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photo credit: Mofaitsontdm

You’re on your way to New Zealand. What’s the first thing to remember? You can ski in July and it’s warm in December.

 photo credit: goosmurf
New Zealand is in the Southern Hemisphere so all of the seasons are opposite those in North America or Europe. Their winter is your summer….school holidays can be from September to October…peak beach time is December to February…..you get the point.
You also need to know that New Zealand is not the same country as Australia. So many people lump them together in a sentence that they have become almost interchangeable in people’s mind. These two very different destinations are actually separated by the Tasman Sea – a distance of 1250 miles. New Zealand is made up of two large islands – the North Island and the South Island and a group of smaller islands.
There really is no bad time to visit New Zealand. Overall the weather is fairly mellow and there is a tremendous variety of things to see and do. New Zealand is a country that runs the gamut from glacial mountains to native forests and from beautiful beaches to cosmopolitan cities. Your decision about when to visit can be influenced by what you want to see and do.

photo credit: MichaelTyler

If you visit in the Spring (Sept.-Nov.) you’ll see the countryside in all its glory. There will be blooming trees, rhododendron and daffodils. There may be rain through mid October and South Island may get light snow into September.

photo credit: StormyDog
In Summer(Dec.-Feb.) you’ll be in the height of the tourist season. Prices will be their highest and crowds at their largest. Many of the local New Zealanders will also be on their holiday so expect some competition for space unless you’ve booked early.

photo credit: A. www.viajar24h.com
Autumn(Mar.-May) will bring Fall colors and pleasant temperatures.
Winter(June-Aug.) is ski season. If you’re looking to ski there will be crowds but the rest of the country will be wide open for you.

photo credit: superturtle
New Zealand is 13 hours, by air, from the west coast of North America. You will cross the International Date Line on the way so you arrive in New Zealand 2 days later than you left – but return home 7 hours before you leave. Confused? Try to follow along…you leave Los Angeles on Monday at 7:30PM and fly for 13 hours. You expect to arrive on Tuesday morning. However, since you have crossed the date line you actually arrive in Auckland at 7:30AM on Wednesday. Now on your return you leave Auckland at 7:15PM on Monday and fly the same 13 hours- again you expect to arrive home on Tuesday but you have once again crossed the date line and so you land at 11:30AM on Monday.

photo credit: nmack28
You can visit New Zealand with an escorted tour. Most of the major companies, Tauck, Brendan, Celtic and Collette, among others, have packages to New Zealand. Most of these will include your air, accommodations, some meals and sightseeing. As always, if you are unsure of traveling on your own or just love the idea of “one stop shopping” then the escorted route is for you. You will, most likely, meet like minded people, you’ll never have to lug your bags through the airport and there will always be someone to answer your questions.
You can also visit New Zealand on a cruise ship. You can sail on Celebrity, Princess, Crystal or Royal Caribbean, among others and take advantage of their many and varied shore excursions. They offer stops at Auckland and the capital, Wellington on the North Island along with visits to Christchurch and Milford Sound on the South Island and still spend some tranquil days at sea. Most of the cruise lines also offer you the opportunity to extend your stay by adding on days before or after your cruise.

photo credit: adselwood
Many people like to explore New Zealand on their own. Making your way around the country is not difficult and visitors find renting a car the most flexible option. It is not an enormous country – it covers approximately 103,000 square miles but don’t try to see it all in one trip. While the distance between some cities may seem short many of the roads are 2 lanes and they can be steep and winding. Also, speeding down a road is the easiest way to miss some wonderful unexpected sight!

photo credit: Fred Hsu
If you want to ski (remember that would be June/July/August) head for Queenstown. You can base yourself in this lively tourist resort and spend your days at Coronet Peak.

photo credit: Kiwi Flickr
For a look at some wonderful Victorian Gothic architecture spend time in Christchurch. This is a great start for exploring the South Island of New Zealand. You will be within 2 hours of skiing, good surfing beaches and over 35 wineries. Over the last few years New Zealand wines have been increasingly honored at international competitions.

photo credit: Big Blue Ocean
On the North Island you should spend some time in Auckland. Too many people use it as a landing point and miss its wonderful sailing, boating and fishing. There are also more than 900 restaurants and a very busy night life!

photo credit: 23am.com
Wellington, the capital city, is home to the Museum of New Zealand. Explore this major attraction for a clearer understanding of the culture you will see throughout the country.
New Zealand is one of the most recently settled places in the world. Originally inhabited by Eastern Polynesians, who became known as the Maori, around 1300AD- then by the Dutch and finally by Captain Cook in the late 1700’s it is a mix of native and European, modern and ancient, past and future. It is an opportunity to experience it all and plan to return.