Considering New Zealand? Here Are 8 Ways to Do It Right

Written By Krista Nannery

Auckland, New Zealand

Getting Ready for A Big Travel Conference

I’m getting ready for my host’s annual conference next week. During the conference, given my great sales, I’ve been invited to special dinners with Four Seasons and Silversea Cruises, along with some other companies that you probably haven’t heard of as they only work with travel advisors. It will be a busy week! And then I will be traveling with my wholesaler in Mexico for a few days afterwards, visiting some Riviera Maya properties. (Wholesalers buy hotel inventory in bulk and then help travel advisors like me bundle this inventory with flights, transfers, and more.) This is all to say that I will be out of pocket the week of September 14th so if you’d like to connect about your vacation plans, reply to this email so we can set up some time before I go.

Here’s everyone I’m meeting with next week…if you have a question for any of these brands, please let me know!

My Travel Meetings Next Week
50 Degrees North Costa Rican Trails Live Life Safaris Riviera Travel - River Cruises
Abercrombie & Kent Crystal Cruises Mandarin Oriental Hotels ROADTRIPS
Accor Cunard Marriott International CALA Rocco Forte Hotels
Allianz Partners Curated Greece Memorable Travel Group Rosewood Hotel Group
AMADEUS River Cruises Delta Vacations Moloney & Kelly DMC Royal Caribbean
AmaWaterways Deluxe France Namu Travel Scenic & Emerald Cruises
American Airlines Vacations Disney Destinations National Geographic | Lindblad Expeditions Silversea
Arno Travel & Event Design Ecoventura Norwegian Cruise Line Swain Destinations
Arts & Leisure Explora Journeys Oceania Cruises Swan Hellenic
Aurora Expeditions Four Seasons Overseas Network Tauck
Azamara Cruises Four Seasons Yachts The Palms + The Shore Club Turks & Caicos TCS World Travel
Bedsonline | The Luxurist G Adventures Pan Pacific Hotels & Resorts Titanium Tours
Big Five Tours & Expeditions Globus Family Of Brands Ponant Explorations & Paul Gauguin Cruises Travel Insured International
The Boutique Traveler Hilton Luxury Brands Princess Cruises Travelex Insurance
Calvados Club Holland America Line Queen of Clubs Travelive DMC
Celebrity Cruises HX Expeditions Railbookers & Amtrak Vacations Ultimate Jet Vacations
Classic Vacations Hyatt Hotels The Red Carnation Hotel Collection Ventours International Travel
Collette Inside Travel Group Regal Wings Viking
Conrad Punta de Mita Kensington Regent Seven Seas Cruises Villas of Distinction
The Cooper Leonidas Travel The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

Now Let’s Talk about New Zealand…

I’ve been booking a lot of New Zealand lately, but I frequently have to remind clients that New Zealand isn’t really a 7 day destination. (The jet lag alone is killer.) This is not a destination I would try to rush. The clients who do try to do New Zealand in 7 days are the ones calling me afterward saying they wished they'd had more time.

The country may look small on a map, but the experience isn't. You have snow-capped mountains, fjords, vineyards, beaches, geothermal landscapes, Māori culture, and incredible food.

The question isn't whether there's enough to do—it's deciding what kind of New Zealand experience you want. You could do a cruise or build an itinerary around scenery, vineyards, golf, biking, or family. And if you want it all, a custom itinerary can bring several experiences together without feeling rushed.

Before I dive in…here are just a few logistical details

For the clients who want to combine New Zealand with Australia, Auckland is a 3 hour and 45 minute flight to Sydney. Queenstown to Sydney is about 3 hours and 15 minutes. Auckland to Queenstown (inter-NZ) is about 2 hours.

Here are eight different ways I approach New Zealand with my clients.

Mount Cook National Park

1. A Fully Custom New Zealand Journey

For a first trip, this would be my choice.

A custom itinerary gives you flexibility without fitting into a standard tour. You could start in Auckland, experience Māori culture in Rotorua with a private guide, continue to Queenstown and Milford Sound, and finish at a remote lodge. Or focus on food and wine, hiking, or scenic flights over the Southern Alps—which, honestly, are worth every penny.

New Zealand's best experiences depend on the setting as much as the activity. A private guide changes everything. A helicopter flight into the mountains isn't just sightseeing—it's how you actually see the country.

This is exactly the custom itinerary design I specialize in. Let's build your perfect New Zealand trip—schedule a consultation here.

Best for: Travelers who want a personalized itinerary built around their interests and pace.

2. New Zealand by Cruise Ship

Here's the thing about a New Zealand cruise: you unpack exactly once. Your ship becomes your home base while you explore multiple regions—Bay of Islands, Wellington, Fiordland, Christchurch—without packing, moving hotels, or dealing with domestic flights. It's one of the gentlest ways to manage jet lag; you have time to adjust while the ship handles all the logistics. You see an incredible amount of diversity without the exhaustion that comes with constant travel. For travelers who want to experience New Zealand's best without the hassle, this might be your answer. Here are some very cool itineraries…

Beautiful Huka Lodge

3. Stay in New Zealand's Luxury Lodges

Rather than moving hotels every couple of nights, spend several days in one beautiful setting—mountains, lakes, forests, vineyards, or coastline—with plenty to do nearby or nothing at all.

