Stopping over in Istanbul

If you’re looking for a genuinely impressive city break stopover on your ticket – look no further than Istanbul. There's a huge array of photogenic tourist sights and mosques to visit, combined with cheap accommodation and food and easy transport - you can splurge at little cost which in my books makes an ideal city! You won’t regret the time spent exploring the quaint cobbled streets, water ways and rooftop bars of this unique European/Asian gateway city.

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The Europe-Asia gateway

As a city that straddles the Europe and Asia continental divide, divided by the Bosphorous Strait, I’ve always been fascinated with Istanbul. For years, I’ve been captivated by location shots popping up everywhere from the James Bond motorbike sequence on top of the Grand Bazaar, to the dreamy Chanel No. 5 ad with Audrey Tatou to the atmospheric cold war era settings in the film Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. Add in Istanbul’s position as a stop on the luxurious Orient Express and it’s clear that this city has a very rich history and architecture worth exploring.
It’s a city divided and defined by its waterways, the Bosphorous Strait and the Golden Horn. One of Istanbul’s most attractive features is that the landscape rises steeply from the coast. Whilst this can make for some leg-aching hill climbs if you’re exploring on foot (be warned), it also means every hotel and bar of note has a rooftop bar with incredible views over the water – be it the Bosphorous Strait, the Golden Horn or the Sea of Marmara. I visited at the end of October 2013 when the weather was a warm and mild 18-20 degrees, perfect for sight seeing.

Where to stay and eat

Many tourists tend to stay in the Sultanahment area as this is home to most of the main sights. There is a good range of accommodation options for all budgets here and some good places to eat, including a traditional kebap place or café serving seriously tempting backlava on every corner. I stayed in the mid-range Ottoman Park Hotel in Sultanahmet (around £50/night inc breakfast and in-room wifi). Every morning we had our breakfast outside on the terrace overlooking the fishing boats in the Sea of Marmara, with a backdrop of the Blue Mosque. Defintiely the best views I’ve ever had from a hotel - priceless!
I found that I tended to head over the Galata bridge to find restaurants that were less touristy and I found plenty of great options here, from traditional kebaps, to sushi. If you’re more interested in shops than sights, you might want to stay on the northern side, around Galata.

Sultanahmet

The city’s main historic quarter is Sultanahmet, to the south of the Golden Horn. This is the place most tourists head to first. All the most notable tourist sites are here including the magnificent Blue Mosque, Haghia Sofia, Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar.
Entry to the Blue Mosque is free, but you will need to respect the worshippers, which means removing your shoes and women covering their heads. If you don’t bring a head scarf, they are provided free. Inside you’ll be blown away by the intricate and delicate blue tiling native to Islamic architecture and the peaceful, prayerful atmosphere.

Next stop, and almost next door is Haghia Sofia, a 1,500 year old construction that began life as a church, then became a mosque before ending up as a museum. Entry is around TL25  and worth the fee to see some of the religious frescoes and magnificent interior architecture.

Staying in Sultanahmet, you could visit the Basilica Cistern – an ancient underground reservoir built to serve water to one of the palaces. Wander the cool, eery and dimly lit caverns and check out the fantastic interior arches and brickwork construction whilst fish swim around the low level channels. Entry is TL10.

Once you’re done with the sights and need some retail therapy – head to the Grand Bazaar for traditional Turkish souvenirs (we bought slippers!) and cut price faux designer labels. The Mulberry handbag my friend bought has definitely out lived my £8 faux Converse trainers, but the haggling was fun! After you’ve got lost in the Grand Bazaar's alleyways, treat yourself to the incredibly moreish local baklava – a sweet treat flavoured with honey and pistachios, with a Turkish tea or coffee.
A must-try experience in Istanbul is to visit a Turkish Bath, the most famous are Çemberlitaş Hamami and Cağaloğlu Hamami. Men and women are segregated but this is not a place to linger if you’re bashful as you won’t be wearing much inside! With many others, you’ll lie on a massive, flat stone waiting for a staff member to wash and scrub you, before washing your hair. A vigorous and cleansing experience all round! Give it a go – at least you’ll be able to say you tried it!

Galata, Beyoğlu & Taksim Square

North of the Golden Horn you’ll find the main shopping district. A wander through the streets here takes you through the bo-ho district around Galata with coffee places, craft shops and jewellery. Further on, you’ll reach he main drag to Taksim Square, with the main high street shops. Taksim Square itself is worth a visit as the central hub of the city there’s always plenty going on.

