# Testimonials

- Link: https://arttravel.co.nz/testimonials/
- Published: 2015-05-14T10:35:27+12:00
- Author: Glen Armstrong

## London and Paris - June 2026

Yet another incredible Art Tour!

 A big Thankyou to you, Claire, and Sefton for making this such an interesting, 
full, and successful immersion into the art and culture of London, England’s South,
and Paris.

 It was truly an amazing trip. Claire chose the programme well. I learnt alot , 
have lots to reflect on, and loved it all. I was so pleased to visit Margate- both
Turner and Tracey Emin make so much more sense now- such fascinating stories!

Amanda

## Japan - May 2026

An excellent trip, Glen – very stimulating, educative and enjoyable. The variety
of different experiences was a notable feature. Our highights included:

 1. Simose art museum and marvellous lunch! (my personal favourite)
 2. Obai-In Zen garden in Kyoto (Terry’s highlight!)
 3. Ando : Water Temple in Teshima - absolutely wonderful
 4. Hanae Mori exhibition at the National Art Centre
 5. Spiral Omotesando – architecture and ambience
 6. Robert Yellin pottery – many glorious pieces
 7. Geisha section of Kyoto – fascinating to see the faithful restoratio

Bridget

## USA and Frank Lloyd Wright - October 2025

The USA 2025 trip was the BEST ever. The intinery, the organisation,the visits,the
guides and the transportation couldn’t be faulted.
Each day got better and better.
The easy friendly company and great weather all made for a special trip. Highlights
for me - too many to mention but the visit to Christine’s private collection, Frank
Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, the Chicago Architecture River Cruise and Glenstone
Art/Sculpture Museum are standouts for me.

Thank you so much,

Leonie

## McCahon House Patrons Tour - Japan 2025

Glen - thank YOU. 
Everything has been a dream come true.Seamless, elegant, intelligent
and soulful, everyone has felt it. 

Thank you all, again, Lisa

## JRA Craft and Object Tour - February 2024

Our organization had an amazing time with Glen from Art Travel!

He led our group of 20 guests from the US all across top sights in New Zealand and
tailored the tour to our interest in contemporary craft. 
His connections allowed
us to meet some of the leading material-based artists, go on curator-led tours, 
see behind-the-scenes of museums, visit galleries after-hours and spend time in 
the homes of private collections. His connections, access, and fantastic personality
made our trip an unforgettable experience.We are forever grateful!

 Jaimianne Jacobin, Executive Director of the James Renwick Alliance for Craft.

Many thanks, again, for a wonderfully planned and executed trip!  Your terrific 
choices of activities and locations, and your wonderful, patient presence were the
perfect "glue" to hold our group together and keep us focused and having fun.

Barbara, who has been going on JRACraft trips for decades, said this trip ranks 
at the top.  From the dozen or so national and international JRACraft trips I've
attended, I have to agree.  

Thanks, Rebecca

## Makers Morning Tour - May 2021

Thanks so much Glen for a fabulous tour yesterday. Visiting such a varied & inspirational
selection of Makers. Engaging with them and hearing their stories & motivations 
was heart-warming and I am loving the pieces I purchased.

Thanks for all your organisation – a great package you put together with a fun group.
Such a stimulating morning.

 Warmest regards

Geraldine

## Bay of Plenty - May/June 2021

Kia ora Glen

Thank you again for the wonderful tour last week.  I wasn't expecting to have such
moving cultural experiences and they will stay in my memory for a very long time.
The day of the Mataatua marae and the visit to Ruatoki were especially memorable
and I think helped everyone in our group towards collaboration and understanding.

I was very impressed with your leadership and organisation on the tour- having a
knowledgeable leader makes all the difference and I really liked the way you looked
after us. I'm very pleased to have found your company again and will look forward
to future tours with you.

Nga mihi

Briar

## Auckland Art Gallery Foundation - May 2021

Glen has just delivered another hugely successful tour for Auckland Art Gallery 
Foundation donors.

