Memory Lane: Travelling to Paradise with the best coach touring company

A story from our customer, Peter Laws

If you haven’t done much international travel, the whole idea of it can be a bit daunting. 

The airport, customs, bookings, transfers… it’s enough to give you a headache. 

But when you travel with Langleys - they make it easy.

It’s why Norfolk Island has become one of my favourite places in the world - and why Langley’s is the only company I will travel with. 

Before you leave, they will contact you to make sure you pack everything you need. They will get you to the airport- or you can meet them there, if that’s more suitable. Their staff member helps you through the whole check in process and guides you through customs. Then you’re up in the air! And not for very long - it’s only a couple of hours.

Coming into Norfolk is a stunning sight. And once you land - you can just feel it in the air, there is no other place like it. It’s relaxation right from the beginning, because Langley’s has organised everything for you! The transfer to the hotel, all your activities and most of your meals for your time there. 

Norfolk isn’t a big island, so it’s got that real laid back feel. You can do as much or as little as you like - Langley’s are flexible like that. It’s your holiday! You can choose to participate in the planned tours or do your own thing. But the planned tours really maximise your time there, you get to see all the beauty and learn about all the history. 

One of the best things I’ve ever seen is the golf course there. Imagine the perfectly manicured green, with the ocean in the background, dotted with the famous Norfolk pines. Just amazing. 

But what makes it really special is the people - they really welcome you. They are excited to see you! Tourism is their bread and butter and boy, do they do it well. Everyone, and I mean everyone is friendly. One of my favourite memories was the Progressive Dinner tour. It is a three course meal, progressing to different Norfolk Island family homes. You are connected with other Norfolk Island visitors and taken to carefully selected island homes where you will hear Norfolk stories from the dinner hosts. It was so interesting to experience their way of life for the night. Something I will never forget. 

I also loved the Night as a Convict, it was a great laugh. They supply you with a convict outfit and you join in with the Commandant who picks out people who have committed crimes - these might be things like giggling too much. It’s a fun evening with singing, dancing and delicious food.

Speaking of the food - the Fish Fry is just something else. A huge feast of Island dishes, salads, homemade bread & fresh fried fish - all enjoyed on a stunning cliffside lookout, at sunset. Throw in the incredible local entertainment and it’s just the perfect evening. 

I have been lucky enough to travel with Fiona Langley as our guide - and let me tell you, she is an unstoppable force! The way she looked after us, I couldn’t even tell you all the ways she went out of her way to help people - the list is too long. 

She was like our Mother Hen, fussing over everyone, making sure we were happy and had everything we needed. Nothing was a drama - no request was too big or small. On the morning we were leaving, I mentioned I might like to purchase a Norfolk Island flag, to hang on my flagpole at home. Up she gets, into action - we jumped in the car and drove through town to find one. 

The Langley’s family are just a special bunch. I have come across a great many people in my life - and I can honestly say Phil and Fiona are the top two. They helped look after my car when I was in Dubbo for an operation - getting it from the hospital and picking me up afterwards - purely out of the goodness of their hearts, it wasn’t even a question - it’s just what they do. 

When you travel with them, you know they are not doing it for the money. Of course, at the end of the day they are a business - but that’s not why they got into this industry. They do it because they want to see you happy - they want to help you create memories and they want to see you smile. 

They just can’t do enough for you - and they will go above and beyond to ensure it’s the best time of your life, every time.