New Zealand is a country guaranteed to surprise. Emerald green landscapes and towering mountains mingle with spectacular fjords and icy glaciers in a land that is only 2,200 kms from the frozen continent of Antarctica. That's the equivalent of the distance between Miami and New York! A visit to these shores is something that everyone should do in their lifetime, but the only way to get the full New Zealand experience is to book yourself on a New Zealand cruise.

A New Zealand cruise insures that you'll get the best out of your visit to these islands. Ten, twelve and fourteen-day cruises around New Zealand generally begin in Auckland on the North Island or in Sydney, Australia. They take in many ports of call along the Eastern coast of the North and South Islands, as well as a few 'bonus' ports in Australia and Tasmania - these generally being Melbourne and Hobart.

Auckland is known as the City of Sails. It is located on the northern shores of the North Island and is renowned for its cosmopolitan population, spectacular views and excellent shopping facilities. Beautiful sandy beaches await all who visit Auckland, as well as a wealth of land and sea adventure activities - from sailing to trekking alongside dormant volcanoes.

At the North Island's most southerly point is New Zealand's capital - Wellington. Here you can experience the heart and soul of modern New Zealand life and enjoy spectacular views of the South Island. If you time it right, you could even watch the Dragon Boat Festival that takes place in Wellington Harbor in March every year.

Further down the coast is Christchurch - gateway to the Southern Alps and the magnificent Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. Shore excursions into the National Park can be arranged from Christchurch, enabling you to experience spectacular views of this awe-inspiring land. Close-by is Mount Sunday, famed as the location in which the City of Edoras and the Court of Meduseld were constructed for the shooting of The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Wild coastal scenery and New Zealand's oldest city greet all who visit the port of Dunedin to the south-east of the South Island, while Fjordland National Park on the southern tip of New Zealand really brings home the beauty and diversity of landscapes that exist in New Zealand.

If you want a to experience a truly magical journey in a land that is now synonymous with Tolkein's 'Middle Earth', then a New Zealand cruise can give you all this and more...

John Metcalfe is the author and web publisher of A to Z Cruises your #1 source
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