New Zealand

New Zealand Flag

Why visit New Zealand?

For the adventurous outdoorsy traveler seeking to enjoy beaches, bungee jumping, caverns, cycling, fishing, fjords, glaciers, golf, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, kayaking, meadows, mountain climbing, mountains, picturesque coastline, rain forests, sailing, scenery, scuba diving, skiing, surfing, thermal baths, vineyards, and wildlife.

Wellington, New Zealand (North Island). Photo Credit: Bernd Hildebrandt/Pixabay

At a Glance

• Souvenirs to Buy: Artwork, bone carvings, cheeses, fleece jackets, honey, glass vases, jade jewelry, olive oils, possum-skin accessories, shell jewelry, sheepskin rugs, tea towels, wood carvings, and wool sweaters.
• Local Cuisine to Try:  Anzac Biscuit. Bouton d'Or Brie (cheese). Camembert (cheese). Cheerios (cocktail sausage). Cheese Roll (snack). Fish & Chips (staple meal). Hokey Pokey Ice Cream (honeycomb ice-cream). Jaffas (candy). Kāpiti Cheese. Kumara (sweet potato chips). Kiwi Meat Pie. Maori Hangi (traditional dish). Pavlova (dessert). Possum Stew. Rewena Paraoa (sourdough bread). Whitebait Fritter (fried fish). Whittaker's Chocolate (candy).
• Local Drink to Try: Lemon & Paeroa (soft drink). Lewis Road Creamery Flavored Milk. Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc (wine). Phoenix (beer). Speight’s (Beer). Stolen Rum.

Photo Credit: Pawel Grzegorz/Pixabay

Fun Facts

• Abel Tasman (1603-1659), Dutch Explorer upon arrival thought the islands were Staten Land.
  
• Auckland was ranked (2016) the world's third most livable city. 
• Was formerly named Nova Zeelandia.
• Five largest inhabited islands are Chatham Island, D'Urville Island, Great Barrier Island, Stewart Island, and Waiheke Island.
  
• Consists of two main landmasses, the North Island and the South Island with over 700 smaller islands. 
• South Island is the largest landmass.
  
• Fiordland National Park (Te Anau) stretches almost 3 million acres.
  
• Horse races their most popular spectator sport. 
  
• Home to 13 of 18 penguin species in the world.
• Tuatara lizard has a third eye sensitive to light.
  
• Does not have any poisonous animals.
  
• Home to almost half the world's population of dolphins, porpoises, and whales.
• Queen Charlotte Sound (South Island), is considered one of the most beautiful ferry rides in the world. 
  
• Dependent on international trade.
  
• Largely exports dairy cows.
• Hosts the world's largest Polynesian Festival (Pasifika) attracting over 200,000 attendee's annually.

Waiau River, New Zealand. Photo Credit: Makalu/Pixabay

Special Holidays/Occasions

• Annual Events: (January) ASB Bank Tennis Classic, Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta,  Heineken Open, KapCon, Wellington Cup Race Meeting, World Buskers Festival Festival, (February) Auckland Arts Festival, Brebner Art Deco Weekend, Couch Soup, Devonport Food & Wine Festival, Garden City Festival of Flowers, Hawke's Bay Wine & Food Festival, Marlborough Food and Wine Festival, Speight's Coast to Coast, (March) Arrowtown Autumn Festival, Celebrate Pasifika Festival, Ellerslie International Flower Show, Hokitika Wildfoods Festival, New Zealand International Festival of Arts, North Canterbury Wine & Food Festival, (April) Auckland Easter Show, Fletcher Challenge Forest Marathon, Warbirds Over Wanaka, (May) Bay of Islands Country Music Festival, Bluff Oyster & Food Festival, Matariki Festival, Māoriland Film Festival, Winetopia, (June) Food & Wine Classic (F.A.W.C), National Agricultural Fieldays, (July) Christchurch Arts Festival, G-TARanaki Guitar Festival, Queenstown Winter Festival, (August) Bay of Islands Jazz & Blues Festival, Boobs on Bikes, Wellington on a Plate (WOAP), (September) Alexandra Blossom Festival, Gay Ski Week, Montana World of Wearable Art Awards, Whitianga Oceans Festival, (October) Dunedin Rhododendron Festival, Kaikoura Seafest, Nelson Arts Festival, NetHui, Queenstown Jazz Festival, (November) Canterbury A&P Show, Southern Traverse, Toast Martinborough, and (December) Nelson Jazz Festival.
• Holidays: New Year’s Day, Day after New Year’s Day, Waitangi Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Anzac Day, Queen’s Birthday, Labour Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.

