Honeymoon in New Zealand

But more and more, newlywed or soon-to-be-wed couples are venturing beyond these traditional destinations and exploring other destinations. After all, honeymoons are a chance for couples to visit a travel destination that they want to share with one another. This could be a destination that they've visited before and want to experience again, or a destination that they've always wanted to go to, but haven't gotten to yet.

New Zealand is a destination that may not be the first place a person thinks of when they are thinking of honeymoon destinations, but one that offers incredible opportunities for couples who are looking for a honeymoon that is fun, memorable and highly romantic. New Zealand is a small and sparsely populated country that is often categorized with Australia in travel brochures, but it is actually 1,200 miles away from Australia. Still, the two countries are easily accessible from one another, especially by plane—and if you're venturing to the southern hemisphere and have the time and budget, visiting both countries on a single trip is certainly an option.

New Zealand was called "The Land of the Long White Cloud" by its indigenous citizens, the Maori people. Its current citizens, who total more than four million in number, are called Kiwis, a reference to the Kiwi birth, which is the country's national bird and was an important symbol to the Maori people, who consider themselves protectors of the Kiwi. New Zealanders have a reputation as being some of the friendliest and most helpful people in the world, very welcoming to guests of their country.

New Zealand is comprised of two major islands, called the North Island and the South Island. The North Island is the larger of the two, and is where more than three quarters of the country's population resides, and is where you'll find the cities of Wellington and Auckland. Couples will find a lot to do in these cities, and much to do beyond them. The volcanic landscape features active thermal springs that act as popular natural spas. There are beautiful stretches of beaches, a collection of smaller islands off the coast and sailing cruises. There are ancient forests and wilderness treks. This is a great honeymoon destination for couples that like to balance city life with active, outdoors activities. Truly adventurous couples might want to try bungee jumping or spelunking. Couples who like going to sporting matches might be interested in seeing a rugby match—New Zealand is home to some of the fiercest rugby teams in the world. Couples who are fans of the Lord of the Rings movies will want to venture to the rural town of Matamata, where they can visit the film set of Hobbiton.

The South Island is also home to filming locations from Lord of the Rings. Dominated by snow-covered Southern Alps and the rivers, lakes, forests, and glaciers of the fjord lands, the scenery is isolated and breathtaking, which made it the perfect stand-in for middle-earth. South Island offers many fantastic opportunities for romantic couples, including mountain biking, hiking glaciers, kayaking, penguin encounters, and visiting the fantastic wine regions of Marlborough and Nelson.

Ready to plan your honeymoon in New Zealand? Get started today by contacting your nearest Liberty Travel Vacation Expert at 1.800.862.1494, or inquire online.