Throughout New Zealand there are many internationally and nationally significant gardens with vast collections of local flora - often in natural surroundings - and exotic species.

Most New Zealand towns have large public gardens, and many privately-owned estates are open for visits. There is also a year-round calendar of world-class international, national and regional garden festival events which we have posted here....

Bridge & Wickers work very closely with Air Canada as we believe they offer our clients a great choice of Canadian destinations with one of the world’s most modern fleet of aircraft and friendly superior levels of service.

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:

Africa Specialist Megan recently travelled to Africa, here's what she had to say about her experiences...

These days it’s rare to find a destination that’s easy to reach (a six or so hour flight from Heathrow), is as big as Scotland, has wonderful natural sights, delicious food and interesting places to stay, yet one that few Brits have even heard of, let alone would be able to find on the map.

It’s everything you've seen in the movies, but then magnified, stretched and glitzified many times over. So where should you begin? With a car for starters, since public transport is thin on the ground, and a good map. Then start ticking off the interesting neighbourhoods.

Here are our top suggestions of things to do in LA...

Known as the 'Switzerland of the East' on account of its squeaky clean standards and excellent service, Singapore is the perfect soft introduction to Asia, especially for families. You can fly non-stop to Changi airport, one of the most user-friendly in the world (close to town and with lots of connecting flights). It provides the opportunity to visit living pockets of India, Arabia and China without leaving the country and to eat like a prince for unprincely sums.

Here's our suggestions for the top 10 things to do in Singapore...

Bangkok is a feast for the eyes, an exotic world of saffron-robed monks, traditional Siamese fairytale architecture and even the occasional elephant on the street. The shopping is excellent, with Thai silk and 'designer' watches topping most people's list. Then there's that tasty Thai cuisine, renowned nightlife, the markets and hair-raising jaunts by three-wheeled 'tuk tuks'. Most places of interest can be reached in clean, air-conditioned comfort by the new metro or the Skytrain, which glides high above the snarling traffic. But Bangkok is often referred to as 'the Venice of the East' so you should also take to the water, travelling along the Chao Phraya river, the city's main artery.

Here's our top 10 suggestions of things to do.....

For many years Dubai was simply a middle of the night pit stop between here and there. While thirsty planes bound for the Far East topped up their tanks with fuel hot from the wells, their bleary-eyed passengers exercised their credit cards at the airport duty free shopping Mecca. But, thanks to the opening of some of the best hotels in the world, Dubai has become a destination in its own right. With perfect winter weather and a wide white-sand beach, it makes great sense to rest here and catch your breath.

Here's our top 10 suggestions of things to do in Dubai...

The name means 'muddy confluence' - but don't let that put you off KL. Malaysia's once rip-roaring frontier town today soars with skyscrapers, including the 88-storey, 1,483ft Petronas Twin Towers, now joint second-tallest buildings in the world. But among the glass, chrome, neon signs and freeways the atmosphere is still distinctly oriental and eating is an experience, with Malay, Chinese and Indian dishes served at the night-time hawkers stalls.

Here's a selection of 10 great things to do while you're there...

Take three of the world’s top chefs, give them some first class New Zealand wine and food and put them together at one of the top 20 hideaways on earth, and it’s no wonder The Farm at Cape Kidnappers is being credited with pulling off a major coup.

The exclusive five-star lodge in New Zealand’s Hawke’s Bay region has managed to bring together Heston Blumenthal of London's The Fat Duck, Neil Perry of Sydney's Rockpool, and Thomas Keller of the French Laundry in California for a one-off event billed as "The Ultimate Dinner".

One of our sales team, Jeremy, travelled with his wife and two children (aged 5 years and 18 months) to the island of Koh Samui. “Although,” he explains, “it is a relatively small island, the different coasts have quite a different feel. If it’s a safe environment for a family you are looking for, the Bophut area (which is on the north coast) is definitely the one to aim for.

There's more to Australia than Sydney and the Rock. Those who have been before will no doubt want to explore fresh horizons - although even first timers might like to consider incorporating the country's other states in their introduction to one of the most wonderful countries in the world.

Our consultants are passionate about Australia and would be delighted to share their enthusiasm as well as their knowledge.

There really is Nothing Like Our Australia!

Of the short list of 28 contenders for the world’s top 7 natural wonders, 8 are featured by Bridge & Wickers.

Bridge & Wickers Director David Wickers recently returned from Australia having test-driven the now officially-designated Sydney to Melbourne Coastal Drive. Here’s his report on the drive, which will be featured in our new Australian brochure (although it can already be booked by our travel consultants.