Go on Holidays to New Zealand - Explore Scenic wonders, Magical Culture and Adrenaline Adventures

So, you are planning to go on holidays to New Zealand! You have made the right choice.

A couple of Facts about New Zealand:

New Zealand has been crowned as both the “The Most Peaceful Place on Earth” and the “Adventure Capital of the World”

People in this country are outnumbered 10:1 by sheep

New Zealand…Aaahhh! It is the country that has brought to us Lord of the Rings, Keas, Flight of the Concords, Meat pies, All Blacks, Maoris, Hockey Pockey, kiwis (not to be confused with a fruit named kiwi) and Meat pies. With all that in our minds, we took a little trip Down under to see the beauty of the country with our own eyes…. Sweet As!

New Zealand

 Whether you prefer a romantic honeymoon in serenity, action packed days, indoor/outdoor pursuits or sedate travels; whatever may be the choice of your vacation – New Zealand has something from everyone.

Read on to know the Top-5 places you must visit when on a Holiday in New Zealand.

Auckland – One of the best places to trigger your holiday in New Zealand is undoubtedly Auckland. The place is also popularly known as the “City of Sails”. Whether you arrive or depart from Auckland; the gateway city to magnificent New Zealand, you will certainly desire to spend a few days sightseeing and checking out some of the most famous attractions on offer as part of your vacation in New Zealand.

Straddling a nape between Waitemata and Manukau Harbours, Auckland is surrounded by 60- quaint islands and 50 extinct volcanic cones dotting the shimmering Hauraki Gulf.  Tourists can relish myriad Water based sports here; a distinctive feature of the city.

 You will certainly be spoilt for choice, when it comes to deciding on checking out attractions and activities – there is a plethora of organized exhibitions, concerts, theatres, shows and sporting opportunities.  

Did you know that the Auckland’s Sky Tower is the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere? You must hitch the lift to go to the top for 360 degrees view of the charming cosmopolitan city and in case, after all this, you still are in the mood for heights, then  you can climb the Auckland bridge! 

Auckland Sky Tower

New Zealand Skyline Auckland Sky Tower Tower

The city has an incredible gamut of boats and yachts of all hues, sizes and shapes in its harbor, shops galore and restaurants, and so the name “The City of Sails”.

Christchurch- Travel in the Garden City – This is South Island’s Largest City.  When on a vacation in New Zealand, Plan out Christchurch tour; a city that is now ready for tourists and visitors after devastating earthquake on 22^nd February 2011.

The airport is now open…. while the recovery of architecture is still in progress, the city is waiting for visitors and explorers.

The brainchild of a Japanese designer (Shigeru Ban) a new church “Christchurch Cardboard Cathedral” built entirely of containers has been built and unveiled in August 2013. The Sydney Morning Herald listed it in the top-10 new international attractions for 2014. 

The very first of its type in New Zealand and with forecasted lifetime of approx.50 years, this incredible church is certainly to emerge as a fixture on any trip to New Zealand’s gateway on the South Island. Christchurch was and still is, the English City! 

Christchurch Cardboard Cathedral Church

Cardboard Cathedral, 2013, Christchurch, New Zealand. Photo by Stephen Goodenough

Additionally, go punting on Avon, bargain-hunting and sightseeing in Cathedral Square prior to soaking in some art in the Cultural Precinct. Also pay a visit to International Antarctic Centre, where you can catch a ride on Haggalund (more fun than a roller-coaster ride) and enjoy a real snow storm in the simulator room.

 The Coromandel – With its native forests, charming beaches and laid-back vibe, Coromandel is one of the New Zealand’s most loved holiday places. Coromandel is everything that a big-metropolitan city is not.

 Nestled in native rainforest with sparkling white sand beaches, it is unspoiled, relaxed and rustic. Attractions and activities are ample; you may choose a guided sea kayak trip around the coast or skydiving in Whitianga.

Furthermore, you can take a walk in the calmness of the lush bush – Coromandel is known as a walker’s paradise or you can simply sit and unwind in a warm bubbling pool at Hot Water Beach. Moreover, Coromandel is a home to numerous craftspeople and artists. Visit their studios and pick up an inimitable piece of pottery or art to take home along. 

image credit - www.thecoromandel.com

Queenstown – The place was voted as “A Top 1O World Destination in 2008’, and then again in 2010. Once you visit Queenstown, you will truly understand why this town has gained so many accolades and laurels. Known as “the adventure capital of the world”, not just it is startlingly picturesque, it offers a wide range of adventure activities to enjoy.

The place lies back into the foothills of The Remarkables and bends around the end of Lake Wakatipu. It is loved by all age groups and meets all interests. In recent years, most visitors are keen to see the Lord of the Rings sites, while skiers and snowboarders utilized it as a base for nearby Coronet Peak in winter season. 

Tourists eager to try out adrenaline induced adventure sports are right in their choice. You can experience the original bungee jumping at the place where AUJ Hackett built the world’s foremost bungee jump.

Moreover, you can relish down the Kawarau River in a Jet Boat or accept the challenge of white river rafting.

Wellington – When on New Zealand Holiday, you must plan out your walking tour to Wellington city and beyond. It is the capital city of New Zealand, and is located at the southern most end of the North Island. You can plan a series of walking tours in this city….it is that compact.

It is a beautiful city that has undergone some revitalization in recent years. Small together with a compact city center, it is a nicest city to explore; where you can walk to do your sightseeing. Home to Parliamentarians and numerous government services, there is an excellent entertainment and shopping places, cafes, restaurants and bistros catering to a reasonably well-off population. 

Activities that will give Your Adrenaline Rush

·         Hang gliding

image credit - handglinding.com

·         Four wheel drive

·         The Luge

·         Black and white water rafting

·         Quad bikes

image credit - wikimedia.org

·         Parasailing

·         The Auckland harbor bridge walk

·         Hot air ballooning

·         Jet Boating

·         Hanging from the rope off the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere “Auckland Sky Tower”

image credit www.auckland2017wmg.com/

…………..Hope you got the picture!

Wine and Food

Oh, so you are a wine maniac? Relish a wine themed holiday in New Zealand – sampling at a lot of wineries throughout the nation. Moreover, this often goes together with sampling some of the country’s fresh and yummy food. New Zealand is a foodie’s paradise… with their own special and delicious Kiwi fusion style. 

Great New Zealand Culture

New Zealand has a lot to offer to culture vultures. The country has variety of marvelous museums, including the national museum found in Wellington, Te Papa (meaning “our place”).

 Art galleries, film making, design and crafts, New Zealanders are too good at these. From fashion design to film making, the country is recognized globally.

Not to mention, Maori culture is enticing. For a true cultural experience of New Zealand, Rotorua has a distinct Maori flavor, both cultural and scenic. Your vacation in New Zealand is not complete, if you do not catch up a little of Maori culture. 

 For most of you, both independent explorers and who visit with family, vacations in New Zealand will surely include a perfect mix of sightseeing, culture, dining and adventure activities. Have Fun!

Call Hoodaki and talk to one of its experienced agents for everything you want to know about holidays in New Zealand. Book your flight at the cheapest possible price and also enjoy great discounts on hotel booking. Feel free to call us for the latest updates on airfares.

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10 Must Visit Places when on Holiday in Attractive Auckland

Parks, Beaches, Islands, Museums and Adventure Activities………… and what not…Auckland is an Ultimate Holiday Destination – for both families and Individual travelers (like me)!

The vibrant, small-scale city, Auckland is a breeze of cool-fresh air. Also, known as “City of Sails”, Auckland is situated on a narrow isthmus of land on New Zealand’s north island and allures sailors, families, outdoor sports enthusiasts and backpackers. 

 A Backdrop

Regularly nominated amongst the world’s cities offering premium “quality of life”, Auckland is a small, contemporary and friendly choice – an ideal base for any exploration of beautiful NZ – be it relaxed exploration or adrenaline rush giving adventure activities.

 Moreover, as the largest  known metropolis in Polynesia, it is certainly a cosmopolitan melting pot of cultures, mixing ancient Maori culture with English, Asian and Australian influences; thus, creating a capital that is refreshing unpretentious, modern and engaging.

