by Adam Singleton

If you’re like many Britons, at the beginning of winter, when you dream of sunny spots, hot. You do not have to settle for a dream, if you make it a reality. Planning a winter vacation to a destination like New Zealand, and you are sure to shake the winter blues as quickly as possible. New Zealand is a particularly popular destination from December to February because these are the summer months to the region. This means that if, in many other parts of the world – like Britain – are at their coolest, New Zealand is soaking up the summer sun. Who says you do not spend more on the beach in January? Head to New Zealand, and discover why so many others make their winter holiday destination.Of course, another one of the biggest appeals of New Zealand is to be selected, it offers a incredibly varied landscape. Visitors will find everything from picturesque hills and plains to majestic mountains and glaciers. And because so many varieties of terrain allow all sorts of adventure sports – from bungee jumping and rafting to paragliding, ice climbing and sailing – Adventure lovers are an exciting experience during their New Zealand weekend guaranteed. However, you do not need to enjoy an Adrenaline Junkie in New Zealand the best features. The country is famous for a number of other qualities – one of the most prominent is its wine. In fact, many people make this main reason to visit their country. Region of New Zealand Marlborough, for example, produces some of the best Sauvignon Blancs in the world, and most of the region, the vineyards are open to the public, with wine tasting and cellar sales. Of course, your taste buds will not stop there, New Zealand fishing grounds and fertile land preserved to make the country an attractive place for fresh seafood, produce, beef and lamb meat – thus opening a fantastic world of culinary possibilities. Nevertheless, a distinguished New Zealand is calling the friendly people. “Kiwis” – as they are affectionately known – are themselves among the most well-traveled bunch in the world, they are often very friendly people who are visiting their country. Thus, when visiting New Zealand for your winter vacation, you can relate to some of the friendliest people you are likely never met. Finally, New Zealand offers holidaymakers a great value for money, making it a very popular prospect for travelers in a recession. All accommodation and meals for tours can be booked at reasonable prices, which means New Zealand can do even more tourists, the country has to offer. With so much to discover New Zealand is simply the perfect winter vacation destination. Remember, for all your close friends and family, so you can complete your experience of this unforgettable experience.

Apart from being considered one of the most beautiful countries in the world, New Zealand also has the distinction of being one of the youngest. It was the last major land mass to be discovered by Europeans, and today, this fascinating and unspoiled country offers many reminders of its Maori and Colonial history.

The earliest known settlers in the two islands were the seafaring Maori, who arrived sometime between 1000 and 1300 AD, although some evidence suggests they were there earlier. The Maoris named the new land Aotearoa, meaning “Land of the Long White Cloud”, a name that still seems appropriate today.

The Maoris survived by hunting and farming and later by trading with the European settlers. Today, New Zealand boasts several places where you can still experience several fascinating glimpses into the Maori’s way of life and Maori culture is still an important part of what has become an increasingly multicultural society.

The Maoris were skilled fishermen, as well as expert sailors. One of their traditions was to throw back the first fish caught as a way of thanking the sea god for the catch – a tradition that continues today. They were also adept at hunting the world’s largest bird, the Moa, and harvesting and eating vegetables and potatoes.

One of the best places to gain an insight into their culture is the restored Maori village at Tamaki, which offers the chance to watch traditional singing, dancing and to purchase hand made crafts. The highlight of your visit may be the opportunity to sample a typical Maori meal, prepared the same way as it has been for centuries – cooked for several hours on hot stones buried under the ground.

The Dutch were the first Europeans to discover the two islands, naming them Nieuw Zeeland, after the Dutch province of the same name. The explorer Abel Tasman first sighted the land in 1642 – although the first visit was not a success as there was fighting between the Maoris and the Dutch. Tasman later named the bay where he had anchored “Murderer’s bay”.