What to do

Istanbul is incredibly easy to explore and it’s easy to pack a lot into a few days if you read up ahead. A brilliant way to see the city and get some photos of the skyline punctuated by mosques, is to take a Golden Horn Cruise. A cheap hop-on-hop-off ferry takes you up to Eyüp, where you can get a cable car up to the café for seriously awesome views over Istanbul and the waterways – this is a must do!
A second way to see the city is to take the Bosphorous Cruise (TL25). The ferry stops at various places en route, before you reach Anadolu Kavaği, with views towards the Black Sea. You can get great fresh fish here and the locals are so friendly – they let me grill my own mackerel! You’ll have magnificent shoreline views and the chance to peek into the Asian side, even if you don’t get as far as disembarking.

If you have more time, I would definitely recommend taking a ferry day trip to the tranquil, car-free Prince's Islands in the Sea of Marmara. A hidden gem – these islands have no cars, so you can get a guided tour by horse and trap or rent a bike (we did both cheaply). The islands are so peaceful to explore – they’re covered with pretty, clapboard villas and pine forests, with views towards the Asian coastline of the city – which seems to stretch for miles and miles.

How to get around

Getting around Istanbul is easy and extremely cheap and the transport systems are helpful well connected. You’ll arrive at one of the main airports – most likely the busy Ataturk International (European side). From here we can arrange a transfer, or you can get on the airport bus (TL35) or for a cheap and easy option, take the LRT and tram for TL1.40. You can buy a pre-paid travel card (like an Oyster card in London) which can be used on all the LRT routes, trams, funicular railway and many ferries – as a guide, about £20 got me through a serious amount of exploring on all forms of transport for 6 days!
A second airport, Sabiha Gokcen, is further out on the Asian side. This is less well served by public transport, so you’ll need to book a transfer or take a taxi into the city.
The tram routes take you all around Sultanahmet and over the bridge to Karakoy, the Galata tower and the shopping district of Beyglu, with local ferries (many included in the travel card) taking you up the Golden Horn or over to the Asian side.

Costs

Eating and drinking in Istanbul is very cheap. A traditional Turkish tea, served in a small glass cost TL1 (around 30p) as does a traditional Turkish coffee (served with the coffee grouts in – don’t stir it!). Western-style coffees like latte and cappuccino are more expensive at around TL6, but still cheap enough to warrant many a coffee pit-stop to admire the amazing views round each corner!

The Philippines: a beautiful country that needs tourist dollars now more than ever

As you’ll know, the Philippines recently experienced one of the worst super-typhoons ever, so some parts of the country have been totally ravaged.
In many areas however, Filipinos are reliant on tourism as their main source of income, so it's important that visitors keep visiting and support the country to help it get back to what it was as quickly as possible. Popular areas such as El Nido and Boracay have not even been affected, so it’s certainly ‘business as usual’ here.

Why include the Philippines in your trip?

The Philippines offer something for everyone. There's a multitude of activities beside lounging on the beach, including snorkelling, kite surfing, hiking, swimming with whale sharks, visiting desert islands, diving, monkey-spotting and even some great nightlife too!
It can be daunting to choose which of 7,000 islands to visit. I started my trip planning by reading travel websites like the Lonely Planet forums to help me narrow down the choices to a few spots, so now I'm well-equipped to help other people plan!

When to go

Despite the fact my partner and I both work in travel, we managed to book our trip for the peak monsoon season (June to November). ‘Are we mad?’ was our first thought… but then we figured that places would be quieter and we may get a few deals on hotels, so we went ahead anyway.
It did rain at some point every day but we also experienced beautiful sunshine everyday. The weather didn't ruin any of our day trips to stunning lagoons and snorkel spots and it actually added some comedy value whilst we were getting soaked on a boat in El Nido with a group of older Filipinos!
I would still advise you to visit during monsoon season, but be aware it will rain for a few intense showers during the day. The recent and ravaging Typhoon Haiyun was a super storm and the usual monsoons to hit the Philippines are nowhere near as strong so will not hinder your trip. However, if you're set on day-long sunshine - peak season is December to April when the weather is hot, hot, hot!

A suggested Philippines itinerary

I spent two weeks in Palawan travelling up from Puerto Princessa to Coron via El Nido with one night’s stay in Manila at the beginning and end. Ideally, if the Philippines is part of your round the world trip I’d suggest you spend three to four weeks so you can visit other areas like Cebu, Bohol and the beautiful Boracay.