Auckland, New Zealnad. Photo Credit: Bernd Hildebrandt/Pixabay 

Good to Know

• Local Customs may inspect digital cameras, hard drives, laptops, mobile phones, and tablets. Failure to comply could result in $5,000NZD fine.
• Failure to declare goods: honey, fresh fruit, plants, or seeds is subject to a $400NZD fine.
• West Coast area is best for surfing.
  
• North West Circuit (Stewart Island) is a challenging hiking trail.
  
• Insect repellent is required to protect against mosquitoes and sand fly.

• Queenstown is a popular resort town (Otago). 

• Swim on lifeguard patrolled beaches due to riptides.
• Avoid spitting in public. 
  
• Sobriety checks are common.
  
• Christchurch (South Island) is the driest city.
  
• Has a strong anti-smoking environment in public places.
• Ferries service is available from Cook Strait between Wellington (North Island) and Picton (South Island).
  
• Traffic moves from left.
• Auckland is densely populated.
  
• Failure to declare goods that should be quarantined, holds up to $100,000NZD and/or up to five years in prison.
  
• North Island is less mountainous.
• South Island has a cooler climate.
  
• Road roundabouts are popular.
• Hokitika Gorge (west coast) is a popular attraction for a bridge suspended over Hokitika River.
• Roads tend to be curvy, narrow, and steep.
• Cell coverage (South Island) can be spotty.

Photo Credit: VK1960/Pixabay

This international destination requires:

• A valid passport with three months of validity upon return and one blank page for entry stamp.
• Tourist VISA required.
• Required Vaccination from select countries. 
• Currency Restrictions for Entry/Exit: $10,000NZD.

Tongariro Alpine Crossing (Tongariro National Park, North Island), New Zealand. Photo Credit: tongariro/Pixabay

Subject to cyclones, earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, and volcano eruptions.

• Best Time to Visit: February - March
• Coldest Months: July - September 
• Hottest Months: December - March
• Peak Season: November - March

Mount Taranaki (aka: Taranaki Maunga), (North Island), New Zealand. Photo Credit: Fred T/Pixabay

Your Must-See & Do

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Te Wahipounamu, Tongariro National Park, and the Subantarctic Islands.

Bob's Peak, Queenstown, New Zealand. Photo Credit: Bernd Hildebrandt/Pixabay

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"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page" ~ Saint Augustine

                                        All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.  

Netherlands

Netherlands Flag

Why visit the Netherlands?

For travelers seeking to enjoy architecture, art, beer breweries, canals, castles, cheese, culture, cycling, diamonds, festivals, historical sites, horseback riding, museums, open-air street markets, palaces, roller skating, shopping, stamps, tulips, water sports, and windmills.

