My New Zealand Bucket List | AD
I’m ashamed to say that my New Zealand bucket list is rather long, but having lived now in England for almost as many years as I have the land of the Kiwis, I’m going to call coward and claim that it’s not my fault. Disclosure: this list of dreamy exploration was comissioned and inspired by Original Travel, purveyors of tailor-made holidays, but all wishes are still very much my own. (Family of mine, be warned, we’ve got some adventuring to do!)
Any country that you think you know will continuously surprise you. I absolutely know that I’ve not seen everything in New Zealand – though I *think* so far I’ve covered the North Island fairly well. What I haven’t done is thoroughly explore the South Island – I know there’s so much to see – from majestic fjords to winnowing out heart-wrenching stories of the locals.
Sip local wines on the island paradise of Waiheke
Honestly, I’ve been procrastinating about visiting Waiheke for years now, and I honestly don’t know why. A winery studded island (Waiheke is home to around 9,000 people and over 20 wineries, from small producers to ultra-slick large scale operations) with acres of beautiful bush just a boat ride away from Auckland harbour? C’mon Emma.
Image courtesy of Jessi @ Two Feet One World
Take a chauffeured private tour of New Zealand’s iconic Marlborough region
With over 75% of New Zealand’s wine industry, stretched across it’s valleys, and 20% of New Zealand’s coastline, woven through the beautiful Marlborough Sounds, Marlborough is world-renowned for producing wines with pure intensity that simply can’t be found anywhere else in the world.
Image courtesy of Mark de Jong
Go Truffle Hunting
Did you know that Australia & New Zealand have a thriving truffle scene? No, neither did I until I met the lovely president of the NZ Truffle group at an event in London – of all places! She had just been in France learning all about the newest techniques, before popping over the Channel to see a few friends. If I hit the season just right, it would be wonderful to unearth a few delicious truffles…
See the Glaciers
Does this even need explanation?
Do a Milford Sound Cruise (or perhaps a Helicoptor Flight. Or Both.)
Known for it;s towering Mitre Peak, plus rainforests and waterfalls like Stirling and Bowen falls, which plummet down its sheer sides, Milford Sound just sounds enchanting. The fiord is home to fur seal colonies, penguins and dolphins.
Image courtesy of Sebastien Goldberg
Maybe I simply need to book myself onto one of the personalised Original Travel tours led by their experienced team. Not only do they have the “have the inside scoop, bucketloads of experience and specialist knowledge in a huge variety of destinations (our team have lived or travelled in 161 countries, and counting), but we also have a whole portfolio of additional extras and services to take your trip to the next level.” Sounds absolutely wonderful.
