One of the most diverse and biologically rich places in the Southern Ocean, it’s a place that will blow your mind every moment of the day.
Source: Auckland Islands: Visiting one of the last protected wilderness areas on earth
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Remarkable colour photos show New Zealand’s landscape a century ago; Tim Stickings; Daily Mail
Among the landmarks seen in the images are the 36-foot Huka Falls, and Milford Sound on the west coast of the South Island, once named the ‘eighth wonder of the world’ by Rudyard Kipling.
Source: Remarkable colour photos show New Zealand’s landscape a century ago
11 of the Most Instagrammable Destinations in the World; OpenWorld Magazine
Pretty much no one these days travels without an Instagram account. We are constantly on the move, snapping up the best and brightest angles, views, and lighting as we spot them in every corner of the globe. From Seoul’s Changdeokgung to Paris’ Arc de Triomph, smartphones have become ubiquitous on our quest to capture the…
Source: 11 of the Most Instagrammable Destinations in the World – OpenWorld Magazine
10 of the least known islands you should visit to see wildlife; Lavanya Sunkara; USA Today
Venturing out to the remotest islands on the planet is rewarded with otherworldly vistas and close encounters with incredible wildlife, some of which are found nowhere else.
Source: 10 of the least known islands you should visit to see wildlife
Top 10 most spectacular coastlines in the world; the Luxury Travel Expert
Wild and rugged coastlines rank among the most spectacular and amazing features of our planet. Here’s my selection of the world’s 10 best coastlines.
Source: Top 10 most spectacular coastlines in the world – the Luxury Travel Expert
30 UNESCO world heritage sites to visit; Bec Whish; Vogue
If you’re in the market for a new travel destination, the UNESCO World Heritage List showcases earth’s treasures, both natural and manmade.
Milford Sound 101: How to Visit New Zealand’s ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’; Kate Springer; Fodor’s Travel
Anchoring the southwest corner of New Zealand’s South Island, the scenic Fiordland Region is often thought of as the end of the earth. The area’s untouched hinterland is home to chiseled cliffs that have been the backdrop for many a film—from the Lord of the Rings to this summer’s Mission Impossible 6—and Rudyard Kipling dubbed it the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” Within the wild and rugged region, the mighty Milford Sound is the most frequented destination.
Source: Milford Sound 101: How to Visit New Zealand’s ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’
World’s Loneliest Tree; Ellen Rykers; Atlas Obscura
The most remote tree in the world is more than 170 miles from its nearest neighbor.
Source: World’s Loneliest Tree
New Zealand is the natural wonder we’ve all be looking for; Canadian Traveller
And this is only an introduction…
Source: New Zealand is the natural wonder we’ve all be looking for
See thermal pools, Maori culture and Lake Taupo on this New Zealand walking tour; Anne Harnagel; Los Angeles Times
This exploration of the North Island starts and ends in Auckland. Reserve dates from December through March with New Zealand Walking Tours.
Source: See thermal pools, Maori culture and Lake Taupo on this New Zealand walking tour – Los Angeles Times
Mountains? Rain forests? Fjords? New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park has them all; Erin E Williams; Washington Post
Campers on the South Island access the famous landscape — without the infamous crowds.
Source: Mountains? Rain forests? Fjords? New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park has them all.
5 remote destinations you can only get to on a cruise ship; Sarah Marshall; BT
20 of the most beautiful campsites around the world; Jessica Booth; Insider
World heritage status for Auckland volcanoes? One councillor is ‘optimistic’; Matthew Rosenberg; Stuff
Auckland’s volcanic cones are set to bid for World Heritage status, joining the likes of Machu Picchu and Great Barrier Reef.
Source: World heritage status for Auckland volcanoes? One councillor is ‘optimistic’
Farmer fighting to continue grazing cattle in UNESCO World Heritage Park; Joanne Carroll; Stuff
A West Coast farmer is fighting to keep 150-year-old rights to graze cattle in a UNESCO World Heritage Park.
Source: Farmer fighting to continue grazing cattle in UNESCO World Heritage Park
10 New Zealand Experiences You Must Encounter this Lifetime; Luxury Travel Magazine
The mention of New Zealand invokes thoughts of vast landscapes, Lord of the Rings, award-winning wineries, and thrill-seeking adventures, all discovered at the end of the earth. With travelers flocking to this isolated paradise, small-group, active tour operator New Zealand Walking Tours ensures its guests know which experiences are not to be missed. (See the traveler reviews and inspiring videos for proof!)
