The inside scoop on New Zealand...is it right for you?
By Wendy Pacofsky, Honeymoon Consultant
After returning from another trip to New Zealand last month, I wanted to share some of the features that make New Zealand so unique...and the same features can help you decide whether New Zealand is the right destination for your honeymoon...
1) Adventure and the Outdoors.
Since over one-third of New Zealand is covered by National Park land, it makes for an adventure haven. Whether you want to go hiking, biking, rafting, kayaking, canoeing, caving, horseback riding, fishing, golfing, or just go on an adrenaline binge, New Zealand is definitely for you. If you prefer to just relax, the peaceful nature of the outdoors will surely calm the senses.
2) Culture and People.
If you have an interest in learning about the culture, you will be impressed by the friendly, welcoming nature of the Kiwis and the indigenous Maori tribes. Your interaction may be as simple as a chat with the locals at a little roadside café, or as profound as a visit to a Marae to learn about the Maori history and traditions.
3) Scenery and Variety.
Mountains, rivers, lakes, valleys, caves, beaches, glaciers, rainforest...New Zealand has it all. For such a small country, they've managed to pack it all in, and you'll often come across multiple settings all in one day. But don't expect to cover a lot of ground in one day - with so much unspoiled land, the roads can be quite rural.
4) Food and Wine.
Think gourmet! The Kiwis have made an art out of accentuating the subtle flavors of their local specialties - delicate scallops, fresh mussels and local fish, tender lamb and beef - and did I mention the desserts? All of this accompanied by some of the best wines in the world. Pure heaven!
5) Seasonality and Time.
New Zealand's seasons are the opposite of ours - summer is December through February, and winter is June through August. Summer, Spring and Fall are the best seasons to travel...unless you're a skier...in which case you'll definitely want to head down under for their winter. Because of the flight time to New Zealand (12 hours from Los Angeles) and the time it takes to travel within the country, we recommend at least 2 weeks for your honeymoon.
While there is no doubt that traveling to New Zealand is certainly a benefit to the job I do, it's also the reason that we can help select the right destination and provide a honeymoon itinerary that matches each couple's personalities and interests. With such a personal love for a destination, it's easy for us to create an itinerary with an image in mind of how the couple will enjoy it, from start to finish.
I am truly excited for every couple who will have the opportunity to travel to New Zealand, especially for a honeymoon - it is a dream trip that will be remembered for a lifetime. Chances are you'll fall in love with New Zealand as I have, and will already be planning your next trip before the honeymoon is even over. That is the magic of New Zealand...
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