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KerikeriAucklandWhakaariRotoruaNapierWellingtonMartinboroughThe Interislander Ferry, Marlborough SoundsTailoring your tripThe itineraries shown are designed to give you aflavour of what is possible, and are routes thatwork particularly well. We can use these as a basisto plan your trip or we can design a completelydifferent itinerary to suit your tastes and interests.Please call one of our New Zealand specialists tostart planning your itinerary.Telephone: 01993 838 820Getting aroundNew Zealand is ideally suited to a self-drivejourney with safe, generally empty roads leadingyou through an ever-changing landscape. A rangeof rental vehicles is available from compact cars to4x4s or people carriers. Motorhomes are also anoption if you like the idea of travelling a littlemore independently. An excellent network ofinexpensive domestic flights allows you to cut outsome of the longer drives if you prefer, and anumber of rail journeys can be incorporated insome of the more scenic areas, letting you sitback and enjoy the views. With rental vehicledepots at all key points along your route, it’s easyto combine methods of transport and we are ableto tailor a trip which fits together seamlessly.Interislander FerryOne of the most scenic sea journeys in the worldis that which crosses the Cook Strait, connectingthe North and South Islands. The InterislanderFerry takes about three hours to travel betweenthe capital city, Wellington, and the town of Pictonat the northern tip of the South Island. LeavingWellington Harbour you enter the open water,which can occasionally get a little choppy, beforeglimpsing the welcoming inlets of the beautifulMarlborough Sounds. Unspoilt and green, withcountless bays, coves and waterways, the soundsshelter small settlements poised between forestsand some of the best beaches in New Zealand.Marine parks protect the magnificent aquaticwildlife including seals, penguins and playfuldolphins that can often be seen swimming in thebow waves.32When to goJan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec33 33 33 3 3 Q Q Q 3 3 33 3333 The best time to travel.3 A good time to travel, but there may be some factors to be aware of.~ Travel is possible, but this is not the best time of year.5 Travel is not recommended.Q Snow or ski season.New Zealand attracts a huge number of visitorsduring the peak summer months of November toMarch when the weather is at its warmest. Tripsat this time of the year need to be planned wellin advance (at least six months). Alternatively,April-May, when the leaves start to turn and thecrowds abate, is a delightful time to visit, as is thespring (September-October) when there is still adusting of snow on the peaks. New Zealand canalso be visited during the winter months, but youneed to be prepared for snow.Time difference: GMT+12 hoursFlight time from UK: 27 hoursPricesWe offer trips to cater for a wide range ofbudgets. You can find up-to-date guideline pricesfor your trip to New Zealand on our website,alternatively please call our specialists to discussyour plans.Hobbiton film set, near RotoruaNorth Island ExplorerThis trip is ideal for those who want to focus theirtime on the North Island which offers a variety ofexperiences without the need to cover hugedistances. Taking in some of the lesser exploredareas such as the Bay of Plenty, it also leads youaway from the well-trodden trail whilst ensuringyou don’t miss the key highlights. From beaches tovolcanoes, wineries to vibrant cities, there is agreat deal to see and do.Days 1-2Days 3-4Day 5Days 6-7Day 8Fly overnight from the UK toAuckland.Catch a connecting flight to Kerikeri inthe Bay of Islands and spend a coupleof days exploring.Drive the scenic coastal route toAuckland.Head to the Bay of Plenty and takea trip out to volcanic Whakaari(White Island).Drive inland to the thermal plateauregion and explore the thermalreserves or the local hot springsnear Rotorua.Days 9-10 Travel south to the Hawke’s Baywine region and the art deco townof Napier.Day 11Day 12Day 13Day 14Take a leisurely drive down toMartinborough and spend theafternoon amongst the vineyards.Arrive in Wellington and take in thedelights of the capital, including theTe Papa Tongarewa Museum.Fly back to the UK via Auckland.Arrive in the UK.Stay longerWith a few additional days you could add in a tripto the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula or drivearound the stark East Cape. Alternatively you couldrelax on the laid-back island of Waiheke, take a tripout to Kapiti Island to listen to the call of the nativebirds or spend a few days relaxing on a white-sandSouth Pacific beach.