Category: Travel Stories

Travel stories & ideas for adventures near and far – road trips, weekend getaways, budget trips and epic vacations.

Finding Clarity on the Stunning Hooker Valley Track in Mount Cook

When we arrived in the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park area in mid-March, we weren't in the best headspace. The weather was bad, we were exhausted, and outside New Zealand the world as we knew it was shutting down due to the pandemic … and NZ wasn't far behind... Read more

Visiting Hobbiton in New Zealand (Amidst a Pandemic)

What's that famous Lord of the Rings quote about going out your front door? ‘Dangerous business,' indeed. Pandemic or not, sometimes travel plans just fall apart. Whatever you had expected turns into a crumpled heap of disappointments and you just have to make... Read more

Falling in Love with Dunedin, NZ, During Lockdown

Now that we are allowed to move about in New Zealand again, us tourists turned temporary residents all ask each other the same question: “Where did you end up during lockdown?” While some were at hostels sharing rooms and meals with other backpackers, we... Read more

Settled & Safe in New Zealand During the Pandemic – NOT Stranded

We've read so many stories of fellow travelers stranded abroad during this crisis who our hearts just go out to. Their flights were canceled, they couldn't afford the high prices, or they just don't have another option. But, that isn't our story. Yes, leaving New... Read more

Staying at a New Zealand Castle

When you find out you'll be near one of the only castles in the country, isn't the logical next step to find out if you can stay there? Yea, I thought so. That's how we ended up staying in an iconic New Zealand castle with amazing views and even more impressive... Read more

Memorable Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise in New Zealand

We originally planned to go to both Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound during out epic New Zealand road trip, but with the intense flooding that happened just before our visit, Milford was no longer an option without a very long bus ride. So, we chose to spend what we... Read more

5 Fun Day Trips from Queenstown & Why It Makes a Great Base

As we traveled around New Zealand, all the other backpackers warned about how busy Queenstown is. And our research came up with similar results. We actually almost cut our trip there short! But with so much to do in the area, we decided to base almost a week of our... Read more

Coronet Peak Picnic Date with the BEST Views of Queenstown

The Queenstown area is known for its epic views and adventurous activities. It is definitely a can't-miss stop for anyone touring New Zealand. Want 360-degree views of Queenstown and the surrounding mountains without all the work of hiking all the way up? Coronet Peak... Read more

Private New Zealand Glow Worms Tour with Unique Eco-Sanctuary Stay

Sometimes being extra spontaneous on a trip can really come back to bite you. Other times, it leads to unexpected places you would have never discovered had you not been forced to make a detour. That's how we discovered Mount Tutu Eco-Sanctuary outside Rotorua and... Read more

A Blissful Break at Franz Josef Glacier Hot Pools

Whether exploring New Zealand by car, bus, bike, train, or your own two feet, at some point – your body is going to need a break after all that adventuring. And we highly recommend arranging to take that break when staying in Glacier Country so that you can... Read more