below

AAA Washington serves members in Washington & Northern Idaho

Travel Advisor Profile

Maria shuler nelson.

Travel Advisor

Bellevue
 1100 Bellevue Way NE, Suite 7
 Bellevue, WA 98004

(253) 756-3027 MariaNelson@aaawa.com

Maria has over 20 years of travel experience and knowledge with AAA Washington. She has planned every imaginable trip from multi-generational family vacations, Luxury trips to Australia and New Zealand to river rafting in Ethiopia with every detail taken care of for her clients.

My favorite destinations I traveled to are always changing. I would have to say my top 3 are New Zealand - the incredibly diverse and unspoiled scenery. The people, "Kiwis," as the locals are called, are the nicest people you will ever meet. Abel Tasman is the most beautiful place I have kayaked and hiked. River cruising in Europe - I liked that we could do as much or as little as we wanted. We discovered more about the people, culture, history and cuisine at every stop compared to when we have done Europe on our own. Israel - I was amazed by the diverse scenery and beautiful landscapes. Even if you take away the fact that it's the birthplace of Western religion, as well as all of the politics and economics in the region, you still have a place where the wine flows, beautiful beaches and a culinary scene that is tough to beat.

Areas of expertise

• River Cruising
• Luxury Travel
• Family Travel
• World Cruises
• Adventure travel 

• Travel Specials
• Travel Inspiration
• Travel Insurance
• REAL ID Act

Travel Leaders

Travel better with us, your extraordinary vacation begins here.

No matter where in the world you want to go, we can help get you there. Our experienced agents will take the time to answer your questions and listen to your ideas, before making expert recommendations that fit your budget. We believe extraordinary vacations begin with careful planning, that's why we are devoted to ensuring our clients always have the best possible experience—both before they leave and while they're away.

What makes us special?

Personal Service

Join our mailing list

Dedicated to helping our clients travel better, our experienced agents are passionate about sharing their industry knowledge and first-hand insights.

SEE THE WHOLE TEAM

Ellen Chittum

Tracy Nelson

Caitlin Leininger

Your information will only be used to connect with this travel specialist

Featured Video

Travel Better

Agency specialties, preferred suppliers.

(715) 355-4437

Suggested Searches

• Climate Change
• Expedition 64
• Mars perseverance
• SpaceX Crew-2
• International Space Station
• View All Topics A-Z

Humans in Space

Earth & climate, the solar system, the universe, aeronautics, learning resources, news & events.

Work Is Under Way on NASA’s Next-Generation Asteroid Hunter

Webb Finds Early Galaxies Weren’t Too Big for Their Britches After All

New NASA Study Tallies Carbon Emissions From Massive Canadian Fires

• Search All NASA Missions
• A to Z List of Missions
• Upcoming Launches and Landings
• Spaceships and Rockets
• Communicating with Missions
• James Webb Space Telescope
• Hubble Space Telescope
• Why Go to Space
• Commercial Space
• Destinations
• Living in Space
• Explore Earth Science
• Earth, Our Planet
• Earth Science in Action
• Earth Multimedia
• Earth Science Researchers
• Pluto & Dwarf Planets
• Asteroids, Comets & Meteors
• The Kuiper Belt
• The Oort Cloud
• Skywatching
• The Search for Life in the Universe
• Black Holes
• The Big Bang
• Dark Energy & Dark Matter
• Earth Science
• Planetary Science
• Astrophysics & Space Science
• The Sun & Heliophysics
• Biological & Physical Sciences
• Lunar Science

Citizen Science

• Astromaterials
• Aeronautics Research
• Human Space Travel Research
• Science in the Air
• NASA Aircraft
• Flight Innovation
• Supersonic Flight
• Air Traffic Solutions
• Green Aviation Tech
• Drones & You
• Technology Transfer & Spinoffs
• Space Travel Technology
• Technology Living in Space
• Manufacturing and Materials
• Science Instruments
• For Kids and Students
• For Educators
• For Colleges and Universities
• For Professionals
• Science for Everyone
• Requests for Exhibits, Artifacts, or Speakers
• STEM Engagement at NASA
• NASA's Impacts
• Centers and Facilities
• Directorates
• Organizations
• People of NASA
• Internships
• Our History
• Doing Business with NASA
• Get Involved

NASA en Español

• Aeronáutica
• Ciencias Terrestres
• Sistema Solar
• All NASA News
• Video Series on NASA+
• Newsletters
• Social Media
• Media Resources
• Upcoming Launches & Landings
• Virtual Guest Program
• Image of the Day
• Sounds and Ringtones
• Interactives
• STEM Multimedia

FAQ: NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test Return Status

NASA’s Europa Clipper Gets Set of Super-Size Solar Arrays

NASA, Boeing Optimizing Vehicle Assembly Building High Bay for Future SLS Stage Production

NASA Seeks Input for Astrobee Free-flying Space Robots

NASA Funds Studies to Support Crew Performance on Long-Duration Missions

NASA Project in Puerto Rico Trains Students in Marine Biology

STV Precursor Coincident Datasets

Eclipse Soundscapes AudioMoth Donations Will Study Nature at Night

Hubble Traces Star Formation in a Nearby Nebula

Hubble Pinpoints a Dim, Starry Mini-galaxy

First NASA-Supported Researcher to Fly on Suborbital Rocket

NASA Discovers a Long-Sought Global Electric Field on Earth

NASA Develops Pod to Help Autonomous Aircraft Operators 

NASA Composite Manufacturing Initiative Gains Two New Members

Beyond the Textbook: DC-8 Aircraft Inspires Students in Retirement

Solar Panels for NASA’s Roman Space Telescope Pass Key Tests

How Do I Navigate NASA Learning Resources and Opportunities?

