Frommer's New Zealand (Complete Guide)

Description

Frommer’s books aren’t written by committee, by A.I., or by travel writers who simply pop in briefly to a destination and then consider the job done. We use seasoned, locally-based journalists who have checked out all of New Zealand’s best hotels, attractions, shops, wineries, and restaurants in person, and offers authoritative, candid reviews that will help you find the venues that suit your tastes and budget, whether you’re a backpacker or on a romantic honeymoon. Most importantly, Frommer's is not shy about telling you what you should see…and what you can skip without regret. This full-color book includes scores of photographs, a fold-out map, plus detailed maps throughout; and shows exact pricing, opening hours, addresses, and other important details that will make your trip smoother and less hectic. It features 6 smartly conceived itineraries, geared towards travelers who have different amounts of time in country, as well as specific interests. There is also fastidiously researched information on all of the outdoor adventures New Zealand offers. From bungee jumping to spectacular hiking, kayaking, zorbing, jetboating, and more, we cover it all, and give our take on the most responsible outfitters to use for these activities. Last but not least, the book includes fascinating information and insights on the history and unique culture of the land that’s known both as Aotearoa and New Zealand today. Inside the guide: Full-color photos and helpful maps, including a detachable foldout map Detailed itineraries for planning your trip to suit your schedule and interests (and help you avoid lines and crowds) Candid reviews of the best restaurants, sights, activities, tours, shops, and experiences―and no-punches-pulled info on the ones not worth your time and money Accurate, up-to-date info on transportation, useful websites, telephone numbers, and more Compelling cultural information so that you’ll better understand the history, cuisine, and traditions of New Zealand Budget-planning help with the lowdown on prices and ways to save money, whether you’re traveling on a shoestring or in the lap of luxury About Frommer's: There’s a reason Frommer’s has been the most trusted name in travel for more than 65 years. Arthur Frommer created the best-selling guide series in 1957 to help American servicemen fulfill their dreams of travel in Europe, and since then, we have published thousands of titles, become a household name, and helped millions upon millions of people realize their own dreams of seeing our planet. Travel is easy with Frommer’s. Review: Best book out there for New Zealand - Just returned from an amazing vacation in New Zealand and this guide made all the difference. It’s much better than the other books on the market. In fact, I got Frommer's and two other guides, but found this one to be so much more up-to-date and detailed that I ditched the other two entirely. Really appreciated the smart advice on which of the geothermal sights to see in Rotorua, because you have so many to pick from, and this guide was straightforward about their pros and cons. Also: loved the kayaking tour of Milford Sound it recommended, and the spectacular, self-guided day hikes it led me to on the South Island. New Zealand has some of the best hiking on the planet—you see so many different landscapes over the course of a day!—and this guide is good at giving you the pros and cons of both the day hikes and the multi-day treks (unfortunately I didn’t have enough time to do those, but I was able to find several 2-hour hikes on both the North and the South Island, thanks to this book). I also must say I appreciated that the book wove in a lot of history from the Maori side of the story, so I was able to understand the significance of many of the sights I was seeing. And I LOVED the restaurants I found through this book (I found the food in NZ to either be really fresh and good, or disappointingly processed—but the bad meals I had were when I just grabbed something rather than following the guidebook). I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have been able to do nearly as much as I did if I hadn’t had this guide with me. Review: Must have for New Zealand trip - So glad I got this book! I bought this guide as a back-up to web research about 2 months before we left for New Zealand. Turns out, online research was confusing, clunky and (often) actually just disguised marketing. I hate feeling sold to when I really just need insight. This guide was easy to follow, well-researched, and clearly written by a local expert, one who has great insight into the New Zealand of today, and its history. What I learned in the book really enhanced what I experienced on the ground. Because the advice was no BS, it told me which museums, nature trails, wineries, and boat rides would be most worth my time, and which could be skipped. I really appreciated that. The maps were helpful, but I especially appreciated the restaurants and pubs recommended and picked out by the author—she didn’t steer me wrong once! A must have book if you’re heading Down Under.