New Zealand Vacations

01/09/2021

A few weeks ago, in December 2020, I returned from an extended stay (3-months) in New Zealand.

Now that I'm back home in Santa Barbara CA, I can't wait to share with you some of the hidden gems I discovered during my stay.

This week I'll start with a blog that describes the beautiful Ohiwa Harbour, situated on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island, not far from the town of Whakatane.

We also visit the nearby Whirinaki River Loop. You can read all about it here - https://newzealandvacations.com/blog/hidden-gems-new-zealand

08/28/2020

It's winter in New Zealand right now. So, we've created the first of 2 blogs that show just how attractive New Zealand can be in winter.

In the first blog we feature Northland, located at the top of the North Island. We also feature the Tongariro National Park and World Heritage region, with a spotlight on the world famous Tongariro Crossing.

https://newzealandvacations.com/blog/new-zealand-in-winter-1

Here are some winter images, taken at locations throughout New Zealand that will tempt you visit New Zealand in winter.

07/23/2020

In recent years many claims have been made about the curative properties of New Zealand produced manuka honey and as a result worldwide sales have soared. In our latest blog we take an objective look at the extent to which some of the claims can be justified.

https://newzealandvacations.com/blog/new-zealand-manuka-honey

07/16/2020

It's highly unlikely that international visitors will be able to visit New Zealand in New Zealand's springtime this year. So we've created a blog that explores the options for next year in springtime, November 2021 to be exact..

This includes lot's of photos of cute little springtime lambs, because September to November is lambing time. You can read all about New Zealand in springtime here -

https://newzealandvacations.com/blog/inspiring-ideas-for-vacation-planning-during-covid19-new-zealand-in-november-springtime

It's a beautiful time of the year so a great time to visit, with the wild lupin flowers at their peak.

07/09/2020

There's a 35,000 acre sheep station in New Zealand called 'Nowhere" - to be totally accurate it's actually called 'Erewhon" based on the word 'Nowhere' spelt backwards.

'Erewhon' is the title of a best selling novel written by English writer Samuel Butler, published in 1872. He had worked on a nearby property for several years when he visited New Zealand. When he returned to England he included his memories of Erewhon in his novel.

It's a wild place, remote and beautiful, with tussock grasslands, mountains, rivers and glaciers. A 'Lord of The Rings' movie was filmed here and a visit to Erewhon can be arranged by the team here at New Zealand Vacations. You can read more about this unique wilderness paradise in our latest blog -

https://newzealandvacations.com/blog/new-zealand-travel-fair-2

07/02/2020

This is another post in our series of ideas to consider during these Covid-19 days when planning your dream New Zealand itinerary.

Today we feature a part of New Zealand that stands out from the rest because in a very short space of time you can experience an amazing variety of great New Zealand experiences.

There's mountain scenery, natural hot springs, white water rafting, jet-boating, beaches and coastal scenery, vineyards, superb eating out options, Maori culture, unique accommodation offers, and an incredible variety of sea life to see, including whales "up close".

You can read all about it here -

https://newzealandvacations.com/blog/inspiring-ideas-for-vacation-planning-during-covid19-the-alpine-pacific-triangle-south-island

06/25/2020

It's probably true to say, that the secret to creating a winning New Zealand itinerary is all about the detail. In our latest blog we provide an example of just how important this can be. We feature the port of Lyttelton, a place that might be low on the radar for visitors to Christchurch, but high in the number of great experiences it provides for visitors.

https://newzealandvacations.com/blog/inspiring-ideas-for-vacation-planning-during-covid19-lyttelton

06/10/2020

We continue our series of 'Inspiring ideas for vacation planning during COVID-19, with the second part of last week's report about our visit to the remote and stunning East Cape of the North Island.

It was a visit that will have Jane encouraging visitors to experience this very special part of New Zealand.

She was also in for a surprise when on the Mahia Peninsula, she found herself within a stones throw of a space exploration launch site. You can read about it here -

https://newzealandvacations.com/blog/inspiring-ideas-for-vacation-planning-during-covid19-east-cape-north-island-part-2

06/04/2020

Even non-surfers find something beautiful about waves peeling off in lines on a perfect wave-riding day.

The town of Raglan on New Zealand's west coast of the North Island has one of the world's greatest examples of what surfers call a 'point break' and it was this particular point-break that featured in the 60's movie classic 'The Endless Summer'

Our blog about my visit to Raglan is found here, and as you'll read, there's much more to Raglan than a surf break -

https://newzealandvacations.com/blog/what-a-beautiful-day

06/04/2020