Have some serious fun in the adventure sports capital of the world—New Zealand! Whether it is sailing or sea kayaking off the Bay of Islands, hiking the Routeburn, trout fishing, scuba diving, bungee jumping or sheep mustering, we will put together the ultimate New Zealand vacation for you.

New Zealand’s awesome landscapes, lush forests, amazing wildlife and pleasant climate make it a haven for many outdoor activities, and a great place to unwind. New Zealand society is diverse, sophisticated, and multicultural, and the honesty, friendliness, and openness of Kiwis will impress you. And the great advantage of New Zealand is that all of its diverse physical, cultural, and artistic landscapes are so close to each other! You will find a variety of awesome landscapes in New Zealand, all within easy reach of each other. Spectacular glaciers, picturesque fiords, rugged mountains, vast plains, rolling hillsides, subtropical forest, volcanic plateau, miles of coastline with gorgeous sandy beaches — it’s all here. With vast open spaces filled with stunning rugged landscapes, gorgeous beaches, often spectacular geothermal and volcanic activity, a temperate climate and fascinating animal and plant life, and it is no surprise that New Zealand’s pure natural environment is so attractive to visitors from other countries.

New Zealand is a year-around destination, and does not have a specific rainy season. Rain falls throughout the year and keeps the landscape wonderfully green, a delight for hikers. New Zealand`s summer months are from December to February, and they bring high temperatures and lots of sunshine. Days are long and nights mild. Summer is an excellent time for bushwalking, swimming, surfing, boating and other watersports. The fall months from March to May are little cooler but weather can still be excellent. Colorful changing leaves make these months a scenic delight, especially in the regions of Central Otago and Hawke`s Bay known for the fall splendor. Winter months from June to August bring more rain in the North Island, and snow to the South Island. This is an excellent time to visit glaciers and mountains, and enjoy world-class skiing. The spring months from September to November bring warmer weather again, and flowering plants all over the country. If you are into whitewater rafting, this is the time as melting spring snow makes river water levels excitingly high!

With a long, often indented coastline of almost 18,000km, New Zealand is a diver`s paradise. Coastal waters teem with colorful, fascinating sea life and the usually clear waters make for excellent viewing, especially in the prime months from February to June. Many of New Zealand`s prime diving spots are just offshore, offering easy access. One of the best spots is the crystal-clear waters of the Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve, whose amazing range of fish, including many tropical species, was considered by the late Jacques Cousteau to be one of the world`s top five diving locations. Other popular areas are the sheltered Bay of Islands, four hours drive north of Auckland; and in the South Island, the dramatic fiords of Fiordland, and Stewart Island with its breathtaking kelp forests and huge paua (abalone). Two accessible wrecks on the New Zealand coast also provide special diving opportunities.

New Zealand has a unique and dynamic culture. The culture of the indigenous Maori people affects the language, the arts, and even the accents of all New Zealanders. Maori first arrived in the area over 1,000 years ago, and today make about ten percent of the population. Maori culture is a rich and varied one, and includes traditional and contemporary arts. Traditional arts such as carving, weaving, kapa haka (group performance), whaikorero (oratory) and moko (tattoo) are practised throughout the country. Practitioners following in the footsteps of their tipuna (ancestors) replicate the techniques used hundreds of years ago, yet also develop exciting new techniques and forms. Today Maori culture also includes art, film, television, poetry, theatre, and hip-hop. New Zealand gained its independence from Britain in 1907.