Amsterdam, Netherlands. Pixabay: millionairemob/Pixabay

At a Glance

• Souvenirs to Buy: Cheese, chocolate, decorative tile, Delftware pottery, diamonds, licorce, tulip bulbs, and wooden shoes.
• Local Cuisine to Try: Beemster (cheese). Bitterballen (meat stew). Bossche Bol (filled pastry). Edam (cheese). Gouda (cheese). Hutspot (mashed potatoes). Leerdammer (cheese). Leyden (spiced cheese). Oliebollen (donut pastry). Poffertjes (traditional pancake). Rookworst (sausage). Stroopwafels (syrup waffles).
• Local Drink to Try: Advocaat (alcohol). Beerenburg (alcohol). Boerenjongens (brandy). Bokbier (beer). Bruidstranen (alcohol). Chocomel (chocolate). Citroenbrandewijn (gin). Grolsch (beer). Hertog-Jan (beer). Jenever (gin). Koffie Verkeerd (coffee). Korenwijn (alcohol). Oranjebitter (liquor). Schelvispeke (brandy). Verse Munt Thee (mint tea). Vieux (alcohol).

De Haar Castle (Kasteel de Haar) Utrecht, Netherlands. Photo Credit: Ellen/Pixabay

Fun Facts

• Home to the oldest (1500s) standing European armies.
  
• During the 17th Century (1601 - 1700) the arrival of tulips (from Turkey).
• Dutch language classes are mandatory for newcomers.
  
• Home (Amsterdam Hilton) to the "Bed-In for Peace" press conference protesting (1969) the Vietnam War with John Winston Ono Lennon (1940-1980), English Musician and Yoko Ono (1969–1980).
• Port of Rotterdam is the busiest European seaport.
  
• Rearview mirrors on residential canal exterior windows are used to see knocking visitors.
  
• Keukenhof Gardens (Lisse) is one of the world’s largest flower gardens.
  
• By nationality considered the tallest people in the world.
• Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) is the third busiest European airport.
  
• Roodharigendag (Breda) is a 3-day gathering of redheads from all over the world.
  
• Gold is kept below canal levels against thieves.
  
• Has over 400 rail stations.
• Kingdom of the Netherlands are Lesser Antilles Islands of the Caribbean territories: Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten.
  
• Estimated to have 18 million bicycles.
• Considered amongst most liberal in the world legalizing: abortions, euthanasia, LGBT Rights, prostitution, and recreational drugs.
• Has several Belgian exclaves.
  
• Max Emilian Verstappen, Belgian-Dutch Motorsports Race Driver currently was the first Dutchman to win a Grand Prix. 
  
• Home to the largest fleet of active historical ships in the world.
• Largely exports apples, chilis, cucumbers, floral bulbs, and tomatoes.
• Ranks as one of the most bike-friendly countries.

Spring Tulips. Photo Credit: Nick115/Pixabay

Special Holidays/Occasions

• Annual Events: (January) Jumping Amsterdam, Rotterdam International Film Festival, Tulip Day, (February) ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament, (March) Boekenweek, Silent Walk, The European Fine Art Fair, (April) Bloemencorso, Koningsdag, Rotterdam Marathon, (May) Holland Festival, Theater Na de Dam, Vereniging de Hollandsche Molen, Vondelpark, World Press Photo Exhibition, (June) Amsterdam Roots Festival, AnimeCon, Bosch Parade, Dutch Music Festival, Festival Classique, George Mosse Fund, Holland Arts Festival, Holland Festival, Incubate Festival, Maand van het Spannende Boek, Oosterpark Festival, Pinksterlanddagen, Parkpop Music Festival, Pinkpop, Terschelling Oerol Theatre Festival, (July) Amsterdam Gay Pride, Cannabis Cup, North Sea Jazz Festival, Over Het IJ Festival, Rotterdam Summer Carnival, (August) Amsterdam Canal Festival, Bicycle Tour, Bloemencorso Vollenhove, Canal Run, De Parade Theatre Festival, Festival of Early Music, Haarlem Jazz, Jazz in de Gracht, International Fireworks Festival, Mosseldag, Pluk de Nacht, Sail Amsterdam, Scheveningen Fireworks Festival, Stichting Grachtenfestival, (September) Bloemencorso Zundert, Jordaan Festival, National Restaurant Week, Netherlands Film Festival. Roodharigendag, Step In The Arena Graffiti Festival, (October) Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE), Amsterdam Marathin, (November) Amsterdam Sinterklaas Parade, Campzone, Crossing Border Festival, GLOW Festival, International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, International Horti Fair, International Vocal Competition, Leather Pride, Le Guess Who, Museum Night Amsterdam, (December) Amsterdam Light Festival, Gouda by Candlelight, Winterland Maastricht, and World Christmas Circus.
• Holidays: New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, King's Birthday, Liberation Day, Ascension Day, Whit Sunday, Whit Monday, Christmas Day, and Second Day of Christmas.

