Founded in 2003, the Zest Food Tours of New Zealand is an interesting and innovative way of exploring New Zealand; through its food. Combining travel and food, these guided tours are not just for foodie’s with an adventurous streak, but for any tourist visiting the country. They are carried out by trained guides who are professional, yet friendly, and have a deep passion for food. The Zest Food Tours are highly experiential, and will tickle all the senses. There are a number of guided tours to choose from.

The very first Zest Food Tours were conducted in the capital city of Wellington, and it has since expanded to include Auckland as well, with each city offering a different experience. The Wellington tour has a metropolitan feel and offers an opportunity to experience some of the best bars, cafes and restaurants in the city. In addition to sampling delicious local dishes, one can gain a lot of inside information on the city’s history.

The tour in Auckland has a more farm-country like feel to it. Thanks to the city’s subtropical climate, fresh vegetables and fruits grow in abundance, and as it is surrounded by the sea one can also sample succulent fish, and delicious shrimp and prawns. In addition to English, the tours are also carried out in German, Danish, Dutch and Italian.

New Zealand is one of the few remaining places in the world that still boasts acres of untouched greenery, landscapes unmarred by pollution and pristine lakes and rivers. One reason for this is the country’s strict commitment to the environment, conducting even tourism in an environmentally responsible way.

Tourists planning on taking a tour of the entire country will find it convenient to book accommodation with Millennium & Copthorne Hotels NZ which has a chain of New Zealand hotels across the country. This will ensure a uniform standard of service no matter which part of the country one is in. To make the most of their vacation, travellers can also take advantage of the New Zealand hotel packages on offer that help you make the most of your stay.

Auckland is located in New Zealand’s North Island and is one of the most cosmopolitan areas in the country, featuring a diverse mix of people. Consistently ranked high amongst the world’s most liveable cities, Auckland is a popular tourist destination as well. The city enjoys good oceanic climate throughout the year, and is one of the sunniest and warmest parts of New Zealand. The city has a calendar full of events and a long list of attractions, more than enough to keep even the most seasoned of travellers completely satisfied.

There are a few things that every tourist should try to do when in Auckland. One popular activity is visiting the local parks. Auckland was built on the Auckland Volcanic Fields, and while most of the volcanic cones have been quarried up, some are still preserved in the local parks. Another activity worth doing is taking in a rugby or cricket match at the iconic Eden Park. One should also try to go whale and dolphin watching along the Hauraki Gulf, and take a guided tour of the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

The Auckland Harbour Bridge is a massive eight lane motorway spanning the Waitemata Harbour. The bridge joins Northcote with St Marys Bay in Auckland, and is the longest road bridge on the North Island. The bridge rises about 240 metres above the sea when it is at its highest, and is just over a kilometre in length. The bridge is sometimes referred to as the ‘Coat Hanger’ due to its design and bears quite a resemblance to the Sydney Harbour Bridge. AJ Hackett, a local bungee operator, offers guided climbs of the bridge, from the top of which one can enjoy breath taking panoramic views of the city and the sea. Those so inclined can also go bungee jumping and enjoy an unforgettable holiday experience.

Auckland is a cosmopolitan area and has good infrastructure. One can rely on a fleet of buses and trains to get around the city, quickly and with minimal hassle. Accommodation is also easy to come by and one can find many New Zealand hotels in the area. Millennium & Copthorne Hotels NZ have several hotels in Auckland in strategic locations, providing guests with easy access to the city’s best tourist attractions.

Located on the northern part of New Zealand’s North Island, Auckland receives a fair share of tourist traffic throughout the year. The city was built on the Auckland Volcanic Field, that is made up of forty eight volcanoes and has led to the nickname, ‘City of Volcanoes’. However, Auckland is probably more popularly known as the ‘City of Sails’ for the many yachts that traffic Waitemata Harbour and the Hauraki Gulf. The city is home to a diverse population, a fact that is reflected in the local festivals and sporting events. No trip to New Zealand is complete without stopping by Auckland, and no trip here is complete without passing a greeting to the whales and dolphins that frequent the seas nearby!