Glen is deeply connected in the visual arts community.  He deliver tours that are
well balanced, interesting and meticulously organised giving a relaxed and seamless
experience.  Our recent three day visit to Wellington was jammed with a stimulating
mix of artist studio visits, dealer and public galleries and private collections.

We look forward to our next tour with Glen and Art Travel. 

Penny

## Tairawhiti Gisborne - May 2021

We asked Glen to put together a 3 day personalised tour of Tairawhiti Gisborne for
a small group interested in art. He did an outstanding job.

I can’t thank Glen enough for thinking outside the square and putting together an
itinerary that ranged from dinner and a concert at his parents home to a visit to
Toihoukura Art School and Paul Nache Gallery.

All details were taken care of so we could enjoy every moment.

This was the perfect tour.

Alison

## Nelson - April 2021

Thank you so much for another wonderful art trip. I really enjoyed it all and think
it rates up there with our Australasian tours. We met so many interesting artists
and people and they were all so open and friendly and gave so much of their art 
and their life stories. It is such a privilege to visit homes and studios full of
art and Craig Pottons and others were  a special experience. I loved seeing the 
countryside around Nelson and Blenheim too and visiting smaller places – in great
weather too. 

 Thank you Sue and Bill for leading such a great tour and making sure the group 
all got on on very well –which I think we did -  even opening up to what we all 
had hanging in our bedrooms. Thanks Glen for organising it. 

 Thanks 

Frances

## Whanganui and New Plymouth - March 2021

This was my first trip with Art Travel and you.  It exceeded my expectations with
the way you managed the group of 13 women and the amazing range of art studios/galleries
we visited. It was obvious that you were well known by many of the artists and you
were able to organise for us to see places not available on the Open Studio circuit.
Emma Camden was a standout in the way that she gave us her time and expertise.

I felt you 'went the extra mile' coping with all our purchases and acting as a great
host at the group dinners. You were never absent when we needed you. I was apprehensive
about this trip, but after the first day I found that the group were very friendly
and easy to get on with. The noise in the coach by the third day was evidence of
this! I met some great people and know that some of them are planning to go to Tauranga
and Whakatane.
Finally, I am enjoyed this so much I cannot wait for Tauranga and
whatever you have planned for the rest of the year.

Sylvia

## Wellington - October 2020

Thank you thank you so much Glen for a fabulous 3 days away. It was all perfect!

Bev

I just loved the trip to Wellington! You did a fab job of everything, brilliant 
planning, thank you!

Margaret

## Gibbs Farm - February 2020

We were fortunate to engage the services of Glen from Art Travel NZ who picked us
up at the ferry terminal in Auckland and drove us to the farm. His knowledge on 
both the farm, the owner Alan Gibbs and each of the sculptures made it a memorable
day and we got so much more out of it than doing it on our own.

We were overwhelmed at the scale of the sculptures but given the vastness of the
property, they perfectly complemented the landscape.

She of the Broom – Trip Advisor 2020

## Japan Pottery Tour  With Peter Collis, May 2019

I would highly recommend this trip to anyone. So full of marvels and marvelous moments.
You did such a great job, using your understanding of Japan and its Art , to curate
the perfect itinerary for us to include so many different ways of engaging with 
this enigmatic country. It was great to do some 'not to be missed' tourist destinations,
of course, but those personal encounters with the dedicated Pottery Masters in their
own homes were so special. So much exciting work to see and astonishing buildings
to visit. And it was lovely to get out into the country and get a feel for that 
side of Japan too, apart from those vast cities. Loved every minute of it. And thank
you also for all your hard work and early morning ticket buying and in getting us
seamlessly from one place to the next with the minimum of hassle for us. Just like
magic! Liz

