Named in "Top 10 Destinations for 2011", not only for beauty and excitement, but affordability, "The Garden City" is the place to be. Orbitz offers the lowest price or your money back on Airfare and accommodations. Include a hired car, for you'll want to go off and explore the oldest established city in New Zealand. This city is very rich in history, for women especially, for it was the first place women were granted the right to vote, in the world, in 1893. The Maori also have been said to have inhabited Canterbury nearly 1000 years ago. Christchurch is known for beautiful, mild weather January is normally 70's and July 50's.
The highest temperature annually is less than 90 degrees. However, if you want to get out of this fabulous weather and ski the slopes at an alpine resort, you'll only have to travel a couple of hours, then you can come back and sun on the beach the same day. It's amazing! Some like to spend all day walking through the public gardens and parks enjoying the intoxicating fragrance of the flowers as it dances through the air. "Wine Enthusiasts," don't forget the wine trails of Canterbury, from North Canterbury to Selwyn, it is a tantalizing trip for the taste-buds, not to mention the picturesque landscape through this beautiful wine country. You can also plan your trip based on the many events we hold throughout the year.
Join us for the "Chinese Lantern Festival 2011" and celebrate the year of the Rabbit. Sting fans can come along for the "Sting Symphonicity Tour". If you are into cycling, you can't miss "Season of Cycling" mountain bike racing in North Canterbury. Families don't miss "KidsFest"; we'll be celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Whatever the reason, it's always the season for Christchurch.
Christchurch Excursions
Christchurch is a very pretty city with many sights, including the Cathedral, Hagley Park, and gardens. Many tourists only visit these attractions and unfortunately don't realise that the old port town of Lyttelton and the suburbs of Sumner and Cashmere are also worth exploring.
Lyttelton
The historic town of Lyttelton, a twenty minute bus ride or drive from Christchurch has seen many adventures. The first European settlers of the Canterbury district in the South Island of New Zealand arrived here in 1850. Thousands of New Zealanders watched Scott and Shackleton set off on their expeditions to the Antarctic.
"It is most difficult to speak in fitting terms of the kindness shown to us in New Zealand. On every side we were accorded the most generous terms by the firms or individuals with whom we had to deal in business matters," Commander Scott said in 1901.
Surrounded by steep, volcanic hills, the small town forms a horseshoe shape around the large harbor. Panoramic views of the harbor can be seen by climbing the hilly streets with their wooden houses and leafy gardens.
As it is still a working port, there are usually freighters or barges docked here. Sometimes Lyttelton is crowded with visitors from the cruise ships which occasionally visit. The dock area is a little unattractive compared with the rest of this pretty town, because it is so industrial. It is worth walking around the parts which are not fenced off, however, because it is interesting to see the boats and the work of the busy port.
Lyttelton is full of historic buildings. Imposing old stone churches line Church Street. The town has many old pubs, once the haunt of sailors from the whaling ships. Some of them are built in a colourful Art Deco style. Most of these pubs offer delicious, inexpensive meals, such as roasts and pies.
After a short walk through the town, it is worth visiting the museum. Entry is free and the museum has a lot of information about the early settlers and the Antarctic explorers. It even has a section which is filled with figures dressed in historical costumes and cabinets of antiques, such as a golden miniature carriage.
Another attraction of Lyttlelton is its many cafes and fish and chip shops. These are mostly located in the main street, London Street. One of the fisheries, Lyttelton Fisheries won an award for its excellent fish and chips. Huge ice-cream cones are available at the grocery store across the road.
Sumner
The seaside suburb of Sumner is also a short drive or bus ride away. The wide, sandy beach surrounded by green hills and the village-like atmosphere makes Sumner a very relaxing place to visit. Activities include walking along the beach or up the steep hills, eating in one of the many cafes and restaurants, and shopping for clothes or antiques.
Cashmere
Wonderful views of Christchurch and the distant mountains can be seen from the hills of Cashmere. This exclusive Christchurch suburb is filled with steep, winding streets which are worth climbing to see the panoramic vistas.
Attractions include the grand Edwardian castle, The Sign of the Takehe, which is an expensive restaurant, and bush walks.
Lyttelton, Sumner, and Cashmere are just some of the many secrets of Christchurch and its environs. They are locations which should not be missed by any visitors to Canterbury.