If it’s is sheer beauty, majestic mountain peaks and awe inspiring scenery I would say The South Island has it. Arguably the most stunning place on earth, you are rewarded around each corner. Fjiords, lakes, fabulous walks, great fishing, wahles watching…I could go on.

The North Island has its hidden gems though and like going to Australia and not seeing Ayers Rock, you will forever wish you had been to The Bay of Islands, New Zealand’s warmest area and the hippie, literary corner of The Coramandel Peninsula, one place you could certainly spend a month just chilling out. Both are stunning, with beautiful bays, incredible seafood and a rugged coastline that the South Island doesn’t quite offer.

OK, Im sitting on the fence but you can see why.

One things is for sure. New Zealand’s cities can largely be avoided. There is too much to see outside fo them.

Call us for expert advice. We have all been there and travelled throughout this stunning country. We even have a resident Kiwi in the office, although calling him Aussie boy does rile him!

Post from: New Zealand Sky Blog

North or South Island?

If you haven’t been to New Zealand then you are missing one of the world’s most beautiful countries. There really are some stunning things to see and do, all within easy reach. We have a zillion self drive options but the most popular are our 18, 23 and 30 day tours. All of these give you a good insight in to the majority of NZ places of interest with of course the 30 dayer covering all corners.

There are varying types of accommodation on offer from fabulous Motels (in great locations and many with pools), Hotels, wonderful B&B’s and the finest Lodges you will find anywhere.

Whatever you choose and why not mix up your accommodation types we have the perfect holiday in New Zealand for you.

For all those reading this blog we are offering an additional €100 off ypur holiday if you book by end Oct 2010. Just quote blog when calling us.

Post from: New Zealand Sky Blog

New Zealand’s open roads

We have come up with the perfect 2 week (ok its 16 days but include your weekends) trip to NZ. Im afaid it means missing the North Island but your appetite will be whet and you’ll be back for more.

Our 13 day South island activity holidays is the pick of the bunch. This majestic island offers glorious mountains, activities galore (jet boating, tubing, skiing in winter, fky fishing, biking, hiking, bungy jumping, and more more more). Lakes, Glaciers, Oceans, Whales, dolphins, wine) and incomparable beauty. Arrive and depart form Christchurch.

The first 10 to read this and say I want to go to New Zealand for 2 weeks please, will get a free car upgrade and bottle of Kiwi wine on arrival.OK plus a further £50 off our already barmy rates. We dont price match because we know we are the best and offer the best self drive options with the best rates to New Zealand bar none. We are worth it.

See me in Rock  you will not.

Post from: New Zealand Sky Blog

The Great New Zealand 2 week holiday

When it comes to idyllic setting some argue that Fiordland Lodge has it. Perfectly placed between Queenstown and Milford Sound this wonderful property boasts Lake and Mountain views like no other. What we like about this Lodge retreat is its understated luxury. It has a genuine Kiwi charm with 2 log cabins that are the ultimate in family hideaways. A gem.

One of the newer Lodges is Tiritiri, set on an envious lakeside setting in Wanaka with majestic mountains in the background. The views are stunning, the accommodation gorgeous and so many activities that you could easily spend 10 days here (for those who have recently won the £45m Euro Lottery this could be feasible).

Huka Lodge is probably the most high profile but it desrves to be. This well established Lodge is on a beautiful river bank, with several types of luxury accommodation with the Owner’s Cottage being the ultimate in sublime accommodation. This is a peachy place in the Taupo region of the North Island.

Close to the Whale watching and Dolphin swimming town of Kaikoura is distinctly different Lodge, well treehouses really. Hapuku Lodge has some stunning, elevated rooms in the tree canopy and for sheer wow factor, it is hard to beat. Its proximity to a must go to place (Kaikoura) makes this Luxury Lodge and added attraction.

For Golfers look no further than cape Kidnappers or Kauri Cliffs. With 2 of the most amazing golf courses on this planet these 2 Lodges offer the highest level of accommodation, dining and activity with great spas in both. Both in the North Island, they must be looked at as real treat options to stay during your NZ holiday.

We have a bundle more, too many all to mention at once. Give us a call to discuss your very special stay at one of our Luxury Lodges of New Zealand.

Post from: New Zealand Sky Blog

Luxury Lodges in New Zealand

In short it is nigh impossible to get that conversion from turning right to turning left (or even upstairs). However in my days at Virgin Atlantic and British Airways  I learnt a small thing or two about the upgrade. Firstly, you need to be on very full, infact overbooked flights. This means that the airline will be looking to upgrade people.

How you dress then helps, though I always tuck some ‘economy’ travel wear in my hand luggage (wearing Tails in economy is not only daft but highlights the fact you are a failed Business Class Upgrade Searcher (BCUS) which will result in ridicule from the rest of your economy posse).

