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We have been to NZ twice with Bridge & Wickers, 2007 and 2009. Lots of good experiences but the VERY best was in 2007 when we took an overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound. Weather was perfect, crew and food fantastic but the magical moment was when the captain shut off the engines, asked everyone not to speak or take photos and everything and everybody was absolutely still and silent for about 3 minutes. The magnificent scenery and the complete silence felt almost spiritual and many of us were near to tears. The experience was so powerful that we resolved never to return to Doubtful Sound as we felt it would be impossible to recapture the feelings we had at that moment.

The best meal we had in New Zealand, and possibly that we’ve eaten anywhere was in a tiny restaurant in Russell in the Bay of Islands – Kamakura. Right on the waterfront, amazing food and well priced. We ate here our 2nd night in New Zealand and it set the whole month up to be awesome! Also, not quite a secret but, the Routeburn track in the Fjordlands NP should not be missed. Spectacular scenery and a real sense of achievement when its done.

One of the most memorable moments of our NZ trip was kayaking on the lake up on Arthur's Pass. We'd started out at 6.30am - an hour before dawn - and launched our kayaks onto the inky, unruffled water. As we paddled silently across the lake, we listened to the Loons calling in the pre dawn mist. Then, suddenly, the sun burst over the mountain to paint the dawn sky the most glorious red and gold, turning the already magnificent scenery into a panorama of light. Sheer magic!

Our best New Zealand secret was a flight in a light aircraft over whales in Kaikoura, we had the most amazing experience. We were really lucky to see a pod of approx 300 dolphins and the greatest view of a sperm whale. It was awesome. I have some great footage, what a memory!!!. We loved everything about our trip. The accommodation, food, obviously the wine. It is such a magical and diverse place. We really had a wonderful adventure exploring in such a comfortable and pampered way. New Zealand is breathtaking in so many different ways. It was the perfect destination for our trip of a lifetime. We will treasure our memories.

In preparation for our New Zealand holiday we asked everyone we knew who had visited the country what were the must sees. All the answers were the same favourites. Bridge and wickers came up with Abel Tasman National Park. This involved a diversion from the usual track but boy was it worth it. We stayed in Nelson - marvellous Saturday market full of wonderful art and craft gifts. From there we drove to Marahau to catch a water-taxi. What an experience! We sailed around Split Apple rock (immediately recognisable through New Zealand's advertising) and passed magical little bays to alight at Torrent Bay where we had a picnic on the nearly deserted bay. We then walked back to Marahau (though you can pick up the taxi at many of the little beaches you pass). The walk was the best coastal walk we've ever done and the vegetation and views magnificent. This was our best memory out of many wonderful experiences in New Zealand - made even better by the sheer surprise of it all. You can keep a secret, can't you?

One of our fondest memories of New Zealand was an early morning walk to the Franz Josef Glacier view, a perfectly still pool in the early morning. This was followed by a helicopter trip to the glacier, landing in the snow at the top in brilliant sunshine.

Best Trip: Helicopter flight from Rotorua Lakeside to White Island - Air Temp. in the high 30's C, not a cloud in the sky and throughout our tour of the volcanic island we were the only people there: the pilot,Ann & I. We will remember our trip to White Island for the rest of our lives - Truly memorable! - although the ski plane landing on the glacier was also very special and also the cruise on Doubtful Sound. Most enjoyable road journey - Drive the length of Lake Wakatipu - Breakfast in Glenorchy then lunch in Kingston - fantastic scenery on a clear day. Best Food - Surprisingly The Crowne Plaza Hotel Restaurant in Christchurch.We ate there in 2007 & again in 2009 & found the food to be as good as we have enjoyed anywhere in the world - Eating at high quality restaurants forms a major part of our holiday & this was fabulous!

The difficult thing is that we loved everything about our visit, but if we had to choose, the best meal anywhere was at the River Run in Wanaka, which is a very special place, mixing being a working farm with an outstanding location. The other very special place is Stewart Island, particularly sitting next to the pilot and working the flaps as we flew over from Invercargill on the decrepit old Britton Norman Islander. Magic! Catching your own blue cod for dinner at the Stewart Island Lodge also can't be beaten.

There were at least two events which I would consider to be a "best kept secret". The first was the cruise on Doubtful Sound. It was wonderful. The superior accommodation that you booked for us, the solitude and the silence of the sound especially when the captain turned off the engines and asked everyone to be silent, with the early morning sun shining on the water not a sound to be heard --- a magical moment. The early morning reveille to see the dolphins was special -to see the dolphins leaping out of the water and crossing backwards and forwards in front of the boat. We only saw one small boat the whole time. But I must also tell you of a truly magical moment in Christchurch when we went to the Cathedral to see the festival of flowers. The flower displays were beautiful but what made it special for me was the parade of models dressed in the most wonderfully detailed flower costumes made by Jenny Gillies. She makes some new ones every year and some of the costumes from previous years are displayed in the museum. There were many magical moments the whole trip made special because whereever we went the accommodation was superb and the arrangements worked perfectly. The only thing we missed was travelling north of Auckland but there are only so many things you can do on one trip!

A forty five minute drive from Queenstown takes you to Glenorchy at the head of Lake Wakatipu. There you will find a family run business (Dart River Jet Boats) who take visitors in their jet boats 50kms up the Dart River. Mountains are all around you with Mt Earnslaw, famous for the filming of Lord of the Rings, dominating the skyline. A truly idyllic place.

Probably our most memorable experience was a helicopter ride over the glacier at Mount Cook. After a cloudy morning the weather was glorious so we were able to do this. I still have the photo of my husband and me on the glacier in front of the helicopter on my lap top start up screen, so a daily reminder of a trip of a lifetime. Now you have awakened all the memories I would like to think we would be able to visit NZ again in the not too distant future.

The highlight of my trip to NZ earlier in the year ( my second) has to be the fantastic scenic extended flight from Nelson. I was blessed with wonderful weather and my pilot Dan suggested I make the most of a rare opportunity to make such a flight. The flight of just under 2 hours covered over 200 miles of spectacular and extremely remote country and included a landing at Karamea airstrip on the west coast. The coastal scenery was truly amazing flying north to Farewell Spit . During the flight there were breathtaking views of vast tracts of virgin forest, not to mention mountains and river valleys and strange rock formations. This an area very few New Zealanders , let alone tourists, are privileged to see. My pilot Dan was brilliant, so enthusiastic, ensuring that I had the best possible photo opportunities . I love flying, especially in smaller aircraft, and I have to say this really was the flight of a life time and would recommend it to anyone who wants to put the adventure back into flying!

We have been twice now and have many examples but this time around we cycled on the Otago Rail Trail from Lauder to Middlemarch. The trail takes you through some of the most beautiful wilderness countryside in the highlands and indeed the world. New Zealand gives you so many opportunities to get away from it all but this trail can be just you and your bike. The trail itself is gentle because it follows the old train route, so hills are gentle climbs but if you need more of a challenge then covering the distance will provide you with the burn you are looking for. Much of the railway infrastructure still exists except the track of course! Many of the stops give you a taste of the history and how the communities evolved in very harsh conditions. You are never totally alone; the fact that the kiwis love their bikes means you'll meet plenty of friendly faces and have those conversations which make the experience all the more memorable.