New Zealand
by Lori Tenny
New
Zealand Travel - Travel information for New Zealand
Twenty years ago, New Zealand conjured images of endless
green space, hordes of sheep and Kiwis "G-daying"
each other. While some things never change (New Zealand is
as lush as ever, sheep number in the millions, and the locals
are still quick with a smile), this far-away land bordered
by the South Pacific, Tasman Sea and Southern Ocean has matured
into one of those mosaic destinations that never stops satisfying.
Its breathtaking natural attractions now share the stage
with sophisticated cultural draws, and the country has perfected
the art of tourism, often in unimaginable ways.
New Zealand is heaven on earth for nature lovers; on two
land masses just a tad larger than Great Britain, mother nature
has blessed this country with mountains, valleys, plains,
rainforests, volcanoes, glaciers, caves, geysers, rivers,
streams, fjords, beaches, striking flora and fauna, and rich
marine life.
Not surprisingly, New Zealand has become known as the adventure
capital of the world. Among the many draws are tramping (that’s
Kiwi for hiking), river rafting, cave rafting, kayaking, diving,
boating, mountain biking, skiing and surfing.
 But
the outdoorsy Kiwis, who pride themselves on innovation, have
also taken adventure to new levels, and the country is now
a mecca for thrill-seekers who come to go jet boating, bungy
jumping, heli-bungy jumping, luge riding, paragliding, and
even zorbing (rolling down a hill inside an inflatable ball
with about a two-metre diameter), and rap jumping (running
down the outside of a building on an absailing rope, face
down)!
You don't have to be into hard adventure or extreme sports
to appreciate New Zealand, but a love of scenic natural beauty
is a must.
The country also boasts sophisticated cities with world-class
museums, chic restaurants, modern and historic architecture,
a wealth of performing arts and a varied nightlife menu.
 You'll
also find small-town havens dripping with off-beat character,
wine regions that have earned international recognition, and
a cuisine scene spanning tasty regional specialities as well
as nouvelle Pacific Rim dishes that marry Kiwi, Australian
and Asian ingredients with French and Asian cooking techniques.
While New Zealand retains a strong European flavour —
primarily British — it offers a touch of the exotic with
its wealth of Maori and Polynesian culture.
Best of all, the range of accommodation in New Zealand has
grown to include everything from motels, farm stays, B&Bs,
boutique hotels, exclusive lodges, modern, top-of-the-line
city hotels and even campervans.
Moreover, travelling throughout the country is a breeze;
you can fly, drive, take the train or the ferry, hop on tour
buses or even cycle your way around.
With its matchless draws, growing tourism infrastructure,
and clean, green, unspoilt atmosphere, New Zealand is attracting
more and more tourists each year. And in addition to the trodden
paths, there are endless opportunities to get off the beaten
track.
The ideal time to travel to New Zealand is from October through
April, especially for adventure pursuits. However, the climate
is agreeable most of the year, so there really isn’t
a bad time to visit — though no matter when you go, you’ll
regret it if you don’t allow at least two weeks to bop
around.
For Flights and holiday specials to New Zealand - click
here for the Travel Homepage.
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