Expert Tips

Save More & Book Early!

Getting in early means more flight options, less stress and great itineraries. You will have the pick of the bunch if you can beat everyone to the punch.

Check Visa Requirements & Be Prepared

Several Southeast Asian countries require that your passport has at least six months’ of validity left, or a specific number of empty pages – and requirements seem to be constantly changing. Also, be sure to grab a couple of extra entrance and exit forms each time you enter a country; if you end up leaving and re-entering that country by bus, boat or train, having the correct forms handy will enable you to save time you would otherwise spend in line.

Safeguard Your Health

Before you travel to individual countries, check their vaccine requirements and recommendations. Sunscreen and mosquito repellent are necessities when visiting Asia. Carry an antiseptic and antihistamine cream to help with any bites.

Etiquette

Remember to be modest in traditional areas of Asia. Though fashions are changing in urban centres, modesty is still important especially in Muslimdominated countries. Avoid baring too much skin in general – avoid topless sunbathing and cover up when visiting religious buildings. Remove shoes when entering religious buildings and certain businesses. If there’s a pile of shoes at the door, be sure to follow suit.

Travelling with Children

Southeast Asia can be a wonderful place to travel with children. Children are warmly welcomed in restaurants and other public places. Dedicated children’s menus are rarely available, but most countries offer simple dishes such as fried rice and grilled chicken that will appeal to
less adventurous palates. Thailand is far and away the most child-friendly destination in Southeast Asia, but Malaysia and the Philippines also have good family-friendly beach options.

Expert Tips

Download a Currency Converter – North America & Canada

If you’ve never travelled to North America before, it’s easy to forget that USD and CAD are not the same currency, and the exchange rate between each currency and others are very different. To keep track of your spending, it’s also a good idea to download a currency converter app onto your phone. This way, you can check the price of items and activities before purchasing to check if they fit in your holiday budget, as well as working out how much you have to spend throughout your trip.

Brush up on your knowledge of tipping etiquette

This is essential. How much do you tip cab drivers? Or hotel doormen? Or your masseuse? Or the waiter? Tipping in the US and Canada is a minefield of potential errors and embarrassment, with local variations to add to the confusion – the only way through it is to do your
research beforehand. And if in doubt, ask someone for help.

Tips for surviving a long flight

• Power up. Make sure you have all your chargers with you so that you can keep all your gadgets powered up throughout your flight
• Wear comfortable clothes
• Don’t forget your eye mask
• Bring earplugs
• Noise-cancelling headphones & soft music

Follow the Festivals

If you want to party while visiting South America, follow the continent’s iconic festivals, many of which are known the world over. Brazil’s Carnival, the largest in the world, is well worth planning a trip around thanks to week long parties, extravagant parades and lavish costumes.

Bring Snacks

Food is certainly not lacking in South America, but if you have a sensitive stomach, loading up on safe snacks before you depart from home is always a good idea. If street food makes you weary and you’re on a budget, bring plenty of things to keep you fuelled between larger meals, especially if you’re doing strenuous hiking, biking or climbing.

Best Time to Fly

North America & Canada

With huge landmass and diverse topography, the weather varies significantly across North America. In the northern US and Canada, the winters bring snow and frosty temperatures, in contrast to the southern states where the winters are milder and the summers are warm and lovely.

Spring • Mar–May

Spring could just be the perfect time to visit North America. After the winter thaw, the greenery and parks start to fill with people,
plants and animals again. The weather is warm and lovely at this time of year. If you’re in the States and Canada, don’t miss
the epic celebrations for St Patrick’s Day – particularly in Chicago and New York.

Summer • Jun–Aug

Like most destinations, summer is high season in many of the US holiday destinations. Canada is a popular skiing destination, many
of the resorts have lower room rates in summer, so if you feel like getting adventurous on the cheap, Canada is a great place to check
out in the warmer months. That’s if you don’t get tempted by the American summer with all of its great beach weather on the West
Coast in Los Angeles. It’s pretty hot and humid in Florida and the southern states at this time of year.

Autumn • Sep–Nov

With milder temperatures across most of the US, now is a good time to travel to the Grand Canyon, or witness the awesome sight of
Niagara Falls. Ever wanted to experience an American Halloween? Well, fall is the time of year to visit. It’s quite a pretty time to visit
too with the leaves changing colour and dropping to the ground, particularly in the New England area and in Canada.

Winter • Dec–Feb

Across most of the US, the winters are cold with temps dropping well below zero with shorter days, heavy snowfall. With the
Christmas season, you can witness the famous Ball Drop in Times Square on New Year’s Eve. It’s also the time of year to head up
to Alaska to see the Northern Lights. The powder on Canadian mountains is a must when visiting during these months.

UK & Ireland

Britain and Ireland offer an abundance of experiences. With historic landmarks, cosmopolitan cities and rugged landscapes just waiting to be explored. Boasting vibrant, cultural and social scenes, the UK and Ireland is an exhilarating region.

Expert Tips

Seat Preference

Don’t forget to pre-select your seat before you check in. Where you choose to sit will depend on personal preference. An aisle seat means you are uninhibited to get up and stretch or use the bathrooms, while a window seat provides fewer interruptions so sleeping is easier.

Avoiding Jetlag

Travelling to the other side of the world can bring on Jetlag, here are some tips to avoid. Travel as if you’re in the time zone of your destination, drink plenty of water on the flight and rest as much as possible while flying. When booking try for a flight that arrives in the morning/daylight as it will be easier to adjust to your new time zone.

