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maltatoday, SUNDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 2014 34 TRAVEL Paradise on (Middle) Earth New Zealand Most people consider New Zea- land a haven for those seeking peace, rejuvenation and relaxa- tion as well as a playground for thrill seekers and adventurers. Inhabiting one of the most at- tractive countries on earth, the New Zealanders have enhanced nature's bounty by developing a lifestyle that combines traditional values with the best of the modern world. Over half of New Zealand 's to- tal land area is pasture and arable land and more than a quarter is under forest cover. Sophisticated cities offering up-to-the-minute shopping, nightlife and enter- tainment are just a short drive away from spectacularly beautiful countryside. And wherever you go, you will find there is an excellent choice of accommodation from privately owned lodges to interna- tional hotels. Gourmets will revel in the New Zealand cuisine, which takes full advantage of the country's pro- duce – fine meats, excellent sea- food and fresh fruit and vegeta- bles. Taking its inspiration from the kitchens of Europe, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Polynesia, Japan and Vietnam, it has evolved into distinctive dishes that are further enhanced by the accompa- niment of New Zealand 's award- winning wines. Sports opportunities abound. There are more golf courses per capita than any other country, the diving is superb (the Poor Knights Marine Reserve is numbered amongst the world 's top five div- ing areas) and you can go skiing, white water rafting, sea kayaking, hunting, diving, jet boating, cav- ing, rainforest walking, fishing or bungee jumping, which was in- vented in New Zealand. Lying in the South Pacific Ocean, 1,600 kilometres east of Australia, New Zealand has a temperate cli- mate with four distinct seasons. Most parts of the country enjoy abundant sunshine, apart from the Southern Alps (where from June to August, skiing is the best in the southern hemisphere). Win- ters are mild. For such a compact country, New Zealand has an extraordinary va- riety of landscapes. On the North Island there are deep forests and lovely bays, quiet beaches and wild surf; volcanic thermal springs at Rotorua, a Maori cultural centre and gentle pastoral beauty around Wellington, the country's hilly capital. The South Island is even more diverse – there is the year- round excitement of the Southern Alps, with its glaciers, rivers, lakes and hiking trails; the Victorian and Edwardian elegance and strong Scottish inf luence of Dunedin; the immense natural beauty of Otago, the rolling grassy plains of Can- terbury; and the curious English atmosphere of Christchurch. Auckland Rising from a lush green land- scape marked by 48 dormant vol- canoes, Auckland 's location be- tween two natural harbours has earned it the title 'the cit y of sails'. With more boats per capita than any other cit y, Auckland is the perfect start-off point to explore by water some of the 50 islands that make up the Hauraki Gulf. The Maori history of Auckland is fascinating. Known as Tamaki- makaurau, the maiden with 100 lovers, it has earned its name be- cause it was a place desired by all and conquered by many. Auckland combines a cosmopol- itan, sophisticated cit y in an ex- ceptionally attractive setting. The warm climate, fine dining and cui- sine with a host of entertainment options, great shopping, beautiful parks and superb beaches make this a vibrant cit y. Beaches, golf courses, museums and a number of day tours make it a perfect holi- day destination. Just 30 kilometres from down- town are the Waitakere Ranges, Auckland 's costal rainforest. Here, guarded by magnificent Maori carvings, the Arataki Cen- tre is perched on a high ridge and providing breathtaking views from the Tasman Sea to the Pa- cific Ocean. The Hauraki Gulf Marine Park is considered one of the world 's most biologically and geologically diverse marine parks with 22 spe- cies of marine mammals being identified. Dolphins and whales are sighted on 90% and 75% of sa- faris respectively. Queenstown Queenstown, on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, is New Zealand 's favourite and most inspiring rec- reational town. Surrounded by the rugged Southern Alps, the pastoral valleys, tumbling rivers and still lakes, this is the home of bungee jumping and a year-round adventure centre where anything is possible. With a concentration of adrena- line sports such as skydiving, can- yon swinging, jet boating, white wa- ter rafting and heli-skiing, visitors replace daily stresses with exhila- ration and often get carried away indulging in adventure thrills. Just outside of Queenstown, be- neath the rugged Remarkables Mountain Range is Milford Sound. Prepare to be mesmerised by the grandeur of this region as you trav- el past the spectacular waterfalls and stunning lakes. Before entering into Milford Sound, travel through the 1.2 kilometre long Homer Tun- nel, which has been drilled through the mountain to gain access to the Sound. Embark on a spectacular one and a half hour cruise on Milford Sound where you will see the wonders of Milford Peak, the glacier scarred rock wall that rise over 1,200 me- tres vertically from the sea and waterfalls that tumble from hang- ing valley and crash into the sound below. How to get there? Emirates offer regular serv- ices to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch with a stop over in Dubai. Flights departing from Malta on 25 September and re- turning on 11 October were priced at €1,634.72. Flights on the same dates to Wellington were priced at €1,185.53. Flights on the same dates to Christchurch were priced at €1,537.72. Prices include airport taxes and were accurate at the time of going to print. Total f lying time is approximately 27 hours. Grab some thrills in Queenstown, the birthplace of bungee jumping Wellington – New Zealand's hilly capital The North Island is home to the thermal springs of Rotorua