## Southland and Dunedin, March 2019

Very many thanks to you, Glen, for a really enjoyable trip. Some things familiar,
some obscure, some total surprises, some from left field, some wonderful behind-
the-scenes, some street stuff, lots of opportunities, not too much regimentation,
hundreds of memories, and lots of fun with good people. Cheers Julia

## California Group, Auckland, March 2019

Thank you Glen for taking such good care of our group and for everything you did
to make this trip such a fascinating and successful adventure. You, Sue and Jennifer
are wonderful ambassadors for New Zealand and the art world. You opened our eyes
to so many many wonderful artists who were not on our radar before. As you can tell
from our voracious and excited shoppers, we are ALL, taking more than just fabulous
memories home with us!! REGARDS,SANDY

## South America, October 2018

Hello Glen, Sue and Maria Luz and our lovely Fellow Travellers ,

John and I extend our heartfelt appreciation to you all for a most wonderful, amazing,
incredible art, sculpture, food, wine, cultural and historical experience which 
we will never forget. This was the best art tour ever. Every fabulous moment was
followed by another and we were fully satiated, and every day we came back for more.
The generosity of everyone we met and their kindness and friendliness were inspiring.
Through our art experiences we learnt about the struggles and desperate times in
Argentina and Brazil and appreciated the influences on their art giving a voice 
to the People, and understood our art a little better. We had a lot of laughter 
and fun together. Honestly I don’t think it could be repeated. It was special. All
the guides were outstanding and we loved Arthur and Maria Luz and Adreane.

Thank you Glen and Sue, you really are a magic team.

Best wishes,

Leonie and John.

## Whanganui Open Studios, March 2018

First of all – a huge thank you for a REALLY enjoyable trip – brief as it was…I 
loved every minute of it.

My enjoyment was mostly due entirely, to you Glen.  You were highly organised/informative
and knowledgeable/ considerate and accommodating.  In summary, I consider you to
be “As good as it gets!”  Your popularity is evident from several in the group, 
who have repeatedly travelled with you, and I now hope to do the same, given the
appropriate opportunity.  I found the entire journey full of unexpected treats and
surprises – such as the Tawhiti Museum/the two Patea crafts people and most of all,
the Patiki church of St Paul’s with it’s magnificent fusion of Maori art and craft
with Pakeha culture and religion…& loved Lisa, our hostess too!  In every instance,
your arrangements and timing were perfect to the minute!

Susan

Thank you so much for such an enjoyable, stimulating art tour.
 There were many 
highlights.  We did such an interesting variety of art related activities. I came
home buzzing with new ideas for my art. The accommodation was very good, the organised
meals were great, all in all a most successful venture indeed. Thank you again Glen,
you are an excellent art tour guide. Warmest wishes,

Helen

## Marfa, Texas 2017

I just love y’all and adored the whole trip! Best yet!
Great group, great atmosphere,
great accommodation, food and of course Margaritas!!The two of you did a fantastic
job, I know how much goes into this and I do the odd hour here and there not 12 
days of constant, and constantly changing art information. Thank you both so much!

Margaret

## Japan 2017

If you are an art lover, TAKE THIS TRIP!
 We saw some of the world’s/ best, most
interesting contemporary art. As much of it was in remote, hard to access locations,
it was a real gift to have all the logistics taken care of. Travelling with a small
group of art enthusiasts really amplified the experience and Glen was a fabulous
guide; fun, accommodating, well-organized and unflappable. I highly recommend this
tour. Taking it will go down as one of the best decisions I have ever made.

Marilee

Hi Glen, a very big thank you to you as well.It was a wonderful trip. The art ,museums,
architecture were were superb. Couldn’t have asked for more.The Islands were fantastic
quite magical. I would recommend this trip to anyone interested in Art, it was a
wonderful experience. Extremely well organised and researched. We were so lucky 
to see such amazing art and architecture.! Plus the accomodation was very good.

Thanks again for all your hard work. Best wishes.

