Custom Travel Itineraries to New Zealand since 1990

Custom Travel Itineraries to New Zealand since 1990

Culture, Museums & Art

Experience unique cultural tours and artisan products only found in New Zealand. Perfect for collecting gifts as well as a more personal understanding of the country and its people.

The Unique Culture of New Zealand​

Traveling to New Zealand offers the opportunity to learn about a distinctive and diverse culture shaped by the combination of indigenous Maori heritage, European colonization, and a modern-day multicultural society. A few highlights to learn about the uniqueness of New Zealand’s culture and history include:

Highlights

Traditions & Indigenous Arts

Maori are skilled artisans- known for their intricate weavings and carvings in addition to being accomplished hunters, fishers, gardeners and warriors. Today excellent opportunities exist to not only be welcomed and meet contemporary Maori, learn from authentic cultural experiences.

Hundertwasser Art Centre:

Visit this art center dedicated to Hundertwasser, as an opponent of “straight line” art, as well as Maori and indigenous installations.

Museums

New Zealand's largest cities are home to great museums like the Te Papa & Auckland War Museum. However, small towns and hamlets throughout the country will also showcase local history, including the famed Waitangi Treaty Grounds and Sir Peter Jackson's Omaka Aviation Museum

This award-winning museum opened in 2016 and brings to life the history of Aotearoa New Zealand’s founding documents and the people involved.

Located in the heart of the Marlborough wine region and is a must-see world-class museum showing WW1 and WW2 aircraft. Done by the team which has worked on films and content with Sir Peter Jackson, battles and history come alive with captivating and immersive dioramas.

Botanical Gardens

Public botanical gardens, as well as those in private estates, showcase the special ecosystems throughout New Zealand. Found in both urban and more remote settings across the entire country, visiting provides a better understanding of the land and invites a closer connection with this beautiful country.

A visit to the Auckland botanical gardens upon first landing into the country is a great way of not only stretching your legs, but is also a small primer to the ecosystems of New Zealand.

Gardens of Significance:
In New Zealand there are a dozen “gardens of significance” throughout the country. Although privately owned, they are available to be viewed by the public with reservation. Meeting the owners and understanding the love that goes into these locations is a true treat!

artist

Local Artists

Exploring New Zealand's small artist cottages and boutique art galleries is a great way to find hidden world of creativity, where local artists craft pieces as unique as the country itself. Meet local artists, traditional crafts people and those shaping modern New Zealand culture. Professional guides and self-touring options include photography, arranged meet-and-greets with artist and workshops in unique settings.

A guided tour of the Nelson area, including visiting workshops and introductions to local artists. Combining this with a wine tour of the area is an excellent way of absorbing the special offerings in this area.

Sculpture Garden

A great way to spend a few hours, sculpture gardens throughout New Zealand complement the landscape. A popular day on Waiheke Island includes a short sculpture walk while enjoying a glass of local wine.

Indigenous Touring & Experience

Delve into the profound impact of the Maori people, the indigenous Polynesian inhabitants of New Zealand. Experience the richness of their culture through language (Te Reo Maori), artistic expressions, intricate carvings, traditional performances like the haka, and the spiritual beliefs that form an integral part of New Zealand's cultural identity.

Cultural villages:
Tour traditional Maori cultural grounds to learn more about the first people of New Zealand. This is perfect for families as well as those who are curious to understand more about the founding peoples of this land. Combining it with a traditional hangi meal (lunch or dinner) is unique and delicious!

The Founding of New Zealand:
While in the Northland, a visit to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds is a perfect way to spend half a day to learn about the founding of New Zealand between its European settlers and indigenous Maori people.

Walk in the Footprints of Kupe:
Footprints of Kupe offers you a unique cultural encounter, either as a day trip from Auckland or as you drive the West Coast of the North Island. This 75-minute multisensory journey of guided storytelling via art, cultural treasures, film, performance, digital interaction and nature.

The Best of New Zealand

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Auckland’s 100 “Iconic Eats” for 2024 Revealed

Auckland’s 100 "Iconic Eats" for 2024 Revealed The Soul of the City When you think of a destination, you often think of a landmark. But ask any Aucklander, and they’ll tell you the true heart of the city isn’t found at the top of the Sky Tower, it’s found on a plate. The 2024 Iconic Auckland Eats list has officially been released, and it is a delicious love letter to the Tāmaki Makaurau food scene....

https://thebestofnewzealand.com/activities/wine-cuisine/aucklands-100-iconic-eats-for-2024-revealed/
Big Changes at Christchurch Airport

If you are flying through Christchurch on your way to or around New Zealand, things are looking a little different lately and feeling a lot smoother. The airport has been quietly working behind the scenes to improve the travel experience, and the results are worth celebrating.

Link in bio to read more.

