From surfing and hiking to skiing and spelunking, natural adventures abound in New Zealand. The country is also home to “the finest walk in the world,” Milfork Track. The 55-km hike features deep lakes, fijords, rainforest and granite caverns.
Luxury Excursions Celebrity visitors such as Beyoncé, Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake and British Royal Family have spurred a wide selection of remote boutique lodges that feature spectacular spa treatments. As part of the Rim of Fire, New Zealand is well known for its thermal springs. As the country’s best know spa town, Rotorua is famous for its geysers and bubbling mud. The town’s internationally acclaimed Polynesian Spa offers bubbling geyser pools for relaxation and a variety of signature services. Their most popular is the luxurious mud polish and aix massage, which uses the mineral-rich muds to purify skin and a massage that takes place under a warm shower with enriching organic coconut oils. After an amazing spa break, wine connoisseurs can enjoy a wine excursion in one of the country’s multiple growing regions. Marlborough is New Zealand’s largest growing region, producing 76 per cent of the country’s wine and 92 per cent of its sauvignon blanc. The area features nearly 40 wineries and offers tastings of all types.
Cultural Encounters The indigenous peoples of New Zealand, the Maori, have a rich and layered culture that is strongly connected to the lands they call home. At Te Hana Te Ao Marama, Auckland's leading Maori cultural centre, tribes people offer a wide range of Maori cultural experiences from dancing to education. The culture’s artistry is evident in their intricately carved homes, their highly detailed traditional tattoos and colourful ceremonies. The culture has embraced eco tourism as an important way to protect and preserve their lands. In fact, Tohu Wines is an entirely Maori-owned winery dedicated to sustainable practices.
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