Having an airline loyalty card is a real clincher. Forget the BA Blue Card, my 5 year old has one of them. You need to start with Silver, aspire to Gold and if youve got the ‘rare as hens teeth’ Platinum card (can I help sir) you will not be reading this anyway. Any airline looks after its frequent travellers as best it can and that includes upgrades.

Forget eating 700 doughnuts and claiming you cant fit in your seat or claiming that you are a mate of Richard’s (if flying Virgin), neither rubs with the Servisair check in staff who after checking you in will be booking Margaret to Tenerife for some winter sun luvvie. Oh thats another one, only attempt the upgrade request with actual airline check in staff. BA at Heathrow is a good example.

Honeymooners, absolutely try your luck, anyone over 100 and Roger Moore (though he wants to travel on a bus at the momeent). You all have a chance.

But I have a better idea. BA is short of cash, to the tune of approx £260m as announced today. For a quid you get an Upgrade Lottery Ticket ticket and it says yeah or nay to an upgrade on your next journey. You know it would work, you would have a much better chance of winning than the National Lottery and it would force you to fly BA.

You heard it first here. Any airline could try it. Virgin Atlantic vs BA National Upgrade lottery every week. Imagine that. One would be on the BBC and the other on Sky probably.

NB. Any airline wishing to take up this great idea, should contact me via the blog for the rights. Ill accept a lifetime of upgrades.

Post from: New Zealand Sky Blog

How to get an airline upgrade

You will probably arrive into Auckland  and this is a great start. We always encourage people to stay in our Quay West apartments, big rooms, own bedroomd and a lounge. Space galore and a gorgeous pool. Plenty to do here for all the family, climb the bridge, take a ferry to the outlying towns, visit the fabulous Martime museum.

Once you have acclimatised then the world is your oyster. The Bay of Islands has some great faamily activities including swimming with dolphins. Rotorua has the great fun luge, got to do it. There is boating on Lake Taupo and a visit to the many vineyards.

Swimming with the dolphins and whale watching in Kaikoura, the South Island is a must. Walking on a glacier will have the childern in awe and then wait until they get to Queenstown. This is the activity playground of the world, with so much on offer, from Jet Boating to body surfing down a river: walking to heli hiking, skiing to bungi jumping. This is a 4/5 day, unpack your bags and enjoy place.

Cruising Milford Sound, trekking one of the many famous walks are all other things that as a family youd love.

Without doubt a family holiday in New Zealand is best in a Motorhome or a car. Some do both for fun.

You know you want to to do it, please dad please dad can we go.

01342 310580 is the number to stop them nagging you.

Post from: New Zealand Sky Blog

Familiy activities in New Zealand

Rugby fans from all over the world will be flocking to this far far away destination to cram in as much rugby as they can. And, unusually the matches start in September, a more attrcative time to visit this beautiful country than the more common rugby dates of June and July.

One sure fire way of seeing as much as youcan as well as travelling through New Zealand is by Motorhome (aka Campervan or if you are from the USA an RV). These will be at a premium, in huge demand and will be booked up way way in advance.

New Zealand Sky has Motorhomes available from 2 berth to 6 berth for the RWC 2011 but you will need to call us now to book.

2 weeks in NZ for the RWC incl International flights and Motorhome will cost approx:

£2669 pp for 2 people travelling

£2139 pp for 4 people travelling

£1899 pp  for 6 people travelling

Post from: New Zealand Sky Blog

Rugby World Cup Motorhomes / Campervans 2011

There are several very well known bands who people may not think have New Zealand origins. But this blog gives me the excuse to mention one of the all time great pop bands..Split Enz..brilliant. Remember ‘I got you’. Fab stuff. Check them out and help the campaign to rekindle their tracks.

Post from: New Zealand Sky Blog

Sir Howard Morrison, a legend

One of the greatest drives in the world is the Pacific Coast Highway in the North island and is worth every minute. But driving the southern tip of South Island is empty, great for motorbike tours.

Rugby is everywhere so take your pick. There are great golf courses, the North Island being home to the incredible Kauri Cliffs Golf Club. Bloomin pricey but boy oh boy what a course.

The North island just pips it when it comes to wine regions with 6 of the 10 main areas.

But if you are visiting then truly madly deeply you have to afford the time and travel the length and breadth of this stunning, beautiful, adjectives galore country.

Post from: New Zealand Sky Blog

North or South Island

Escorted touring comes in 2 fashions with us. Our small group tours with a maximum 16 people are incredible. You feel like a real VIP, with a small number of people travelling with you, offering more intimacy with the group as a result. All guides are local and the smaller vehicles mean you get to places that the larger coaches may not.

Our coach trips are perfect for those who like the combo of seeing everything there is to see with terrific local guides and meeting other people in a relaxed and organised atmosphere. If you like meeting lots of people then these are for you.

When booking your holiday to New Zealand with New Zealand Sky tell us as much as you can about the type of thing you are looking for and what things you enjoy and we will promise to get the most appropriate trip for you.

Post from: New Zealand Sky Blog

Driving or Coach Holidays