Here are 10 experiences to be savored in the land of the long white cloud:
1) Explore the Great Walks of New Zealand
New Zealand’s iconic countryside consists of over 500 stunning hiking trails that connect rainforests, dramatic granite peaks, and every fiord, lake, river valley and rugged coastline in between. Of these hiking trails, 9 are deemed particularly special by the New Zealand government with a tenth scheduled to open later this year: New Zealand’s Great Walks. Choose to hike one trail in its entirety or absorb a variety of landscapes with day hikes on several of the country’s Great Walks, famed for their unsurpassable views.
2) Indulge in locally-produced wine
Prepare your palette to be put through a journey of the senses.
It’s snow time at Huka Lodge; LATTE Luxury News
For the first time ever, Huka Lodge has created a new Snow Time Package which takes guests directly to the nearby ski-fields of Turoa and Whakapapa on the slopes of Mt Ruapehu, located in New Zealand’s UNESCO world heritage Tongariro National Park.
As the country’s two largest and highest ski areas with over 65 ski trails across 1,050 hectares alone at Whakapapa, all levels of skiers and snowboarders can enjoy world-class amenities and stunning panoramas of volcanic terrain – whether advanced, intermediate or even those just wanting some fun on the slopes. For the truly adventurous, there are over 24 black and double-black diamond runs to ski.
With an extended ski season from 2 June to 22 October 2018, the Snow Time Package takes guests straight to the slopes for a day of fun and action before they return to Huka Lodge to luxuriate in its legendary service and some après-ski pampering.
The package includes:
- Accommodation for two nights, for two guests, full country breakfasts, picnic hamper for on the slopes, pre-dinner drinks with canapés and five-course dinners during your stay.
Read more from source: It’s snow time at Huka Lodge – LATTE Luxury News
Bucket List Hikes: Some of the World’s Best; Nicola Quinn; Go4Travel Blog
Whether your idea of the perfect hike is a leisurely stroll along Spain’s sandy coastline; or climbing up the face of a towering mountain in the US; there’s nothing quite like getting out there and exploring the amazing world we live in on foot. Some of these bucket list hikes reward trekkers with unparalleled views; a challenge only for the bravest and once-in-a-lifetime experiences you literally won’t get anywhere else. But one thing all the bucket list hikes have in common is that they’re so incredible they definitely deserve a place on your bucket list.
Bucket List Hikes from around the World
The Inca Trail in Peru
Not one for beginners; the Inca Trail in Peru covers 43k and takes 4 days to complete, meaning you’ve got to camp out for 3 nights under the South American stars. The immense journey begins just after Cusco along the Urubamba River and ends at the Sun Gate – the iconic spot from where all the famous Machu Picchu pics are taken.
Source: Bucket List Hikes: Some of the World’s Best – Go4Travel Blog
Travel to the Happiest Places in the World; Food & Wine
Every year, the UN releases a list of the world’s happiest countries, as determined by leading experts in economics, psychology, health and public policy. Even if you don’t live in one of these allegedly jubilant locales, you can and should visit them. Here, the top ten, plus the one place in each country you’ve just got to see.This article originally appeared on Purewow.com.
SWITZERLAND
Visit Lucerne toward the end of winter for Fasnacht (aka the Carnival of Basel), a super-lively pre-Lenten festival with concerts, lantern exhibits, parades and other forms of revelry.
ICELAND
Located in the highlands of Iceland, Landmannalaugar, as you can probably guess from the photo above, is famous for its hiking trails.
DENMARK
In addition to being located in one of the happiest countries, Aarhus is frequently ranked among the world’s happiest cities. It’s also an incredibly young urban center.
A quick guide to New Zealand’s Great Walks; Stuff
Golden sands, hidden inlets, native forest and secluded beaches, our Great Walks are certainly picturesque. Here’s a quick guide to each one.
1. Abel Tasman Coast Track
Routinely touted as NZ’s most beautiful Great Walk , it is also the country’s most popular, located in its smallest national park. Great weather, granite cliffs, golden sands and a bushy backdrop are just part of its allure, so packed is this track with delightful surprises.
Spot seals and birds, explore fascinating estuaries, hidden inlets and freshwater pools, study strange rock formations and significant trees… but it’s equally acceptable to just laze around on your beach towel. Water taxis and kayak trips offer endless options for maximising enjoyment.
2. Tongariro Northern Circuit
The dynamic, dramatic features of Tongariro National Park are celebrated in its status as a Unesco World Heritage Area.