The Maoris were left in peace for the next hundred years until the British explorer Captain James Cook arrived in the 18th century. Cook’s group had their misfortunes too – Maori warriors killed and ate nine members of the ship’s crew. New Zealand could just as easily have become a French colony – by coincidence, a French ship was exploring the area at the same time although neither ship sighted the other.

From the late 1790s onwards, the north coast of the North Island became a busy place, as traders, whaling ships and missionaries established settlements there. The settlers traded weapons with the Maoris – often trading muskets for fruit or pigs. This led to the tribes fighting among themselves – a bloody period in New Zealand’s history that has become known as the “Musket Wars”.

The British signed a treaty to colonize the islands in February, 1840 – the Treaty of Waitangi. While most Maoris were agreeable to this, not every tribe was amenable and this led to more fighting – a period known as the New Zealand Wars. One skirmish was triggered off by the Maoris repeatedly cutting down the ceremonial British flagpole in the settlement at Kororareka.

The following year New Zealand officially became a British colony and the New Zealand Constitution Act was established in 1852. The islands saw a further increase in immigrants, not only from the UK, but from other parts of Europe and the US as well. And the late 19th century also saw the beginning of immigration from China, with men arriving to work in the gold mines.

During the 1890s, New Zealand’s economy, which had previously relied mainly on trading and wool, was boosted by the increased export of frozen meat to Britain. The invention of refrigeration suddenly made it possible to keep meat cold for the duration of the long sea crossing – New Zealand would remain a key player in the refrigerated meat business until the 1970s.

New Zealand declared independence from the UK in 1907, although the country remained a part of the British Empire and New Zealanders fought alongside the British in both world wars. A period of cooperation with the United States led to the signing of the ANZUS treaty in 1951, guaranteeing that New Zealand, Australia and America would assist each other if any of the countries were to be invaded.

Today, New Zealand is an independent nation within the British Commonwealth and still retains strong bonds with Britain. The British Union Jack appears on the country’s flag and an image of the Queen can still be seen on some banknotes. People from all over the world visit this remote nation to experience its history and a taste of its unique culture.

If you are unsure about where to take your next vacation then perhaps you should consider New Zealand. It is a beautiful country that has a variety of wonderful scenery and terrain. From the forests in the north to the many beaches in the south, New Zealand offers just about every thing that the visitor could want. This article aims to provide an insight in to just a small selection of the places that you can visit once you decide to go.
Current statistics show that the population of New Zealand is approximately four million people, of which just over a million live in its biggest city, Auckland. The capital city is Wellington which has a population of around 400,000. The vast majority of the urban areas of the country are situated on the North Island and generally people visit the South Island to enjoy the rural environment.
Auckland
If you decide to visit Auckland on your trip then make sure you visit the Sky Tower. It is hard to miss as it stands 1,066 feet into the air. Built in 1997 its primary function is for telecommunications. However, as one of the tallest buildings in New Zealand it is also a favorite place for tourists and locals alike to visit. There are restaurants and shops within the tower and the views can be breathtaking, particularly the sunsets. If you are feeling adventurous then you might want to consider trying the bungee jump off the tower. The Sky Jump will drop you 192 meters at a speed of 83 kilometers per hour in approximately 11 seconds!
Christchurch
This is the largest city on the South Island and is a great place to visit. With its relaxed environment, pleasant suburbs and wonderful scenery it is not difficult to understand why this is a popular city to visit. During its history, Christchurch has become known as the gateway to the Antarctica as it traditionally has been used as a base for explorations into the area. Famous explorers Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton have used the area previously and it is still used for these purposes today.
Christchurch also has amazing botanical gardens. They were established in 1863 and possess a vast array of different and unusual plants. The great thing about this is that entry is free, so if you do go to the city you have no excuse not to visit.
Fiordland National Park
This wonderful place was named a World Heritage site in 1986 and is New Zealand’s largest National Park. The area covers approximately 1.2 Million Hectares and is a vast variety of beautiful natural landscapes.
There are plenty of places to explore within the National Park. Doubtful Sound is the deepest fiord and it is here that you can discover penguins and seals. It is also possible to go Kayaking or enjoy a cruise in this area. Milford Sound is the only fiord that is accessible by road and offers a wonderful drive, one perhaps you are unlikely to experience anywhere else in the world. If you visit this area then you must find the time to see the underwater observatory. It is situated some 10 meters below the surface and offers a wonderful view of the undisturbed natural environment under the fiord.

