New Zealand has so much to offer that it can be just as overwhelming to travel in our own country as it is to travel overseas. We sometimes take for granted how lucky we are to live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world that we think only about getting away in the sense of going to Europe, Asia, or anywhere else. Just a short 2 hour flight away from Wellington and you’re in Invercargill, the southernmost city in New Zealand and a fantastic gateway to Stewart Island, Te Anau, and Doubtful Sound.

Much like the rest of the south island, Invercargill enjoys a strong Scottish heritage after having been founded in the 1850’s by European settlers. In the 1860’s the Otago gold rush saw an inundation of people flocking to the region and a petition to the then governor saw to its name: Inver (Scottish gaelic word inhbir meaning river’s mouth) and Cargill (in honour of Captain William Cargill then Superintendent of Otago). Today, the city lies in the heart of the Southland region predominantly known for its lush landscapes and verdant farmlands. The “garden city” is also home to Queens Park – an 80 hectare park in the centre city featuring a botanical reserve, rose glade, winter garden, wildlife sanctuary, and aviary.

Te Anau is admittedly more commonly accessed as a day trip from Queenstown, but it is actually the same distance from Invercargill to Te Anau as it is from Queenstown. If you’re not wanting the busyness of Queenstown, or you have no plans to go there, then you can easily bypass the touristy city and opt for access from Invercargill. About a 2 hour drive north from Invercargill and you’re in the ‘Gateway to the Fiords’ and the closest town to Milford Sound. With only about 2,000 residents year-round, this small, picturesque town is best known for its lake of the same name and its surrounding cave systems. One of the biggest draws that makes the town a must-see for any tourist is specifically the glowworm caves, a site that you have to see to believe!

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Although Te Anau is the closest town to the Milford Sound, we highly recommend you make your way to Manapouri for an overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound. Often overlooked, it is less busy than Milford Sound because you can only access it by a cruise. The unspoiled nature makes for some of the most unforgettable views ever seen and experiences with wildlife unrivaled elsewhere.

From Manapouri, head back to Invercargill for a flight or ferry to Stewart Island. Again, it’s untouched and unrivaled with most of the island making up Rakiura National Park and less than 500 residents (primarily in the township of Oban). On Stewart Island, don’t expect to do any shopping, bar hopping, or anything else that is normally associated with holidaying. Instead, do expect to see New Zealand’s native bird in its natural habitat, go on long hikes through the wilderness, and watch a stunning sunset with a glass of your favourite wine.

No matter what bits and bobs you decide to visit, Southland is a great way to see the real New Zealand that most people only dream about seeing. Click HERE for a taste of what Harbour City Travel can put together for your next New Zealand holiday!

“Water, water everywhere…nor any drop to drink.” – Samuel Taylor Coleridge from The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (ca. 1798 – well before the advent of modern cruising)

We’ve certainly come a long way since Coleridge wrote those infamous words in his poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Now, not only can you have your water but you can have virtually any drink you want free-flowing from the taps. Okay, maybe not free-flowing, but certainly as much as you would need.

Cruising today refers to a variety of styles for any budget and any type of cruiser out there. Small ships can give you that intimate, luxurious holiday you’re after while some of the big ships pull out all the bells and whistles. The big ships are even a holiday within themselves with multiple dining options, pools, Broadway-style shows, and pretty much anything else you can think of.

Like ice skating? Yep, you can do that out at sea. Want to climb a rock wall? Yep, that’s an option too. How about bumper cars? I’m sure you’ve caught the drift.

One of the biggest objections that agents hear to cruising is people are worried about sea sickness. If you want to do a cruise, then that shouldn’t put you off because there are ways to get around it. If you’re after a big or small ship, then the key is to go a bit more mid-ship when choosing your cabin and maybe a lower deck if you’re willing to give up the view from the top. If that still doesn’t allay your worries, then river cruising could be a good alternative since the rivers don’t have the same wake as what the open oceans have.