Whaling was once a thriving industry in New Zealand, but saw a decline amidst waning whale populations. The last whale harpooned here was in 1963. Whaling has been replaced with a much friendlier activity; whale and dolphin watching. The safaris allow visitors to get close to these marine mammals and this activity is especially well developed around Kaikoura and the Hauraki Gulf. Of all the different whale species in the world, roughly half that number can be found in the waters around the country.

Some whale species live here throughout the year, while others are seasonal visitors who pass by on the way to their breeding grounds. Humpback, Sperm, Pilot, Bryde’s and Southern Right whales are the ones that are most commonly spotted here. Dolphins are much more common than whales, and one is nearly guaranteed to come across them on a safari. In addition to commonly found species of dolphin, one should keep an eye out for Hector’s and Maui’s dolphins, which are exclusive to the region.

Getting around Auckland is easy thanks to the availability and efficiency of public transport services. Accommodation is also quite easy to come by and one can find lodgings to suit any kind of budget. Travellers searching for well placed hotels in Auckland can choose from the properties on offer from Millennium & Copthorne Hotels NZ. With several New Zealand hotels across the country, one can rely on this reputed hotel chain for friendly and efficient service.

New Zealand’s history is full of courageous explorers who navigated uncharted waters time and time again. From Kupe, the first to discover the country, to the migration of the Polynesian people to the voyages of Abel Tasman and Captain Cook. These spirited travellers charted a path that the rest of the country now enthusiastically follows. After all “Team New Zealand” is the first non-American sailing team to win, then successfully defend the America’s Cup. Anyone interested in learning more about the country’s sailing history should pay a visit to the Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum.

The Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum is the best maritime museum in New Zealand. It is situated at Hobson Wharf in Auckland, alongside the Viaduct Harbour. The exhibits here cover the country’s entire maritime history starting from early Polynesian seafarers to the more recent achievements at the America’s Cup. In Maori the museum is referred to as ‘Te Huiteanaui-A-Tangaroa’, which means ‘The Keeper of the Treasures of Tangora (the Sea God)’. The collection here includes photographs, drawings, paintings, maritime equipment, books, periodicals and models related to the country’s maritime history.

The main exhibits concentrate on marine surveying and navigation, Maori and Polynesian sea fearing boats and navigation, sealing and whaling, maritime arts and crafts, early coastal trading, port and harbour history, and voyages of discovery made by Europeans. Not all the artefacts are on permanent display so those interested in looking at specific pieces can confirm its availability by phone. The museum is open from 9 am to 5 pm on all days except Christmas. While entry into the museum is free, there is an admission charge for those who want to go sailing. It would take approximately two hours to take a tour of the maritime museum, a bit longer if one goes sailing.

Tourists planning a tour of the country will find many New Zealand hotels to choose from. Try a hotel chain like Millennium & Copthorne Hotels NZ to minimise the hassle since it offers hotels in convenient locations across the country. Guests can even take advantage of the New Zealand hotel packages it offers to ensure a truly memorable vacation.

New Zealand has been blessed with more than its fair share of natural beauty, and there is no better way of enjoying it than by walking through one of the many nature trails found throughout the country. Not only will one come across hundreds of different plants and animals, it is also a healthy way of spending one’s vacation. Tourists new to the country need not worry about getting lost as long as they go for a guided walk. These walks conducted by experienced professionals will enable foreigners to get the most out of their outings into the countryside. Tourists should remember to bring their cameras as they visit secret lakes and mountains, along some of the most picturesque paths in the country.

The eighty two kilometre long Heaphy Track is one of the more popular trails in the country. The track is known for its diversity, containing an astounding variety of plant species. Visitors are also likely to come across a number of birds, including rare ones like the Fern Bird and the Blue Duck. The famed Milford Track and the gorgeous Routeburn Track are also terrific options.

Another popular thing to do during winter is to explore the backcountry on snowshoes. At one time snowshoes were inconvenient contraptions that looked exactly like tennis rackets, but with modern day snowshoes, one will feel like they are hovering over the snow! Snowshoeing is the perfect activity for those who do not ski, or for those who want to take a break from the crowded ski areas. Since snowshoes prevents one from sinking into unbroken snow, wearing them opens up otherwise inaccessible parts of the wilderness. It is a fun and relaxing thing to do. Snowshoeing is very popular in Queensland, which has quite a number of nature trails.

