Driving through the Mt.Cook region..(photocredit: The Wanderers)
Yes…the Lord of the Rings put the country in the international circuit as the land of the Hobbits and we know that the land beckons the adrenaline junkies’ aka the bungee jumpers.
But what we love about this country is the simple fact that you can juggle the raw mystic beauty and the adrenaline rush…you can also stay still, savor your wine and look around: a wide, flat disk of hovering clouds, the illumination momentarily splashing the summits of the terraced, sheep-dotted hills across the way, sky and earth gleaming with hues of goldenrod and storm.
Highlights: Be spellbound by the mystic Milford Sound, swim with the dolphins in the bay of islands, go snowboarding at Queenstown, marvel at the kitchens of Wakharewarewa, enjoy the vibrant night life in the metros, binge at a Maori hangi (feast) and watch the spectacular Arthurs Pass while traveling in the Trans Alpine rail.
Best time to pack your bags
If outdoor exploration is on your agenda, then the warmer high-season months (November to April) are perfect. Summer (December to February) is also when Kiwis crank up the food and wine festivals, concerts and sports events. December in the far north can be rainy, however. If you’re a snow bunny, visit when the powder is thickest – June to August is skiing high season.
Wanderers’ Tip: In winter, warm-weather beach towns might be half asleep.
|
Africa
