Coach Tour of New Zealand

We went with Grand Pacific Tours a couple of years ago. We toured both islands on a two week tour and had a fabulous time. It's such a beautiful and fascinating place, we still talk about it. Our drivers / guides were wonderful and knew everything about NZ, I'd highly recommend that tour company. Best wishes for a wonderful birthday holiday.

Thank you Stella I will take a look at that - did you feel you had enough time and was the cost reasonable/were there a lot of additional costs for meals etc?

Apologies for a slightly sideways reply but my DH wants to go to India but I am put off by what I hear about regarding attitudes towards and attacks on women. I'm also wary of being a relatively rich tourist among desperate poverty. I find that immoral.
RE New Zealand, my daughter has returned from 18 months there. The photos and stories show virtual paradise. You'll love it, do go while you're young enough to really enjoy it.

Hi NanaPlenty , we thought it was great value. The hotels we stayed in were all beautiful, and most meals were included. I think we had to buy our own lunch a few times, when we had free times on some of the days. It was a two week tour - about 10 days on the South Island and 4 days on the North Island which is pretty right. We saw everything we'd hoped for, and had a wonderful time .

They are very different places. I have not been to either of them but would imagine that, if you want a contrast to western life, you will get more of that in India although I do realise that regions in India will vary and there will be many westernised areas.

People seem to either love or hate India. However, I've never heard anybody say they didn't enjoy their holiday in New Zealand.

Enjoy yourself, wherever your go.

Thanks everyone.

Hi NanaPlenty. I am sure you would love NZ but give yourself plenty of time to enjoy it. We did a 2 week your in March this year and found it too rushed, so although we saw lots of fabulous places, there was not enough time to enjoy them. The company we booked with was Austravel, but when we got there you it was run by ATP /Travelmarvel. Each stay was only 1 or 2 nights, with lots of very early starts and too much time spent travelling by coach. I realise this was necessary in order to cover the distances but that's how it is. NZi s roughly the size of the UK (but with much fewer people,) The boat trip from North island to south island was fantastic.
We would love to return some time and maybe spend 3 weeks just in the south island. We met some great people on the tour, some of whom we have visited in the UK and we have already said we might do a joint return trip. Took a while to get over the jet lag but it was definitely worth it. Have a great time if you decide to go.

Stella 1949
I have been looking in to booking with Grand Pacific Tours
As they seem to have quite a few different tours I’m interested in

We would be flying from Australia as we would be staying with our daughter who lives there. Is it easy to book it in the U.K as I see they provide a small travel bag and luggage labels.Would they send these to us over here?

Many many trips to NZ to visit friends and family but I would not recommend any shorter than 3 weeks and preferably longer. The driving distances take longer than you would think and landslips often occur after seismic activity. There are rarely alternate routes.

Hi reetpetite, yes I'd get them to send the bags etc to your daughter's place in Australia. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time !

NZ is a lovely place for a holiday, the feeling I had was "this is a long way from anywhere" and it is a very long flight as well. Many coach tours try to pack in as much as possible, early starts, long drives, late arrivals and can be very tiring, some operators rate the tour pace, relaxed, moderate or full on.

India a very interesting country to visit, relatively cheap as well, everyone should go and see it once, a country of massive contrasts.

I went on a trip to India last year The Golden Triangle, Dehli, Agra and Jaipur, i loved it and fell in love with the places i saw.
Yes it it was hectic, it was dirty in places but it is life .The hotels we stayed in were fab and the whole thing is something i will never forget and i long to go back.If you get the chance then go, it will be a true culture experience.

That's great to hear Travelsafar. I should have been in India now but due to DP being ill we had to delay to next March. We are travelling to Amritsar, Shimla and the Golden Triangle. Really looking forward to it .

I have not been to NZ but am told by friend that it is lovely.
I have been to India and as others have said it is a real experience. Perfectly safe if you are on an organised tour. So many contrasts and some thing new around every corner. We also did the Golden Triangle and loved it. Planning to go back to see the more southern parts.

We went 11 years ago so not that recent. It was a mixed tour, we had some days in Australia as well with a stop over in Singapore at the beginning . It was with Titian Tours and I can't recommend them highly enough. I think they do just NZ tours too. High quality hotels, flexibility around choices and excellent food. Really enjoyed it. I have never been to India.

Thanks Stella1949
How did you book your tour? Did you do it online, ring or through a U.K. travel agent or some other way?

NZ - no question! but I admit to bias.
I would just say take the longest trip you can afford. Its a long way to go, for a short stay, and no fun to feel rushed.
Plus, as someone who lived in the North island for some years, there is no way that 4 days there is enough to enjoy a fraction of what it has to offer!

We have travelled to both India and New Zealand but independently so cannot recommend a travel tour company.
What I would say is both are obviously very different, New Zealand is western easy to travel and you speak the same language we hired a car and had two weeks on each island. It's a wonderful country and the people are friendly and helpful.
We had a tour in Sri Lanka a great country to travel in and much to see.
What I would say with touring it is a very easy way to travel, everything is done for you but make sure you check out what is included and what is not so you can budget. Unless it is a private tour you will be with other people, check on the size of the group and the transport being used and the accommodation and everything that is included and what is not included.
India seems to be in disorganised chaos the traffic is non stop. If you can remove yourself from the chaos the places you visit are amazing. We were in India for about 6 weeks travelling from Mumbai by train and did the golden circle and much more. India is not a country for everyone you will see things that are upsetting but the joy the people have and how friendly they will be with you is wonderful.
Where every you travel I'm sure you'll bring back precious memories.

Continued
NZ visit the Bay of Islands, Miford and doubtful sound there is masses to see and do, do your research before you go.

Just can't list the places to go in India there is so much.