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