New Zealand Archives - Seek Your Trip

February 17, 2018 by Arlene

NZ South Island’s Best Summer Activities and Sites

New Zealand is a gorgeous country filled with some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Known for setting the scene in the Lord of the Rings film franchise, it is one of the best places to go if you’re looking for a tranquil retreat. In fact, we highly recommend taking a tour of New Zealand’s South Island for the full experience. In this article, we take you through some of the country’s best activities and sites.

Aoraki/Mt. Cook

This is one of the best and most scenic locations, and it stands as the highest peak in the country. You can experience this natural wonder on foot if you have time to spare, or from the air if you want a birds-eye view. The mountain itself is surrounded by beautiful turquoise waters, and we highly recommend taking the time to explore the area by boat if you get the chance.

Fiordland National Park

This is one of the most memorable and beautiful places in New Zealand. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, it features some of the most picturesque scenery you can imagine that you are able to experience from the air, on foot, or even by boat. With so many photo opportunities, it has to be one of the most photographed locations in the world – and when you get there, you will see why.

Birdwatching on Stewart Island

What’s better than a bit of tranquil birdwatching? On Stewart Island, you can get close enough to the birds to interact with them. Stewart Island houses New Zealand’s largest and most diverse bird population – and you can find absolutely anything here. Whether you are looking to spot a kiwi, a penguin, or an albatross, we are sure that you will get to see one here. There is even the rare weka bird that you can get right up close to if you are lucky enough. There are 240 km of walking tracks and a number of great tours you can go on.

The Street Art Trail, Christchurch

If you’re a culture and art lover, then Christchurch offers one of the best locations for you to visit. The Street Art Trail spans the entirety of the city streets – and you never know where you might run into a modern and creative design. The whole city is drenched in creativity, and there are a number of stylish and unique cafes that you can visit for an unforgettable hot beverage.

The Wineries in Central Otago

When you visit Otago, there are vineyards as far as the eye can see, and you can expect to try some pretty fantastic wine while you’re here. It makes the perfect place for a lazy afternoon, and the sights are unlike anything you have ever seen. Land stretches for miles in front of you, with rushing rivers and snow-capped mountains on the horizon. Cycle, run, walk – whatever you do, make sure it’s between the vines for an unforgettable experience.

Abel Tasman National Park

This gorgeous national park makes the perfect place for taking some time to go kayaking, or for going on a sailing trip to reconnect with nature. The turquoise waters provide the perfect place to spot dolphins and seals that frequent the waters. There is even a stunning track for hiking that will lead you through native bush, alongside limestone cliffs, and past some of the most golden beaches you have ever seen.

To Conclude

Hopefully this article has given you a few ideas on where to go when you arrive in New Zealand. With so many places to visit and explore, we know that you are going to have a fantastic time on any New Zealand South Island tour that you decide to take. It’s a trip you are bound to remember for a lifetime!

April 21, 2013 by Arlene

April 2013 Festivals Around the World

Festivals have always been an activity of great pleasure. As time goes on more and more interesting and exciting festivals have popped up around the world. From beer to wine, to medieval reenactments, to flowers, to music to food and much much more. April 2013 is no exception for hosting the most fun and interesting festivals of the year. Check out the list below and book your flight soon to get in on the memorable action!

Festival infographic

Infographic Source: Flight Centre, April Festivals from Flight Centre

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Photo by David Atkinson Images on Flickr

April 15, 2013 by Arlene

Discovering New Zealand’s Individuality

When considering where to go on your next getaway, consider venturing to the gorgeous landscapes and amazing oceanic islands of New Zealand. There’s more to see and do here than probably anywhere else on the planet, and the cuisine is one of the finest in the world. New Zealand remains relatively undiscovered by thousands of travelers who are unfamiliar with the natural splendor of this magnificent country.

Take a look at these unique activities in this island paradise.

New Zealand Boat rides at Sea

Numerous boat rides and oceanic excursions are available to suit all types of budgets. Incredible bays and sounds are just bursting with aquatic sea life in New Zealand. Dusky dolphins are extremely acrobatic and they race alongside boats performing high back flips and other amazing feats. You can see newborns swimming alongside their mothers, and as they swim so close, you can actually look them directly in the eye. Orcas and other species of whale can also be seen and make for an incredibly memorable vacation.

