Seek Beauty Beyond the Ordinary in New Zealand

By Anthony Saba

If you seek to rediscover a love of travel, you should seek New Zealand. The Land of the Long White Cloud is a place to venture beyond the horizon, explore beyond the ordinary, and discover a connection that’ll last a lifetime. The towering mountains, the big skies, the sweeping coastlines, the friendly people, and the unforgettable flavours—they all reward those travellers that come seeking a meaningful travel experience.

Start your journey with Air New Zealand, which offers competitive rates on direct flights from across Canada and the United States, including from Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, and now New York City.

If you seek a place to unwind, you’ll find it a few hours north in the Bay of Islands, where 140 islands dot a sweeping coastline warmed by a subtropical microclimate. It’s a place to stroll sandy beaches, learn about the nation’s settlement at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, and relax for a few days in picturesque accommodations dotting the enviable landscape.

After years hidden away as “the industrial city” far from the bright lights of London, the pretty facades of Bath, or the trendy rhythms of Manchester, Birmingham have entered the new decade refreshed and re-energized. The new “Brum” is more than just the product of a pre-games glow-up. It’s the culmination of years of expanding diversity, along with a growing cultural appetite that’s allowed a top-notch creative scene to flourish, unbattered by the gentrification that’s choked some of its rivals.

England’s Best Food Scene? Don’t Tell London!

Did someone say food? Birmingham boasts no fewer than 15 restaurants in the Michelin guide, five of which carry coveted Michelin stars. What’s more, the nearby village of Hampton in Arden is a pint-sized foodie haven with three Michelin entries, most notably Peel’s, specializing in creative British cuisine. If you’re looking for flavour-packed eats on a budget, head to Birmingham’s renowned Balti Triangle, where one of the world’s favourite curries was first invented by a Pakistani “Brummie” restaurateur. Since then, Balti has spread to become not just a staple at South Asian restaurants, but a more health-conscious take on curry that sacrifices none of the flavour. There’s nothing like having it in the neighbourhood where it all began.

Theatre, Art, & Culture in the West Midlands

Birmingham is a cultural powerhouse too. Catch an eyeful of its spectacular Symphony Hall, regarded as one of, if not the, best concert venue in the UK, both aesthetically, and acoustically. Check out the Fine Arts Museum, housing modern masters in a fabulous Art Deco building. If that’s a bit sedate for you, culture takes a very different turn at the National Motorcycle Museum, with over 100 restored machines to thrill enthusiasts. The nearby town of Cosford is a must-visit for aircraft afficionados, with an RAF Museum with hangars full of decommissioned warbirds.

A Story Behind Every Door in BRum

Looking for history? One of Birmingham’s most popular attractions is the Birmingham Back to Backs houses, which unveil the city’s working-class history via guided tours each day. The old Jewellery Quarter still delights visitors, albeit these days more with its history and charisma than with precious creations, though a museum invites you for an up-close look at how these were made. A walking tour of the district is the best way to understand it, and find some top spots for lunch or dinner while you wander. The area also contains a Pen Museum if you’re serious about your writing implements, or you can even visit a museum devoted entirely to the art of creat ing coffins. Yes, coffins.

Historic houses aren’t in short supply throughout England, and Birmingham’s, while less famous, don’t disappoint. Baddesley Clinton is an estate in the Forest of Arden, steeped in lore as a religious haven during the tumultuous Tudor period. Aston Hall is a magnificent Jacobian mansion with symmetrical gardens that draw visitors from around the world, while Winterbourne House offers pure countryside serenity in its botanic gardens.

Great Walks in the West Mid lands

If there’s a time-honoured British tradition second only to tea, it’s going for a walk. Birmingham offers plenty of parks, as well as its famous canals, best enjoyed in the historic Gas Street Basin or at Brindleyplace. On Brum’s doorstep, explore the Shropshire Hills, where incredible wildflowers bring colour to the wild, rocky slopes.

Elsewhere in the West Midlands, take in some history along the Battle of Worcester City Centre Trail. It commemorates one of the largest land battles ever fought in England. The Cut Visitor Centre is a starting point for one of the region’s most popular wildlife trails, while Shrewsbury River Walk invites you to explore one of the region’s prettiest small towns.

For most travellers, the entry point is Auckland, the City of Sails, so named for the attractive sailboats that fill the harbour. More than a gateway, Auckland is a city to experience, from the heights of the Sky Tower to the movie and rugby tours of Wētā Workshop Unleashed and the All Blacks Experience, respectively. A 40-minute ferry ride from the city will reward you with unbeatable harbour views before you arrive on Waiheke Island, where you can wander the age-old beaches and forests and sample fantastic food and wine.

On the southern edge of the North Island lies the capital Wellington. You’d do well to slow down and discover the city’s funky atmosphere, hopping bar scene, and café culture that’s long been a favourite for Australians and New Zealanders. Unlock the secrets of the nation at world-class museums and exhibits, including the national museum Te Papa and ecosanctuary Zealandia. There are few better places to encounter manaakitanga, the Māori practice of “showing respect,” which is essential to New Zealander hospitality. Cross the Cook Strait to reach the northern edge of the South Island, where you can experience a microcosm of all that New Zealand has to offer. If you’re seeking to slow down and witness nature at its most peaceful and awe-inspiring, this is the place. To the northwest lies Abel Tasman National Park, where hiking trails weave through forests and along- side granite cliffs. To the northeast lie the Marlborough Sounds, glass-like waterways cutting through majestic green hills. The beauty of the sounds is said to rival that of Milford Sound. Visit both to see if it’s true. Marlborough also boasts one of the world’s best wine regions. Its Sauvignon Blanc put New Zealand wine on the map. It also doesn’t hurt to sip this vintage while surrounded by stunning scenery, where the possibilities for leisure and adventure collide in startling ways.

Commercial Group Manager Nicky Cox

New Zealand is one of my favourite places to go globetrotting. I have visited many times, and each time I experience something new, from its stunning wineries to its cosmopolitan cities to its welcoming Māori culture.

Venture down the East Coast to reach Kaikoura, a marine wonderland where nearby sperm whales delight visitors year-round. Further south lies Christchurch, a city revitalized in the aftermath of tragic earthquakes. The so-called Garden City is most famous for the Botanic gardens, but don’t sleep on its food scene either. Whether Christchurch is your final stop or merely a step on your journey to more famous wonders in Milford Sound and Queenstown, you will have experienced something profound along the way. New Zealand is a land for seekers. It holds something for all those travellers who strive to unlock the majesty of this world. It encourages you to seek beyond the ordinary. What you’ll find when you do so is a beauty unlike anything you’ve seen before and a kind of travel you’ll never forget.