Cassiopeia A, Then the Cosmos: 25 Years of Chandra X-ray Science

Preguntas frecuentes: estado del retorno de la prueba de vuelo tripulado boeing de la nasa.

Astronauta de la NASA Frank Rubio

Diez maneras en que los estudiantes pueden prepararse para ser astronautas

Nasa decides to bring starliner spacecraft back to earth without crew .

Jessica Taveau

Nasa headquarters.

NASA will return Boeing’s Starliner to Earth without astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams aboard the spacecraft, the agency announced Saturday. The uncrewed return allows NASA and Boeing to continue gathering testing data on Starliner during its upcoming flight home, while also not accepting more risk than necessary for its crew.

Wilmore and Williams, who flew to the International Space Station in June aboard NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test, have been busy supporting station research, maintenance, and Starliner system testing and data analysis, among other activities.

“Spaceflight is risky, even at its safest and most routine. A test flight, by nature, is neither safe, nor routine. The decision to keep Butch and Suni aboard the International Space Station and bring Boeing’s Starliner home uncrewed is the result of our commitment to safety: our core value and our North Star,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “I’m grateful to both the NASA and Boeing teams for all their incredible and detailed work.”

Wilmore and Williams will continue their work formally as part of the Expedition 71/72 crew through February 2025. They will fly home aboard a Dragon spacecraft with two other crew members assigned to the agency’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission. Starliner is expected to depart from the space station and make a safe, controlled autonomous re-entry and landing in early September.

NASA and Boeing identified helium leaks and experienced issues with the spacecraft reaction control thrusters on June 6 as Starliner approached the space station. Since then, engineering teams have completed a significant amount of work , including reviewing a collection of data, conducting flight and ground testing, hosting independent reviews with agency propulsion experts, and developing various return contingency plans. The uncertainty and lack of expert concurrence does not meet the agency’s safety and performance requirements for human spaceflight, thus prompting NASA leadership to move the astronauts to the Crew-9 mission.

“Decisions like this are never easy, but I want to commend our NASA and Boeing teams for their thorough analysis, transparent discussions, and focus on safety during the Crew Flight Test,” said Ken Bowersox, associate administrator for NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate. “We’ve learned a lot about the spacecraft during its journey to the station and its docked operations. We also will continue to gather more data about Starliner during the uncrewed return and improve the system for future flights to the space station.”

Starliner is designed to operate autonomously and previously completed two uncrewed flights. NASA and Boeing will work together to adjust end-of-mission planning and Starliner’s systems to set up for the uncrewed return in the coming weeks. Starliner must return to Earth before the Crew-9 mission launches to ensure a docking port is available on station.

“Starliner is a very capable spacecraft and, ultimately, this comes down to needing a higher level of certainty to perform a crewed return,” said Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. “The NASA and Boeing teams have completed a tremendous amount of testing and analysis, and this flight test is providing critical information on Starliner’s performance in space. Our efforts will help prepare for the uncrewed return and will greatly benefit future corrective actions for the spacecraft.”

NASA’s Commercial Crew Program requires spacecraft fly a crewed test flight to prove the system is ready for regular flights to and from the space station. Following Starliner’s return, the agency will review all mission-related data to inform what additional actions are required to meet NASA’s certification requirements.

The agency’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission, originally slated with four crew members , will launch no earlier than Tuesday, Sept. 24. The agency will share more information about the Crew-9 complement when details are finalized. 

NASA and SpaceX currently are working several items before launch, including reconfiguring seats on the Crew-9 Dragon, and adjusting the manifest to carry additional cargo, personal effects, and Dragon-specific spacesuits for Wilmore and Williams. In addition, NASA and SpaceX now will use new facilities at Space Launch Complex-40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida to launch Crew-9, which provides increased operational flexibility around NASA’s planned Europa Clipper launch.

The Crew-9 mission will be the ninth rotational mission to the space station under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, which works with the American aerospace industry to meet the goal of safe, reliable, and cost-effective transportation to and from the orbital outpost on American-made rockets and spacecraft launching from American soil.

For more than two decades, people have lived and worked continuously aboard the International Space Station, advancing scientific knowledge and demonstrating new technologies, making research breakthroughs not possible on Earth. The station is a critical testbed for NASA to understand and overcome the challenges of long-duration spaceflight and to expand commercial opportunities in low Earth orbit. As commercial companies focus on providing human space transportation services and destinations as part of a robust low Earth orbit economy , NASA’s Artemis campaign is underway at the Moon where the agency is preparing for future human exploration of Mars.

Find more information on NASA’s Commercial Crew Program at:

https://www.nasa.gov/commercialcrew

-end- 

Meira Bernstein / Josh Finch Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1100 [email protected] / [email protected]

Steve Siceloff / Danielle Sempsrott / Stephanie Plucinsky Kennedy Space Center, Florida 321-867-2468 [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected]

Leah Cheshier / Sandra Jones Johnson Space Center, Houston 281-483-5111 [email protected] / [email protected]

Related Terms

• International Space Station (ISS)
• Commercial Crew
• Kennedy Space Center