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Planning a Campervan Trip to New Zealand

Published

10 years ago

April 24, 2015

If you are planning a campervan trip to New Zealand, then avoid these five common campervan hire conundrums.

planning a campervan trip 1

Assumption is the mother of all…well, I’ll leave the rest to Steven Seagal. The point is that for those looking to embark on a roaming adventure of New Zealand in a home on wheels, there are a few assumptions that could cost you dearly.

Done right, there is undoubtedly no better way to explore the ridiculously beautiful north and south Islands of this particularly blessed little country tucked away in one of the most alluring regions on the planet.

Endless, white sandy beaches fringed with fish-rich waters, volcanoes, geothermal magic wonderlands, rainforests, towering snow-capped alps, lush rolling farmlands and not a poisonous insect or reptile within thousands of miles – it is no wonder that New Zealand ranks in the top five of practically every ‘must-visit’ holiday destination list in existence.

Apart from the limitless adventure and fun-filled activities to be had – offshore game fishing, heli-boarding, downhill mountain biking, bungee jumping, jet boating, horse trail riding, spelunking, zorbing, wakeboarding, hiking, rock climbing, sky-diving, glacier trekking, fjord exploring, whale watching and this could go on a while – New Zealand boasts a rich, authentic culture and some of the finest cuisine and locally produced wines in the world.

There literally is something for everyone. But be warned, that idyllic roving getaway in a campervan could fast become a nerve frazzling, budget draining and energy sapping waste of time and money. Here’s what you need to know to ensure that your own campervan hire NZ adventure is stress and hassle free.

Bigger isn’t (always) better:

Go big or go home is a great maxim for poker, reaching for the stars kind of dreams and ordering at McDonald’s after a marathon surf session. When it comes to opting for the perfect RV for your trip in NZ however you may find yourself shelling out a ton of cash only to find yourself manhandling a leviathan on four wheels through spaghetti like ribbons of road in the Southern Alps, one hairpin bend after another.

Whilst there are instances where a certified self-contained camper (the ones with their own toilets and enclosed water capturing systems) is warranted, the vast majority of campervan trips here don’t warrant them. There are an abundant number of clean, cheap and very well-maintained campsites along all the popular travel routes.

All it takes is a little route planning and browsing online and you can ensure that you never have to find yourself frantically digging a POW pit in the wilds as hordes of sand-flies dive-bomb in blitzkrieg bombardment of your nether regions.

Hot water is not a camping a luxury in NZ, it is a norm, and laundry services can be found in almost all featured campsites and motor inns.

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There is not an infinite supply of hire campervans to be had

Campervans for hire are a hot commodity in-season. Whilst you may luck out by just flying into Auckland, calling up the first campervan hire company that catches your eye and negotiating your way to a killer rate, you are also equally as likely to cavort freely with a pod of Hectors dolphins within minutes of jumping into the cool and inviting waters of the Marlborough Sounds.

Out of season you should have no problem securing the ideal little gypsy wagon for your needs, but if you are planning on heading over to NZ during peak times then you’d be well advised to conduct your research and book a chariot before you arrive.

As the crow does not fly

Whilst a certain degree of enthusiasm is admirable in a journey where distance needs to be covered, when it comes to gauging how much distance you can reasonably and comfortably travel in a day is one aspect of your trip planning you need to get right.

If not, you will no doubt end up with the impression that New Zealand is one long monotonous blur of blue and green. Far too many campervan captains have plotted a course based on the average speed limit of 90KPH and in doing so chartered routes that had them spending marathon amounts of time behind the wheel, pedal the metal, gunning it toward the daily milestone without time to stop and smell the, well, whatever the natural vegetation of the region happened to be.

A good benchmark to use when chartering your course is to bank on an average speed of 50kph – and be warned, the roads in NZ resemble a serpent in the throes of tantric yoga more so than a neat crisscrossing patchwork of perfectly paved tarmac. In NZ it seems, the only things that move in a straight line from point A to Point B are the airplanes.

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Do not pack as if preparing for the zombie apocalypse

I not so fondly remember the days of our family vacations to the seaside, where an old dilapidated Mercedes was hitched to a house sized trailer which my mother had filled with half the kitchen, including the refrigerator and enough clothing to provide for a moderate sized colony of displaced refugees.

I have seen the same thing with campervan vacationers in New Zealand; a cornucopia of clutter all rocketing around hairpin bend after hairpin bend. Campsites set up at night that resemble humanitarian aid stations with crates of canned food and every camping and kitchen utensil known to man stacked alongside.

Honestly, less is more. Your campervan hire NZ vehicle will more likely than not come fully kitted with everything you will ever need on your trip including dishes, cutlery, cooking supplies and silverware. Save the clutter for the journey back when you stash your bags with gifts and souvenirs.