Jill

Glen makes his art tours a unique experience. They are well organised and researched
with an amazing variety of fascinating places, art and architecture for us to see.
Plus he is great company! cheers

Pat

## Houston & New York 2016

Dear Glen and Sue

A big thank you from me for a fabulous and unique  trip which I will be savouring
and reflecting on for many moons. So much variety.  I loved every minute of it and
can’t think of anything which would have improved the experiences except. The organisation
worked so well Glen, including the almost perfect weather and your art comments 
enhanced and informed our viewing Sue. It was a pleasure too to see New Zealanders
featuring and in person in the Big Apple and a rare treat to visit Julian Robertson’s
apartment as well as being able to visit the homes of the fabulous collecting couples.
I now know what a real collector is!

Elizabeth

## Japan 2016

I would just like to thank you again for arranging and guiding such a wonderful 
tour in Japan. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and do feel very privileged to
have seen so many beautiful works of art. Your expertise and professionalism is 
superb.

Bev

So many memories to treasure of a wonderfully interesting and stimulating tour, 
both extremely well organised and impeccably researched Glen and Sue cheerfully 
led us at a good pace on a well-informed and highly stimulating balance of visits
to carefully selected art and other destinations
 We went off to Japan with high
expectations and excitement levels and this tour delivered well beyond them.

Sally

## Biennale of Sydney 2016

The team of Sue Gardiner and Glen Armstrong delivered the maximum amount anyone 
could reasonably expect with their recent art tour to the Sydney Biennale. They 
worked out just the right amount of time needed at each of numerous venues, the 
right balance of big and small spaces, personal and impersonal experiences. They
had done their homework, and it showed. I would recommend this duo to anyone interested
in a serious overseas art experience.

Warwick

I was so impressed with you and Sue and the tour in general. So well organised and
very stimulating.  Each part was a new adventure. I can’t wait to come on another
one. Thanks so much and please pass that on to Sue. She is soooooo knowledgeable
but also totally charming with it!

Best Regards

Rosemarie

## Art West: New Plymouth and Whanganui

Dear Glen,  thank you so much for such a wonderful expedition. The whole trip exceeded
my expectations.  However after our Sydney trip to the Biennale 2 years ago, I should
have realised it would be extraordinary. We saw so many things that the general 
public don’t usually see and met so many people that were out of the usual realm
in the artist world, it was most satisfying indeed.

Also Glen you were an excellent host, so patient, light hearted and considerate.
We all appreciated your care immensely.  Thank you. (You are an excellent driver
too.) Of course we had the company of Sue for part of the trip and that was a special
bonus. You need to pat yourself on the back Glen.  Well done.

Yours sincerely

Helen

Many thanks Glen for a varied and wonderful ART tour. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire
experience. Lots of stimulating, informative discussion with knowledgeable people
as well as enough free time- out. All round a GREAT success, regards

Jan

## MONA and Melbourne 2015

I had an amazing time. It was full on, thought provoking, stimulating, funny, and
a great experience.

Sue is very generous with her knowledge and her contacts. It was so lovely to be
welcomed into her friends’ homes and share their knowledge and experiences also.
Thank you too, for great organisation, and for being unfailingly thoughtful and 
friendly.

Mary

## Brisbane & Canberra 2015

A fabulous mix of collections and collectors, and a great insight into the Brisbane
gallery scene as well as the governmental support for artists in Canberra. The architectural
insights of David and the company of Sabrina on the bus were a great bonus!

Linda

## Gisborne 2015

Hi Glen,
 Well that was a very good long weekend and I really enjoyed the variety
of experiences we had – the organic wines, the visit to the Whale Rider marae, the
galleries, and the wonderful hospitality of your parents. Many thanks for putting
together such an interesting few days and I am looking forward to your plans for
more regional trips around New Zealand.

