New Zealand may be far away, but once there, it doesn't feel far away, at least for many westerners. They speak English, and the architecture is comfortably familiar. But it is different from any otherplace on earth. Slightly larger in area than Britain, New Zealand is compromised of two diverse islands. The natural beauty can be overwhelming: fjords, unspoiled beaches, geysers, rainforests, glacial lakes and snowcapped mountains abound. This is a place where you'll want to do a lot of driving.

The North Island
Home to the majority of New Zealand's people, the North Island feels cosmopolitan by comparison to the South Island. With two-lane highways connecting different parts of the island, driving here is quite easy. That said, the rugged coastline and the water are main attractions here - for sailing, fishing, and lounging on the beach, and places like Lakes Taupo and Tarawara make you forget you are on the more inhabited island. You can explore wine country and view the thermal activity of geysers and boiling mud up close. Fantastic lodges and inns abound - the people here know what hospitality is.

The South Island
The first thing you'll notice about the South Island is that it is beautiful and naturally diverse beyond imagination. The second is that you are completely secluded from humanity, and the third is there are a heck of a lot of sheep out here. This is a place to relax, enjoy and partake in the natural wonders, and if you like, shoot yourself full of adrenaline with a little adventure (or at least by watching others). Like the North Island, accommodations range from amazing lodges to charming country inns. You will marvel at the Southern Alps, gasp at the fjords, and be stunned by the bright blue lakes. The South Island is a very romantic place in which the sheer volume of time and space will make you feel close together.