Penguin Wildlife Preserves

The marine life in New Zealand is spectacular, to say the least. There are one of a kind nature preserves here where visitors walk quietly through camouflaged trenches that weave their way in and out of Penguin nests, allowing visitors to get extremely close to these wonderful creatures.

The penguin couples mate for life, and they take turns guarding their homes and chicks as their mate hunts for food. They take turns in this fashion – one guards while the other hunts and returns with food. It’s a strong family bond and viewing it up close and in the wild is absolutely stunning.

Every evening shortly after sunset, the penguin colony makes their way towards the shore from the deep ocean waters. You can watch the colony from the provided shelter as the little creatures splash and break the surface in an array of jumps and dives. It’s amazing how they navigate their bodies through the strong ocean currents, before making it to shore for the next phase of their journey, which is getting up the steep embankment to their nesting site where they’ll spend the evening together. This nightly occurrence is simply incredible for those that have never witnessed such an awe-inspiring site.

Sheepherding

Be prepared to stop for a herd of sheep crossing the road as this is a common occurrence in New Zealand. There’s more sheep here than in any other country, and watching them be herded by dogs or helicopters is a sight that you must see ‘live’ and in action. It’s a one of a kind experience that’s unique to the country.

It’s exciting to watch a sheepdog or collie jumping into action when they see a straying young lamb. These amazing animals just spark into life, round up the lamb and bring it safely back to the herd.

The dogs operate on hand signs and whistles that are inaudible to humans, so the dogs communicate with their masters on a high level, and with a high degree of intelligence. Watching them at work is a unique experience and a dying art form that’s been a tradition in New Zealand for decades. Collies are extremely highly regarded working dogs in this country as well, and statues have been erected in their honor.

Photo by andrew_suzanne on Flickr

January 14, 2013 by Arlene

Should You Learn To Ski Or Snowboard?

While thinking about taking a winter sport as a leisure activity many of us are in a dilemma regarding which one to choose, skiing or snowboarding. Below we’ll discuss the pros and cons of both, helping you decide which of these sports would suit you best and let you feel the adrenaline pumping inside your mind, body and soul.

Pros of skiing

Since all of us are acquainted to walking with two legs, the same is the sensation of being on a ski, and hence is the reason learning to ski is regarded as easier and more comfortable when compared with snowboarding. Snowboarding requires more flexibility at the waist and powerful abdominal muscles to bear the jerks caused due to quick turning actions. Hence when one is on both the legs, then we may expect better body balance and one can shift their center of gravity to whatever position required for a better skiing experience.

Skiing makes use of poles to aid for accelerating and also for stopping, which is not possible when we are snowboarding. Stopping and slowing down is sometimes a tricky job even for expert snowboarders on the same terrain where beginner skiers accomplish that with ease. When on flat surface snowboarders have a really painful time trying to get through the snow.

Skiing is a sport which is better suited for longer run as after a certain age one may not be able to snowboard comfortably but skiing will be a lot more enjoyable. Young people who are always willing to look cool choose snowboarding but sooner or later they switch to skiing.

Pros of snowboarding

Snowboarding is a sport usually favored by the young sport enthusiasts because of the adrenaline rush it involves. The second most important thing is the appeal it has on the minds of the spectators, snowboarding is considered way too cooler by most of the people and as a matter of fact, it sure is.

Even when the speeds achieved in a ski is greater when compared to that of a snowboard, still the feel of being on a snowboard carries a greater degree of thrill factor with it.

Tougher terrains are difficult to be handled by beginners on a snowboard but as they learn the art of linking turns, slopes are not a problem when compared with skiers.

The lesser number of gears and cheaper accessories in snowboarding also makes it a lucrative sports option.

Last but not the least, the awesome number and types of tricks which can be performed on a snowboard makes it worth trying, though it involves some level of risks of getting hurt but still for thrill seekers, it might not be an issue.

Some of the famous skiing and snowboarding destinations around the world are enlisted below:

The Alps, Europe
Vail, Colorado USA
Andermatt, Switzerland
Hecuba, Japan
Portillo, Chile
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France
Mt.Ruapehu, New Zealand
Fernie, British Columbia, Canada
Thredbo, Australia
St Anton Am Arlberg, Austria

Conclusion

So assuming that the facts that we have provided here would let you recognize your true adventure requirements and will help you decide which one is the best for you while exploring new areas, skis provide better advantage over snowboards and for extreme thrill seekers snowboard is the best option. At the end of the day the choice is all yours.

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Photo by VancityAllie on Flickr.