Tourists planning on visiting here and looking for accommodation should try one of the hotels run by Millennium & Copthorne Hotels NZ. They have several New Zealand hotels located in strategic locations across the country, reducing the inconveniences of travel. Guests can also take advantage of the New Zealand hotel packages they offer that help you get the most out of your trip.

In the hub of Queenstown, New Zealand, is what is considered to be one of the greatest experiences in wine tasting one could get without having to move from vineyard to vineyard in seek of the finest sip of wine. With over 80 different varieties of the most deliciously brewed wine, the wonderful Wine Taste offers cutting edge Enomatic Wine Serving System.


How it works is simple. If you would like to enjoy a tasteful glass of wine while relaxing in a warm and stylish atmosphere amongst others who share the same passion, then head down to Queenstown which hosts Wine Tastes. Open every day of the week from 10.30 am till late, Wine Taste is located exactly in the centre of Queenstown only a couple of minutes walk down from the main hotels of the area.

Once inside, you will be ushered in by the friendly staff who will take you through each of the deliciously different wines. A wine card will be given which needs to be inserted to the slot of the wine tasting machine of your desired choice. It is based on a self service mechanism and you can press the button to pour yourself either a taste, a half or a full glass of your choice from the eighty different varieties. This is no easy feat since there are so many varieties to choose from and it will be hard to make up your mind on which delicious sip you want most.

As you sit back and relax in the wine lounge, enjoy a mouthwatering cheese board that compliments the wine and you are now ready for a truly enchanting evening. It is the ideal place for a gathering, be it with friends or for a social event and is custom made to offer something out of the ordinary for those of you seeking a relaxed, fun filled and entertaining evening.

Apart from the plethora of wines there is also a selection of beers and non alcoholic drinks on offer to ensure that there is something for everyone. Groups of 10 people can book themselves a space whilst a larger group of 100 people are capable of booking the place for exclusive use, making it ideal for business gatherings.

For those of you who wish to have a stroll around the Central Otago wine region to see the vineyards, tours are offered by experienced operators that make the trip every day. Group tours can be arranged, while private tours are also available. Whether it is for a vineyard tour or to taste the best of wine, be sure to drop by when in Queensland.

Accommodation for travellers can be found in one of the many luxurious New Zealand hotels and a popular choice is those belonging to Millennium & Copthorne Hotels NZ, acclaimed for its unsurpassed facilities and service. It also offers a variety of New Zealand hotel packages tailor made to meet your various needs that will help you experience the perfect holiday in New Zealand.

An hour’s drive from Wellington in New Zealand, on the beautiful Kapiti Coast is the Southward Vintage Car Museum, world renowned for its private owned collection of vintage and veteran cars. Constructed, designed and assembled by the late Sir Len Southward, this remains the largest private collection in the whole Southern Hemisphere. The building comprises of a theatre, conference facilities as well as a café and is set in a six hectare beautifully manicured garden. It is home to over 400 automobiles. Other exhibits include aircraft, bicycles, vintage tools and even a vintage fire engine is on display.

In terms of the automobile collection it comprises of some of the most famous makes and models in the history of classic and vintage cars. Many a car fanatic makes the drive to glimpse the popular vehicles such as Marlene Dietrich’s 1934 Cadillac Town Cabriolet, a gull-winged Mercedes-Benz, a 1915 Stutz Indianapolis race car and an 1895 Benz Velo imported to New Zealand in 1900. Another prized possession on display at the Southward Vintage Car Museum is the 1950 Cadillac “Gangster Special” that had belonged to gangster Mickey Cohen.

A mere glimpse at the immaculately clean and beautifully preserved array of cars portrays how much effort has been injected to lovingly restore old cars found in sheds and garages across New Zealand to mint condition. Incorporated in 1972 by the late Sir Len Southward and his wife Lady Vera Southward who together began collecting cars in 1956, today the Southward Vintage Car Museum is run by a charitable trust. A visit to this site is a true delight guaranteed to transport you back in time when the wheels were first set in motion.