(Windmill) Groningen, Netherland. Photo Credit: Thelma/Pixabay

Good to Know

• Boasts in world-class art.
  
• Not a good beach destination.
  
• Some areas offer nude swimming.
• Speed limits are strictly enforced by radar. 
  
• Not a good mountain destination.
  
• Largest cities: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht.
  
• Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) is one of the largest duty-free shopping centers in the world.
• Seat belts and child seats are required.
  
• In the Red Light District prostitutes are known to throw photographing on-goers into canals.
• Permissible blood alcohol level is .05% and .02% for driver’s holding a license for less than five years.
• Avoid public demonstrations.
• Native mannerisms are often direct with a no-nonsense attitude.
• High-speed rail line is available between the Amsterdam metropolitan area and the Belgium border; trains running from Paris and London.
  
• Beware of bicycle stoplights at busy junctions.
• Avoid walking on designated bike paths.
• Tulip Season is April - May.
• A damp destination, so packing a raincoat and umbrella are necessary. 
• Ferry service connects to Great Britain.
  
• Tourists are known targets for bag snatchers, pickpockets, other petty theft.
  
• Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague is prone to road congestion.
  
• Parking spots are scarce and expensive.
  
• U.S. credit card containing only a magnetic strip is not usually accepted. A chip and pin card is recommended.
  
• Keukenhof Gardens (Lisse) is open between March - May.
  
• Largely offers bicycle parking facilities in city and train stations.
• Vehicles are not allowed in parts of the city center.
  
• South offers festivals that never occur elsewhere throughout the country.
  
• Lanes in the center of two-way streets are reserved for buses, taxis, and trams.

Alkmaar, Netherlands. Photo Credit: Evgeni Tcherkasski/Pixabay

This international destination requires:

• A valid passport with three months of validity and two blank page for entry stamp.
• Currency Restrictions for Entry/Exit: $10,000EUR.

Volendam, Netherlands. Photo Credit: Mel/Pixabay

• Best Time to Visit: May - October
• Coldest Months: December - February
• Hottest Months: June - September
• Peak Season: July - August

Amsterdam, Netherlands. Photo Credit: Rudy & Peter Skitterians/Pixabay

Your Must-See & Do

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Colonies of Benevolence, Droogmakerij de Beemster (Beemster Polder), Dutch Water Defence Lines, Frontiers of the Roman Empire – The Lower German Limes, Historic Area of Willemstad Inner City and Harbour Curaçao, Ir.D.F. Woudagemaal (D.F. Wouda Steam Pumping Station), Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout, Rietveld Schröderhuis (Rietveld Schröder House), Schokland and Surroundings, Seventeenth-Century Canal Ring Area of Amsterdam inside the Singelgracht, The Wadden Sea, and Van Nelle Factory. 

Groningen, Netherlands. Photo Credit: Rudy & Peter Skitterians/Pixabay

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"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page" ~ Saint Augustine

                                        All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.  

Nepal

Nepal Flag

Why visit Nepal?

Best known for ancient villages, birdwatching, culture, cycling, deep canyon, jungles, mountain climbing, river rafting, scenery, shrines, temples, trekking trails, and wildlife preserves.

Kathmandu Durbar Square, Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Photo Credit: Ashlesh Kshatri/Pixabay

At a Glance

• Souvenirs to Buy: Carpets, electronic equipment, handmade paper, knives, pashmina shawls, prayer wheels, religious paintings, shoulder bags, silk handbags, spices, statues, sweaters, tea bowls, and wooden masks. 
• Local Cuisine to Try: Barfi (dessert). Chow Mein (fried noodles). Chhurpi (cheese). Dal Bhat (spiced lentils). Dhindo (traditional). Halwa (pudding). Momo (dumpling). Sel Roti (rice bread). Thukpa (noodle soup).
• Local Drink to Try: Chhyaang (alcohol). Chiya (tea). Ngaar (beer). Raksi (alcohol). Tongba (beer).

Himalayas, Nepal. Photo Credit: Dima Burakov/Pixabay 

Fun Facts

• Home to eight of the world's 10 highest mountains.
• An Astrologer declares the date and time of marriage. 
  
• A Bride is carried to the Groom's home where she is presented with a key and oil lamp.
  

Photo Credit: Milan Kumar Rai/Pixabay

Special Holidays/Occasions

• Annual Events: (January) Maghe Sankranti, (February) Fagun Purnima, Lhosar, Maha Shivratri, Sonam Losar, (March) Mahashivaratri, (April) Bajra Jogini Jatra, Biska Jatra, Ghode Jatra, Ram Navami, (May) Buddha Jayanti, (June) Ramjan Edul Fikra, (August) Gai Jatra, Janai Purnima, Krishna Janmastami, Naag Panchami, Teej, Shree Krishna Janmashtami, (September) Dashain, Hartalika Teej, Indra Jatra, Nepal Music Festival, Rishi Panchami, (October) Chhath, Chhechu, Dashain, Tihar Festival, (November) Guru Nanak Jayanti, Himalayan Blues Festival, Mani Rimdu, Tihar, and (December) Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (KIMFF).

Photo Credit: Olivier Delmee/Pixabay

Good to Know

• Divided into three different regions: Central (low mountains and population), North (mountain range), and the South (forests, plains, and swamps). 
  
• A poor country prone to poverty.
  
• Avoid night exploring for safety reasons.
• Malnutrition amongst locals is an issue.
  
• Rafting is best between May - October.
• Forbidden to export gold, precious stones, or silver.
  
• Valuables will be seized if carrying 50 grams of gold or over 500 grams of silver jewelry.
• Everything is usually closed by 11PM.
  
• Has a low literacy rate.
• Do not trek alone.
• Pedestrians do not have the right of way.
  
• Avoid tap water consumption.
• Sanitation conditions are below our standards.
• Prone to high pollution levels (Kathmandu).
• Never wear leather into a Hindu temple.
• Never touch the head of anyone.
• Earthquakes occur between April - May.
• Remove shoes before entering a temple.
• Power outages are common (Kathmandu Valley).
  
• Not considered an accessible friendly destination.
• Avoid eating or handling food with your left hand.
• Cows are considered sacred.
• Leaving a donation at a monastery or temple is recommended.
  
• Monsoon Season is from June - September.
  
• Requires an International Drivers License.
• Anticipate cancellations and delays due to weather.
• Has no trains.
• Traffic moves on the left.

Photo Credit: Simona Ri/Pixabay

This international destination requires:

• A valid passport with six months of validity and one blank page for entry stamp.
• Tourist VISA required.
• Required Vaccination from select countries. 
• Currency Restrictions for Entry/Exit: $5,000USD.

Photo Credit: mssrusso0/Pixabay

• Best Time to Visit: October - December
• Coldest Months: December - February
• Hottest Months: October - May
• Peak Season: March - May & September - November

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Your Must-See & Do

• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Chitwan National Park, Kathmandu Valley, Lumbini (the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha), and Sagarmatha National Park.

Photo Credit: Eco Holiday/Puxabay

Ready to embark on custom and personalized services, your journey begins with Louvet Travel? Your one stop source: Accommodations I Air I Car Rentals I Cruises I Disney I Excursions I Tours I Transfers I Travel Insurance I Villa Rentals

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"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page" ~ Saint Augustine

                                        All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.