Travelling Around London

An Oyster Card will save you time and money when it comes to those pesky travel related costs that seem to gobble up cash. Grab an Oyster Card (which is FREE, with a small refundable deposit) from a Tube Station and preload a given amount onto the card.

Taste of Europe

Start your UK/Europe trip by flying into London, ride the London Eye, tour the Tower of London, ride the Underground, and even take the double-decker bus tour through the city. End your trip by travelling by Chunnel to Paris and spend as much time exploring this marvellous
city before departing back home.

Europe

Europe is a whole world in itself. It’s a mixture of ancient and new, where edgy underground music blends with historical, cobblestoned walkways. Explore Europe for its metropolitan shopping, beach-side bungalows on the Mediterranean, night life and coffee shops, canals and bike paths. A ange of things to do is all within arm’s reach, wherever you land in Europe.

Expert Tips

Book Flights Ahead of Time

Before planning your European adventure, figuring out how to actually get there from New Zealand should be a top priority. Long haul flights can be tiresome, so you will want to make the experience as quick and comfortable as possible. If you book your flight at the last minute, you might be forced to take
an unnecessarily long route to Europe with long stopovers in foreign airports.

Travel with a Tour

There’s no question that Europe is an amazing place to visit. With Europe being multi-lingual, it can present many logistical challenges for inexperienced travellers. Think about booking your holiday with a tour company. With accommodation, travel and sightseeing logistics taken care of, you will be able to relax and travel Europe without the stress of having to organise everything yourself.

Travel at a Steady Pace

With so many sights to see and landmarks to visit, it can be tempting to race your way across Europe at a frantic pace. However, taking the time to properly
explore each of your destinations presents the opportunity to really immerse yourself in the diverse culture of Europe’s many different countries. Staying
at least two nights in every town along your journey will allow you to explore at a leisurely pace.

Avoid Currency Confusion

In the European Union alone, there are eleven different currencies, and travelling from one country to the next can get a little confusing when it comes to keeping
track of your money. To avoid currency confusion, consider signing up for a travel card. Prepaid travel cards can be used all over the world without incurring
fees when you make purchases or withdraw money, and you can put as much money on it as you want.

Visa-free Access for New Zealand Visitors to Europe

New Zealand passport holders are able to spend up to three months visa-free in most European countries, and up to six months visa-free in the United Kingdom.
The only European countries that require New Zealand passport holders to have a visa for a stay of less than three months are Belarus, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine.

Expert Tips

Triple Check Your Visa Requirements

New Zealand passport holders require a visa to enter South Africa. Applications must be made in person at one of two South Africa Visa Application Centres located in Wellington and Auckland. All applicants over 18 years of age need to attend the interview. Parents can sign for and represent children under 18.

Clothes & Other Wearables

Dull and faded clothes are mostly preferred when you are out exploring wild Africa. The national parks of South Africa are known to have plenty of wildlife in their vast jungles. When you are walking into the kingdom of animals you must be dressed as they prefer. Animals get turned off by flashy clothes. Therefore, it’s advised to wear modest clothes faded in appearance. Off-white and khakis are mostly preferred. Carry a hat, sunscreen lotion, sunglasses, and insect repelling creams when you go on a jungle safari.

Taxis

Try to use only metered taxis or alternatively download the Uber app before you go. Taxis are very cheap so if you are in a restaurant or hotel, ask them to order one for you to ensure no price issues. If you get into a taxi without a meter, make sure to agree a set price before you go. Haggling is expected and don’t be afraid to walk away!

Weather at Night

South Africa is cold at night in June and July. To make sure you’re warm; take flannel pyjamas and socks for sleeping. Most hotels, even the expensive international ones, do not have central heating (just a window unit), single pane glass, and poor insulation.

Tipping

Customary tipping in restaurants is 10 percent. Of course you can pay more, but it is good to know what the expectation is.

Best Time to Fly

Flying to South Africa in October is usually considered the best time to fly. However, you will find other deals are always available year round. January tends to be the warmest period in South Africa so if you are looking for sun or warmer climates then look to fly around this time.

Autumn • Mar–May

The summer months can sometimes blur the start of autumn due to the residual pleasant sunny weather. Autumn is considered one of the best times to visit Johannesburg due to the mild climate and is optimal for sightseeing with fewer crowds. Autumn is the perfect time to hit the road on two wheels. Head off on a cycling tour to the nearby township of Soweto, a must-see for those seeking an understanding of the struggles for freedom.

Winter • Jun–Aug

Winter in Johannesburg remains mild, dry and warm with clear skies; temperatures can still reach up to a comfortable 25 degrees Celsius during the day. Nights can be chilly to even freezing due to the altitude, so ensure you pack some warm clothing. With fewer events and festivals on during these cooler months, spend extra time exploring the city’s museums.

Spring • Sep–Nov

Spring is an ideal time to visit Johannesburg with warm weather, blue skies and just the occasional unexpected downpour. It’s also when the plains are carpeted with wildflowers in a stunning array of colours making it a popular time for travellers. And the best way to see it all is from the sky on a hot air balloon safari. Soar high above the city and enjoy the views over the Cradle of Humankind or drift above the Magaliesberg Range, the second oldest mountain range in the world.

Summer • Dec–Feb

The long summer season is characterised by warm, sunny days and balmy nights. Unexpected showers or thunderstorms are common during summer afternoons but pass over quickly to revert back to warm weather with daily temps of up to 28 degrees Celsius. From bar crawls along Melville’s lively Seventh Street and hip, artsy markets in Braamfontein, to picnics in Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens, you’ll be spoiled for choice in summer!