Auckland 

Read on to know the top 10 things Not to Miss When on a Holiday in Auckland:

Visit the Auckland Sky Tower – The Biggest Attraction

 Soaring 328 meters above the ground is Auckland Sky Tower where from the peak you will be able to see Auckland Harbor Bridge (a sparkling bridge) and 50 extinct volcanoes surrounding the place. This place is a must visit for adventure enthusiasts as they can do Sky jump, where you will find yourself tied up and falling from the Sky at around 85kmh. 

Auckland Sky Tower 

Explore the Wynyard Quarter

In recent years, Wynyard Quarter has seen huge development and today, it is one of those places where something or the other is always going on…hustle-bustle 24*7.

On Friday nights during summer, you will find movies playing out in the open at Silo Park Cinema, and on Saturday mornings during the warmer months are reserved for Silo Park Markets.

 Moreover, there are myriad good restaurants to try, art installations to check out or if you are in the relaxation mode then you can head to Karanga Plaza and unleash yourself at the extra large wooden recliners. 

Wynyard Quarter

Climb Mount Eden

To get a different perspective of the city, visit Mount Eden. This dormant volcano, nestling in the suburb of Mount Eden, confers panoramic views from the apex natural point. It might be a bit tad of a limb to get up there; however, I must tell you, it is worth it when you get to the apex.

Your holiday in Auckland is not complete until you climb Mount Eden. 

Mount Eden

Check out the Domain

At 75 hectares, Domain is Auckland’s oldest and largest park, ideal for relaxing if the weather is pleasant. While you are there, you can go for a self-guided sculpture checking park tour, visit Auckland museum, walk around the winter gardens and simply sit back and relish the seemingly infinite expanse of greenery around you.

Ashburton Craft Village

Check out Waiheke Island

Love culture, food and wine?  You will certainly love Waiheke Island. Found in the centre of the Hauraki Gulf, the magnificent island is famous for its supreme quality wineries, chromatic landscape and array of adventure activities from archery to mount biking. 

Waiheke Island

 Drive to Piha

 There is as such no public transport to Piha, situated on the west coast of Auckland; however, it is worth taking a car on rental and driving there. Whether you want to relish stunning ocean views and climb Lion rock, hike the Waitakere Ranges or walk to KiteKite Falls or simply lay on the beach, you would not be stuck for fun things to do and enjoy in Piha. 

Piha beach to Lion Rock.

Explore Auckland Art Gallery

At the nitty-gritty of the city, Auckland Art Gallery is home to approx 15,000 traditional and contemporary artworks, has 3-permanent Maori works that were commissioned primarily to celebrate the establishment of the art gallery building and hosts travelling exhibitions. 

It is a fantabulous place to know about the culture of New Zealand, and both new and old parts of the building are spectacular. 

Auckland Art Gallery - Kitchener Street

Do a Little Shopping

Queen’ ST is hoarded with typical Kiwi high-street shops such as Glassons and Cotton; however, if you are in the market to buy things that are unique and exclusive then get yourself to Karangahape Road; here you will find ample vintage stores.

 On the contrary, if designer boutiques are what match your style, then head towards Lorne ST or a local suburb of Ponsonby, you certainly would not be disappointed. 

Queen StMall for shopping in Auckland

Spend a Relaxing Day at the Beach 

When on a holiday in Auckland, visit Takapuna, on the north shore has a picturesque beach with serene water and a sultry view of Rangitoto Island. Another beach you must check out is at Mission Bay, where there are free barbeques. 

Takapuna beach in auckland

Do Bungee Jumping

Adrenaline junkies will immensely love the Auckland Bridge Bungy. It is an excellent method to see more of Waitemata Harbor as you have your way towards the drop point and certainly a memorable adventure activity of your time in Auckland. 

With a clutch of amazing culture centers, enough attractions and elite restaurants to cope with the Island’s frequent-changing weather, Auckland renders big-city fun in a handsome, reasonable package.

In order to optimize your flying expenses, it is recommended that you plan your vacation for at least a fortnight if not more because the right balance of vacation is one where your duration of stay must be equivalent to flight duration to arrive your destination.

If you are planning to have vacations in Auckland, take a look at Flights to Auckland with Hoodaki, adventure tours and luxury holidays.

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