Dreaming of an adventure to New Zealand full of dramatic waterfalls, lush valleys and breathtaking vistas at every turn? If you travel to New Zealand with Backroads, the legendary Paul Smith just might be one of your Trip Leaders.

A history major and a former minor league baseball player, Paul recently celebrated leading his 300^th trip to New Zealand and is a true expert on this gorgeous country. With 22 years as a Backroads leader who’s led more adventure tours in Backroads’ history, it’s safe to say he’s seen it all.

Paul didn’t start his Backroads journey in New Zealand, however. His first start was a bit of a rough initiation with a camping trip on the Russian River. He and his co-leader (now his wife and mother of his two sons) forgot their sleeping bags and slept wrapped in tablecloths in their van while it rained outside. He hasn’t forgotten his sleeping bag since!

Paul’s attention to detail, witty humor, knowledge of the local haunts and an uncanny ability to discern the needs of each guest is well-known and celebrated. During his 22 years with Backroads, Paul has fallen in love with Chinese culture and the joy of riding a bike through its sometimes crazy countryside; learned about world religions by leading Bhutan walking tours and Bali bike tours, where he became fascinated with prayer wheels and Hindu gods; and lived each summer in the San Juan islands, knowing the way the light looks on the water at all hours of the day, from all viewpoints, like a local knows it.

Plus, Paul can add to his list of credentials that he’s done more laps around the South Island of New Zealand than anyone in Backroads history! “All it takes is a single visit to fall in love with New Zealand’s extraordinary scenery and down-to-earth welcoming people,” says Paul. “And if you’re like me, you’ll find it’s a destination you dream of returning to again and again.”

Interested in taking a New Zealand walking tour or New Zealand bike tour with Paul? Give us a call at 800-462-2848 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Pacific.

Have you taken a Backroads walking trip or Backroads bike trip with Paul? Give us some firsthand insight to this wonderful Backroads Trip Leader! Here’s to another 300 trips!

If you haven’t checked New Zealand off your Bucket List, Backroads touring company highly recommends moving it close to the top! New Zealand is one of the most majestically beautiful countries in the world, and that’s why we want you to see it Backroads style: out in the open air. Choose from our trips that include hiking New Zealand, biking New Zealand and New Zealand multisport.

Have you seen the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy? Those sweeping vistas that take you to the magical world of Middle Earth are actually New Zealand! They almost look too fantastical to be real, but we promise you they do exist and we want to take you there. Peter Jackson also filmed the prequel to “Lord of the Rings,” the popular book of many a childhood, “The Hobbit,” in New Zealand and that film is due in theaters later in the year. Hike past some of the beautiful scenes from the movie!

On Backroads’ adventure tours through New Zealand we take you to our favorite spots , including the wine region of Hawke’s Bay, Lake Rotoiti, the giant tree ferns of Coromandel Peninsula, and Cathedral Cove with sandstone, beaches and gorgeous bright-blue waters.

Have your fill of waterfalls, hot pools, geysers, thermal springs and percolating mud pots at Waiotapu. And just like Frodo, get ready to have the adventure of a lifetime, crossing suspension bridges, discovering a gold mining tunnel, feeding emus and if you dare, even a chance to bungee jump! The good news is Gollum is not waiting for you at the bottom!

The inns on this magical journey include the Mangapapa Petit Hotel, which is a lovely country mansion with lush gardens; a private chalet in Puka Park Resort, a secluded wilderness hideaway in the New Zealand bush; Amora Lake Resort with a pool and tennis; and Millennium Hotel, more modern and located on Lake Taupo.

So how will you see stunning New Zealand with Backroads? If you bike New Zealand, you’ll have varied routes each day, some more gentle and others more challenging if you choose. If you’d like to hike New Zealand, get out your hiking boots and get ready for the walk of a lifetime! Some like to mix it all up with our New Zealand multisport option, which includes hiking, biking and kayaking.

Which will you choose to cross off your Bucket List? Call us at 800-462-2848 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Pacific, and we’ll help you decide!