It’s not a supermarket sprint to the finish

And last but not least. Don’t approach your trip like it’s a trip to the supermarket with your goal being to check as many destinations off your list as possible. Give yourself time to relax, soak in the surroundings, kick back, sip on award winning wines, roast freshly caught crayfish and snapper over a campfire – give yourself the space and time to put the world down for a while and be where you are, in paradise down under.

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Top 5 Historical Landmarks of Portugal

Published

3 years ago

April 17, 2022

Guest Author

Portugal is a hive of culture, history, and architecture and is home to fifteen UNESCO World Heritage Sites. If you plan a holiday to Portugal to discover some of its glorious histories, look through our top five Portuguese historical landmarks.

Alcobaça Monastery

This beautiful monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Monastery of Santa Maria de Alcobaça is a prime example of early Gothic architecture. The sanctuary is home to the ornate tombs of Ines de Castro and King Pedro I. There is a tragic love story associated with the burials. Ines de Castro was assassinated in 1355, and the king ordered his tomb to be placed next to hers so that he could face the woman he loved on the day of resurrection. They are considered to be the most beautiful medieval tombs in Portugal. There are also living quarters, including a refectory, dormitory, kitchen, and cloisters that have been inhabited by monks for 800 years.

Convent of Christ

The Convent of Christ is a beautiful roman catholic building located in Tomar. It was initially a stronghold for the Order of the Knights Templar. The building houses impressive art and examples of Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, and Renaissance architecture. The walls inside are exquisitely decorated with paintings, carved stone sculptures, and a window depicting symbols and motifs. This site has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983.

Évora

Évora is a Portuguese city home to several historical sights, some over two thousand years old. The Cathedral of Évora is considered one of Portugal’s most important gothic monuments. Moorish palaces and courtyards, a renaissance fountain built-in 1559, and a one-of-a-kind Roman temple have become the city’s most famous landmarks. It is not surprising that Évorahas is classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

Belém Tower

Belém Tower was built to be a fortress in 1515 to guard the entrance to Lisbon’s harbor. The tower is constructed from lioz limestone that is local to Lisbon. It is considered one of the prominent examples of the late gothic Manueline style. There is a drawbridge, spaces for cannons, turrets, and arches that have been decorated with images of animals, plants, and royal coats of arms. Inside there are statues, pillars, and gargoyle facets. UNESCO has listed the tower as a World Heritage monument.   

Jerónimos Monastery

Jerónimos Monastery is considered one of the most beautiful monasteries in Portugal and Europe. Located in Lisbon, the monastery has various entrances that have been decorated with carved figures, gables, and pinnacles. There is a 16th Century Portuguese sculpture of Our Lady of Belém in the central doorway, a figure of Prince Henry the Navigator in the center of the monastery, and a statue of King Manuel I. The monastery has been classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

We hope this has inspired you to start planning your trip to Portugal today.

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Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar

Find out why Sand boarding, Diving and Safaris through the desert are included in the Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar.

Published

3 years ago

April 8, 2022

Guest Author

Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar

Qatar is a country of reinvention. Shimmering towerblocks rise against a desert horizon, and maze-like souks thrive next to 21st-century shopping palaces. It’s also one of the more accessible countries of the Arab Gulf, with a welcoming reputation towards visitors and plenty of attractions to keep them coming. Some of the best holiday activities you’ll find in Qatar are the adventurous kind. And these are the top 5 outdoor adventure activities in Qatar.

Sunset in Qatar – Photo by wj2012

Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar

Diving expeditions

The Gulf Sea is famed for its crystal waters and the exuberant marine life which lurks just beneath the surface. Messaid is a good jumping-off point where you’ll find angelfish and barracuda, while those intrigued by underwater wrecks will love the Hall Island dive site at Al-Sharqi, where bright clownfish circle the abandoned boat.

Sand Adventures

Many of the sports here have been adapted from colder climates, so instead of skiing down a mountain piste, try Khor Al Adaid beach to glide down the impressive dunes on a sand-board. Alternatively, race your blo-kart along the sands of Al Wakrah, south of capital Doha, to experience the thrill of wind-sailing on dry land.

Sand Boarding – Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar – Photo by ground zero

Al Jassasiya

The ancient carvings of Al Jassasiya lie to the north near Al Shamal, amid a truly remote landscape of village ruins and limestone. Hire a 4×4 of your own and make the journey to see the 900 petroglyphs which riddle the rocks here. The carvings denote flowers, animals, fleets of shows, or traditional Arab boats, and to this day, their origins remain a mystery.

