Travel Destinations - New Zealand

New Zealand is a photogenic and friendly country that offers travelers unbeatable choices for adventure and exploration. It's 27 regions stretch more than 994 miles across two main islands, North and South. Each destination is distinctive in character, and with the country being so small, you can easily disvover several on your vacation.

The rugged islands are home to dense native forests, mountains, beaches, glaciers, thermal regions and fiords that have been well-preserved. New Zealand is a place where traditional Maori culture mixes with modern day cosmopolitan cities, charming villages and vast expanses of untouched wilderness.

The three main cities have different atmospheres and cultures; so don't assume that you've seen one you've seen them all. Christchurch is the most cultured and retains its colonial charm whereas Wellington has all the attractions of a capital and has plenty of parks, theatres and restaurants. Finally Auckland is the lively "big city" of New Zealand (although international travelers will find it a lot more laid back than its reputation implies).

New Zealand has something for everyone, including the following top vacation attractions

Fiordland National Park - Kayak past towering waterfalls and friendly dolphins.

The Coromandel - This north-eastern peninsula is famous for white and golden sand beaches along amazing coastal scenery and forests. This area is great for days of exploration. Thames is a small but picturesque city with a rich gold mining history. Don’t miss a stop at Hot Water Beach, where visitors can dig their own hot pool from the springs under the sands.

Tongariro National Park - Explore its emerald lakes, alpine meadows and volcanic landscapes. The Park encircles the volcanoes of Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu and features some of New Zealand’s most interesting landscapes.

Waitomo Caves - Underground caves sparkle with glow worms under the rolling hills of Waitomo. See the labyrinth of caves on a walking or boat tour. For a bit more adventure, try blackwater rafting and crawl, swim and float through the caves or you can zip-line through the darkness.