New Zealand is one of the nicest places I have been, the people are friendly and it is clean. The highlight of a visit to NZ is its capital Auckland. There are many interesting things to do while there and these are a few are my favourites. A must is Mount Eden which is the highest of Auckland's volcanic peaks, from here you can see wonderful views of the city. Another must is Keely Tarltons underwater world where you feel you are at the bottom of the sea it is the best aquarium I have been to. While there we stayed in budget accommodation apartments which were clean and spacious. There are an abundance of restaurants and nightlife having everything to suit peoples pockets and likes. They have an abundance of shops and traditional souvenirs are sheepskin rugs and Maori carvings.

Rotorua

If you go to New Zealand this is a must, it is approximately 145 miles from Auckland. The only thing that can be off putting is the smell of hydrogen sulphide from the geothermal springs, you soon get used to it. There are plenty of things to do here and these were my favourites.

A must is the New Zealand Maori arts and crafts institute. Here you can see geysers such as Pohuta which spouts every 30 minutes and spurts hot water up to 30m, my children loved the bubbling mud. Also here is a replica of a Maori village and show how the hot pools were used for cooking and bathing. Also go on a lakeland cruise on Lake Rotorua you can go on anything from a short cruise to a full day.

We also enjoyed the skyline gondola to get a wonderful view of Rotorua. While at the top you can go on there luge coming back up on a sky lift a must if you take children with you. There are many other things to do but these were our highlights so if you go enjoy

Advantages: Auckland is a must and so is New Zealand, Geysers, Clean and friendly Disadvantages: smell. Jet lag

Marlborough - quiet slice of paradise

New Zealand is a great place, who wants to deny it?? But the best things, as usual, are off the beaten track. I'm talking about a small province in the top of the South Island. Most people miss it as they usually make a direct link from the capital (Wellington) to the next major metropolis (Christchurch), maybe stopping off at Kaikoura to swim with the dolphins. But I urge anyone headed Down Under at some stage to stop for a night or two and savour the peacefulness.

Marlborough is THE major wine region in New Zealand (Gisbourne being second), having in the vicinity of approximately 50-60 wineries producing some of the most memorable wines in the sunniest region of NZ. Take a local tour, or hire a car and visit as many as you like for some free tastings. Or if wines not your thing - there are more and more breweries willing to quench your thirst on those hot summer evenings (or afternoons, or mornings!!)

Marlborough is also one of the great regions which has everything the outdoors fanatics could want - from Blenheim (the major town in Marlborough) it is only a half hour to either the ocean on the east coast (good surfing) or the mountains on the west (from small walks to week long hikes). With a skifield only an hour and a half away, rivers at nearly every turn with excellent fishing, lakes for all sorts of watersports, vast amounts of walking tracks through native bush..... it's an absolute paradise.

Just remember to take the sunscreen, as December - February is the hottest, with temperatures nearing 30 degrees continuously. Lots of film to capture those perfect cloudless skies, and a big smile as you can really relax!