Year-round, majestic vistas and evergreen forests present numerous possibilities for capturing stunning imagery. The diversity of the landscapes that can be captured here is unlike anywhere else on earth – the photo opportunities are endless.

In summer, take advantage of the long days and warm, golden light. As summer turns to autumn, the crowds disappear leaving open countryside with clear crisp blue skies.

Snow-capped mountains, misty landscapes, and flowing waterfalls are the hallmarks of winter. In spring the return of warmer weather brings a stunning display of wildflowers mixed with frolicking wildlife.

Here are some great tips for photography in New Zealand through their majestic seasons:

Capture the warmth of the pleasant summer breeze during Spring (September – November):

Spring is one of the perfect seasons to click images that carry a pleasant summer breeze. Spring in New Zealand is a great time for photography, and there are a number of different interesting subjects to point your camera at. Photos of New Zealand in spring will often feature the lupin – a beautiful blue/purple flower abundant in many of national parks.

New Zealand has around 200 species of fern, the fern ‘koru’ is often photographed – this is the tightly rolled spiral shape of new fronds or leaves. Another popular subject amongst photographers visiting in spring is the Aurora Australis, or Southern Lights. The phenomenon is visible quite often in winter and spring, and with the temperatures rising, spring is a more pleasant time to stand outdoors with your camera late at night.

Photograph sunshine and playful wildlife during Summer (December – February):

Summer in New Zealand sees the Fiordland crested penguin returning to Milford Sound on the South Island’s lower West Coast. New Zealand fur seals and several species of dolphin can also be spotted there at this time of year, so it is recommended to grab your camera and test out your eye for a wildlife snap in Fiordland National Park.

The great thing about photography in a setting as beautiful as Milford Sound is that if the wildlife isn’t playing ball, or you can’t get close enough, the sheer cliffs of granite, plunging into the dark depths of the sound make for some incredible and equally rewarding captures.

In picturesque Queenstown, keep an eye out for the warm light of the long days in the Wakatipu Basin, sunsets there are often amongst the most impressive on the planet. For those who like their subjects a little more adventurous, why not go find the rope swing at Lake Hayes, or ‘Little Thailand’ on Lake Wakatipu, and snap people throwing themselves bravely into the refreshing waters of the lakes around the Queenstown area.

Frame the auburn leaves captured during Autumn (March-May):

Autumn in New Zealand is a beautiful time of year to capture some beautiful tones of red and yellow. The deciduous trees turn from green to red, orange, and yellow, and the ground is blanketed in different shades of autumn leaves.

The small gold mining settlement of Arrowtown, in the Wakatipu Basin near Queenstown, is arguably the best spot in the country to capture the changes in the autumn season. Beautiful, traditional wooden storefronts characterise the main street of Arrowtown, alongside the majestic poplars shedding their spring and summer leaves as the temperatures fall.    

Capture the snow paradise during winter (June – August):

Crisp, clear blue skies, snow-capped hills as far as the eye can see, and icy blue lakes describe winters here. New Zealand’s North Island is characterised by its geothermal activity, and its famous volcanoes include Mt Taranaki, Mt Ruapehu, Mt Ngauruhoe, and Mt Tongariro. They are mighty impressive in the winter, and when blanketed with fresh snowfall there are few mountains in the world that look more impressive.

A visit to the Chateau Tongariro in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Tongariro National Park gives an opportunity to photograph the unique architecture of the Chateau, with the backdrop of snow-covered volcanoes, and we don’t think there’s anything quite like it anywhere else on Earth.

With New Zealand’s borders being opened to all, it’s time to visit New Zealand and discover the photographer in you.

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World – class wellness resorts in Qatar put the destination on the global wellness map.

One in three holidaymakers plan to take part in wellness activities on holiday*, so as travellers start planning and booking getaways, Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC) announces the opening of world-class spa and wellness properties.

Qatar is an idyllic destination for a relaxing getaway, offering sun, sea and sand as well as world-class wellness resorts and facilities. The country is busy preparing to welcome visitors back with 117 properties under construction and a number of measures implemented to reassure and protect travellers against Covid-19.

Chief Operating Officer of Qatar National Tourism Council, Berthold Trenkel, said: “Qatar is well-placed to meet the increasing demand for wellness getaways. Our destination offers outstanding resorts for tourists seeking rest and relaxation or outdoor activity, with an abundance of water sports, desert pursuits and mindful sanctuaries available. Qatar is recognised as home to some of the world’s leading wellness facilities – it’s important that we meet the growing demand for wellness breaks and our guest experiences showcase the very best in Middle Eastern hospitality.”

For example the new Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som offers a unique sustainable resort in Al Ruwais. The resort is set to be the largest wellness destination in the country and the first wellbeing resort in the region. The resort, located in the north of Qatar, will offer treatments and facilities for sun-seeking families or couples looking to escape to the Arabian dunes.

Earlier this year was the much-anticipated opening of the new Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas. With no expense spared, the resort is set across 3.5km of picturesque private beaches and features beautiful and spacious beach villas, each with private pools and gardens for a luxurious yet secluded getaway. The resort also has the largest theme and water park in Qatar and a new luxury destination spa that offers unique, personalised, world-class experiences that showcase the warmth of Qatar’s hospitality.

Spa Manager of Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas, Adele Osborne said: “Our goal at eforea SPA is to assist guests in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and guide them on a wellbeing journey that is sustainable in their everyday lives. We work on bespoke wellness routines, encompassing practices for a balanced mind, body, and spirit. With 13 treatment rooms, two VIP suites, a traditional Turkish hammam and superb thermal suite facilities, we hope our guests feel thoroughly rested and rejuvenated after a visit.”