Palawan

Palawan is considered the most beautiful place in the Philippines. One of the best things about Palawan is that you really are off the beaten track. There are no chain hotels so everywhere we stayed was very individual and quirky.
We stayed at a desert island resort called Majika Island which was simply stunning! It's a bungalow on the beach with its own boat which will take you out to snorkel at some of the famous ship wreck sights and fishing areas to dive or fish. You can't fail to feel relaxed after a few days in Palawan! 

El Nido

El Nido is a great party place and the Filipino speciality of brandy and lime cordial is not as bad as it sounds! The landscapes are really breath taking with limestone cliffs jutting out of the seascape and hidden lagoons all surrounded by lush forests.

Filipino hospitality

Having travelled extensively around South East Asia, I think the Philippines offers a totally different atmosphere and vibe. Filipino's are simply amazing - everyone we met was warm and friendly and they made a real effort to show off their beautiful country. They know it is the hidden gem of Asia!
We sampled lots of the local foods on this trip, including different fish and barbecued chicken. We also tried more local specialities such as balut (a boiled, fertilized egg!), a dish not for the faint-hearted!

How to get there and how to travel around

Flights between London and Manila start from as little as £520. Air Philippines has started a direct flight from London Gatwick, meaning a quick and convenient start to your trip.
Once you reach the Philippines, you can choose to fly out to different islands or (if you have more time and you’re after adventure), you could try the inter-island boats. Be aware that these boats tend to operate only sporadically in bad weather, but are an excellent way to get about, especially if you don’t have a fixed itinerary.
If you book far enough in advance, the flights can often be cheaper than the boats - I can help you book internal flights if you do decide you want to book ahead. We also offer this G Adventures trip around Palawan which would suit you well if you’re short of time, as it includes highlights like El Nido - I think it's good value for money.

Round the world flights that include the Philippines

The Philippines is becoming easier to access and can easily be worked into a bigger itinerary for a round the world trip. For example:
London - Singapore - Manila - Sydney overland Brisbane - Auckland - Rarotonga - LA - overland to - San Francisco - London Flights from £1,399 pp including taxes

A 9 day India experience in complete luxury

A few years ago I joined a luxury tour of Northern India with a company called On the Go Tours. Having previously visited India as a child on a 6 week trip, I was excited to return and see how much I remembered. I was also keen to experience India as part of an organised tour and see how it differed to travelling independently.
I think India tends to be a destination for travellers who’ve already conquered South East Asia and are feeling more confident using local transport in Asia. From my experience as a travel consultant, India tends to be a ‘Marmite’ destination – travellers either love it or hate it. But having experienced India both on a shoestring and now on a luxury budget, I believe that some proper planning and for some people, an organised tour can definitely make for the most enjoyable experience.

How to arrive in Style

You can fly direct from London Heathrow to Delhi in 8hrs 30 minutes. I flew Business Class with Jet Airways and was very impressed with their service. You’ll have a fully flat bed, delicious freshly cooked food and a wide selection of cocktails in the Skybar.
As a Business Class consultant, I’m used to comparing a wide variety of Business Class cabins for my clients and I often find Jet Airways a more economical alternative to the more well-known carriers. In fact, they are one of the few cabins to offer a fully flat bed on all international Business Class flights.

The tour itinerary

The tour itinerary I followed was similar to the 9 Day Taj Showcase itinerary, but it ended in Jodphur rather than Udaipur.
We began our tour in New Delhi and after exploring the Red Fort and the site of Gandhi’s cremation we took rickshaws through the streets of Old Delhi to a fantastic local restaurant recommended by our guide.

We then left Delhi in a private mini bus bound for Agra. The journey is an experience in itself; seeing whole families travelling on the back of mopeds, what looks to be the entire contents of a corner shop on the front of a push bike and local buses with passengers hanging onto the side of them. You’ll certainly feel grateful for the comparatively luxurious mode of transport you’re in!
The tour arrived in Agra at lunchtime, so we spent the afternoon visiting Agra Fort before heading to the Taj Mahal just in time for Sunset.

From Agra, we continued to Jaipur (the Pink City), where we stayed 2 nights in the beautiful Rambagh Palace, before heading onto Jodphur (the Blue City), before returning to Delhi.

