Friday, December 4, 2009
Top 10 Places to Celebrate Christmas
Best Christmas 2009 and 2010 Holiday Concerts and Tours in North America
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Kausani - The 'Switzerland of India'
An epitome of serenity and tranquility, and much famed for its pine trees covered valleys and the views of the snow covered peaks of the Himalayas, Kausani is honeymooners' paradise. From here, one can enjoy more than 300 km wide panoramic views of the Himalayas. The mesmerizing sight of the mountain peaks of the Trishul, Nanda Devi and Panchchuli from Kausani takes one's breath away. Kausani is also much famous for its beautiful sunsets and sunrises.
The place is so beautiful that it compelled even Mahatma Gandhi to prolong his stay here. He was supposed to stay for just two days here but the idyllic and stunning Kausani enticed him to stay here for 12 days during which he wrote his book on Anasakti Yoga. The place where the 'Father of the Nation' stayed is the Anasakti Ashram that shows Kausani's association with the Mahatma.
Kausani is also associated with the name of the great poet laureate Sumitranandan Pant who was born here. The Pant Museum at Kausani is worth visiting. Lakshmi Ashram at Kausani is yet another attraction of the place and worth visiting. It is symbolic of women emancipation.
Then there is the famous Baijnath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva which is just 25 km away from Kausani. This 1000-year old temple is located in pleasant surroundings and attracts people inspired by nature and religion. Mythology has it that the Goddess Parvati went to marry Lord Shiva from this place. The Nanda Devi Temple located 10 km away from Baijnath is yet another prominent attraction of the place. It offers wonderful views of the Himalayas and the pine covered valleys below.
Kausani is well connected by rail, road and air. The nearest airport is at Pantnagar which is 180 km away and the nearest rail head is at Kathgodam which is 142 km away. The best time to visit Kausani is October-November and February-March.
Wildlife Tourism in India
Our country is the home of the numerous mammals like Asian Elephants, Asiatic Lion, Bengal Tiger, Sloth Bear, Indian Rhinoceros and Leopard that is associated with deities. Other Indian mammals like Wild Asian Water buffalo, Nilgai, Gaur and several species of the antelopes and deer. The dog family members like Indian Wolf, Golden jackal, Bengal Fox and Dhole or Wild Dogs which are vastly distributed over the place. Stripped Hyena, Macaques, Mongoose and Langurs are also find here in vast number.
Jim Corbett National Park: It has been located at the foothills of Himalayas. It is having the diverse variety of the flora and fauna. Basically it is famous for the Tigers, Leopards and Elephants. This national park has been established in the year 1936. About the flora of the Corbett it can be said that there are near about 110 species of trees, 50 mammal species, 580 species of birds, an 25 species of reptiles.
Monday, October 12, 2009
iExplore Egypt & Kenya Experience
Friday, August 21, 2009
Heaven on Earth
Cape Town is famous for its natural floral kingdom as well as its harbor. This town is one of the most popular tourist attractions of South Africa, with its wine tasting day trips, whale and dolphin watching.
Greatest Tourist Spot - North America
Sunday, July 26, 2009
The Romantic Route Express
Route: Andermatt - Furka Pass - Gletsch - Grimsel Pass - Meiringen - Grosse Scheidegg - Grindelwald.
The Romantic Route starts in Andermatt where you will board one of the distinctive yellow coaches that make up Switzerland's much-loved Alpine Postbus fleet. Your trip over the Furka Pass to Gletsch, with views of the famous Rhone Glacier, promises to be an unforgettable experience.and skirts the Rhone Glacier on its way down to Gletsch. Steep switchbacks and many hairpin bends bring the bus to the Grimsel Pass (2165 m a.s.l.), then swoops by a deep blue manmade lake and on through the Hasli Valley to Meiringen, where the world-famous meringues, an airy confection of sugar and egg whites, were invented. Cool glaciers contrast the meadows exploding with color, all set to the sound of cowbells clanging.
