Hi! We need help with our Honeymoon Itinerary. We will be visiting New Zealand/Australia in May -- our trip will last 2 weeks. So far, the itinerary, which I have devised (a combination of flying/driving) is the following:<BR>Day 1: Arrive in Auckland<BR>Day 2,3: Drive to Rotorua and stay there for 2 nights.<BR>Day 4: Drive back to Auckland<BR>Day 5: Fly to Queenstown<BR>Day 6,7: Stay in Queenstown &amp; visit Milford Sound<BR>Day 8: Drive to Greymouth<BR>Day 9: Take the Tranz-Alpine Train to Christchurch<BR>Day 10: Fly to Sydney<BR>Day 11, 12: Stay in Sydney<BR>Day 13: Depart to USA<BR><BR>I'm a little worried about a few things, though:<BR>1) The drive from Queenstown to Greymouth seems incredibly long. Will we be able to do it in a day?<BR>2) Is it even worth going on the Tranz-Alpine train? <BR>3) Are we missing any other place that we should go to?<BR>4) Is it worth making a stop at the Franz Joseph glacier in May? Won't it be too cold?<BR><BR>Any help/suggestions would greatly be appreciated!!!<BR><BR>Thanks!!!<BR>Irene

Hi, Irene!<BR>I think your itinerary sounds great... the only thing I would change, I think, would be the second night in Rotorua -- I think that the features of this are can be seen quite easily in a night and two half-days, especially if you have a car. Maybe try to add the Bay of Islands (which I hear is very scenic) to the North Island part of your trip.<BR>Have a wonderful holiday!

Irene,<BR><BR>First let me say &quot;great choice&quot; for the honeymoon. As far as the itinery is concerned I can offer the following alternatives;<BR>(a) There is a lot to do in Auckland and surrounding area's. Rotorua is a great spot but you are attempting to do a lot in 4 days(is it really 4, or do your arrival and departure times mean its closer to two days?)<BR>(b) Christchurch is lovely and there is plenty to do there.<BR>(c) Going to Milford sound from Queenstown is an entire day.<BR>(d) The glaciers on the south island are spectacular, but there maybe alternatives.<BR>(e) The tranz alpine train ride is also really good but....<BR><BR>I am concerned you are trying to do way to much, especially for a honeymoon.<BR><BR>I would suggest you have a look at the following alternatives, at least research them and see what you think.<BR><BR>(a) Spend some time in Auckland. Do the city, Skytower if its a nice day, take the ferry across to Devonport. Walk around the waterfront...Auckland has hosted the last two America's Cup's so there is alot there. Heaps of really, and I mean really good restaurants.<BR>(b) Go up to the Bay of Islands for a night...or two. Russell is a really romantic village.<BR>(c) Queenstown has heaps and heaps to so . White water rafting, all adventure sports, skiing etc etc etc...you will find no shortage of things to do there. If you have seen fjiords and glaciers before then I would stay in Queenstown. Head back to Christchurch and maybe do a day trip to Akaroa...that is really something different!!<BR><BR>I believe those suggestions mean that you will spend less time driving and a whole lot more time enjoying at your own pace which is what a honeymoon is all about.<BR><BR>You have the Australian part right. You will eat up two to four days in Sydney without even trying. <BR><BR>Happy to help further<BR><BR>David

Yes, it would be a long drive from ueenstown To Greymouth but you could do it in day if you had to.I agree with David that you might be trying to do too much so it all becomes a chore rather than a relaxing honeymoon.The itinerary is logical but may be you will have to trim back somewhere.I suppose if you were to leave anything out it would be the trip to Greymouth.

Thank you soooo much for your suggestions!!! New Zealand looks so beautiful, and I guess we are trying to do too much! <BR>