New Zealand's diverse natural landscape will leave you amazed! Approximately the same geographic size as Japan or Great Britain, New Zealand is home to just under 4 million people ... meaning you don't have to worry about crowds or traffic when visiting.

Mountain ranges and hill country dominate the landscape. One of the most striking physical features is the Southern Alps. These, along with fiords, glaciers lakes and the coastal plains, add to the variety of scenery the South Island offers to its visitors.

The cultural influences are almost as diverse as the land itself! The native Maori first arrived in waka hourua ("voyaging canoes") over a thousand years ago, and make up almost 15% of today's native population. Their culture still carries a major influence on daily life - from the language, to traditional stories and legends, to contemporary arts! The first European settlers from the Netherlands, England and France, began arriving in the 17th and 18th centuries, bringing with them the rugged and independent nature for which the Kiwis have become so well known today.

The most recent arrivals ... Pacific Islanders, Asians, and other Europeans ... have contributed to a totally new national identity as well as to the technological and economic changes that have helped New Zealand embrace the global economy. Kiwis read more newspapers than anywhere else, and are some of the highest mobile phone and Internet users in the world.

Christchurch

Christchurch, the South Island's largest city, presents visitors with an intriguing mixture of refinement and cultural excitement. Settled in 1850, the original settlers' legacy lives on in the city's grand heritage buildings and stately parks. The tranquil Avon River meanders through the city, famed for its spectacular Gondola ride offering massive views of the Canterbury plains, Banks Peninsula and Lyttelton Harbor.

Christchurch offers visitors a wide variety of sightseeing opportunities. Take a tram ride around city centre, past colorful street side cafes and historic buildings. Visit one of the many botanical gardens and parks, or explore on of the city's cultural museums. Our itinerary offers some time for you to explore the city on your own.

Queenstown

Maori jade hunters were the first people to discover Queenstown's unique beauty ... followed by European gold miners looking for a different sort of treasure. Queenstown today is valued for a different type of treasure ... its magnificent scenery and luxurious lifestyle! From the moment you wake until the moment the sun slips behind the mountains, Queenstown offers an array of alpine scenery. Your shutter finger will definitely be exhausted by the end of your stay!

If there's a ring of familiarity to the area, we might offer a reason - the Queenstown region provided a colorful backdrop to the Academy Award winning "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. As you travel past hills, mountains and fiords, you'll understand why this locale was so perfect for the scenes of Lothlorien, Isengard and Fangorn Forest! A half-day "Safari of the Rings" is one of the optional activities offered during your stay ... for more information, please visit the Itinerary Page.