We have some great specials on escorted coach tours at the moment for those that are still deciding on their travel plans to New Zealand. Forget the ‘Recession’, there are only limited spaces on most coach departures over this summer season, so don’t delay – New Zealand is waiting!
For an idea of just some of [...]

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Happy New Year to all our past clients, clients on the road now and to those visitors to our site who we hope will be our future clients!
The Summer season has well and truely begun in New Zealand, and typically for this time of year we are having our ups and downs. From now until March/April we [...]

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As I’m struggling to find my sea legs I am quickly distracted by a call from the skipper that there is a Whale about to breach!
My eyes quickly scan the blue horizon as I search for this majestic beast. I am so busy looking as far as the eye can see that I don’t realise [...]

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Im sure, ‘Oh my God, Christmas is less than a month away!’, will be echoing around the world at breakfast tables today. It certainly was in our household, so I suppose it’s just a matter of time before I’ll be dragged kicking and screaming to the local shopping centre – apparently the kids will be dissapointed [...]

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Work has begun on the New Zealand Prime Minister’s pet tourism project, a $50 million, 1400km national cycle trail, and it now has a brand name – Nga Haerenga or “the journeys”. John Key this week turned the first sod on a $3 million job that will complete the final 41km piece of a 100km [...]

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Relaxing Journeys have added 44 new day tours to our repertoire today.  Thats more that 70 day tours to choose from!
Departing from all the major centres in New Zealand, your choice of tours include scenic flights throughout the South Island & Northland as well as half & full day cruises and sailing adventures in the Bay of [...]

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Craig at Relaxing Journeys was recently invited by Grand Pacific Tours to join them in the  inaugural launch of the Ipipiri (E-pip-e-rey), a scenic overnight cruise of the Bay of Islands.
Ipipiri, the sacred Maori name of the Bay of Islands, is a four storey, state of the art vessel, with stylish interior and 30 king state rooms, and [...]

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Summer in the Bay of Islands and Northland is the best place in the world to be at that time of year, perfect temperatures, sunny, and just a gentle breeze. The perfect destination for our short self drive tour from Auckland.
We took our time to drive up from Auckland that day, normally a 3 1/2 [...]

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We’ve finally, finished the relaunch of Relaxing Journeys Australia. (www.relaxingjourneys.com.au).  346 guided coach tours of Australia and New Zealand catering for the over 50’s.  That inclues over 140 days tours throughout Australia and 13 brand new city explorer and flyaround tours. City Explorers & Flyarounds are the perfect way to discover the best bits of [...]

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There has been some cold weather down here in New Zealand this year, great news for those skiing, and enjoying the spectaular winter scenery, but not so good for us that have to work!  It’s that busy time for us again when everyone starts to book their places on our summer tours before it’s too late.
We’ve [...]

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Auckland Airport Novotel Announced
The long-awaited details of an international-branded hotel for Auckland Airport have been announced. Auckland International Airport Ltd has entered into a joint venture with Accor Hospitality and Tainui
Group Holdings to build and operate a new four-star Novotel. The 263-room, 12-storey hotel, which is expected to be ready in time for the 2011 [...]

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An earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale, and causing a small tsunami (of 17 centimetres)  in the southern Fiordland region was felt last night.
New Zealand has between 10,000 and 15,000 earthquakes every year, so locals are used to feeling the earth move. This particular undersea quake was located about 160 kilometres west of the [...]

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The Dolphin & Whale viewing guide below is for the Bay of Islands in the North Island of New Zealand.  As you can see every month is good to seeing something, but the winter months (May-July) probably give the greatest range, including the occasional Orca Whale!

 Kiakoura on the east coast of the South Island is also [...]

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Luxury coach holiday specialist Grand Pacific Tours has just released an 11-day South Island Tour incorporating the festive season. The tour, on a luxurious 20 seat Ultimate Coach, departs on the 22nd Deceber 2009.  To view the itinerary or to book this tour click here.
The Ultimate Coach is a regular sized coach, designed to exacting [...]

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Our small group travelled from Christchurch on the east coast  of the South Island to Greymouth on the west coast onboard the TranzAlpine train. At the end of the train journey we  were met by Craig, our driver, who had followed in the coach. It had taken just under 5 hours.  It is so relaxing to travel by train and I [...]

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Well another month has rolled on by – and it’s New Zealand’s winter has now officially started, but it’s also one month closer to our summer season. We find at this time of year our ’organised’ (future) clients begin investigating their travelling options in New Zealand. They are clever to do so, because not only do they achieve great Earlybird savings [...]

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The Southern Hemisphere’s biggest winter party is the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival and this year it runs from 26 June to 5 July. The Queenstown Winter Festival attracts some 60,000 people for a  frenzy of concerts, balls, competitions, races, fireworks, bands, comedy, debates, food, wine… you name it.
Thirty five years ago a bunch of snow-crazed [...]

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What is your idea of the perfect ski holiday? Great snow? Gentle slopes, or steeps for thrills? A variety of resorts? A buzzing après scene and the backdrop of picturesque scenery? Look no further as New Zealand has all this plus more, and is about to become the ideal winter paradise for your next ski [...]

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The Rugby World Cup 2011 is creeping up very fast, and progress is finally being made on many of the infrastructure developments required to make this the best World Cup ever. Speaking at the TRENZ tourism event in Auckland, Prime Minister John Key announced that Auckland’s Queens Wharf will be used as ‘party central’ during [...]

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Due to popular demand we have rolled over our May Specials into June!  This is for a limited time only so we suggest you get in early. In this case the ‘earlybird’ really does catch the worm!  With ALL self drive New Zealand tours over 5 days long in length  you can add a day to your tour and [...]

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New Zealand has emerged as a prime area for Sauvignon Blanc wines, and what they have accomplished is the envy of many world wine producing regions.

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Relaxing Journeys have recently added Hapuku Lodge to our range of boutique properties offered on our premium self drive tour range. Premium self drives touring the east coast of the South Island have the opportunity to experience this unique lodge.
Situated in one of the most spectacular settings in New Zealand, nestled between the Kaikoura Seaward [...]

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Health authorities are warning that Influenza A (H1N1) remains of concern, although it has dropped out of the headlines. Border authorities are continuing to screen arriving passengers into New Zealand and a number of people remain in quarantine, although all New Zealanders with confirmed cases of H1N1 have recovered.
Source: Tourism New Zealand

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Tourists are now able to safely get up close for “spectacular” views of Franz Josef Glacier, which had for the past three years been much less accessible to visitors. The Otago Daily Times reports that a team from the Department of Conservation (DoC) and Franz Josef Glacier Guides have set up a new viewing area [...]

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