Terry

On May 22 We are getting married and since my mom works for United Airlines we are going to get free tickets to New Zealand. We would like to stay around three weeks and our budget is about $2000 US once we get there. Does anybody have some suggestions on what to do cause I know that it's almost winter then. <BR>We are both 22 years old and love the outdoors, backpacking, swimming, anything outdoors. <BR>Thanks, <BR>Terry

Richard Krause

Congratulations Terry, <BR> <BR>Three weeks is an excellent amount of time in which to see New Zealand. My wife and I spent 18 days in New Zealand in September. <BR> <BR>I know you will have your love to keep you warm, but do take warm clothes. The Kiwis do NOT have central heat in their homes. <BR> <BR>If at all possible see Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers on the west coast of the South Island. While there, see the glaciers from a helicopter, its awesome!!!. As you travel south of the glaciers, may I suggest the Wanaka Stonehouse B&B in Wanaka. It was the best and most elegant B&B we stayed in in NZ. Cost - NZ$135 (US$70). Ask for the room with the king on the first floor. Drive south of Wanaka to Milford Sound and take the Red Boat overnight cruise on the "Lady of the South Pacific. <BR> <BR>Many hiking opportunities in the above areas of the South Island. <BR> <BR>Our favorites on the North Island were the thermal areas of Orakei Korako and Waimangu Volcanic Valley. <BR> <BR>You will have a GREAT time!!! <BR> <BR>Dick

Christine

Terry <BR>The three weeks you have in New Zealand will let you see most of the <BR>country. The North Island will be warmer than the South Island but it <BR>still will not be cold in the South. <BR>Suggest you go into the web sights of <BR>http://www.cae.canterbury.ac.nz/chchtour.htm <BR>http://www.citynet/countries/new_zealand/christ <BR>http://www.discovernz <BR>I am from Christchurch and have travelled all over New Zealand so if you <BR>would like to know more please feel free to write to our email address. <BR>There are so many things in the outdoors you can do here. <BR>Some homes may not have Central heating but there are plenty of other ways to heat our homes if we need to heat them. We dress according to the weather. <BR>Regards <BR>Christine <BR>

Trudy Meredith

Kia Ora Terry, good luck for the <BR>wedding. You should come to Gisborne and then go on to Lake Waikaremoana. <BR>Gisborne is the Maori centre of <BR>Aroha, which means love so to spend <BR>some time here outside would be <BR>to see the part of new Zealand which <BR>is relatively untouched. I could <BR>recommend some great outdoor things <BR>to do. keep in touch <BR>recom <BR>i

Jo

Make sure you spend some time in Queenstown, Te Anau and Fiordland in the south island. Very very beautiful. It will be cold - and you will see a bit of snow down south. With any luck you might be able to catch a bit of the ski season. Christchurch and Wellington are both nice cities. You'd also enjoy Napier. North of Auckland it should still be fairly warm (Kerikeri area). You'll have a wonderful holiday - maybe consider a rail or kiwi experience pass, or better still hire a car.

Hans

We spent four weeks in New Zealand as part of our honeymoon a couple of years ago and it was amazing! You will have a blast. Must sees are Milford Sound, the Tasman Glacier at Mt. Cook, Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, Christchurch, Abel Tasman National Park, Lake Taupo, Auckland, and the Bay of Island. Since you are outdoor buffs, you'll love the Queenstown area beacuase ther eis tons of stuff to do--hiking, skiing, whit-water rafting, bungy-jumping, kyacking etc. etc. The Bay of Islands are wonderful for sailing and the central part of the North Island should be good for hiking since it will be a little warmer. Everyone we met in N.Z. was incredibly friendly and you can find relatviely inexepsnive places to stay in most towns in cities--Best Westerns and Flag hotels are pretty good bets as are some of the hostels and B&Bs. I would make reservations for renting a car from the states--it's cheaper than waiting until you get there. We rented from Avis and got a good deal and they gave us a coupon book that we actually used quite a bit. Have a wonderful time and if you have more specific questions, please feel free to write. Hans