Vacation packages for family

New Zealand is full of beautiful views. From snow-capped mountains, to untouched beaches, to geothermal wonders, to lush rainforests, to rugged coastlines, to colorful towns… need I go on? Though it's really difficult to chose my “favorite” views and landscapes in this picturesque country, I've narrowed it down to the 5 that I find to be most memorable. My 5 Favorite Views in New Zealand Top of the North Cape Reinga The Northland Region of New Zealand — full of beaches, forests, and gently-rolling hills under a big blue sky — has some of my favorite views in the country. Whether it's the golden sand dunes along 90 Mile Beach, the Tasman meeting the Pacific at Cape Reinga, or the towering old kauri trees in nearby forests, Northland has a lot to offer someone who loves nature and the untouched beauty of undeveloped land. Wellington Oriental Bay It's no secret that Wellington — New Zealand's political and cultural capital — is my ...

My transport and accommodation for the Queen Charlotte Track were provided by the Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company, as part of Tourism New Zealand’s Explore Media program. You can read the first part of my Queen Charlotte Track experience here:  The Queen Charlotte Track: Building Confidence and Breaking Down   I rolled over in bed, tentatively stretching out my legs, groaning quietly as pain began to shoot through my calves. I’d tried everything the night before. I’d spent hours massaging my legs, applying heat in our lodge’s hot tub, rubbing ice cubes all over them, and I’d tried to eat as much protein as humanly possible. It hadn’t worked. I checked the time. 6am. I had exactly one hour to figure out what I was going to do. I had walked 25 kilometres over the past few days and it had just about destroyed me. My legs were in agony, my muscles ripped to shreds, and my ankles covered in blisters. Today, I woul...

You usually hear about one animal and one animal only when it comes to Akaroa — the Hector's Dolphin . This tiny dolphin — the smallest and rarest in the world — is easily the star of the Akaroa show. But it certainly is not the area's only act. When I visited Akaroa, I took advantage of a Black Cat Cruises two-hour Harbor Nature Cruise. I boarded a boat with perhaps 20 other passengers, and we headed off into the glassy waters around Akaroa to learn about the area's fauna, and hopefully spot some of it along the way. Even though it was a cloudy day, the scenery was pretty, and even a cold wind couldn't keep me off the outdoor viewing platform. I, like everybody else, was hoping to see some Hector's Dolphins. A group of them call the waters around Akaroa home, which is pretty special, considering there are only about 7,500 left in existence. The dolphins are endemic to New Zealand, meaning you won't find them anywhere else in the world — at least, not in t...