Sunset Cruise

When the time comes for a more relaxed excursion, you can do no better than a sunset cruise onboard a wooden dhow as you drift past the super-modern Doha seafront of Al-Corniche and the old harbor at Al Khor. If you’re still hankering after some adventure, rent a smaller vessel and go for a fishing trip the following day.

Desert Safaris

Much of the inland desert in Qatar remains inaccessible on foot, but fortunately, that’s where a 4×4 comes in very handy for a safari trip you won’t easily forget. There are numerous options available from Doha, including day-long excursions, bumping, and rolling to the inland sea at Khor Al Adaid. Or make the trip at dusk for a spot of star-gazing before you settle in Bedouin-style tents for the night.

Desert Safari – Top 5 Outdoor Adventure Activities in Qatar – Photo by robertpaulyoung

Most activities can be arranged via a tour company. Although cash has been the predominant payment method in Qatar, this is beginning to change, which is good news for tourists since HSBC offers protection against loss or theft. If you’re planning on taking part in several activities, it can be handy to have some plastic on you to avoid expensive traveler’s cheques, plus credit cards from HSBC and other familiar providers also enable easy access to money at the ATMs. However, it’s wise to exercise caution, using only official bank machines here and sticking with local currency at the market and in smaller shops.

There’s no doubt that Qatar offers some world-class cultural attractions beyond the more energetic highlights, and while you’re in the country, set aside some time for the historic Al Zubarah fort or browse the recreated 19th-century Souk-Waqif, in Doha.

This country has been undervalued in the past but is now coming to the world’s attention. With its desert adventures, ancient sites, and thriving culture, this attention is thoroughly deserved.

This is a travel feature by world traveler, Jose Capelo. He loves exploring the top 5 outdoor adventure activities in Qatar and has spent many trips exploring the wild deserts of Qatar.

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Boys will be Boys – Essential Stag Guide to Barcelona

Essential Stag Guide to Barcelona

Published

3 years ago

April 1, 2022

Guest Author

Barcelona has a lot to offer to the quintessential all-boys travel group for a stag weekend in Barcelona. This sunny Spanish city is known for its gorgeous Mediterranean beaches complemented by turquoise waters. In addition to this, this city offers the ideal environment for an all-male party hotspot, considering its vibrant nightlife, football culture, flamenco dance clubs, tattoo parlors, and its delicious sangrias and tapas.

Paella cooking class Barcelona

Barcelona is a widespread consideration for a quick all-boys getaway during the summer. With a variety of heart-thumping activities that can make your trip a memorable one, make sure you take out time to pursue the following –

LTW Tattoo:

If you are looking for a real adventure that will stick with you all your life, there is no better way to commemorate this epic trip than heading to Barcelona’s best tattoo parlor.
Barna Paintball:

Take on your best buddies in a battle of agility by visiting the Barna Paintball. With four thematic areas to choose from, your experience here can be genuinely adventurous.
Bar Crawl Barcelona:

Considered one of the most famous pub crawls globally and the biggest in Europe, the original Bar Crawl Barcelona is a great way to explore the city in its nocturnal state. You and your buddies can visit four bars and then finish at one of the best clubs in Barcelona. Complete with some of the craziest drinking games, this memorable experience costs all but 15 Euros.
FC’s Camp Nou:

If you are a group of football fans visiting the city, you cannot leave without making a trip to Camp Nou, the city’s football ground. With a ticket for the stadium tour, you will have access to the changing rooms, benches, press rooms, and stands. If you are fortunate enough to have a match coinciding with your travel dates, make sure you book your tickets for the game well in advance.
Circuit de Catalunya Racing Track:
If you and your crew are into racing, consider heading to the Circuit de Catalunya, host to various Formula 1 and Moto GP races. Here, you can get a detailed tour of the briefing room, pits, and podium.
Comedy Nights:

Comedy nights are often an option that everybody loves. Especially as a group of single boys, you may love to attend an event organized by the Giggling Guiri program that consists of English-speaking shows.
Al Fresco Drinking on Las Ramblas:

The heart of tourist activity in Barcelona, Las Ramblas, offers unique casual outdoor ambiances for groups of boys to spend hours finishing pitchers of sangria or chugging down buckets of beer bottles. Vibrant as ever, this street located off the Gothic Quarters is a great place to unwind after a long day of sightseeing.

Essential Stag Guide to Barcelona

As a group of boys, you can also research options for day trips to beaches outside of Barcelona that offers relaxing and laid-back environments for your holiday. Many options are available in Barcelona for hiring a car to explore this scenic and exciting city with your friends, such as Thrifty Car Rentals. So when you are in Barcelona with your amigos, nothing stops you from having a great time!