Southern Crossings | Owner, Sarah Farag

September 21, 2020

Sarah Farag New Zealand is known for sweeping vistas, life-giving hiking, sumptuous food and wine, and ridiculous adventure activities. Though famous for towns like Queenstown – the real magic of New Zealand happens when you get to have vast open spaces all to yourself. With the right planning and guides, that can happen quite easily!

Our guest on this show is my friend Sarah Farag, Owner and Director of Southern Crossings New Zealand. The company has been around for 34 years and hosts everyone from your everyday traveler to celebrities and royals. Sarah is also the only New Zealander recognized as a Conde Nast Traveler Specialist.

Sarah and I discuss her favorite destinations, what makes Kiwi hospitality so memorable, and some unimaginable wow moments they’ve created for travelers like you.

Listen to hear about:

01:49 – Sarah’s favorite spot in New Zealand
03:40 – How Sarah got into Luxury Travel Business
05:10 – How Southern Crossings works, and some background on “Onsites” or “DMCs”
06:51 – What makes a good guide, and how we take care to match you with the right one
08:15 – Stories about some of Sarah’s favorite guides
10:27 – How New Zealand is deceptively larger and harder to traverse than it seems
11:42 – How much time you really need to experience the country
14:02 – Who makes a good “fit” to visit New Zealand, and who doesn’t
17:35 – Some off the path locations you can visit in NZ
18:51 – How the Luxury Lodges evolved in New Zealand and why they’re so special
21:14 – Sarah dives into some “ungoogleable” experiences
23:25 – The story of their guest who became a Junior Ranger
24:36 – Why you shouldn’t miss the North Island
26:42 – Sarah reveals her favorite wine experience in New Zealand
27:33- Sarah’s favorite hike in the country
28:13 – The craziest adventure activities you can get up to
29:30 – How Kiwis still cherish what is good in the world and love to share it with you