Nieuw Zeeland algemeen
You might be approached by a Kiwi if you are spotted studying a road map alongside your hire car. "You will have to excuse us because you will encounter many Kiwis who are very enthusiastic about showing you our country." And you'll notice that this really is the case! This attitude is an integral part of New Zealand and it will add immensely to your holiday feeling.
No other country is as isolated as New Zealand; even Australia is a massive 2,000 kilometres away. In New Zealand you can ski in an area where the latitude closely corresponds with that of the European Alps. But you can also swim with dolphins in the almost tropical Bay of Islands, which is situated on the opposite (southern) side of the same line of latitude as Spain; the big difference being however that the Bay Islands is friendlier and more unspoilt. You can take exhilarating rafting trips down Shotover River in Queenstown while listening to very loud music, or solitary walks along Mahia Peninsula. You will be greeted by highly unfamiliar behaviour in New Zealand, such as the driving habit of moving to the side of the road and pulling over in order to let you - as a pedestrian - pass.
One of New Zealand's biggest attractions is its walking tracks, which take you through the most spectacular landscapes. For walking enthusiasts, a multi-day walking tour is highly recommendable. After a day's walking, you can relax in a warm, rustic lodge and enjoy a sumptuous meal, accompanied by a good glass of wine. You can also choose from individual walks or group tours, with various different levels of difficulty. For example, the lack of mountains along the Abel Tasman and Queen Charlotte (in the Marlborough Sounds) walking tracks make them relatively easy to complete. You need to be slightly fitter to master the spectacular walking options in Fiordland National Park (the Milford, Routeburn and Hollyford tracks), but that's not to say that these are reserved exclusively for top athletes.
New Zealand is the land of the kiwi and there are three different sorts and sizes. The most famous variation in the Netherlands is the New Zealand fruit, which contains sharp, juicy flesh that is encased by a brown, hairy peel. ‘Kiwis' is also the name given to New Zealanders, as well as the name given to a particular species of indigenous bird, which has a long beak, bristly hair-like feathers and no wings to speak of.
The Maoris call New Zealand ‘Aotearoa', which means ‘land of the long white cloud'. The Maori name for the North Island is ‘Te Ika a Maui' and for the South Island it is ‘Te Wai Pounamu'. You can acquaint yourself with Maori culture near Rotorua, on the North Island.
Exclusive lodges are fantastic places to spend your holiday, but it's also great to alternate your accommodation with Bed & Breakfasts. These are not only a good excuse to avoid overindulging at dinner, but also kinder to your bank balance. Our assortment comprises a selection of personally tried and tested B&Bs, which all have extra appeal as a result of the location and charm. We will be happy to include any of these in your recommended travel itinerary.
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