Back from New Zealand: Must-See Destinations and Unforgettable Experiences

We’ve been eagerly planning our honeymoon trip to New Zealand for a long time, and we finally embarked on this adventure during our annual leave. As first-time international travelers, we prioritized safety and opted for a customized independent travel plan. We budgeted around 30,000 RMB per person, and throughout the trip, we indulged in delicious meals, drinks, and experiences without worrying about the budget.

To our surprise, we even had some money left at the end, leaving us with a pleasant surplus [facepalm R].

Regarding our total expenses:
🚩Customized travel cost: 25,000 RMB per person (including visa + round-trip airfare + hotel + attraction tickets + breakfast)
🛍Shopping:
– Chanel facial cleanser X1 300 RMB
– Camellia spray X1 300 RMB
– Camellia cream X1 680 RMB
– Evidens de Beauté sunscreen 30ml X1 530 RMB
– Arataki Manuka honey X2 270 RMB
– Cookie Time cookies X2 360 RMB
💳SIM card: 10GB 80 RMB
🍚Food: Meals + snacks 2,800 RMB
💰Total: 55,950 RMB, plus some small expenses, totaling around 56,000 RMB.

Personal suggestions:
1️⃣ In New Zealand, you can experience all four seasons in one day. The temperature difference between morning and evening is significant, so no matter when you go, be sure to pack a thick jacket, a versatile three-in-one ski jacket, or a down jacket.
2️⃣ You can easily purchase a SIM card at the airport upon arrival; the signal is excellent.

3️⃣ The local UV rays are extremely strong. My husband came back two shades darker, but I managed to avoid sunburn by diligently applying sunscreen, wearing a sun-protective jacket, and sunglasses, and reapplying sunscreen every two hours. He was a bit lazy, haha.
4️⃣ I highly recommend stargazing at Lake Tekapo; it’s a breathtaking experience, and you can see the stars in most places just by looking up.

5️⃣ To save money, bring more cash, as many restaurants charge a fee for online payments.

Advice for choosing a travel agency:
1️⃣ Ensure you choose a legitimate travel agency with a valid business license and insurance.
2️⃣ Carefully review the itinerary to ensure that the attractions you want to visit are included, and adjust the schedule flexibly according to your needs. Don’t rush through the trip!
3️⃣ Before paying the deposit, thoroughly read the contract, confirming the costs, hotels, services included, and that it’s a pure play package.

[Private message R] Group tour experience
It was our first time traveling abroad and also the first time using a travel agency. This customized travel experience was genuinely fantastic. We didn’t encounter any issues, and it was indeed a pure play package, with the major expenses covered in one price, and we didn’t have to pay the travel agency any additional fees during the trip.

The travel planner was incredibly professional, arranging the distance between attractions efficiently, avoiding unnecessary detours, and ensuring the whole journey wasn’t rushed. He would always recommend affordable and delicious food options in advance, and we didn’t have any bad experiences.

In summary, despite being a tailored package, our New Zealand honeymoon was an incredibly rewarding experience. We had an unforgettable time and cherished every moment spent in the breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand.