Beautiful NEW ZEALAND - the "land down under"!

I have so many reasons to LOVE New Zealand! I met my husband, Stuart, in this gorgeous country many years ago. Stuart was a native Kiwi, and I was fortunate to live in this beautiful country myself for 11 years. I want to explain why this breathtaking island SHOULD definitely be on your "bucket list"!


Many people don't know that New Zealand is very diverse. It is composed of two distinctly different islands - the North Island and the South Island. On our last visit, we spent time in the gorgeous Bay of Islands that is located toward the top of the North Island. Our international flight arrived in Auckland, and we enjoyed a few days there. Then, we picked up a rental car and drove to Pahia, which is a very popular place to stay in the Bay of Islands. There is a lot to see and do in the area. We enjoyed the lovely beaches and wonderful fresh seafood - it almost jumped off our plates!

I would recommend that you take a ferry across to Russell. You don't want to miss a visit to this charming old seaport. A visit to Russell would not be complete without savoring lunch or dinner at the well known Duke of Marlborough Hotel with its wonderful views from the outdoor dining area. History lovers will enjoy visiting historic Waitangi,where the treaty was signed between representatives of the British Crown and Máori Chiefs back in 1840. Don't miss seeing the Mission House and The Stone Store in nearby Kerikeri that dates back to 1822. Words aren't able to explain the stunning beauty of the scenery.

There are so many interesting places in the North Island to visit, but you should save some time to visit Queenstown in the South Island. There are lots of direct flights from Auckland to this spectacular part of New Zealand. Surrounded by mountains, this popular ski area is a great place to visit year round. Their summer season is December through March. There are so many ways to explore! You can take the Skyline Gondola for a panoramic view or board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw steam boat to explore Lake Wakatipu. This is the ONLY
commercial coal-fired ship left in the southern hemisphere.

Adventure seekers love this area for its variety of adrenaline-pumping options. Visitors come from around the world for scenic bungy jumping and the exhilarating Shotover Jet Boat ride! From Queenstown, I highly recommend the scenic drive to Milford Sound. If you choose to drive, I would suggest you spend a night in beautiful Te Anau. For those with limited time, you can book convenient day trips to Milford Sound.

If New Zealand interests you - contact us for more information. We can help you plan a trip of a lifetime! I will give you options for a cruise, a guided tour or self-drive vacation. You just have to decide how long you want to explore these stunning islands!