New Zealand’s wild, elemental beauty made it the perfect locale for filming Lord of the Rings. For this is a raw land of sheer mountains, icy glaciers, swift flowing rivers and geysers that spout from the hot earth.

Auckland:city of sails

New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland sprawls scenically around a range of inlets and bays. Lapped by the waters of the Pacific, Auckland has a distinct seafaring air to it.

transport:getting there and getting around

Auckland is New Zealand’s centre for international flights. You can take direct flights from here to all Australian airports, the US west coast, many Asian destinations, and London and Frankfurt. There are also a wide range of domestic flights.

Regular bus services connect Auckland with major towns and tourist attractions. And there are morning and overnight trains to Wellington daily.

Auckland is a sprawling city so walking is not convenient. Car hire or cycling are the most convenient ways to get around.

climate

Auckland’s coastal location keep temperatures lower than the in the hinterlands. Temperatures hover in the mid-20°s in summer and it rarely freezes in winter.

accommodation: from cheap stays to luxury resorts

Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of Auckland Hotels

Events

Summer is the time when Auckland comes to life though there’s something happening all year round.

*In January there are the Open Tennis Championships.

*Also in January is the Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta, commemorating the arrival of Captain Hobson in New Zealand.

*Pasifika Festival in March celebrates Polynesian culture through music and performances at Western Springs.

*Ellerslie Flower Show at the Botanic Gardens in November showcases the city’s blooms

*The Auckland Cup is held at Ellerslie Race Course December.

Wellington

As New Zealand’s capital, Wellington is home to the imposing administrative buildings of government. It’s an attractive city with a splendid harbour and terraced hills.

transport:getting there and getting around

Air New Zealand offer direct domestic flights between Wellington airport and most major centres, including Auckland, Christchurch

Regular ferry services connect Wellington with Picton on the South Island.

Wellington is an important junction for bus travel, with buses north to Auckland and all major towns in between. Wellington has a train station, an efficient local bus system, many car-hire companies, and taxi services.

climate:

Wellington’s coastal location gives it the reputation for being windy.

Accommodation:from cheap stays to luxury resorts

Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of Wellington hotels

events

As the nation’s capital, Wellington is the centre for a host of cultural and sporting events

* Wellington Cup Week in January features racing, live music, fashion in the field, celebrity judges.

*February New Zealand International Arts Festival

*New Zealand Festival (Biennial)

October is a busy month with Wellington Fashion Festival and Wellington International Jazz Festival.

Christchurch:springboard into nature

The South Island’s largest city, Christchurch is traditionally a springboard for forays into the nearby mountains, plains, beaches and lakes. However, Christchurch has many attractions of its own to offer.

transport:getting there and getting around

Christchurch is the main international gateway to the South Island. Flights connect with Australia and a few other countries. The airport is about seven miles from the city centre. There are also trains and a cheap and efficient bus service.

accommodation: from cheap stays to luxury resorts

Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of Christchurch hotels

events:

*February Christchurch Festival of Flowers – an international floral celebration in the garden city.

*August Christchurch International Jazz Festival – a celebration of jazz, wine and food featuring international and local talent.

There is no lovelier place to visit than New Zealand; it is a dream destination. New Zealand is filled with opportunities for vigorous outdoor activities or lazy relaxed snoozes on sandy deserted beaches. New Zealand is comprised of two large islands located in the South Pacific about 7,000 miles from Los Angeles. The best way to get there is to find which airlines fly to New Zealand. It is about a twelve hour non-stop flight from the West Coast of the United States to Auckland, New Zealand. Most flights take off for over night flights. Travelers can sleep through most of their travel time.

Once there, visitors can enjoy the Southern Alps on the South Island and skiing, or the beaches and surfing on the North Island. There are swift-flowing rivers that beckon fishermen and rafters alike. Stunning hiking trails with waterfalls, clear alpine lakes, and abundant greenery entice nature lovers from around the world. Volcanic mountains dot the North Island as well as tropical rainforests. For those seeking solitude with spectacular scenery, they can find it in New Zealand. The population is only four million; one of the least densely populated countries in the world. However, the cities of Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch do offer all the modern amenities of any large city with plenty of activities and nightlife excitement.

One of New Zealand’s best attractions is the fact that its glorious summers of warm temperatures and dry humidity occur at opposite times of those in North America. If visitors are longing to escape the cold of winter, purchase air fares for New Zealand and enjoy summer all over again. One thing to consider, though, airfares to New Zealand are discounted, sometimes heavily, in the off season months of June, July, and August. The north island has a subtropical climate and the temperature is only about 10 degrees cooler during the winter, so it can be enjoyed year around. The South island is a little colder, especially in the mountains. However, this works out great for avid skiers. They can purchase cheap airfares to New Zealand and enjoy winter all over again in the Southern Alps.

Another attraction of New Zealand is its friendly people. With its high diversified population, New Zealanders, or Kiwis as they refer to themselves, are individualistic and are happy to welcome all who visit their country. Maoris are the natives to the land, and their arts and crafts are colorful reminders of their Polynesian Heritage. Visitors can also watch a game of Rugby, the national sport. Each game begins with Haka, a Maori Dance, which is meant to inspire fear in opponents. Also travelers should enjoy some of the local cuisine which focuses on lamb and fish.

Air fare to New Zealand can be found which is reasonably priced, so don’t let the fear of high priced air fares to New Zealand stop any one who wishes to enjoy the beauty of this remarkable country. New Zealand is a dream destination that will keep cameras busy and will create lasting memories. Check out airfares to New Zealand soon and enjoy a dream come true.