New Zealand
New Zealand lies in the south-west Pacific, across the Tasman Sea from Australia, and its two main islands could hardly be more different. The North Island has a volcanic plateau with the geysers and hot springs of Rotorua, the great Lake Taupo, the subtropical bays of Northland and Auckland, the country’s largest city. The South Island is crossed by the Southern Alps, with snowy peaks and glaciers; fjords cut into its west coast, and the mountain lakes of Otago surround Queenstown.
The country is known for its wines — from Marlborough sauvignon blanc to the reds of Hawke’s Bay and Central Otago pinot noir — and for its celebrated lodges, set on remote farms, above ocean cliffs or on the shores of lakes. Māori culture is alive and present everywhere, from place names to traditions of hospitality.
The seasons mirror Europe’s: summer runs from December to February, autumn brings the grape harvest and golden valleys from March to May, and from June to September Queenstown becomes a ski capital. New Zealand suits honeymooners, food and wine lovers, hikers, anglers and golfers — and anyone looking for space and nature without the crowds.
