Distant Journeys Official Blog

To quote Andy Williams, it’s the most wonderful time of the year, with Christmas just a few short weeks away. While we’re donning our Christmas jumpers and there’s a chance of a white Christmas here in the UK, Christmas in New Zealand falls in the midst of summer, meaning that New Zealand Christmas traditions are quite different to ours. So how does New Zealand celebrate Christmas? Read on to find..

Another year has just flown by and in just a few short weeks, we’ll be marking the end of another decade and welcoming in 2020. Australia is one of the first countries to welcome in the New Year, and New Year celebrations in Australia are renowned as some as the best in the world. The Aussies certainly know how to put on a good party, and you’ll find some brilliant New Years Eve events in towns an..

The festive season has well and truly arrived, with several countries all over the world embracing the Christmas spirit. Traditionally, China is not a Christian country, but it is starting to adopt traditions from around the world and create its own Chinese Christmas traditions. We delve deeper into Christmas in China with plenty of top tips on how to enjoy China during the Christmas season. Does..

Christmas has quickly crept up on us once again and it’s now just around the corner, with plenty of festive events filling up the calendar and the chance to take part in some of our favourite traditions, whether that’s meeting Santa and his reindeer or roasting a turkey big enough for the whole family.   On the other side of the world, Christmas traditions in Australia are quite different, an..

Famed for its outback desert landscapes, there is so much more to Australia’s Northern Territory than what meets the eye. Not only is it home to a vast desert, known as the Red Centre, and the world-famous Uluru (Ayers Rock), but also a contrast of wetlands, waterfalls, gorges and coastline. The varied landscapes of the Northern Territory also attract a diversity of wildlife.   The Northern T..

One of the most picturesque spots on New Zealand’s North Island (and there are many) is Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake, often described as an inland sea. One of the must-visit lakes in New Zealand, many visit Lake Taupo for its beauty; it’s surrounded by stunning landscapes of all kinds, ranging from snow-topped mountains to ancient forests, towering volcanoes and geothermal valleys...

Lying off the coast south-west from Adelaide, Kangaroo Island is a must-see destination in Australia, home to a plethora of nature reserves, the Flinders Chase National Park and rock formations such as the Remarkable Rocks. A whole host of animals to spot on Kangaroo Island make this beautiful island a must-visit for wildlife lovers; penguins, koalas, sea lions and of course kangaroos are just som..

Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, is known for being a cosmopolitan city and a cultural melting pot, but it’s also home to some of the best golf courses in all of Australia. With panoramic views for miles around and a variety of challenging holes, there are a whole host of world-class golf courses in Adelaide to please golfers of all abilities.   For any keen golfer visiting Australia..

Thanks to its unique climate, New Zealand has become one of the best countries for wine in the world, with Marlborough, Hawke’s Bay and the Waipara Valley, among others, being highly renowned wine regions. It’s also an up-and-coming foodie destination, offering an abundance of seafood and a host of trendy restaurants popping up in Auckland and Wellington in recent years. New Zealand’s street food..

Sprawling Shanghai is the largest city in China, where historic parks, gardens, temples and buildings co-exist with a futuristic skyline and some of the world’s tallest towers. Home to a staggering 24 million people, it’s amassed a fascinating history over the decades which can be seen in its many museums. Many of the museums in Shanghai are a must-visit, giving an insight into the city’s and Chin..