©
AlexandraMaillet
New Zealand Travel Guide
©
AlexandraMaillet
In New Zealand, the country on the other side of the world, you won't be disturbed by everyone else. The same size as France, New Zealand's population is only one-fourteenth as much, and there are many fewer tourists than in neighboring Australia. To experience the tranquillity and discover a sense of serenity after the upheaval of getting married, there's nothing quite like a few weeks in the country of nature and pure, clean air!
The national parks, which cover 20% of New Zealand's land area, are, quite simply, wonders of the world, starting with famous Mount Cook (which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Fiordland National Park on South Island, or the impressive Tongariro National Park (on North Island, and the location for filming of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy). Tongariro also includes the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, which is considered to be the country's most beautiful one-day hike! On the topic of hiking, don't miss the Queen Charlotte Track (Marlborough Sounds on South Island) and its 70 km of paths along the cliffs with its quiet, sandy beaches, a paradise that is still barely known.
Throughout the country, the landscapes - whether they feature sea, lakes, glaciers, or mountains - are simply breathtaking. The beauty of this country, where nature remains wild and untamed, will surprise you every single day.
One option to consider, if you love having a sense of freedom and you have plenty of time in the country, is to rent a van or another vehicle of your own where you travel at your own pace and sleep in the most enchanting places.
New Zealand is the country of extreme sports and you can try new experiences together as a couple! From helicopter flights above the world's most accessible glaciers on South Island, through to free-fall parachuting and peeking inside the bowels of the earth (the seismically active zone in Rotorua on North Island), New Zealand will make your hairs stand on end. Nothing like experiencing the extraordinary and going on adventure to remember for a long time with your other half! The wide open spaces will be your playground and the city of Queenstown (on South Island), New Zealand's outdoor extreme sports capital (skiing, rafting, bungee jumping) is an essential stopping-off point.
You should know that the land of the Maoris has one heck of a temper. New Zealand has many active volcanoes and earthquakes are an everyday occurrence. You can also take a cultural break in Wellington's superb (and free) museum, the Te Papa, where all these phenomena are explained in detail.
New Zealand is one of the most memorable honeymoon destinations, giving you easy access to one of the best feelings there is - it will make you feel alive! If you want to relax after all the emotional upheaval, head for the idyllic Abel Tasman National Park on South Island or to Coromandel on North Island. Vanuatu, Tonga, New Caledonia and other idyllic islands are also within reach - so why not give in to temptation?
