| Some of the most novel vacation experiences in | | | | Reserve along the road. You should not miss Huka |
| the world may be found in New Zealand. All things | | | | Falls and a dip in the hot pool of the plentiful |
| are possible in this country so well-endowed by | | | | thermal resorts. You can take a cruise on Lake |
| Nature. The only limitation may be your time. New | | | | Taupo or go to the Waitomo Caves for |
| Zealand can easily fill up vacations that last for | | | | dark-water rafting. There is also the Tongariro |
| several months and you will not even find | | | | Crossing to negotiate, if you are fit enough for a |
| yourself doing the same thing twice during that | | | | full day walk. The major cities in the North Island |
| period. But for those on limited time, you will have | | | | are Wellington, and the capital, Auckland. |
| to give serious thought in planning your holiday to | | | | On the South Island, take a trip out to the |
| get the most out of your trip. | | | | Marlborough Sounds for more dolphin-watching or |
| A vacation in New Zealand means traveling to the | | | | kayaking. There are several vineyards you can |
| other end of the earth so you should make the | | | | visit. At Nelson, you can make your way to the |
| most of it. New Zealand is everything you have | | | | Abel Tasman National Park or the Nelson Lakes |
| heard about, and many things more besides. New | | | | National Park, near Franz Josef on the west coast. |
| Zealand means unspoiled nature from volcanoes | | | | In Franz Josef, you can try the glacier walk or |
| to glaciers, stunning scenery, with just the right | | | | take a look at scenic Mount Cook. If you proceed |
| touch of interesting history. | | | | to Wanaka, you can go exploring canyons or do |
| Special Treats | | | | some breath-taking skydiving. At Queenstown, |
| A unique New Zealand tourist treat is cave tubing | | | | you may consider the Shotover Jet or take a |
| in the dark Ruakuri Caves. It starts innocuously | | | | plunge on the bungee. You should spend a day in |
| enough, with a rubber tire's inflated inner tube to | | | | Christchurch, the biggest city on the South Island, |
| serve as your flotation device. Everything changes | | | | before you head back to Auckland for your flight |
| afterwards as you ride through roaring rapids, slip | | | | out. |
| through tight crevices, and plummet down | | | | Best time to go |
| waterfalls while the limestone walls are bathed in | | | | The warm months in New Zealand are between |
| the eerie light produced by innumerable | | | | November and April, and this is the best time for |
| glowworms. The thrilling ride is also known as | | | | outdoor trips. If you want to avoid crowds - not |
| black-water rafting and (so far) can be enjoyed | | | | only other tourists but also local folks- try not to |
| only in New Zealand. | | | | visit key sites from mid-December to early |
| For those who have secretly longed to be a | | | | February. However, these months are also filled |
| race-car driver, here is a way to indulge that | | | | with wine festivals, concerts, and sports events, |
| dream. You can join New Zealand's Kiwi Car Rally, | | | | so you could miss out on some beautiful cultural |
| one of the most popular sports events. You will | | | | sights. |
| compete against professional drivers. Not | | | | The slightly cooler transition months of October |
| immediately, though, because you undergo one | | | | November and April/May may be the best times |
| week's training guided by a coach. After training, | | | | to visit. Winter is June to August, so if you prefer |
| you don safety gear, seated in a real race car, | | | | winter activities, take these months for skiing. |
| and assigned a team manager. Then, you start | | | | Planning your trip |
| racing in a one- or two-day endurance even over | | | | Three weeks is the usual "quick trip" people spend |
| flat and hilly roads covered with snow, mud and | | | | in New Zealand. The official websites of major |
| gravel. | | | | towns and cities give you plenty of information to |
| What else to do | | | | make good plans, but don't try to fit too many |
| New Zealand has two main islands, North Island | | | | places and things into a short time. For clothes, |
| and South Island. It is difficult to explore the best | | | | you can pack as little as possible; in this country, |
| of both islands if you spend less than a month in | | | | anything casual is fine. |
| the country. You would be better off focusing on | | | | You'll need some warm clothes if you go hiking, |
| one island (the South offers more variety) or a | | | | and be sure to have a waterproof jacket or |
| particular region, if you have limited time. The | | | | raincoat as the weather can change very quickly. |
| best regions to see are Rotorua, Taupo and | | | | If you plan to spend some time camping, a |
| Ruapehu in the North Island, and Otago, Fiordland | | | | three-season sleeping bag should do fine. Make |
| and Nelson/Marlborough in the South Island. | | | | sure your camping gear is clean when you arrive |
| On the North Island, you can visit the Bay of | | | | at Auckland international airport. There may be |
| Islands for dolphin-watching. Visit Rotorua for two | | | | inspections and disinfections by the agriculture |
| days to take in volcanic scenery or varied marine | | | | ministry on your gear - the country is a big |
| life in the Bay of Plenty, then head on to Taupo, | | | | producer of cattle and sheep, and these need |
| making sure to drop by the Wai-o-tapu Thermal | | | | protection from pestilence. |