Discovering New Zealand

I recently attended an educational trip to New Zealand with a group of travel professionals. We traveled from the top of the North Island to the bottom of the South Island and several points in between. It is one of the most spectacularly beautiful places I have ever seen!

New Zealand is comprised of two islands in the Pacific ocean, located just 900 miles east of its more well-known neighbor, Australia. It is easily reached by a 13-hour non-stop flight from Los Angeles to Auckland. U.S. citizens need only to present a valid passport for entry, no visa is required.

The combined population of the two-island nation is just over four million. The first thing that struck me was the friendliness of the people. It started with the flight attendants on Air New Zealand -  the nicest crew in the skies. The cities all seem to have a small town feel, where everyone knows everyone else. You  immediately feel at ease and genuinely welcome in the country.

 

Auckland is a lovely, clean port city but it's further afield where the magic really happens. No visit to NZ is complete without a stay in Queenstown. This is the jumping off point for many adventure activities. You can take a thrilling jet boat ride, kayak down a river, helicopter to Milford Sound, or throw yourself off a bridge in a death-defying bungee jump. I tried most of these while I was there!  

At the northern end of the North Island, you will find the Bay of Islands. This area is great for water sports and beach enthusiasts. The tropical climate stays temperate year round, so it's a perfect place to play golf in the Spring and Fall seasons.

 

In the central part of the North Island, you will find the city of Rotorua. From here you can visit sheep farms and see how the wool is gathered and witness a sheep dog demonstration (fascinating!). There are volcanic hot springs, wineries and for Lord of the Rings fans, you can visit the movie set of Hobbiton. Visits to Hobbiton are extremely popular and advance reservations are definitely recommended.
 

I discovered that New Zealand is for everyone: Couples, Families, Honeymooners, Nature lovers, Adventure seekers, Horticulturalists, Foodies, Oenophiles, Skiers, Hikers and Golfers. There is truly something for everyone to enjoy.

 

Together, with our Virtuoso Onsite Partners, we can plan the perfect New Zealand Vacation tailored just for you!

To plan your vacation to New Zealand, contact the Travel Specialists at Bee Kalt Travel today!

Email: travel@beekalt.com
Tel: 248-288-9600 or Toll-free 1-800-284-5258
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