New Zealand is a beautiful country with a diverse geography. There are glaciers, mountains and even volcanoes which make up the landscape of the islands of New Zealand. The beautiful mountains are almost always topped with snow caps accentuating the beauty of the rivers and lakes of this region of the world.

New Zealand also boasts a diverse culture with both indigenous and immigrant population. There are cities which thrive in the New Zealand Northern Island and small communities which lay off of the beaten paths on the smaller New Zealand islands.

There are plenty of activities for everyone to enjoy in New Zealand. You can take advantage of the wonderful natural scenery and go on a guided tour of the mountains or glaciers or you can kayak the beautiful rivers of the area watching for the wildlife.

New Zealand is the home for many varieties of whales, dolphins and a vast selection of interesting birds. Typically, you will want someone to show you where to see these wonderful animals although you can venture out on your own if you so wish. Cave diving is an especially popular sport for those who are looking for a new means of adventure. You can have a guide teach you the basics and then experience the adventure for yourself in a short period of time.

Once you have explored the natural beauty of New Zealand you may want to venture into the cities of Auckland and Wellington for shopping, dining and partake of their various cultural events.

New Zealand is home to several large cities including Auckland. Here you will find museums and shopping malls along with all of the great traditional food of New Zealand. Maori culture is also shown in exhibits located in the local museums of Auckland and featuring an abundance of ancient artifacts and modern information on the lifestyle of the Maori.

Auckland offers traditional entertainment as well and includes casinos and sightseeing tours of the area. If you wish to see all of Auckland in one trip then you will definitely want to visit Sky City. Sky City is an enormous glass tower which overlooks the entire city.

If you want to experience the natural beauty of New Zealand without all of the hassle then you may choose to visit one of the smaller islands. Stewart Island is a pristine picture of New Zealand forests at their prime. The island is mostly undeveloped and is the home of the famous New Zealand bird the kiwi.

You can sit back and enjoy the aurora australis on this small island making it the perfect spot for a camping adventure in New Zealand.

There are so many wonderful things to see and do while visiting New Zealand, so sometimes it is difficult to decide the best way to experience it all. This is the point when you should consider signing up for one of the incredible New Zealand tours. There are so many important attractions to see and partake in when you visit, with one of the New Zealand tours you can be sure that do not miss a thing. This way, you can see all of the history, culture, islands, lakes, parks, reserves and natural phenomena that New Zealand houses.
The history behind New Zealand is strong and it began over 700 years ago. The Polynesian migration to New Zealand many centuries ago is what has made the culture what it is today. Some New Zealand tours highlight the heritage sites and cultural experiences that are still around today. These sites are very important to natives of Australia, but for visitors they are often hard to locate or even to hear about them. This is why looking into one of the New Zealand tours is such a great idea because the experienced tour guides know exactly where to take you.
Vacationers have always flocked to islands because they hold that special charm that you cannot find anywhere else. There are so many different national parks that you can experience on one of the New Zealand tours, but one of the main islands, Stewart Island, houses one of the most breathtaking parks in the entire world. Stewart Island is great for an afternoon of hiking, watching the exotic birds and taking in the beautiful sky and stars at night. There is also a ferry that carts travelers around to all the other smaller islands to experience their beauty. Many of the smaller islands are devoted to the preservation of the wildlife in New Zealand.
New Zealand is situated between two oceans and this causes a lot of natural events to occur. They have experienced ice ages, fault lines and volcanic areas which have all contributed to making it the unique and historical country that it is today. Being located between two oceans causes New Zealand to feel every little thing that goes on beneath the surface of the earth. If you are interested in exploring the unknown and uncharted areas of the world, then New Zealand tours are your answer to a very fulfilling experience.

