We will be on an escorted tour in New Zealand in April. we have a choice of one night stay with New Zealand host. Would anyone comment on pros and cons.

If you are interested in sheep and/or rugby go for it.Otherwise stick to your group.

Despite the incredibly lame attempt at humor in the previous post, I think that it would be a great idea to stay with a NZ family. During our last trip, we stayed at several homestays, farmstay, or B & Bs. We enjoyed every single one of these stays and learned an incredible amount about the country, people, history, society, and politics; information that we otherwise would never have obtained. I don't see much downside to it, unless you are very private and want to stay to yourselves. I spoke with a honeymooning couple who set up some B & B stays, and regretted it because they really just wanted to have private romantic time.

I went on an escorted group to NZ and decided not to have the one night stay at Dunedin with a host.

I really regretted it as some of our group did go and had a fabulous time while we stayed with the group at 'another' hotel which was nearly exactly the same as all the others we had stayed at.

Go for it. You will have a great time. If you want any hints and tips about travelling in a tour group, please email me. I would love to tell you the pros and cons.

Jenny [email protected]

We stayed with a rural family and they were very friendly, warm hospitable people. Perhaps not the best accomodations, but a good experience.