Travelling New Zealand: travel guide and advice

5 reasons to travel to New Zealand

Located at the other side of the world from Western Europe, New Zealand is an idyllic vacation destination for all nature lovers. In fact, a stay in New Zealand is an opportunity to discover a mysterious country with a reputation for wide open spaces and peacefulness.

The Maori culture is still a mystery to you.
In the footsteps of Frodo, on a quest for the RIng
An almost permanent sense of bliss
Local flora and fauna that is as rare as it is diverse
Captivating landscapes

Culture and Discovery

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New Zealand, an intense natural paradise

New Zealand is an Antipodean land which attracts lovers of vast spaces and wild nature. Though it is mostly mountainous, the country has a diverse range of landscapes and environments: icy summits, plains with mirror-like lakes, wild coastline licked by the Pacific waters... The nature here is absolutely majestic. And fortunately ecology takes pride of place here.

Laetitia Santos28 March 2018

Travel story

Tomas Sobek

Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula: culture and nature rolled into one!

Situated to the south east of South Island, Dunedin is one for your list of places to visit in New Zealand. It has a young vibe, it's pretty and it houses lots of museums. There's loads to do for visitors of all ages. At a short hop from Dunedin you'll find the Otago Peninsula, a natural wonder, home to penguins, seals and birds - not one to miss!

Cedric Tinteroff28 May 2015

Travel story

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Is this the destination for you?

Even though it is the same size as France, New Zealand only has a population of 4.5 million. That's great news for lovers of wide open spaces, who will be bowled over by the spectacular views, most of which you can see for free. This is what you need to know before leaving on a trip to New Zealand.

You should go if

You like a challenge and love adventure and extreme sports
You want to find out more about the culture, traditions, food and tattoos of the Maoris
You dream of visiting the locations where Lord of the Rings was filmed
You want to experience the raw power of the planet (in New Zealand, the earth spews mud and shakes, smokes, and rumbles).
You enjoy traveling by van or motorhome or just sleeping in your car - if so, it's the perfect country!
You want to ski on Australasia's highest mountains, the Southern Alps
You love nature, pure, clean air, and spectacular landscapes (20% of the country is made up of national parks)
You dream of watching the All Blacks play at Eden Park in Auckland
You're looking for a place to get away from it all, somewhere peaceful where you won't be surrounded by tourists

You shouldn't go if

If you're looking for a beach paradise where great weather is guaranteed...
The mere mention of an earthquake sends you diving for cover
You're on a tight budget
You want the local cuisine to surprise you
You have less than two weeks to spend traveling (the major locations are all a long way from each other!)
You like to sleep late and party all night (dinner at 6 p.m. is a thing!)

New Zealand Travel Guide

Best time to visit New Zealand