booking hotels in NZ
 

i will be visiting new zealand between February 11 and February 21, 1999. I am landing in auckland, and will be returning from christchurch. My questions: <BR> <BR>- will I have to book hotel stay in advance at that time of year <BR> - if i do so, will i get better discounts? <BR>- recommendations for hotel/B&B welcomed (budget NZ $ 100 or thereabouts) <BR>- i hope one does not have to bargain for these things? <BR>- can i book a car once i get there? <BR>- is it convenient to travel from auckland to christchurch by train and ferry? again, advance bookings required? <BR> <BR>Thanks in advance, <BR> <BR>sabita <BR>-

Sabita <BR>Answers to your questions <BR>1. You will not have to book hotels at that time of the year. New Zealand is full of them. Also our holidays are finished for most people and schools are back in. Your travel agent might get the hotels at a cheaper rate but he would only have certain ones that he uses. The Airports have stands advertising them or backpacker places. <BR>3.There are B&Bs every where. There is a web site for them. Something like new zealsnd b&b should find it. Let me know if you can't bring it up. There is a Budget chain of motels through out the country. You will not need to bargin here. <BR>4.You can train or bus down the North Island and then get the ferry across to the South Island. Book once you get here. But could be cheaper to do it from your home town. <BR>There is a bus called The Kiwi Experience that goes right through the country stopping at most places. Do not know the prices but is meant to be very good. Get off it and book it when you want picked up again. <BR>5.You can book a car here. There are many rental car places. Most either want you to be over 25 or have 3 years experience of driving. New Zealand is very easy to drive in. We do drive on the left hand side of the road if you are not used to doing that. <BR>If you need any more help email me. <BR>Best of luck. You will love New Zealand I am sure. <BR>Christine <BR>

Christine, <BR>That was great information. We are thinking about coming to NZ for the America's Cup 2000 race,Feb 2000. What hotels in Auckland would you recommend for a week near the harbor? Or any other info that would be helpful you can supply. Thanks!

Peggy <BR>We live in Christchurch so do not know about hotels in Auckland. Best to try on the net http:///www.discover nz <BR>The site is something like that with out going into it myself. <BR>Hotels at that time will be so expensive. <BR>If you can get into this site on New Zealand February or March last year I had written down different web sites there that I had found. <BR>If you can't find them let me know and I will try to get them. <BR>Best of luck. <BR>Christine <BR> <BR>

Christine, <BR>Any advice for someone flying into Christchurch around noon and leaving first thing in the AM three days later at the end of February? Given my sadly short time frame, I have decided to focus on one place. I enjoy active outdoor vacations and thought I might fly straight to Queenstown or Nelson. <BR>Any suggestions? <BR>Thanks <BR>Rob

Hi Rob <BR>Suggest you fly on to Queenstown rather than Nelson. There is so much to do in Queenstown. If money allows there is rafting (but perhaps no to that unless we have rain as the rivers are very low)jet boating but thay may also depend on the river levels, bungy jumping, paragliding, walking, a drive or flight to Milford Sound and then a lauch ride while there. Do write if you would like more information or try getting into the Queenstown site on the web. Try www.queenstownnz or what ever. That will tell you a lot of things or www.discovernz and in that find Queenstown. There are also wineries to visit and sample. <BR>So many things to see and do in such a short time. <BR>Good luck anyway. <BR>Christine <BR>

Hi Sabita, nice name. I am chef and owner of 28 room independent hotel in Gisborne, and in November it is lovely as we are a port city. Gisborne is a must to visit as we will be the centre of new Zealand Millenium celebrations and there are lots of really unique things to do and see in Gisborne. mind you depends on what you are interested in. You can book direct by email with us at any time and our rate for that time of the year will be $90 for the largest rooms in town. If you are interested just feel free to ask any questions about Gisborne.