River cruising is also a fantastic way to get around. Although you have river cruising everywhere, this type of cruising is especially synonymous with Europe because of the multitudinous waterways running through the continent. The pinnacle itinerary that virtually every line does is the Budapest to Amsterdam with stops in the likes of Regensburg, Vienna, and Cologne. This type of cruise will take you right into the heart of the city so that when you step off the boat you step into the history and culture of your destination.

There are so many cruising options out there that it’s hard to navigate to choose the right one for you. Do you want to do a cruise but don’t know where to start? Click HERE to take our short quiz to see what type of cruiser you could be then contact us during October for special cruise month deals!

The tango. Just that one word has likely already put a picture in your mind and that picture embodies everything that is Buenos Aires, Argentina. With Air New Zealand flying direct from Auckland to Buenos Aires, South America has never looked so appealing. The food, the culture, the history…everything about the city calls out to the intrepid traveller who is in search of something new and unique.

The city itself is rich in history; known as the Paris of the South, it is a city filled with an eclectic mix of Europe and Latin America both architecturally and culturally. Around thirteen million people call the greater Buenos Aires region home, a lot of which were immigrants (or descendants) from Europe travelling into one of the largest ports in South America. Its grand buildings once stood tall in the capital city in what was one of the wealthiest nations in the world. Things have changed since then, but there are various ways to pay homage to the city’s past.

One of the best ways is by touring the Casa Rosada Museum. The building dates back to the second founding of the city in 1580. First built as a fort to protect the city from invasions, it was later converted to a customs house named Aduana Taylor making it the first major public building in Argentina. Today the museum houses 200 years worth of Argentine history in its artifacts and over 400 years worth in the remains of the old brick walls. Recoleta Cemetery is another tribute to the past (literally) and the resting place to many famous Argentinians. Despite the somber atmosphere, the paths are lined with over 6,400 coffins, tombs, statues, and sarcophagi making it a labyrinth of the dead. With dark tourism on the rise it’s becoming a popular stop. In our itineraries, we are able to offer some great walking tours that may start or finish at the cemetery. Since there is so much to see, this way you can get a great overview from a guide and then go off explore more on your own (if you’re not too scared to be wandering alone in a cemetery)!

Today, Buenos Aires beautifully intertwines history with modernity and with the conversion of the New Zealand dollar to the Argentinian Peso, your dollar will go a lot further. Have a few days to spare, why not hop over for a short break? Or are you looking for somewhere to break up your journey on the way to Europe? Air New Zealand and the Lufthansa group offer Buenos Aires as a standard stopover meaning that you’re not going out of your way. Click here to take a sneak peek at just a sample itinerary that we have put together to whet your appetite.

National Geographic has been on the forefront of culture, history, and exploration for over 130 years; it was only a matter of time before they made their foray into travel. Since the publication of their first magazine in 1888, their pictures and words have provided inspiration for those seeking to expand their understanding of the world. Now they are teaming up with various travel companies to offer their insights & experiences to everyone.

Any National Geographic tour you do, you’re supporting the National Geographic Society’s researchers and explorers who are working around the clock to “preserve species and ecosystems, protect cultures, and advance understanding of our planet and its inhabitants.” Their mission extends to the National Geographic Journeys in partnership with G Adventures by providing small – group tours to get you together with other like-minded people. By encouraging a ‘hands on’ approach to exploration and an opportunity to connect with local experts, they have focused on itineraries that will take you away from the everyday side of tourism and instead give you a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Imagine hopping in an open-air jeep with an expert while you track the “big 5” through Kruger National Park. As your jeep slowly stalks the wildlife through the open plains, your heart is pounding as you prep your camera to start snapping at a seconds’ notice. Afterwards, you are one of the few that gets to meet with one of the researchers from the Big Cats Initiative who will enlighten you about what they are doing there to help aid the cheetahs from extinction. And you get the added benefit of knowing that just by being where you are, having the experience you’re having, that you are helping to fund that and other similar projects.

We’ve highlighted both of the above itineraries because both South Africa and Sri Lanka are now visa-free for New Zealand passport holders. Only an ETA is needed for Sri Lanka and the fee has been waived until the end of January 2020. There’s plenty to choose from though and you’re not limited to touring, so let your imagination run wild and let us know how we can help to make your dream a reality!