Although not set to be released for another year, Tolkien fans have this week been treated to a glimpse of the much anticipated film The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey with the release of an online trailer. As with the incredibly popular Lord of the Rings Trilogy the films (due to the length of the book it is to be split into two films) are being made in New Zealand and will once again showcase the stunning and diverse scenery found there.

If you want to avoid the crowds and more importantly the cold over the Christmas and New Year period then at Bridge and Wickers we’ve got some great suggestions to help. While it is a bit late for this year it is never too soon to start planning for 2012-13 and small intimate resorts/private houses by their nature book up a long way in advance. Of course they can all be enjoyed throughout our winter and it’s not too late to book for this coming January and February if you feel the need to escape.

It’s not just Sydney who has the monopoly on spectacular New Years Eve celebrations, all the capital cities have their own colourful pyrotechnics, street parties and entertainment to help you usher in the new year in style. Below is a guide to what’s happening where, oh and scarves and woolly hats can definitely be left at home!

Matt shares a few tips from his recent trip to the South Island of New Zealand on how to make the most of your time in this amazing part of the world.

As we rolled on the big swell off the coast of Kaikoura and I tried to keep the contents of my breakfast in my stomach I was pretty sure the previous 30 minutes spent swimming with 40-50 dusky dolphins would be the highlight of my time in New Zealand. Five days later as I helicoptered up a remote valley from Lake Wanaka towards Minaret Station I realised how wrong I was. I can’t imagine a more spectacular way of getting to your accommodation and I defy anyone to not be wowed as you spot the small collection of tents in the distance.

Find out here where you can get up close and personal to nature’s spectacle in Australia.

It’s not hard in a country that holds 550 national parks and 15 World Heritage- listed wonders. You’ll see snow-capped mountains and salt-encrusted lakes, rolling countryside and turquoise sea. Find strange creatures, colourful birds and vibrant fish. This is a country where boundaries blur - ancient rainforests skirt modern cities and waterways surge from craggy red earth. In Australia you can get up close to our native plants and animals and experience spectacular beauty on land, air and sea.

Sometimes it’s the characters you meet along the way, sometimes it’s the stunning scenery, sometimes it’s the freedom that comes from being behind the wheel on a foreign highway. Either way there is something very special about hiring a car and heading off on the open road. At Bridge and Wickers we have picked our favourite road trips, guaranteed to make if difficult to keep your eyes on the tarmac.

When heading to far flung destinations it is tempting to try and make the most of the trip by cramming in as much as possible. With larger countries this normally involves numerous domestic flights and the associated stresses and discomfort only spending a lot of time in airports can give. Less can certainly be more though in this instance and it is possible to make the journey the adventure rather than an irritant to be endured between holiday highlights. Enter the world of train travel.

Everyone likes to get away from it all once in a while and although a Robinson Crusoe style holiday is maybe pushing things a bit too far it is possible to live the castaway lifestyle without the need to create a companion out of a football and some straw a la Tom Hanks.

With the Rugby World Cup fast approaching all eyes will be turning towards New Zealand for the next six weeks or so. The rugby obsessed host country, looking for their first world title since the inaugural competition in 1987, are sure to put on a great show and it’s an excellent opportunity for them to showcase their beautiful country to the rest of the world. Indeed the count down has already begun with impromptu  Haka’s springing up in public areas all across the country.

Empty white sand beaches, waterfalls, historic towns and the odd winery thrown in, all less than 2 hours from Sydney. Sounds good doesn’t it? And this is exactly what I found on a recent trip to Jervis Bay and the Southern Highlands.

Senior Consultant Matt Lucas recently enjoyed a trip to Canada as a guest of APT who specialise in escorted tours of Canada.

Here's Matt's report: