Month: July 2017

You’ve probably heard of Milford Sound or seen a few snaps in passing – it’s nothing short of magnificent, or so you’ve heard, as friends and family emphasise the rising joy of seeing the vast rock walls and tumbling waterfalls for the first time. Ancient and pristine, this is an any-weather kind of place – blue skies deliver the best photos, but the rain… there’s nothing quite like Milford Sound in the rain.

So, how should you see this spare-nothing spectacle? Coach tours? Boats? Planes? Assess the following combinations and make the right choice for you.

Coach–Cruise–Coach

Sit back and relax in air conditioned comfort, as a coach ferries you through the sights and sounds that illuminate the best New Zealand trips, before beginning the afternoon with Queenstown’s signature must-see. The Milford Sound Nature Cruise is a breath-stealer, transporting you back in time to an era teaming with eye-catching flora and fauna; if you’re not up-to-date on New Zealand history, allow the on-board nature guide to fill in the blanks. You’ll see Mitre Peak up close, feel the roaring spray of waterfalls on your face and spot dolphins, seals, penguins and the albatross, should the large-winged bird be in season. Alight with awe and amazement, your feet will find their way back to the coach for the next stop on your journey.

Fly

You know what you want to see. Everything, from the best vantage point possible. Take to the sky on man-made wings and book a private aviation charter, flying across the resplendent South Island before landing on the peaked terrain near Lake Quill for a sumptuous bite to eat and a spare few minutes in perfect silence. It will be difficult to tear yourself away, but bigger things are waiting – scale Sutherland Falls, zipping up and around every single inch of its 580m height, before savouring the gorgeous vistas of Milford Sound below.

Coach-Cruise-Fly

Do you want all of the above, without sacrificing experience and time, touring in comfort before and after Milford Sound is in your rear-view mirror? The coach-cruise-fly option is for you. A pre-booked coach is an all-access pass to a stress-free holiday, sparing you plenty of energy to do things your way. Discover the inner channels of Milford Sound, play spot the seal and prepare to understand the true meaning of amazement – on the land, by boat or from an eagle-eye, there’s always something else to see, whether you’ve already been or this is your first time.

Overnight Cruise

Step aboard the Milford Mariner, docked at Milford Sound wharf, and say goodbye to the dry for a while. From the late hours of the afternoon to the mid-hours of the next morning, you’ll delve into the deep corners and channels of one of the most beautiful and delicate places on the planet. You won’t be alone either, as an experienced Nature Guide gives you and your fellow adventurers a crash course in local history, geology and biodiversity, punctuated by a backdrop of rainforests, mountains and wildlife. After dropping anchor, you’ll be invited to Sound from a safe and secure kayak, before shaking off the day and digging into a fresh carvery buffet for dinner.

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Are you ready for your New Zealand holiday? Book your Milford Sound experience with Relaxing Journeys today!

When planning a holiday to a foreign country, it’s difficult to know what to expect if you’ve never been. So here are some handy tips to help you get started, ensuring you’re not left in the lurch at the last minute.

Passport

First things first, and this is the most important. You NEED a valid passport. This needs to have a validity date of at least 3 months’ past your intended departure date.

Visa Permits

Secondly and just as important as your passport, you need to check if you require a visa. A Visa grants you permission to enter New Zealand for a specific period of time. Some countries are automatically waived like Britain and Australia.

The New Zealand Immigration website will provide you with all the information to check if you are required to have a visa or not.

Driver’s Licence

Thirdly, if you intend to hire a car or motorhome/campervan in New Zealand you will also need a current, valid driver’s licence from your own country that needs to be in English or an International Driving Permit. In New Zealand, we drive on the left-hand side of the road so, please be sure to familiarise yourself with our road rules. If you’re travelling with kiddies also check out our child restraint laws.

Packing

It’s actually not an easy task. You either under pack, over pack or completely forget to pack items all together.