Other must-visit signature wellness resorts in Qatar include Al Messila, Banana Island Resort, Sharq Village & Spa and Marsa Malaz Kempinski. Top retreats and wellness resorts in Qatar include:

Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som – a pioneering destination already accoladed as the “World’s Best New Wellness Retreat 2020” by World’s Spa Awards UK. Spread across 280,000 sqm of secluded coastal enclave north of Doha, it is the Middle East’s first full-immersion wellness resort.

Al Messila, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa – Qatar’s first five-star ladies wellness retreat and state-of-the-art health centre, set in an authentic oasis of indigenous scented gardens. There are hydro-thermal facilities, including three therapy pools and four hydro-wellness areas.

Banana Island Resort – spread across lush botanical gardens and set on a private island surrounded by turquoise lagoons. With 141 rooms, suites and villas, a spa and balance wellness centre, a surf pool and a dive centre, Banana Island Resort Doha run by Anantara, is a vibrant hotel for those seeking a relaxing retreat.

Sharq Village & Spa, a Ritz-Carlton – one of the biggest and most luxurious spas in Qatar. Modelled after a traditional Qatari village, the spa has 23 treatment rooms and four spa areas, each with a different theme reflective of Qatar’s rich wellness, along with hammam rooms, saunas and a private ladies-only area. Nearly half of the treatments are dedicated to local experiences, offering a new way for guests to familiarise themselves with a destination and enjoy local wellness practices and indigenous ingredients.

Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl-Qatar – situated on The Pearl-Qatar on a private stretch of beach, the five-star hotel boasts a spa in a serene setting across 3,000sqm and 21 treatment rooms. The hotel also offers seven restaurants, four bars, a private beach, tennis courts, and a state-of-the-art fitness centre.

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While remaining confined to their homes for months, all people can do is dream about travelling to different exciting destinations across the globe. The outbreak of the pandemic has transformed the outlook of the people and the way they look at travel. 

The harmonization, coordination and digitalization of COVID-19 travel-related risk reduction measures, including testing, tracing and travel health certificates, are essential foundations to promote safe travel.

Safety Measures Undertaken For Safe Travel

Over the past year, Yas Island Abu Dhabi has introduced comprehensive measures on health and safety protocol following UAE authorities’ guidance to ensure visitors feel confident to return to the destination like nowhere else.

To ensure that the guests feel safe and secure while travelling to Yas Island Abu Dhabi, the authorities at Yas Island have undertaken extraordinary safety measures to make sure that island sanitization, physical distancing, and capacity guidelines are up to global standards.

Thermal scanners at entry points will monitor guest temperatures and the island will take extra precautions in high-traffic areas and frequent touchpoints with increased cleaning and disinfection practices.

Yas Island awarded coveted WTTC ‘Safe Travels’ stamp

In recognition of its advanced safety efforts, Yas Island has received the coveted WTTC ‘Safe Travels’ stamp, marking it the first destination in Abu Dhabi to receive the international honour, providing additional reassurance to visitors looking forward to experiencing Yas Island Abu Dhabi and its many offerings – all safe in the knowledge that the island is maintaining the highest standards of public health and safety.

Vaccination Drive

Demonstrating its commitment to health and wellbeing and in support of Abu Dhabi’s vaccination program, the popular destination has now seen over 93% of its employees working at attractions, experiences, hotels, restaurants and retailers at Yas Island, vaccinated against COVID-19, as the Island aims to be amongst one of the first fully vaccinated holiday destinations in the world.

#TogetherAtYas

In an effort to raise awareness about the safety measures on the Island, Yas Island Abu Dhabi introduced numerous safety measures including the ‘#TogetherAtYas’ online platform which offers guests a guide to the public health and safety protocols on Yas Island, and the widely commended ‘Yas Wellness Program’, which grants guests direct access to a dedicated team of Yas Wellness ambassadors.

The Wellness Ambassadors are a team of specially trained individuals who are able to answer guests’ queries on the health and safety measures in place. In order to continually bridge guests to Yas Island, the Wellness Ambassadors are contactable via phone, social media, WhatsApp and email from 8 am to 5 pm UAE time, daily.

About Yas Island

Yas Island is one of the world’s fastest-growing leisure and entertainment destinations, located on the golden shores of Abu Dhabi – just 20 minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi and 50 minutes from Dubai.  

Yas Island Abu Dhabi offers holidaymakers a diverse mix of award-winning leisure and entertainment experiences, from one-of-a-kind theme parks, world-class shopping and superb dining, to a links golf course, exciting water and motorsports, and spectacular musical, entertainment and family events… all within the 25 sq km Island.  

Today, Yas Island is home to the award-winning theme parks Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, the record-breaking CLYMB Abu Dhabi, Yas Marina Circuit (home to the FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX), Yas Marina, the award-winning Yas Links golf course, as well as Abu Dhabi’s largest mall, Yas Mall.  

With eight hotels, including W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island, Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, Crowne Plaza Yas Island Abu Dhabi, Yas Island Rotana, Centro Yas Island by Rotana, Radisson Blu Hotel Abu Dhabi Yas Island, Park Inn by Radisson Hotel Abu Dhabi Yas Island and Staybridge Suites Abu Dhabi Yas Island,  plus more than 165 dining experiences, the destination also features indoor and outdoor concert venues including MAD and Etihad Arena – all of which are complemented by a range of visitor services that connect all attractions to one another.

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