The land down under and to the left a bit is the stunningly beautiful archipelago of New Zealand. The native Maori call it Aotearoa, or the land of the long white cloud: we know it as New Zealand. This small and sparsely populated nation packs quite a punch in the travel stakes: from adventure sports to culture and cuisine. If you are planning to travel to New Zealand, you need to know the must sees and must dos.
New Zealand's travel hub is Auckland, so you will more than likely begin your trip here. While in Auckland book cruise of the Auckland Hauraki Gulf to see whales and dolphins frollicking in the wild in one of the world's most biologically diverse marine areas. Feeling brave? Strap on a harness and scale the Auckland Harbor Bridge on a climbing tour. This is a truly unique way to see the city and acts as a warm up to some of the other exciting activities that New Zealand has in store for you.
Think of the bridge climb as an appetizer for the adrenaline rush that is Queenstown. If you are an adventure lover, then this is your Mecca. Queenstown is in the business of serious fun. Here you can try bungee jumping, skiing, snowboarding, jet boating and many other activities not for the weak of stomach.
So much adrenaline makes a person thirsty, so it is handy that the Queenstown Wine Trail is right near by. This is a great way to let the nerves wind down and sample some of New Zealand's best wines.
After Queenstown point your compass towards Mt. Cook, New Zealand's tallest mountain. The journey to Mt. Cook is half the fun as it winds through the lush and beautiful landscape of Otago. Once you arrive at Mt. Cook one of the best ways to see the mountain is by helicopter tour.
Despite being claimed by Britain as a colony, the indigenous people of New Zealand have retained their vibrant, rich and soulful culture. Even today Maori culture and traditions inflect many aspects of life in New Zealand. There are many places throughout the country that offer the chance to get to know Maori culture when you travel to New Zealand. No trip to Aotearoa, as the Maori call it, should slide by without experiencing their interesting heritage.
One of the best places to experience Maori culture is at Willowbank Nature Reserve outside of Christchurch. Within the reserve Ko Tane is a living Maori village. At Ko Tane you can see traditional Maori welcoming ceremonies amongst others and see how life was lived by the Maori before Captain Cook claimed the country for the British.
On the northern island, Rotorua is the place to go to see some fierce geothermic activity in action. At the Wai Ora natural hot springs in Rotorua you can soak in the mineral mud baths and enjoy the healing powers of the spa that have been used by Maori people for around one thousand years.
New Zealand has so much to offer a visitor: fun, action, great food and wine, natural beauty and rich culture all rolled into an accessible and cost effective location. Travel to New Zealand and you will arrive home with lifelong memories. - 31515
New Zealand's travel hub is Auckland, so you will more than likely begin your trip here. While in Auckland book cruise of the Auckland Hauraki Gulf to see whales and dolphins frollicking in the wild in one of the world's most biologically diverse marine areas. Feeling brave? Strap on a harness and scale the Auckland Harbor Bridge on a climbing tour. This is a truly unique way to see the city and acts as a warm up to some of the other exciting activities that New Zealand has in store for you.
Think of the bridge climb as an appetizer for the adrenaline rush that is Queenstown. If you are an adventure lover, then this is your Mecca. Queenstown is in the business of serious fun. Here you can try bungee jumping, skiing, snowboarding, jet boating and many other activities not for the weak of stomach.
So much adrenaline makes a person thirsty, so it is handy that the Queenstown Wine Trail is right near by. This is a great way to let the nerves wind down and sample some of New Zealand's best wines.
After Queenstown point your compass towards Mt. Cook, New Zealand's tallest mountain. The journey to Mt. Cook is half the fun as it winds through the lush and beautiful landscape of Otago. Once you arrive at Mt. Cook one of the best ways to see the mountain is by helicopter tour.
Despite being claimed by Britain as a colony, the indigenous people of New Zealand have retained their vibrant, rich and soulful culture. Even today Maori culture and traditions inflect many aspects of life in New Zealand. There are many places throughout the country that offer the chance to get to know Maori culture when you travel to New Zealand. No trip to Aotearoa, as the Maori call it, should slide by without experiencing their interesting heritage.
One of the best places to experience Maori culture is at Willowbank Nature Reserve outside of Christchurch. Within the reserve Ko Tane is a living Maori village. At Ko Tane you can see traditional Maori welcoming ceremonies amongst others and see how life was lived by the Maori before Captain Cook claimed the country for the British.
On the northern island, Rotorua is the place to go to see some fierce geothermic activity in action. At the Wai Ora natural hot springs in Rotorua you can soak in the mineral mud baths and enjoy the healing powers of the spa that have been used by Maori people for around one thousand years.
New Zealand has so much to offer a visitor: fun, action, great food and wine, natural beauty and rich culture all rolled into an accessible and cost effective location. Travel to New Zealand and you will arrive home with lifelong memories. - 31515
About the Author:
Planning to travel to New Zealand, then visit Dorcas Chras's site on how to choose the best New Zealand holidays and vacation ideas.