Like mamma always said “life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get” and when it comes to New Zealand weather mamma sure is right. The weather in New Zealand is unpredictable and is like having all four seasons in one day. Dependent on the time of year is dependent on what you will pack the most of.

Summer – Dec-Feb – Hot during the days – cooler at nights.
Autumn – Mar-May – Still warm in March and April – cooler in May.
Winter – Jun-Aug – Cold, cold and cold.
Spring – Sep-Nov – Colder in September and October – warming up in November.

Remember it can be sunny one minute and then raining the next. Always check the weather forecast for a guideline on what to expect before you depart.

Day Light Savings

New Zealand also has day light savings. This gives us extra day light hours to take advantage of. It usually begins on the last Sunday in September and ends on the first Sunday in April the following year. During this period the sun goes down between 9pm and 10pm. Times vary from North Island to South Island.

With all of that out of the way, it’s time to plan what you want to do. So many options await you. New Zealand tourism offers something for everyone.

• Relax – Spa treatments, hot pools, golf and cruises.
• Walking – Day walks to Multi day hikes.
• Activities – Bungy jumps, jet boats or Helicopter flights.
• Wine – Numerous wineries throughout both islands specialising in Red or White.
• Culture – Maori concerts, Hangi feasts, Myths and Legends told by locals.
• Nature – Glowworms, Glaciers, Milford Sound and Wildlife.

Plus so much more!!!!!

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Happy planning travellers. New Zealand is looking forward to seeing you soon, and with the help of our expert consultants your trip will be a memorable one.

What’s your idea of paradise? Good friends, good times, venerable views and untouched beauty from horizon to horizon? Great food, better wines and everything at your fingertips? New Zealand wine country is considered the tour de force of viticulture in the Southern Hemisphere and you’ll soon see why.

Although words aren’t enough to experience the delectable routes your palette will take during a New Zealand wine tour, they serve as an excellent starting point. Before we launch into the where’s and the why, ask yourself, when was the last time you did something for you? You deserve to sample New Zealand in its full-bodied, fantastic glory.

Here’s a three stop plan to get you started…

Stop 1: Marlborough

Ideal for side adventures, the Marlborough region near Wellington on the North Island is the perfect first entry for any wine adventure. Littered with tasty cafès, delicious restaurants and cute coffee shops, your stomach will want for nothing between visits to 30 cellar doors and 120 wineries.

• MANA cellar doors
• Methode Marlborough Wineries
• Cloudy Bay Winery

Did you know?

Marlborough is one of New Zealand’s sunniest regions, packing the same dry punch as parts of Australia. Luckily, the surrounding topography protects it from damaging elements, leading to the perfect storm for vinicultural development.

Stop 2: Waiheke Island

Escape to the warmer climate and clear airs of Waiheke Island. Waiheke has become renowned for its international award-winning wines and its Easter Jazz Festival, which attracts musicians and followers from all over the world. The Island boasts a number of excellent cafés and restaurants. The Island hosts two excellent wineries, both of which have been featured in Time Magazine:

• Stonyridge Vineyard
• Mudbrick Vineyard

Stop 3: Kumeu

The wineries of Kumeu date back to the 1930s when wine families of Croatian origin established wine-making in the area. These families are still living and working in the area today, making some of New Zealand’s most renowned wines. The vineyards in this region are in contrast with the spectacular coastal scenery of the area. Kumeu is also one of those special places where you have a chance to see one of the world’s largest seabirds in their natural environment. With a mainland gannet nesting site situated on the cliff-tops overlooking the Tasman Sea, you can get a close-up of their behaviour without disturbing their environment. Wineries in the region you must visit:

• Soljans Vineyard
• Matua Valley Wines
• West Brook Winery

Did you know?

Kumeu’s views extend for miles along the wild, black, iron sand beach of Muriwai.

Life is too short to drink bad wine. Don’t wait until next month or next year to pursue the pleasures the New Zealand wine scene has to offer… you won’t regret going. It’s time to enjoy yourself. Come and have a glass in New Zealand!