Much of New Zealand’s cuisine, similar to the people themselves, tends to be straightforward and unpretentious. The country’s economy is largely based on agriculture, so not surprisingly the cuisine is based on fresh produce from the sea and the land. It isn’t all basic, the wave of immigrants from China, Korea and other parts of Asia have meant an explosion in ethnic cuisine.

The country was a British colony for much of the 19th century, and the influence can be felt in the food and drink. Most English visitors will feel completely at home in New Zealand, from the traditional Sunday roast, to the afternoon cup of tea. Such favorites as scones and porridge are popular and a meal of fish and chips wrapped in newspaper may not be healthy – but it tastes delicious.

The influx of immigrants as well as the Maori influence has given rise to what is known as Pacific Rim cuisine. The food draws its inspiration from Asia, Polynesia as well as Europe – creating a wide range of flavors and food. You might have a meal with hints of both French and Thai; or a dish that mixes Hawaiian with Greek – the numbers of options are seemingly endless. Somehow, this all seems to work and the end result is usually a memorable meal

Pacific Rim cuisine can be found all over the country, particularly in the larger cities and Auckland especially has a large concentration of such restaurants. Most first time visitors are pleasantly surprised at the quality and diversity of the food in Auckland – you can sample such exotic cuisines as Belgian, Russian and Turkish, among others.

New Zealanders are among the top consumers of meat, butter, eggs and ice-cream in the world. Throughout the country, you can find small farms or roadside stalls from which you can purchase delicious home made bread, pies, chocolate, honey and jam. In many of the coastal communities, fresh seafood is for sale by the roadside or down by the harbor. And don’t miss the local farmer’s markets, another excellent place to sample local cheeses, meat and wines.

The country also has regional food specialties, oysters are the attraction in the small town of Bluff at the tip of South Island. Dunedin has a distinctly Scottish feel to it, with food to match. The province of Canterbury is the place to go for an excellent rack of lamb and neighboring Marlborough is well known for taking its bounty from the sea – mussels and scallops.

New Zealand’s wines make an excellent accompaniment to any meal – be aware that if you are dining out and want a glass of wine, some restaurants are classified as BYO (Bring your own) And many vineyards run restaurants as well, employing world-class chefs and using fresh local produce such as venison, lamb and seafood – accompanied of course by a glass of the local white or red.

The country boasts several wine growing areas and it’s possible to organize a tour of the country around visiting vineyards. Varieties of grape have been chosen to thrive in the soil conditions and climate of each region. One of the best places to experience New Zealand’s wine culture is in the Wairarapa region, not far from Wellington. In addition to the many wineries in this area, you can also inspire yourself by attending classes at the famous Ruth Pretty cooking school.

If you fancy dessert after your meal, you should sample a Pavlova, the delicious meringue dessert that originated in New Zealand, or Australia, as some maintain. The dessert is usually enjoyed with a topping of whipped cream and accompanied by fresh fruit. Its often eaten on holidays or special occasions, although it can of course, be enjoyed any time.

New Zealanders are fond of their barbecues during the summer months; typically a barbecue will feature lamb, beef or seafood. One experience not to be missed is the traditional Maori meal prepared by cooking food over hot stones buried underground for several hours. You can experience the hangi, as it’s called, at several tourist locations in New Zealand including the Maori village at Tamaki.

Perhaps the food most associated with New Zealand is the kiwifruit. If you just can’t get enough kiwifruit, take a trip to the Te Puke area where hundreds of growers harvest and ship the fruit worldwide. And there’s even a theme park – Kiwi 360 – which offers a tour of the orchards and a kiwifruit dining experience.

