Make Your Next Trip Extraordinary

Kathye Faries shearing a sheep in New Zealand.

Kathye Faries shearing a sheep in New Zealand.

We spent about a month in New Zealand in March, 2025 and it was one of the very best vacations we’ve had (and the fourth planned by Wendy Perrin’s group of WOW List experts). The trip was curated by our travel planners Sara and Sarah, and they did a fantastic job of selecting places for us to stay so we could enjoy 6 days on the North Island and the rest of the month on the South Island. Our only request was to set up a tee time at Cape Kidnappers Golf Course—a bucket list item for me!

Each lodge was very different and extremely special—and most of them had a maximum of 10 guests! They were in fairly remote locations and we loved the peaceful, secluded, beautiful settings. Due to the vastness of the South Island, we drove and flew from top to bottom and coast to coast. We were blessed with gorgeous weather so our travels went smoothly.

Some of our most memorable adventures included trying our hand at shearing a sheep, enjoying a wine and cheese tasting, exploring a 6,000 acre stunning ranch on Hawke’s Bay via ATV, hiking through beautiful landscapes, driving the scenic road to Milford Sound and taking a small yacht cruise into the mouth of the sound, buying some gorgeous merino + possum sweaters, exploring the spectacular Ben Lomond Station (33,000 acre ranch) and meeting the owner (this is a MUST DO for those near Queenstown), stargazing and scaling the mountains in an ATV in the Ahuriri Valley, getting pampered with massages now and then, seeing the rare Hectors dolphins in Akaroa, taking a private cooking class with a master chef at our lodge near Christchurch, cruising the waters surrounding Abel Tasman National Park, and winding up our stay at a luxury retreat and wellness spa near Nelson. A perfect ending to a perfect trip.

The food was excellent throughout our journey and the chefs at the various lodges were made aware of my dietary preferences before we arrived. The team helped facilitate the return of a jacket I’d left at one of our lodges, and made some changes to our itinerary on the fly. They were outstanding in helping me plan this rather complicated trip (eight lodges, four flights around the country and lots of miles driven). The Kiwis we met were super friendly and I have now dubbed the places we stayed as “The Lands of Yes.” If you are thinking of exploring New Zealand, make your plans now— it’s a spectacular country.

Our vacation to New Zealand in mid-January, starting in Christchurch, was truly a once-in-a-lifetime adventure filled with spectacular scenery, vibrant culture, and unforgettable experiences.

We began by touring Christchurch, where we were captivated by the city’s beautiful blend of historic charm and modern innovation. Strolling through the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, along the Avon River, and exploring the rebuilding efforts and contemporary architecture gave us a sense of both resilience and creativity in this remarkable city.

From Christchurch, we embarked on a tour of Akaroa Harbour and its historic settlement, where French and Māori cultures blend seamlessly into a charming coastal village. The dramatic volcanic landscapes provided a stunning backdrop as we encountered New Zealand fur seals basking along the rocky shores and adorable blue penguins making their way home to roost. This unique cultural and ecological experience was both enlightening and enchanting.

Next, we enjoyed a scenic ride on the Coastal Pacific train to Kaikōura, with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean on one side and the rugged Kaikōura Ranges on the other. Our stay in Kaikōura was elevated by our wonderful accommodations in a one-bedroom treehouse, which offered a perfect balance of immersion in nature and luxurious comfort.

While in Kaikōura, we took a shared whale watch cruise expedition, an experience that was nothing short of phenomenal. Seeing sperm whales, dusky dolphins, and other marine life up close in their natural habitat was an awe-inspiring highlight. We also took time to tour the charming coastal town, where the local seafood and welcoming atmosphere made every meal and interaction memorable.

Another scenic train ride carried us to Nelson, where we picked up a rental car and settled in for a two-night stay. This gave us time to explore the region, including a trip to Stevens Bay and the magnificent Abel Tasman National Park, where golden beaches, turquoise waters, and lush native forests created an idyllic paradise.

