Real experiences from real travelers
planned by our New Zealand specialists since 1990
We let our travelers do the talking. Every itinerary we craft is built around your interests, your pace, and your idea of the perfect New Zealand trip. Here’s what some of them had to say.
Just wanted to let you know that we’re back in Hawaii after an absolutely wonderful trip to New Zealand, thanks to you... the restaurants in the area served delicious food, and of course the people were the most friendly. Moving south to Lake Taupo was a treat and Nina took care of us like royalty. Because highway 1 had multiple road closures, we took back roads and saw what a wonderful countryside New Zealand has – stunning!... It was a perfect vacation and we hated to come back to Hawaii. Thank you for leading us so well and making it so seamless. It was truly memorable.
We want to thank you again for putting together such a marvelous trip to New Zealand and Australia. Every single detail worked out perfectly. The hotels were great, every pick up was prompt and ready to take us to the next destination and the side trips were exceptional. This is the first trip we have taken with no issues to deal with. Everything was perfect.” Judy D., Santa Monica, CA "This trip ended up being one of our best, in large part because of Cristina. She was right on about how many days to stay in each area, what to see and do in those areas, what restaurants would be unique, what tours to go on… I can go on and on. The app she had us use was absolutely a life saver. And we were pleasantly surprised and appreciative of the VIP treatment we received that never would have happened had I planned this on my own.
K HoffTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Working with Eta at Best of New Zealand was perfect. I got to plan what I wanted and Eta filled in the gaps with suggestions and then booked and confirmed all reservations, for no added fees. In fact, they saves us a bunch on our airfare! We had an amazing 2-week trip to the south Island of New Zealand in February. We would not hesitate to recommend friends and family use The Best of New Zealand when planning a trip to NZ. stephen giorgiTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Booking my Honeymoon though Best of NZ was one of the easiest parts of the entire wedding & Honeymoon process! I sent them the tentative dates, the things we liked to do, and the must haves we wanted, and gave them a broad range for budget and we got the trip of our dreams planned for us! Communication back and forth was a breeze and we were able to easily modify our schedule as my wife and I found new things we wanted to do, or researched the tentative timeline and found out other things to do in each place. Throughout the process the staff at BoNZ was very helpful and answered our questions right away. It was nice working with people actually from the area who know what's worth seeing, and what's worth avoiding. My wife and I had an amazing honeymoon which were were able to fully enjoy because we didn't have to plan anything, or think about what to do next, where to go, or how to get there because everything was taken care of for us. Annie ChinTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. First off, even if you don’t live in the West LA area where the office is located, thanks to modern technology, you could most of the planning with Best of NZ over the phone or email. I highly recommend it! Anyway, I usually like planning my own trips, but with planning my own wedding I got overwhelmed planning such a big trip to NZ on my own! Luckily, I found Karen (a Kiwi herself!) at Best of New Zealand. She prepared the most wonderful honeymoon for my husband and I. My husband and I have very busy work schedules and with a wedding, we had a budget so Karen was great with listening to our timeline and budget needs. She started off with the basics: where do you want to go (North and/or South Island), what types of activities do you want to do, approximately how many days, any specific dates, what is your budget, and travel style. After answering these questions, Karen was able to give us advice about what a feasible time to do everything with a certain budget and when the best time to go. Within a short time later we had our itinerary planned for our review and she adjusted as needed based on the possible excursions we wanted to do. From there, she booked all flights and hotels, then slowly added our excursions. The trip was amazing and memorable AND met our goals, budget, and timeline. She sent us our flight information, complete daily itinerary (including when to call to confirm bookings) on paper and on an app on my phone, booking vouchers, NZ travel information, and a map all in the mail. Hotels were either first rate and/or in the best locations so we did not have to spend our time driving in the city and searching for parking, also even had laundry here and there which was helpful! It was efficient as we saw some cities and some countryside and explored much of the island and never drove more than 3-4 hours a day (unless we decided to visit something extra). It was a nice balance of some travel (but not too much) and short stays when appropriate (but not too long in any one place). It was also a nice balance of scheduled activities vs a day for you to explore on your own so that we weren’t overwhelmed with doing too much or doing too little. We could not have been more pleased. Many thanks to Karen for making a memorable trip. We are so glad we sought help from someone so knowledgeable and helpful.Google rating score: 5.0 of 5, based on 3 reviews
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
Some places in New Zealand are simply better by boat 🛥️
From cruising through Doubtful Sound to island hopping in the Bay of Islands, exploring by water gives you access to hidden coastlines, wildlife encounters, and unforgettable views.
Ready to see New Zealand from a new perspective? Read more through link in our bio.
📸 Miles Holden
#newealandtravel #luxurytravel #discovernewzealand #adventuretravel #bestofnztravel