Travel in 2020 looked different, to say the least. We stayed a little closer to home, hit the open road, took to the great outdoors, and saw our own hometowns in a new light. And millions of travellers everywhere shared reviews and opinions based on those places and moments that left an impression.
Trip Advisor’s Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best list is drawn from the experiences of the best experts possible: Real travellers who’ve been there before.
Despite New Zealand closing its borders to international travellers for most of 2020, some Kiwi favourites have made the international lists.
For Top Fine Dining, New Zealand got two spots in the Top 25, The Grove came in at #15, while Sails Restaurant came in at #22. A great achievement to be alongside establishments from fine dining capitals of the world like France and Italy.
The Grove
The Grove serves modern New Zealand food offering degustation dining that changes frequently with seasonality and market availability. Offering full vegetarian and vegan options, The Grove can accommodate any dietary requirement. This award-winning restaurant is where food and wine come together passionately.
The Grove
The Sails hospitality team, one of the longest standing in New Zealand, has won numerous awards for both the food and the service. Whether you’re a businessperson wishing to impress your clients or a visitor wishing to be impressed, Sails Restaurant’s stunning views and award-winning food and service make it a dining experience not to be missed.
Sails Restaurant
Rotorua obviously leaves a strong impression on visitors with two of its attractions making The Top 25 Things To Do list. Rotorua Rafting took out second place! While Canopy Tours came in at #11.
Rotorua Rafting offers spectacular white water rafting adventures on the world-famous Kaituna River, just a 20-minute drive from Rotorua, New Zealand.
Rotorua Rafting
Rotorua Canopy Tours will take you on a journey through prehistoric native forests. Explore the canopy as you fly on a network of ziplines, swing bridges, cliff-walks, treetop platforms and more.
Rotorua Canopy Tours
Aotearoa’s national parks also made the grade, Fiordland National Park came in at #10 on the Top 25 list, with Westland Tai Poutini National Park got the #22 spot.
Spanning mountain ranges, dense forests, and alpine lakes, it is hard to imagine a place better suited to nature lovers and explorers than Fiordland National Park. But stay a little longer and discover much more, deep within this ancient and extraordinary environment.
Fiordland National Park
Westland Tai Poutini National Park extends from the highest peaks of the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana, to the rugged and remote beaches of the wild West Coast. It is an area of magnificent primeval vistas – snow-capped mountains, glaciers, forests, tussock grasslands, lakes, rivers, wetlands, and beaches.
Westland Tai Poutini National Park
Sneaking in at the last spot on The Top 25 Emerging Destinations list, Dunedin!
Rare, yellow-eyed penguins, fur seals and the world's only mainland albatross colony share residence in Dunedin, our oldest city. When you're not watching wildlife, this South Island Otago Coast town also boasts impressive historic architecture from its days as a gold-rush mecca.
Even our national airline made the grade, Air New Zealand came in at #6 on The Top 10 Airlines list.
It’s great to see that despite a global pandemic, New Zealand is still being recognised for the special destination it is.
