After a lot of poking around on the internet, Matt and I decided to rent a campervan for our Kiwi adventure. While not a popular concept in the U.S. (yet), it is all the rage in New Zealand. Almost like renting a car, renting a campervan just adds a kitchenette and a bed to the package. This gave us amazing freedom to come and go as we pleased--no hotel reservations to make, lunch on the go while driving, etc. In theory, it was also going to save us money...but we'll just say be prepared to spend a similar amount as you would for a hotel.

What ended up being our favorite part of van life was the chance to stay IN New Zealand's natural beauty. From rock beaches to glacier-covered mountains to sandy marinas, our campervan let us be at the center of it all. In fact, we're looking at getting our own campervan to drive around North America. We are converts!

Here are some pics of our campervan, our stunning campsite views, and a full endorsement of going outside your comfort zone when planning your next trip. You might find something you love!