You’ve no doubt recently heard about the fires that broke out last week in Christchurch. We would like to reassure all our travellers that the city and immediate surrounding areas are not affected, with the fires being contained in The Port Hills area of the region.

The fires broke out in two separate locations in the Port Hills, south of Christchurch, last Monday and although they were under control by Monday evening, residents haven’t been allowed to return to their homes as yet.

11 homes were destroyed in the blaze, and a helicopter pilot lost his life when his helicopter crashed as he was attempting to douse the flames from the air.

Any of our clients that are either in New Zealand, or leaving for their holidays shortly, please don’t be concerned for your safety. The city is absolutely fine, and the only alterations that this unfortunate event may have to your travel plans, is that walks and rambles in the Port Hills will have to be cancelled, however there are many alternative walks in the Christchurch area that we’d really recommend – just give us a call or drop us a line if you’d like some information.

Farewell Spit,  up in the northwest tip of the South Island, has been  in the news this last week, after hundreds of Pilot whales became stranded there. Continue reading →

Well, we’re well into January 2017, and our busiest time of the year, so it’s all go here at Silver Fern HQ this week.

We’re busy planning our annual trip to New Zealand in May to explore places we’ve not been to yet, experience some of the new trips, adventures and activities that have opened since we were there last year and check out some new boutique accommodations that have been in touch over the past months.

We’ve also been lucky enough to feature in a couple of publications this month too…..

Media features this week…..

Responsible Travel – New Zealand Travel Guide

Last year we partnered with Responsible Travel, a Brighton based company who (in their own words) ‘work with the best specialist tour operators in the world’ to encourage responsible tourism, and ensure that not only do travellers and holiday makers have a wonderfully memorable trip, but also that local people, industries and communities benefit from visitors too.

We we’re delighted to be asked to write for their extended online New Zealand Travel Guide at the end of last year, its now online and well worth a read. Although we’ve written in several sections, it was lovely to have a little special feature with a photo in their Family Friendly New Zealand section. Our director, John has spend a lot of time travelling in New Zealand with his wife Barbara and daughter Sarah, so he has lots of travel tips to share!

John, Barbara and Sarah exploring by bicycle.

Wanderlust – Top 50 trips of 2017

This week, we’ve also been featured in the Wanderlust Magazine’s Top 50 trips of 2017 – we’re number 34 – ‘ Stroll the best of new Zealand‘ with our 23 night Easy Walks of New Zealand self drive tour, where as well as some of the more famous and well known New Zealand day walks, we also share some of our favourite lesser known walks such as the Pouaki Crossing 

As always, for more information about any of the itineraries featured, or about planning your New Zealand adventure, do get in touch with us either via our website or by giving us a call at our office on  01636 813544.

We’re delighted to announce that we’ll be exhibiting and speaking at Destinations : The Holiday & Travel Show this year.

Held in association with The Times, The Sunday Times and The Sunday Times Travel magazine,its  the UK’s biggest event for travel inspiration and takes place at Olympia London from 2 – 5 February 2017.

FREE TICKETS

If you’d like to visit the show, we’re able to offer free tickets. You can get hold of these by quoting DST72 (our unique Silver Fern Holidays code) here: http://www.destinationsshow.com/london/form/registration

DON’T MISS……

Our director, John Lightwood will be up on stage at 10.45am on Friday 3rd of February to talk about New Zealand: Why it’s landscapes should be on your bucket list.

THE SHOW

As well as inspirational travel advice, Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show brings together some of travel’s very best authors, TV presenters, photographers and internationally renowned musicians and performers.  Your complimentary ticket includes free entry to:

• The Stanfords Travel Writers Festival – meet your favourite travel authors, hear their inspiring stories and have the opportunity to purchase signed and dedicated copies at the ‘Signings at Stanfords’ shop. Headliners include Broadcast, Author and Actor Michael Palin, TV Presenter Simon Reeve, Author and Film Maker Levison Wood and many more
• Experience The World stages – soak up new cultures, enjoy colourful performances and get a taste for exotic delicacies with hundreds of free world food and drink samples on offer
• MASTA Travel Health Zone – enjoy a free consultation with specialist travel nurses about your next journey, pick up vital adviceabout the countries you are travelling to and win exciting prizes at the Travel Health Theatre
• Meet the Experts Theatres – (Where we will be speaking) get inspired with new ideas as adventurers and explorers bring travel to life with over 50 hours of free talks
• Travel Photography Masterclasses in association with CEWE PhotoBook – learn how best to capture those breath-taking views and memorable moments with professional photographer Steve Davey

So why not come and meet us at Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show at Olympia London on stand AP99. Quote DST72 here to claim your free e-ticket!

Gosh, where has 2016 gone? I’m sure we all say it every year, but this year really does seem to have flown by! Our busiest time of year is well underway –  New Zealand is enjoying its summer time, and we’re busy waving off travellers to enjoy an adventure of a lifetime exploring the ‘Land of the long white cloud’ – but we thought we’d take a few moments to share whats been happening here at Silver Fern Holidays over the past year… Continue reading →