Regards,

Mary

## Spain 2013

Just wanted to write and express our gratitude for the fantastic trip – we have 
much to reflect upon and we are certainly much more knowledgeable about Spanish 
art and pintxos!
 We also enjoyed and appreciated your thoughtfulness on the trip–
shouting us a beer or two – and how you kept an eye on everyone. The itinerary for
the trip was well thought out and worked very well. I would (and have been) recommend
this trip to everyone. We also enjoyed and appreciated Marys many contributions 
which enlightened us as to what was really being seen. Very best wishes to you and
again many thanks,

Lauren and Peter

Hi Glen and Sue I would like to thank you and Sue for making our trip so memorable.
It was a great experience and you made it all so easy for us. I had a great time
and I’m sure everyone else did as well. It was a pleasure to travel with such a 
great group of fun loving people.

Hi Glen and Sue
 Just want to thank you very much for organizing such a wonderful
trip. I was expecting something special but I got even more than I expected. Sue
is a wonderful tour guide – so happy to share all her very extensive knowledge. 
It was also a very good bunch of people and just the right size.

Hi Glen and Sue, I hope that you have both caught up with sleep, and work. Thank-
you for taking up my idea and running with it. It was a great trip, far exceeding
my expectations in so many ways. Sue I really appreciate all the background work
that you have put into this trip, and Glen I appreciate greatly the huge effort 
you go to, to make everything run so smoothly. The highlights for me…The dinner 
party by Judy Chicago, and the work on the ground floor at the New Museum in the
Bowery where the artist has sown pieces of paper from the falling twin towers, on
to the large cotton sheet. Another big notch on the belt guys!!!!

## Renaissance in Canberra 2012

i Glen
 Just to say thank you for organising another great trouble-free trip. Just
the right mix Art for Arts sake Art for Pleasures sake and Pleasure for all of our
sakes Mary and you are a fantastic team can hardly wait till next time In anticipation

Freda

Hi Glen
 What a fabulous 4 days! I am still bathing in the afterglow of it all as
I unpack, and catch up etc. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole trip. The exhibitions
were absolutely wonderful, Mary’s knowledge and input was excellent. The Canberra
tour very informative, interesting and quite touching, Poachers Pantry Café charming
with very yummy food and wine. What a great group of women and such an accomplished
team leader.

Thank you very much Glen it has been wonderful being part of your Art Tour, I look
forward to joining another in the future.
 Warmest regards

Geraldine

## Melbourne Art Trail 2010

Hi Glen and Sue
 Thank-you for a great trip…instructive, invigorating, well organized,
and great fun. Apart from the Art, I particularly enjoyed the little social touches
such as Cumulus breakfasts, “cookie” thai, and Madame Brussels Cheers,

Anne

Hi everyone,
 Thank you Sue and Glen for the generous amount of time you spent with
us, I am sure some of it was beyond the call of duty. I feel like I learned so much
and saw such an amazing range of art. It was nice for us to meet some of the artists
too, thanks to Sue’s contacts. I really enjoyed meeting all of you, it was a really
stimulating environment. Auckland seems very small! Kind Regards,

Jane

## Biennale of Sydney 2010

Hi Sue and Glen,
 I’m really sorry I missed you at the end of out trip – but I just
wanted to say a big thank you for a truly fantastic experience. Sue your depth of
knowledge is incredible (and inspiring), you have a wonderful way of sharing information
and personally I never tire listening to your perceptive and insightful explanations.
I know I speak for all the girls from Venus to say that we felt very privileged 
to meet and see the collections of Lisa Paulsen, Dick Quan and Reg Richardson. For
us it the whole biennale trip has been a truly eye and mind opening experience. 
There is a great level of excitement and passion that as reinvigorated our group
to continue to grow and learn and collect more art!

Glen, as an organiser myself I just want to pass on what a fantastic job you did–
with your calm, relaxed but efficient manner you had us completely under your spell.
It’s no small feat herding the Venus girls around!!
 You really have struck a winning
formula and I look forward to joining your trips in the future! Once again, many
thanks. Kindest regards,

Sarah