#travelnz #christchurchairport #luxurytravel #bestofnztravel

https://thebestofnewzealand.com/activities/wine-cuisine/big-changes-at-christchurch-airport-whats-new-for-travelers/
Top 10 Honeymoon Experiences in New Zealand

New Zealand is one of the world's great honeymoon destinations, and not because anyone designed it that way. It just is. The scale of it gets you first. Those sudden views at the top of a ridge, a fiord opening up around a bend, a sky so full of stars it feels impossible.

From glowworm caves to glacier overnights, here are the top 10 experiences worth travelling for. Link in bio to read more!

#honeymoonexperiences #newzealandtravel #luxurytravelnz #newzealanditinerary #thebestofnz

https://thebestofnewzealand.com/activities/wine-cuisine/new-zealand-honeymoon-10-most-romantic-experiences/
Air New Zealand to Launch Sleep Pods in Economy Cabins

If you have ever dreamed of lying flat on a long-haul flight without paying for a business class ticket, Air New Zealand is about to make that dream a reality. The airline is set to launch the world's first economy sleep pods, called the Economy Skynest, on select ultra long-haul flights from November 2026.

Read more through our link in bio.

📸 Air New Zealand

#airnewzealand #travelnewzealand #visitnewzealand #explorenewzealand #bestofnztravel

https://thebestofnewzealand.com/activities/wine-cuisine/air-new-zealand-to-launch-sleep-pods-in-economy-cabins/
Wānaka is one of those places where the food is just as good as the view. 10 restaurants, every price point, and enough variety to fill an entire trip without eating at the same place twice. 

Save this for your New Zealand trip. Read the full guide through our link in bio.

📸 Arc Wanaka

#wanaka #luxurytravelnz #wanakarestaurants #newzealandfood #bestofnztravel

https://thebestofnewzealand.com/activities/wine-cuisine/top-10-best-restaurants-in-wanaka/
Craggy Range Signature Gourmet Escape: Hawke's Bay Luxury

If you've been dreaming of a New Zealand escape that goes far beyond a standard hotel stay, Craggy Range in Hawke's Bay has crafted something truly special. Their Signature Gourmet Escape is a fully all-inclusive, multi-day experience that wraps world-class dining, wine, and luxury lodge living into one seamless package.

Read more through link in bio.

📸 Craggy Range

https://thebestofnewzealand.com/activities/wine-cuisine/craggy-range-signature-gourmet-escape-hawkes-bay-luxury/
Lake Tekapo, New Zealand: What to Do, See, & Experience

Lake Tekapo is one of those rare destinations that genuinely exceeds expectations. Tucked into the heart of New Zealand’s South Island, the lake stuns visitors with its impossibly turquoise waters while the jagged peaks of the Southern Alps rise dramatically behind them. But beyond its picture-perfect looks, Tekapo rewards you at every hour of the day.

Read more through our link in bio.

📸 GoTekapo

#laketekapo #luxurytravelnz #newzealandvacations #nzactivites #bestofnztravel

https://thebestofnewzealand.com/travel-tips/lake-tekapo-new-zealand-what-to-do-see-experience/
Tucked at the foot of Mount Aspiring National Park on New Zealand’s South Island, Wānaka packs paragliding, canyoning, jet boating, skydiving, mountain biking, and so much more into one jaw-droppingly beautiful corner of the world. Whether you’re a first-timer looking to push your limits or a seasoned adrenaline junkie, Wānaka delivers the goods every single time.

Link in bio to read more.

📸 Wanaka Paragliding

#luxurytravelnz #newzealandadventures #wanakaadventures #visitwanaka #bestofnztravel

Traditions & Indigenous Arts

Maori are skilled artisans- known for their intricate weavings and carvings in addition to being accomplished hunters, fishers, gardeners and warriors. Today excellent opportunities exist to not only be welcomed and meet contemporary Maori, learn from authentic cultural experiences.

Museums

New Zealand’s largest cities are home to great museums like the Te Papa & Auckland War Museum. However, small towns and hamlets throughout the country will also showcase local history, including the famed Waitangi Treaty Grounds and Sir Peter Jackson’s Omaka Aviation Museum.

Botanical Gardens

Public botanical gardens, as well as those in private estates, showcase the special ecosystems throughout New Zealand. Found in both urban and more remote settings across the entire country, visiting provides a better understanding of the land and invites a closer connection with this beautiful country.

Local Artists

Exploring New Zealand’s small artist cottages and boutique art galleries is a great way to find hidden world of creativity, where local artists craft pieces as unique as the country itself. Meet local artists, traditional crafts people and those shaping modern New Zealand culture. Professional guides and self-touring options include photography, arranged meet-and-greets with artist and workshops in unique settings.

Sculpture Gardens

A great way to spend a few hours, sculpture gardens throughout New Zealand complement the landscape. A popular day on Waiheke Island includes a short sculpture walk while enjoying a glass of local wine.

Indigenous touring and experience

Delve into the profound impact of the Maori people, the indigenous Polynesian inhabitants of New Zealand. Experience the richness of their culture through language (Te Reo Maori), artistic expressions, intricate carvings, traditional performances like the haka, and the spiritual beliefs that form an integral part of New Zealand’s cultural identity.