For those in the vicinity of Wellington, regardless of whether you are a car enthusiast or otherwise, this is one sight not to let miss. Its collection is unique and to see some of the most beautiful makes of the cars at Southward Vintage Car Museum is a rare treat to the eye. If you are the outsider travelling the distance then accommodation needs to be booked in advance. Amongst the New Zealand hotels offering New Zealand hotel packages one can find the ideal retreat opportunity from those offered by Millennium & Copthorne Hotels NZ.

Delve into New Zealand’s splendid natural history at ZEALANDIA where a unique conservation and eco-tourism project is taking shape. Also referred to as the Karori Sanctuary, the attraction is located merely 10 minutes from central Wellington. A state-of-the-art indoor exhibition brings to life the world-renowned conservation movement of ZEALANDIA.

Explore a distinctive predator-free sanctuary home to endangered species and where the restoration of native bush is taking place. Some of the native species which have been reintroduced to the area include hihi, saddleback, giant weta, tuatara, little spotted kiwi and many more. As you wander through easy-grade forest tracks you will come across interpretative signage which help you easily spot the wildlife.

Covering 225 hectares, the Karori Sanctuary also consists of a magnificent lake. The sanctuary seeks to restore its land to its pre-human state as closely as possible. Established in 1995, the site’s unique combination of an extraordinary location and its international reputation for advanced conservation science, has made it a natural Mecca for those interested in the country’s fauna and flora.

After completing your exploration at the exhibition you can visit the café within the premises, for a delectable lunch. Having won numerous national and international awards as well as plaudits, ZEALANDIA is a must visit for all natural lovers travelling to the city.

Overall, the sanctuary is home to many amphibian and reptile species, hundreds of invertebrates, plant species and native birds. However, a highlight of ZEALANDIA is the fact that many of its plants and animals are deemed as highly endangered with some being practically extinct beyond the boundaries of managed areas such as itself.


Travellers seeking to receive the best value for their money with New Zealand hotel packages should not look any further than Millennium & Copthorne Hotels NZ which offer a selection of special deals and promotions catering to the varied requirements of travellers. Having some of the finest New Zealand hotels under its name, the hotel chain is renowned for its excellence in service and accommodation. 

With a range of natural assets, the city of Auckland has become a dream destination. It is the perfect blend of charming islands, harbour, modernity and Polynesian culture that has given it a distinctive identity. A visitor in the city is never too far from the water, be it a beautiful gulf dotted with tranquil holiday islands or pristine beaches with water conditions ideal for surfing. Popularly referred to as the City of Sails it offers some of the country’s best dinning and shopping experiences. However, taking a cruise on the stunning Hauraki Gulf makes for the ideal beginning or ending to a traveller’s vacation in the region.

Deemed to be among the most geographically and biologically diverse marine parks in the world, the Hauraki Gulf in Auckland ranks among the richest habitats for marine mammals on the globe. Hop on an Auckland cruise to take in the scenic highlights of the city and the gulf in addition to its marine mammals including whales and dolphins.

The safari includes commentary and lets you delve into the history and culture of the Hauraki Gulf. Marvel at the spectacle of a feeding frenzy involving dolphins, whales and sea birds. More than 25 southern hemisphere marine mammals have been spotted and identified at this marine park.

Having undertaken several scientific programmes onboard, the crew of the cruise is highly knowledgeable and experienced. The cruise’s luxury 20m high speed catamaran has been designed to suit this area’s special sea conditions. Additionally, fully licensed bar snacks are available for purchase.

Discover the rich cultural and natural heritage of Auckland by embarking on a sightseeing tour or a wine tasting tour. Visit the Great Barrier Island home to endangered and rare flora and fauna and comprising of lush wetlands. Experience Coromandel Peninsula, an area steeped in history with its stunning coastlines, sheltered bays and mountainous forest-covered backbone.

As for the accommodation needs, travellers should not look beyond New Zealand hotels belonging to Millennium & Copthorne Hotels NZ. Seeking to make a lasting impression with their exceptional accommodation and service, these unsurprisingly rank among the finest in the country and include a variety of well placed hotels in Auckland.