NEW ZEALAND, AUSTRALIA & PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Why is this clean, green, safe and friendly part of the world near the top of everyone’s travel list?

Aussies and Kiwis (Australians and New Zealanders) are friendly, the lifestyle is relaxed and informal, the sun shines and the beaches are golden: “Down Under” is a vacation paradise, especially for family travellers.

The seasons here are exactly opposite those of the U.S. or Canada, making Australia the perfect place to spend the “winter” holidays in summertime splendor. Our summer — Australia’s winter — months of June, July and August are great times to explore the rainforests of Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef or the central continent’s Outback. Neighboring New Zealand offers the same seasonal patterns, with slightly lower temperatures overall.

There’s no discounting the fact that Australia and New Zealand are on the other side of the globe, but it takes less time to travel here than, for example, to the Orient. While our itineraries state that you arrive in Australia or New Zealand on “Day 3,” in fact, you’re usually in transit for less than a day — often on an overnight flight. “Day 2” is a phantom day, “lost” as you cross the International Dateline in mid-ocean. (On your return journey, as that day is regained, you’ll miraculously arrive in the U.S. a few hours before you left the South Pacific.)

It’s a relaxing journey with time to contemplate the exciting adventure to come. With their extraordinary landscapes, indigenous cultures and unique animal life, Australia and New Zealand are exotic destinations…where English is universally spoken, menus offer familiar choices and cultural expectations are shared.

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