Taking balloons and pens as gifts for children sounds like a nice idea but it often becomes expected when they see a Westerner and turns them into beggars. Instead take less gifts and save them for when they make a special and genuine effort to befriend you or if you are a guest in some ones house. Lynette
LATEST NEWS
Rail Trail Bookings Heavy for 2010-2011
Planning to do the Rail Trail this 2010-2011 season? Then don't delay in booking!
March and April have traditionaly been the most popular months on the trail and bookings over these months are very heavy again for 2011 with weekends like Easter already all but booked out in many places.
However you don't need to do the trail in March and April - the belief that it is too hot is summer means that you just start out earlier (the mornings are still pleasantly cool) and by mid afternoon you can enjoy some shade and perhaps a glass of a fine Central Otago wine!
Tips for planning your ride:
- Get your group together earlier and get people to commit - it is always easier to make a booking smaller but adding extras can be an issue.
- Big Group? Book as early as you can - plan 8-12 months in advance if you can.
- Add a rest day - many people are disappointed that they don't have time to really explore the off-trail highlights especially in the Maniototo area (Curling, 4WD Tours, Naseby, Danseys Pass, St Bathans).
- If you love wine add a day pre or post tour in Cromwell. Over 75% of the regions wine is grown in this area. Join a wine tour or you can cycle round the vineyards.
- Don't feel you have to cycle the whole trail - if you are short on time talk to us about the must do sections that may give you more time to see all the other highlights.
- Don't book your flights before your accommodation is confirmed - there might just be no space at the inn!
Natasha is our resident expert in all things Rail Trail having been involved in planning tours for a number of years now. Contact her on 0800 326 228 (+64 3 445 4927 outside NZ) or send her an email to natasha@activetravelco.com
Active Travel is Back!
The Active Travel Company is back offering all our popular, exciting tours, adventures and tailor made itineraries that have proved so popular in the past. This new website launched on Monday the 19th July 2010 is just an example of what we offer and we will be posting many more tours in the coming few days.
So if you want to laze on a beach on a remote island, trek remote mountains, cycle Vietnam’s back roads or the Otago Rail trail, get up close to an orang-utan or cross Africa on a safari just let us know, we will take you there.