Luxury accommodation: Taj Hotels

On a tour like this, all transfers are included but even being collected from the airport in an air conditioned car, you’ll find it doesn’t take long for Delhi to take hold of you. You’ll be whisked though the noise of car horns, the sight of cows walking freely down the main roads and rickshaws buzzing past you, before arriving in New Delhi for the first of the incredibly luxurious hotels on this trip.
The Taj collection features some of the most impressive hotels in India and many properties are converted palaces. I challenge you to feel anything other than regal as you sip your gin and tonic in the gardens watching peacocks nonchalantly stroll across immaculately manicured lawns!

Learning from your guide

Other than budget, a key difference between independent backpacking and travelling with a tour is the valuable knowledge you gain from your guide. Their personal insight ensures you make sense of what you see each day, and I know I left with a far superior understanding of Ghandi, the Taj Mahal and what it’s like to live in one of the fastest growing countries on the planet than I ever would have gained from swatting up from my guidebook.
Despite being with a group, we had plenty of free time to shop in local markets and pick up some clothes and gifts. One tip - be prepared to haggle for bargains. If you don’t feel comfortable doing so, your guide will always help you get a bargain!

My personal highlights of India from this trip

The Taj Mahal features on many a travel ‘bucket list’ and it certainly didn’t disappoint me. Travelling with a tour means you’ll have entry tickets pre-booked for you, which means you can skip the big queues.
I would always recommend visiting at sunrise or sunset so you can see the colour of the marble changing with the position of the sun (makes for some truly spectacular photos!). It’s also far more comfortable visiting in the early morning or evening so you can stroll around the grounds in the cooler parts of the day.

I also enjoyed riding elephants up to the Amber Fort in Jaipur. Climbing up the side of the mountain on an elephant adorned with a beautiful headdress and visiting the Jantar Mantar observatory were memorable moments for me. We ended the day at the Umaid Bhawan Palace where Liz Hurley got married!

Visa and vaccinations you’ll need

Unlike most countries in Asia, India requires you to organise a visa in advance. Tour operators will give you in-depth guides on how best to apply and we can help you arrange the visa via our partnership with The VisaMachine.
You will also need a number of different vaccinations when travelling to India so you should always check with your GP who can advise you which vaccinations are required before you travel.

How to combine Vietnam's East coast & Angkor Wat in one trip

7 days makes for a whirlwind tour, but if you only have a short time, it's possible to squeeze a little of Vietnam and Cambodia into your busy south east Asia itinerary...
When I was offered an opportunity to visit Vietnam and Cambodia, I thought I’d be going to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh, the two most popular and well-known cities in Vietnam. To my delight I discovered I would be heading off to Vietnam’s Central Coast, followed by a trip to Siem Reap in Cambodia before a quick stop in Ho Chi Minh City - here's how I did it.

Getting to Vietnam's central coast

The Central Coast of Vietnam consists of Lang Co, Da Nang, Hoi An, and Hue. It is becoming an extremely popular destination in Southeast Asia and it’s becoming a lot more accessible due to recent new flight routes.
The flight from London to Ho Chi Minh takes about 12 hours, then it’s a short one hour flight from Ho Chi Minh to Da Nang – you can make it to the hotel in time for breakfast! Here's an idea for an itinerary:
London - Ho Chi Minh City - Da Nang (East Coast Vietnam) - Siem Reap (Angkor Wat) - Hanoi - Doha - London Flights from £959 pp including taxes

Da Nang

Da Nang is a traditional fishing village and having not travelled in Southeast Asia for about 3 years, it was exactly how I remembered. After five minutes of driving, you get your first glimpse of the beach, which is lined with the archetypal basket boats of Central Vietnam.

Where to stay?

If you stay along the new road that links Da Nang to Hoi An, all the hotels along this stretch offer a beautiful beachfront location. We've picked some of our favourite Vietnam beach hotels including places to stay in Hoi An, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Phu Qoc, Phan Thiet - all are recommended..
The drive from Da Nang to Hoi An is only about 20 minutes, so when it comes to choosing where to stay on the central coast, Da Nang is a good choice as it offers great access to the beautiful sandy beach, and it is very easy to spend time in neighbouring Hoi An.

Hoi An

Hoi An is a fascinating ancient town where you can spend hours getting lost in the winding streets and alleyways, exploring the tiny shops and market stalls. It’s popular for textiles and tailoring, so for the more refined traveller, this is the perfect opportunity to throw away your threadbare tee shirts and design your own three-piece suit ever so cheaply!