Our next stop was Queenstown, set against the jaw-dropping beauty of New Zealand’s Southern Alps. We spent two unforgettable days cruising on the pristine waters of Lake Wakatipu, soaking in the stunning views from every angle. A visit to a working sheep farm gave us the chance to see sheepdogs in action, a fascinating and entertaining demonstration of Kiwi rural life. We also sampled world-class wines at a local winery, adding another layer of indulgence to our Queenstown visit.

The pinnacle of our time in Queenstown was undoubtedly a half-day helicopter tour over Milford Sound, with a thrilling alpine landing on a remote glacier. The sheer grandeur of the fjordlands, combined with the exhilaration of stepping out onto a glacier, created a moment of pure magic we’ll treasure forever.

From Queenstown, we traveled to Te Anau, where we marveled at the rugged beauty of the southern Alps and the pristine New Zealand coastline. A day of private trout fishing on a local river gave us peaceful immersion in some of the most stunning natural scenery we’ve ever encountered, surrounded by crystal-clear waters and snow-capped peaks.

Our final stop was Rotorua, where we were immersed in the region’s fascinating geothermal wonders. Watching geysers erupt and boiling mud pools bubble offered a visceral reminder of the Earth’s power beneath our feet. We capped off the experience with a visit to the fabulous glowworm caves, where we drifted through cavernous darkness beneath a ceiling of shimmering living lights—a magical and truly otherworldly conclusion to our trip.

All in all, this was a fantastic introduction to New Zealand, a land of breathtaking scenery, warm and welcoming people, and sensational food. Every destination offered something unique and unforgettable, leaving us with a deep appreciation for the natural beauty, cultural richness, and spirit of adventure that define New Zealand.

The South Island of NZ is spectacular. The highlight was our stay in the Hapuku Lodge, a beautiful place nestled between the mountains and the sea. The rooms are luxurious and private. The food is delicious. From there, we went on an Albatross Tour and saw many species of seabirds, ranging from the goofy to the sleek. We also walked the Kaikoura peninsula trail, which climbs up to high meadows and then descends into fur seal whelping grounds where we saw literally thousands of seals and their young. Fantastic. Overall, Sarah and Sara did a great job!

I had the great pleasure of working with Sarah and Sara, my travel designers for my trip to New Zealand in October 2024. In a word, they were spectacular. I initially had a zoom call with them to discuss my hopes for my trip, what I was most interested in seeing and experiencing, and how I liked to travel. Even though their company is based in New Zealand and Australia and I was in NYC, the time difference was never an issue. It was as easy as dealing with any travel company in the US.

I always do a bit of research before my trips, which I think is so important, but it can also be very overwhelming especially when the number of places I wish to visit exceeds what I can realistically do in the time I have allotted for a trip. This is where they excel. Their deep knowledge of both North and South islands far exceeded anyone else i spoke to about the trip. But, beyond that, they immediately picked up on my particular travel style and what would make me most happy and the kind of experiences that would thrill me the most.

I really wanted to see both the North Island and the South Island, so that meant a lot of planning as i was traveling alone and didn’t want to drive myself. But, there was so much i wanted to experience, from the beautiful vineyards of Waiheke Island off the coast of Auckland, to drinking in the sweeping ocean views up the coast of the South island, to zip lining above a majestic forest and waterfalls near Queenstown, to experiencing life on a vast & exquisite sheep farm at one of the most beautiful 5 star lodges with jaw-dropping vistas near Pallister Bay on the North Island. And at each location, the most delicious and fresh foods prepared by awarded chefs.

New Zealand is one of the most beautiful places i have ever visited, and I have traveled the world. Sarah and Sara made it so special by picking just the right places for me, and in some cases, the perfect room in a particular lodge! They also were in touch with me throughout the trip, which was especially important because I was there in spring, where the weather could change a number of time a day, and certain helicopter or boat excursions needed to be adjusted often. Even though I traveled by myself, I never felt alone. I always knew either Sarah or Sara were a mere phone call away. It was an awe-inspiring once-in-a-lifetime trip curated magnificently by Sarah and Sara. I will be forever grateful for their kind and thoughtful advice and support.

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