Properties like Huka Lodge in Taupo or Rosewood Cape Kidnappers in Hawke's Bay offer the kind of setting where you genuinely want to stay put—and as a Virtuoso client, I can secure you room upgrades and resort credits that make the experience even more special.

You might hike in the morning, fish in the afternoon, take a scenic flight, or simply enjoy a long lunch. Some of the best travel moments are the quiet ones, not the highlights in the itinerary.

This works perfectly if you want your vacation to feel restorative rather than packed with sightseeing.

Best for: Travelers who want privacy, nature, and a slower pace.

Beautiful Milford Sound

4. Make the South Island the Main Event

The South Island has the Southern Alps, Aoraki/Mount Cook, Queenstown, Wānaka, glaciers, wine, and Fiordland. Milford Sound is iconic, but it's one part of a much bigger landscape.

Connect Christchurch, Aoraki/Mount Cook, Wānaka, Queenstown, and Milford Sound with time for walks, wine tasting, and scenic flights. You don't need every day to be an adventure—the quiet drives through landscape designed to take your breath away are often the best parts.

Check out these South Island itineraries.

Best for: Travelers who want dramatic landscapes without navigating themselves.

5. Plan a New Zealand Golf Getaway

New Zealand offers spectacular courses along the coast, beside mountains, and surrounded by stunning landscapes.

Build the trip around golf while keeping time for wine, restaurants, and exploring. I can arrange private transfers and have relationships with properties that give my clients priority tee times and exclusive experiences.

⛳Here’s a great New Zealand golf itinerary.

Best for: Golfers who want beautiful courses and scenery—without logistics stress.

Marlborough, New Zealand

6. Explore New Zealand's Wine Country

Marlborough, Hawke's Bay, and Central Otago offer different experiences—from Marlborough's Sauvignon Blanc to Central Otago's Pinot Noir. Spend your days visiting vineyards, enjoying private tastings with winemakers, and dining on local ingredients.

Wine country pairs easily with Queenstown, the South Island, or Auckland. It's a good way to slow down and actually understand a region rather than rush through it.

🍷Here’s a great New Zealand wine itinerary.

Best for: Travelers who love wine, food, and taking their time.

7. See New Zealand by Bike

Cycling puts you close enough to notice small towns, vineyards, farmland, and coastline—you're part of the landscape, not just observing it.

Make it as challenging or relaxed as you like, with good food and comfortable accommodations between rides. For the right traveler, this becomes one of the most memorable ways to see New Zealand because the journey itself is the experience.

🚴Check out this great package for New Zealand by bike.

Best for: Active travelers who experience places through their own effort and pace.

8. Make It a Family Adventure

New Zealand works for families because so much happens outdoors—wildlife encounters, scenic drives, Māori cultural experiences, hiking, biking, and kayaking.

Build around your family's ages and interests rather than trying to see everything. I've brought families back who said it was the trip that got their teenagers to put their phones down—that's the power of New Zealand's outdoors.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Here’s a fun family itinerary sample .

Best for: Families who want nature, culture, activities, and time together.

So, Which New Zealand Trip Is Right for You?

Maybe you want a week on the South Island, wine and lodges, golf, biking, or a family adventure. Or maybe you want it all.

That's where a custom itinerary makes sense. You don't have to choose between mountains, wine, adventure, and luxury—with enough time, they can all be part of the same trip.

If New Zealand is on your bucket list, I can help you figure out what fits your style. Let's chat about your dream trip here. I'll handle the private experiences, Virtuoso amenities, VIP airport service, and all the logistics so you just show up and enjoy.

There's no single way to see New Zealand. That's part of the fun.

About Krista

I’m a Virtuoso travel advisor based in Palm Beach, Florida. I attended the University of Notre Dame for undergrad and I have my MBA from the University of Chicago. Before building my travel business, I spent 20 years in the investment management industry and over a decade living and working in London, England. I’ve personally traveled to 80+ countries and now design thoughtful, highly customized trips for travelers who value expertise, access, and a seamless experience.

I offer a complimentary 30-minute consultation for travelers considering a custom itinerary or luxury cruise. Book a complimentary vacation consultation here.

For travel inspiration and real-time updates, you can follow along on Instagram or connect with me on Facebook. I also share a curated list of travel products I genuinely use and recommend in my online Amazon store.

What I Offer…

  • Custom itinerary design for complex, multi-stop trips

  • VIP hotel benefits through Virtuoso and preferred partner programs (including complimentary breakfast, hotel credits, and priority for upgrades where available)

  • Luxury ocean, river, and expedition cruises with added onboard credits

  • Vetted villa rentals with concierge services worldwide

  • Private guides, small-group touring, and unique local experiences

  • Private aviation and yacht charters through trusted partners

  • Airport transfers, VIP arrival and departure services, and full ground logistics

  • Travel protection and support when plans change

I work best with travelers who want expert planning, trusted partnerships, and someone in their corner from start to finish. That’s what I am best at! Ready to talk travel? Book a complimentary vacation consultation here.

Krista Nannery
Next

Just Back: 3 Days in London