New Zealand

New Zealand is a spectacular holiday destination known for its breathtaking natural beauty, diverse landscapes, and adventure-filled experiences. Split between the North and South Islands, it offers everything from lush rainforests, geothermal wonders, and Maori culture in the North, to dramatic fjords, snow-capped mountains, and world-class wineries in the South.

Nature lovers are drawn to its pristine national parks, lakes, and coastlines, while thrill-seekers flock to Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world, for activities like bungee jumping, skydiving, and jet boating. Film fans can explore famous locations from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, and foodies will enjoy fresh seafood, local lamb, and award-winning wines.

Safe, welcoming, and easy to travel around, New Zealand combines outdoor adventure, cultural richness, and luxurious escapes - making it an ideal destination for couples, families, and solo travellers alike.

• Pack casual comfortable clothing for all weathers - it changes quickly and dramatically, meaning layers are best.
• Allow yourself plenty of time to explore - the hiking and outdoor adventures here are truly world-class.
• Plan ahead if you want to stay in the hiking huts and visit unique spots; they tend to book up quickly.
• Treat yourself to at least a couple of nights in complete luxury at one of New Zealand’s many unique and unforgettable hotels.

• The space! Being the same size as the UK, but with roughly a population of 6.5 million versus 65 million in the UK, it feels calm, relaxing and welcoming.
• The people, who were incredibly friendly and hospitable.
• The food - a big surprise. Local produce, sustainably farmed, tasty and delicious.
• The star gazing - simply spectacular!
• The amazing collection of unique properties to experience.
• Flying to the glacier on a ski plane and landing, returning via Helicopter - truly a Once in a Lifetime Experience!
• The feeling of stepping back in time.
• Waiheke Island - off the coast of Auckland.
• The locally produced wine!

This is very dependant on the type of holiday experience you are looking for:

• Hiking and exploring is best in the Autumn - the clear blue skies and fair temperatures make it ideal for hiking.
• For the beaches and coast, go between December and March for the hottest months of the year.
• For skiing, keep to the winter months.

New Zealand is a year round holiday destination based on your preferred choice of experiences.

I flew out with Emirates in their premium economy and highly recommend this route and service.

Flying home from Auckland we flew with Cathay Pacific with a mixture of Business Class and Premium Economy.

Given the distance, where possible, I would recommend upgrading to an airline with either good premium economy or business class as it does make all the difference on such a long journey.

However, there are multiple routes with multiple stopovers available and we can discuss this with you.