I'd highly recommend spending some time in both Da Nang and Hoi An as they both offer a lovely insight into local life and culture. Combining the two towns works really well as you get to relax and enjoy the beautiful beaches of Da Nang, experience a fishing village, and then soak up the culture and unique atmosphere of Hoi An, and come away with a few local crafts as well.

Getting from Vietnam to Siem Reap

The Central Coast is easy to reach and is an obvious stop if you’re travelling between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh.  You can fly into Da Nang from Ho Chi Minh as I did, or from Siem Reap, Cambodia.
This is a new route recently launched by Vietnam Airlines - the flight takes just under two and a half hours and is an easy and quick way to combine Vietnam and Cambodia in one trip.

Siem Reap & Angkor Wat, Cambodia

This was my second trip to Siem Reap, but the first time I visited I was definitely on a shoestring. I'd recommend you experience Angkor Wat and the surrounding temples with a guide – it's extremely informative and something I would never have justified previously, but will always consider in future.

I thought having a guide would restrict my freedom to explore, but in reality it allows you to get the most of where you are and understand what you’re looking at – as well as ensuring you don’t spend half the day haggling over a few pence with a tuk tuk driver!
Spending a couple of days exploring Angkor Wat is great - the temples are awe inspiring and actually quite baffling, something you can’t appreciate until you are standing at the foot of one of them. Jackie recently did a cycle trip round Angkor Wat – I love cycling too but didn’t have time to do it on this trip!

Combining Vietnam & Siem Reap if you’re short on time

The beauty of the new Vietnam Airways Da Nang – Siem Reap flight is that it opens up this incredible place to travellers who are tight with time, and to people who are in Southeast Asia to explore Vietnam, but are looking for that extra something. To make this side trip even better, you could also fly from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh in one hour. So you can get right back on track in Vietnam and explore the South.

Ho Chi Minh

Ho Chi Minh is a vibrant and historic city, and if you're short on time, consider using a guide like we did – he was lovely and informative and took us on a walking tour so we got to see more of the city - I'm really glad we did as it allows you to soak up the atmosphere and see the little details that make places unique.
Whilst you’re in Ho Chi Minh, I’d recommend a visit to the War Remnants Museum to learn about the Vietnam War and its effects; the Saigon Central Post Office (for its architecture), and if you have more time, definitely head out to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a massive network of underground tunnels used by the Viet Cong in the 1968 Tet Offensive.

Interested?

The new Vietnam airlines flight from Da Nang to Siem Reap really opens up your options for exploring Vietnam and Siem Reap in the same trip. If you’re looking for a diverse trip and want to break up Vietnam, heading to Central Coast Vietnam is priceless, and why not throw in the awe inspiring Angkor Wat temples while you’re at it!

Stopping over in Auckland

Auckland, home to almost a third of New Zealand’s population is by far this country’s biggest city. There is plenty to keep you occupied in the ‘city of sails’ which is surrounded by water and greenery in a relaxed urban environment full of trendy restaurants and cafes and a bustling downtown area. This gateway to the rest of New Zealand has plenty to offer before you set off on your exploration of this incredible country, so spend a few days stopping over in Auckland and settle into the laid back lifestyle of the kiwi culture.

When to go

Temperatures are mild to warm throughout the year, with plenty of rain in winter and hot humid summers. The summer months November – March are the best time to visit.

Getting around

Auckland Airport is located approximately 13 miles (21km) south of the city’s centre, and transport options are well connected making getting into and out of the city easy and accessible. We can arrange your airport transfers for you; an Airbus service connects the airport to the city centre, as well as buses, taxi cabs and shared shuttle buses which offer a reliable door- to- door service. Traffic congestion and complexity can be an issue in Auckland so avoid hiring a car and used fixed-rate taxi rides booked through your hotel where possible - or explore on foot. Visit www.maxx.co.nz for helpful transport tips.

Where to stay

Auckland is surrounded by picturesque bays, happening harbours and suburbs that vary from the quaint to the quirky. The central downtown area is compact and easily explored on foot. Traffic in and around the surrounding areas can be manic, so it’s best to book a stay as central as possible, unless you are looking to be close to a particular site. There is no shortage of accommodation options in Auckland whether you’re looking for cheap backpackers, self-catering apartment or a luxury hotel and we can always find something to suit your own style and budget!

