Exploring foreign lands on a cruise holiday is the ultimate opportunity for individuals to learn about a new culture and country. Recent years have seen New Zealand emerge as one of the world's premiere destinations for cultural discovery and natural beauty, and few cities in the region are as accommodating and fun as the North Island metropolis you get to explore on Tauranga excursions.
As the most heavily populated city in the Bay of Plenty Region, Tauranga is a modern destination with classic appeal. The city is located at the head of its eponymous harbour, meaning that the presence of the sea can be felt throughout. This harbour is also protected by Matakana Island, explaining how Tauranga earned its name, which is Māori for "a sheltered anchorage."
While the city is the sixth largest urban centre in the country, most of the area surrounding Tauranga is horticultural land that is used to grow much of the produce sold in and exported from the country. This includes the popular tangelos and kiwifruit that the region is known for.
It is in these outskirts where visitors on New Zealand cruises can explore the history of the country's native Maori people – the best place from which to launch this exploratory journey at the Tamaki Maori Village. The winner of New geothermal spas. At the Te Puia Therma Reserve, visitors can spend some time studying up on the Māori way of life, then witness the majestic eruptions of Zealand's Supreme Tourism Award, the Tamaki village is a great way to see how the island's endemic population lived before European settlers came to the country. Travellers can sample authentic Māori dishes, listen to some traditional songs and take in performance of native dances like the haka.Tauranga shore excursions offer you a tour through the natural wonders of the Rotorua area and its many the Pohutu geyser. There is also a national carving and weaving school that displays the work of local craftsmen.
The natural beauty abounds at Rainbow Springs, a 9-hectare preserve that is a "must-see" on Tauranga shore excursions. From the trout pools and native birds to the 135 different species of tree, this is a great destination for hikers and nature lovers.
Of course, natural relaxation is easy to find in the area as well. Particularly at the Polynesian Day Spa, a facility that features spa and massage therapies, and offers dips in the natural hot spring pools found in the region.
Explore all these great destinations on Tauranga shore excursions through Princess Cruises.