There are many reasons to visit New Zealand – spectacular scenery, a fascinating culture, friendly people and undoubtedly, excellent food and drink.

The vast majority of travellers who visit New Zealand come away with a memorable experience, and the vacationers who partake in water rafting are no exception. New Zealand is hailed as one of the most pristine and picturesque counties in the Pacific region, and this is clearly evident to those who go rafting through the country’s truly awe-inspireing rivers and byways.

Thousands of tourists travel to New Zealand to water raft each year. The New Zealand Rafting Association (NZRA) was established in 1996 in order to promote the sport of water rafting. The association is made up of tour guide operators and afficcionados who specialize in this thrilling sport. The code of conduct that the New Zealand Rafting Association follows is endorsed by the New Zealand government. Thanks to government support, the country is known as having one of the highest standards for safe water rafting activities. The association conducts training workshops and rescue operations as well.

Water Rafting in New Zealand: Where to go?

Even though New Zealand is a relatively small country with a population of roughly 4.1 million, the areas for water rafting are numerous. Adventuous vacationers have a choice of Rangitikei, Shotover, Upper Buller Mohaka, Motu, Gowan and several others. Tourists are rarely disappointed by the beauty of the landscape and the variety of rivers and byways. If you enjoy incredible natural scenery, New Zealand has a sparkling breathtaking environment. From the fjords and mountains in the south island, to the native forests and white sands of the north, New Zealand has diverse, pristine and beautiful natural surroundings.

In the north, you can experience the Karamea and Buller rivers while the west has the Waiho and Arnold rivers. Both rivers offer superb rafting trips.

The truly adventurous traveller can sign up with tour operators who provide guided tours of a total of eleven rivers. In just over two weeks, all eleven rivers can be travelled, some so remote that you feel there is no one else on the island besides you and your travelling companions. White water entusiasts have spoken of one place which the natives call “Chinese dogleg”. Other rafters experience blasting through a historical mining tunnel and then ending up in the rapids.

It is important to note that New Zealand has seven major regions: Auckland, Central Plateau, Hawkes Bay, Wellington, Nelson/West Coast, Canterbury, Otago/Southland. These regions have water rafting facilities and they each have magnificent rivers and breathtaking panoramic views.

Water rafting in New Zealand is truly a sublime experience. The adventure sport turned national industry has become incredibly successful, mostly due to the amount of challenging and beautiful rivers and byways. Tim Alpe says that New Zealand is country known for its rapid and free flowing rivers, and the rapids come straight from the mountains. They snake their way through thick and lush forests and pour into the sea.

Be Safe: Watch that Raft and the River!

If you are not familiar with New Zealand’s rivers, it is strongly encouraged that you not venture out on your own. Even if advances in technology have led to improvements in raft design and construction, the amateur rafter should be accompanied by a licensed tour guide. Some people who are new to the sport are not aware that the flow of the river necessitates a certain kind of raft.. Rivers are graded from class 1 to class 5, and each class requires a different kind of rafting equipment.

When you engage the services of a rafting guide in New Zealand, you are assured that he or she possesses a high degree of expertise and knowledge about safe water rafting in that particualr country. They are familiar with rivers whose flows change from one moment to the next. They know about the international river grading system and what each grade means.

Since rafting is a year-round sport in New Zealand, vacationers have plenty of flexability. Rafting is common during spring, summer and fall. There are approxamitly 50 rafting operators that are spread out across New Zealand, so, if you find yourself in one rafting spot, you are bound to find another within a few miles.

If you are travelling with a group, you need to decide on a river that is appropriate for everyone. Decide how long you and your travelling companions want to go rafting. Some raft for only one day, others an enitre weekend, or even a week or two. Also, choose which level to persue. Are you looking for an adrenalin adventure or a moderate rafting trip so you can also take in the scenery. These are imortant coices to make. Depending on your preferences, your New Zealand guide can put a package together. Some operators will offer meal stops and will add in sightseeing on land.