What to see and do – our favourite picks

Set yourself up for the day with brunch on Ponsonby

Start your day by enjoying brunch in one of the cool pavement cafes on hip and trendy Ponsonby Street. Located to the west of the city centre, Ponsonby is one of the most happening thoroughfares in Auckland, with more than 100 cafes, restaurants and bars. It’s the perfect place to watch the world go by, and there are also plenty of upmarket clothes stores and art galleries to browse.

Enjoy jaw-dropping views from the Sky Tower

Head into the city centre and Auckland’s most famous (not to mention visible) landmark, the Sky Tower. At 328 metres, its New Zealand’s tallest man made structure and you can see it from almost everywhere in the city. Striking as it is, it’s the view from the top that is the real attraction. Travel up to one of three spectacular viewing platforms in the glass-fronted lifts for views which, on a clear day, stretch as far as 80 kilometres in every direction.

To jump or not to jump?

If leaping off tall buildings sounds like your kind of thing, then you’ll definitely want to give the Skyjump a go. This is an unforgettable experience for any self-respecting adrenaline junky or daredevil. It’s a base-jump by wire and it’s 192 metres straight down from the top of the Sky Tower If you prefer something a little more sedate, enjoy lunch in the revolving restaurant and watch the crazy people jump!

Explore bohemian Devonport

From the Sky Tower, stroll down to the ferry port and hop on a ferry to bohemian Devonport, just 10-15 minutes across the bay from downtown Auckland. It’s full of second hand bookshops, interesting architecture and cool little cafes and bars...the perfect place for a long lunch in the sunshine. To walk your lunch off, climb Mount Victoria, a rather grandly named hill just behind the town. It’s a steep but fairly short climb and your reward is panoramic, 360 degree views over the city skyline, harbour and Waiheke Island.

Climb a dormant volcano

If that view whets your appetite, get the ferry back across to the city centre and jump on the Explorer Bus to Mount Eden, probably Auckland’s most famous natural viewpoint. Several walking trails lead you to the top of this dormant volcano, with its magnificent bowl like crater. The view from the top, almost 200 metres above sea level, is simply sensational and well worth the effort.

Help crew an America’s Cup yacht

Alternatively, why not try your hand at helping to sail an Americas Cup sailing boat around the harbour? Definitely something you won’t get to try every day and a very appropriate activity to do in the city of sails. No sailing experience is necessary and trips last 2 hours.

Enjoy sundowners at the Viaduct Harbour

Keeping with the nautical theme, as sunset approaches wander down to the Viaduct Harbour which is home to superyachts of the rich and famous. The clutch of harbour side bars and restaurants are the perfect vantage point from which to enjoy a drink or meal as you watch the sunset over the harbour.

Exploring further afield

Waiheke Island is 35 minutes from Auckland by ferry and is a haven of beautiful beaches, olive groves and vineyards set in a subtropical microclimate with plenty of cafes and boutiques. Spend the day cycling around the vineyards, a great way to see the island and sample the vino. Make sure you stop in at Mudbrick Vineyard and their amazing restaurant.
Hobbiton Movie Set Tours are available as a day trip from Auckland. This full day excursion will take you on a journey through Auckland and Cambridge before reaching Hobbiton Shire for a guided tour of the movie set.
Coromandel Peninsula is a 90 minute drive South-East of Auckland and is renowned for its spectacular rainforest with the magnificent native Kauri tree and beautiful beaches. Take a trip to see this unique natural wonder full of sheltered bays and hidden coves steeped in history and see why this is a favourite destination for many New Zealanders.

Bay of Islands is a 3 hour drive or 35 minute flight north of Auckland and encompasses an adventure playground of islands, townships and marine life including dolphins, penguins, whales and seabirds. Beautiful rivers, seaside walking tracks and subtropical rainforests make this area a top attraction. Travel through the famous Cape Brett (Hole in the Rock) by catamaran or cruise.

Interested? How to include Auckland as a stopover

Auckland is a popular stop on round the world tickets, and a common jumping off points for flights into the South Pacific islands of Fiji and the Cook Islands. If you’d like to include Auckland in your itinerary, we can build any itinerary to suit, including accommodation, tours, campervan or car hire and bus passes. Give us a call on 01273 320 580 for more info or request a quote.

Example round the world tickets including New Zealand

London - San Francisco - Auckland - Sydney - Hong Kong - London Flights from £1,195 pp including taxes
London - Dubai - Nairobi // Johannesburg - Singapore - Sydney - Auckland - Rarotonga - Los Angeles - London Flights from £1,619 pp including taxes