The allure of New Zealand

Dramatically emerging out of the Tasman Sea, and residing in the ample shadow of Australia, New Zealand has always asked its visitors to make an extra effort to get there—but that is part of its intrigue. Upon doing so, those who try are warmly and richly rewarded.

Consider, for one, the native Maoris who paddled their mighty ocean-going canoes from Polynesia to claim this land. Even those first Europeans who could have settled for Australia after months of travel decided they’d carry on for another 2,000 kilometres to get away from it all. For those who did persevere, what awaited—and indeed, what awaits you—is one of the most remarkable lands you’ll ever experience.

Myriad reasons draw people to New Zealand. Off the top of our head we could rattle off about 793 reasons to visit. (Ed. Note: Please don’t hold us to that.) For the sake of brevity,  and to keep some surprises in store, we’ll settle for these nine:

Getting there is half the fun:

French Polynesia marks just over halfway to New Zealand from L.A.—and it’s the perfect piece of paradise to enjoy a stopover before you carry on to the land of the Maori.

It's Progressive:

New Zealand was the first country in the world to give women the right to vote. A great reason to raise a glass of award-winning Pinot Noir from the vineyard we just biked by.

Natural Diversity:

New Zealand boasts geysers, hot springs, towering mountain peaks, verdant hills, massive glaciers, golden arcs of beach and a flightless bird that occasionally utters, ‘Keeeee-Weeeeee.’

We're In Deep:

Through the B&R Fund, we support a trust that protects wildlife inhabiting the Kepler Peninsular where we tramp on our New Zealand Walking trip.

Bust a Move:

You may witness a “haka”—the traditional Maori welcome dance punctuated with loud and fierce shouts—also sometimes used as a cheer by NZ rugby players before a match.

Walking is an art form.

Thanks to the ever-wondrous, jaw-droppingly beautiful, diverse landscape of NZ, hiking—or “tramping” as it’s commonly known here—is considered the national pastime.

Intimacy.

Our New Zealand Biking trip is limited to only 12 riders. Why? We stay at the exclusive Relais & Châteaux Whare Kea Lodge—which, with only six rooms, is an intimate retreat set in an awesome mountain setting.

Adventure.

You can ponder the interplay of gravity and a giant rubber band with your inaugural bungee-jumping experience in Queenstown “Adventure Capital of the World.” (Alternatively, you could watch from a safe spot on the the ground.)

The sheep outnumber humans by approximately 12:1.

OK, it’s just a number—but it’s still mind-boggling!