The senior years are blessed with more time for oneself due to lessened responsibilities of having grown-up children and having retired from formal employment. It could be a time to see another part of the world to experience something new. It could even be a time to meet other people of the same age group or interest. Preparing for a trip to New Zealand is not hard as it used to be due to the numerous guided tours that cater primarily to senior citizens.
An ideal tour for seniors is one which is not too long or too short to be very physically demanding. It is a fact that people of the older age group tend to have some limitations as to mobility. There are a few lucky seniors that continue to enjoy excellent health after retirement.
An example of a scenic tour is that which is offered for a package of 17 days covering more or less the following areas: Day 1 – arrival at Auckland to visit some local attractions; Day 2 – travel to Paihia in the Bay of Islands with overnight stay; Day 3 – cruise and visit historic town of Russell; Day 4 – back to Auckland with stopover at the Waipoua Kauri forest and the Kauri museum; Day 5 – visit the thermal hot pools in Rotorua; Day 6 – visit the Maori church and enjoy a concert and evening meal ; Day 7 – go to Waitomi and Aranui caves; Day 8 – visit Pukekura Park in New Plymouth and on to Wanganui via a museum in Hawera; Day 9 – visit National Museum; Day 10 – interisland ferry to Picton; Day 11 – drive through Buller gorge and the Punakaiki rocks; Day 12 – overnight in Fox village; Day 13 – overnight in Queenstown; Day 14 – trip to Earnslaw on Lake Wakatipu with free time for shopping; Day 15 – overnight at Mt. cook; Day 16 – conclusion of tour in Christchurch; Day 17 – determine other preferred sites not included in the package. This type of package is usually for group tours. Other packages may be longer or shorter depending on the areas to be included in the itinerary.
Another option available to seniors is traveling in a campervan or a motor home. It allows travelers to see and experience New Zealand at their own pace and leisure. Vehicle hires include unlimited kilometers, breakdown service and all the necessary requirements in a vehicle that would ensure a safe and great vacation.
Travel tours to New Zealand are intended to show the country’s history, geography and culture in a prearranged set-up. Groups are usually small so as to maximize the range of activities and interaction with the other members of the group. It is very seldom that people get to see a place not only through their own eyes but also through others’.
It is good to choose a trip that would be suitable in any weather since the weather in New Zealand is quite unpredictable. A clear weather allows for the viewing of river valleys, glacial slopes and mountain slopes. The tremendous number of streams gushing from the mountains looks magnificent even in wet weather.
New Zealand’s volatile landscape marks it as geographically young. The relationship between the Maori and Europeans continue to unfold. The ongoing changes in New Zealand are a contrast to the relative predictability of senior years and it is worth the time and effort to travel to this land.