New Zealand, A Place Like No Other

Insight Vacations has released two New Zealand itineraries that will take you to parts of the North Island or the South Island often missed by tourists. You’ll travel in style, enjoy gourmet dining experiences and award-winning wineries. Make new friends and enjoy breathtaking scenery while you sit back and relax as Insight Vacations show you the best of New Zealand. These new itineraries, A Taste of New Zealand’s North Island and The Scenic Roads of the South Island, showcase some of the incredible experiences each island offers.

Read on for our top highlights from each itinerary.

The North Island (Te-Ika-a-Maui, the fish of Maui) is the epicentre of all things geothermal. Rotorua and the surrounding area boast everything from glistening volcanic lakes and bubbling mud pools to epic erupting geysers. Here you will also observe the rich heritage of New Zealand’s Maori culture and the importance of their role as custodians and guardians to the area.

You will experience Rotorua’s geothermal wonders is at Waimangu Volcanic Valley home to New Zealand’s youngest geothermal playground. Along your guided walk you will witness bubbling mud pools and hot springs, volcanic craters and the nature and wildlife that is unique to this area. Here, all paths lead to Lake Rotomahana where you will take a cruise to see stunning geothermal activity that is only accessible by boat, as well as rare native birdlife. You will marvel at the stories of the Pink and White terraces that were lost here in the 1886 eruption of Mt Tarawera, creating this new thermal valley.

The South Island (Te Waipounamu, the waters of Greenstone) is both an extraordinarily scenic wonderland, and also wine lovers paradise. Climb aboard the South Island Coastal Pacific Train journey, that travels between Picton and Christchurch, to enjoy one of the most picturesque rail journeys in all of New Zealand. Your view from the window to the west is of the majestic Kaikoura mountains, and to the east you will travel breathtakingly close to the Pacific Ocean, with views as far as the eye can see.

When you travel with Insight Vacations, you’re travelling with a company that cares deeply about the places they visit. That’s why on both of these itineraries you can take part in one of their #MakeTravelMatter experiences.

In the North, visit Rainbow Springs Kiwi Sanctuary, where Insight Vacations and the Treadright Foundation have helped to hatch more than 55% of all kiwi’s that are alive today. Producing large eggs, ( a quarter of the size of the Kiwi’s size) means the eggs are vulnerable to predators thus impacting the number of hatchlings. The Treadright foundation supports the conservation of the breed through the work undertaken at the sanctuary to gather young eggs and incubate them in a protected hatchery before releasing the young back into the wild, when they are old enough to defend themselves.

On the South Island itinerary, you’ll be able to roll up your sleeves and take part in tree planting in the Christchurch’s Port Hills to help with re-generation after the wildfires of 2017.

When travelling with Insight Vacations you will savour incredible farm to table food and wine experiences. Indulge in a sampling of the South Island’s Marlborough region’s quality wines before indulging in a three course dining experience at the Hans Herzog Estate, paired with handcrafted, organic wines. In the North Island, explore the cheese and wine trails of the Wairarapa Valley when you visit artisan cheesemakers and boutique wineries such as the Palliser Estate.

Whether you choose the North Island or South Island itinerary (or even both!), you’re sure to enjoy the sights and insights into this country of spectacular scenery, culture, food and wine.