Geysers, Maori legends and thrills galore New Zealand with the family

In the tale Le tatouage de Mataora (Mataora's Tattoo) by Céline and Sébastien Ripoll, a young Maori chief obsessed with battle meets Niwareka, one of the spirit women of the underworld. Out of love for her, he undergoes various trials and, upon returning to the village, is able to pass on to his people the Taniko, the art of weaving, and the Ta Moko, the art of tattooing. This ancestral culture and its rites are inextricably linked to the land of the kiwi, and your tribe is quickly introduced to it. But don't forget to enjoy the landscapes that serve as its backdrop: towering mountains, purring geysers and ancient forests. The adventure begins in Auckland. New Zealand's largest city offers a wonderful introduction to the country - and a great urban break before heading off to explore the countryside. Located on the Coromandel Peninsula, Whitianga is synonymous with first excursions into the great outdoors. Here, everything invites you to get active and explore in a relaxed, hospitable and playful atmosphere that commands respect. The intensity of the journey steps up a notch in Rotorua, which is renowned for its high geothermal activity. Geysers, fumarole fields and bubbling pools fascinate all ages. So do the forests that dot the landscape. With giant trees obliging, the whole tribe climbs high to flirt with the canopy. And because you can't leave the country without visiting the South Island, Queenstown brings the journey to a close. On the shores of Lake Wakatipu, under the watchful eye of the mountains, thrill-seekers have a field day in what many consider to be New Zealand's outdoor activity capital. Now that you're warmed up, you can join in the fun. Between nature, culture and first-time experiences, the memories of this great Kiwi adventure will remain in your family's memory for a long time to come.

Your trip

A journey to the other side of the world cannot be improvised, especially with children. So that you can devote yourself entirely to your holiday, we take care of everything in advance. The international flight is booked, with priority passage through police and customs formalities to minimise stress at the airport. Domestic flights are also arranged, as are your rental vehicles and private transfers. What's more, once you're there, there's no need to spend the day in the car rushing from one activity to another. The itinerary has been optimised: just four stops, each no more than 3-3.5 hours apart. Your accommodation? Each has been carefully selected for its child-friendly atmosphere and location: a contemporary retreat near the heart of Auckland; a property just steps from the beach in Whitianga; a modern hotel with a swimming pool in the heart of Rotorua; a family apartment on the shores of the lake in Queenstown. During the day, you are free to explore at your leisure, with the help of a rental car and GPS app. However, to make sure you don't miss anything essential, we have already added a few activities to your itinerary that are designed to keep the younger members of the team (who can't sit still) happy: climb to the top of the Sky Tower in Auckland, go kayaking at Cathedral Cove, spend the night in the Redwoods forest and the day on adventure trails, slalom between the geothermal pools in Rotorua, race down the summer toboggan run in Queenstown, and more. And if you'd like to add whale watching, a jet boat ride or horse riding to the itinerary, just let us know. If you encounter any (minor) setbacks or have a sudden urge to do something else while you're there, you'll have the contact details of our concierge at your destination. The unexpected is their raison d'être, including when it comes to extending a stop or adding a stage in real time - a concept we have dubbed ‘unstructured journey’.