Then it is on through the romantic Reichenbach Valley and over the Grosse Scheidegg. On the Grosse Scheidegg be prepared for the alpine triumvirate, Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, the breath-taking mountains of this area. This valley was traveled two centuries ago by Goethe, Mendelssohn and Lord Byron, when they discovered the fascinating mountain world of the Bernese Oberland. Glaciers, Alpine pastures and cheese dairies all make the Swiss Alps look just as you expected. Eventually the bus reaches Grindelwald, the alpine village of world renown. Here, enjoy the views of the Eiger North Face, a daunting wall braved by many a mountaineer, as well as all the other imposing mountain peaks that surround this charming village.
Running once per day in both directions the approximate travel time taken is 7 hours. Seat reservations are mandatory and can be made at any Swiss train station or your local Swiss Travel System sales point. A surcharge is applicable for the same. Please note that the ride from Schwarzwaldalp to Grindelwald is not included. The charge needs to be paid directly to the bus driver. Swiss Pass discounts are applicable on this excursion.
Option: To really make this a unique adventure, take the vintage Furka Steam Train from Realp across the Furka Pass to Gletsch.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
iExplore Central Mexico & the Pacific Coast Experience
Querétaro, one of Mexico's colonial jewels, and picturesque town studded with charming and amazingly well-preserved baroque churches, temples and mansions boasting graceful balconies and ornate facades.
San Miguel de Allende is so strikingly lovely in its architecture that it has been designated a national monument. Its many beautifully restored colonial mansions house delightful patio restaurants and fine shops. Students of all ages come to San Miguel de Allende to study art, painting, weaving, sculpting, photography and Spanish.
Guanajuato, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988, is nestled in a narrow canyon between huge mountains, and a photographer's delight with its quaint plazas, colonial buildings, winding cobblestone streets, hidden alleyways and underground passageways.
Morelia, considered the aristocrat of colonial cities features few modern buildings, and architecture kept in the traditions of Old Spain. Wide polished-stone streets and stately buildings give this city its special attraction.
Guadalajara, one of the most serenely beautiful and stately cities in North America, is a city of parks and fountains, of monuments and rose-lined boulevards, a city alive with color. Its rich colonial heritage dates back to 1542 and is evident throughout the city.
The Costalegre, a stretch of Pacific coastline that runs from Manzanillo in the South to Puerto Vallarta in the North, is an area of unspoiled tropical jungle, gorgeous beaches, bays and lagoons filled with exotic birds, tiniy fishing villages, and small hidden luxury hotels. With exclusive polo tournaments, impressive cliff side golf courses and many famous weddings going on around the area, the Costalegre is becoming a sought-after destination for the rich and famous.
iExplore Canada - British Columbia Experience
Continue on to the Sunshine Coast. While technically part of the mainland the Sunshine Coast, reachable only by boat or air; feels more like an island. BC Ferries sail regularly between main areas of interest offering visitors access to miles of pristine coastline and lush countryside.
Roughly the size of Holland, Vancouver Island is an exciting region rich in history and culture, wine and agro-tourism, wildlife watching and a plethora of outdoor activities. Also home to the historic capital city of Victoria, which is famous for its historic buildings and bustling inner harbor; no trip to the island is complete without visiting this jewel.
Friday, July 3, 2009
JUJUY
Its varied landscapes allows the traveller to practise different types of adventure tourism, while at the same time enjoying an immense landscape filled with colours, silences and sounds, amongst valleys and gorges, amongst mountains and water courses, and, all coupled to the simplicity and culture of its people.
Jujuy shares its 312 kilometres long northern frontier with Bolivia and in the west 139 kilometres with Chile. In the east and south it borders the Argentinean Province of Salta.
The Spanish conquistadors that arrived in these lands encountered numerous indigenous peoples, such as the Omaguacas, the Ocloyas and the Jujuyes. After several failed attempts to enter the Region, during which we may mention two occasions when settlements founded by the Spaniards were razed to the ground by the native population, the military superiority of the Spaniards finally prevailed and on April 9th, 1593, Francisco de Argañaraz y Muguía founded San Salvador de Velazco in the valley of Jujuy, the present capital of the Province.
During the wars for independence, Jujuy became the battlefield between the so-called Northern Army - el Ejército del Norte and the forces fighting on the side of the Spanish Crown. In 1812, the general Manuel Belgrano led an ordered retreat, known as the Jujuy Exodus - "Exodo Jujeño". The decisive action by general Martín de Güemes and the replacement of Belgrano by José de San Martín, ended in the liberation of the Province that achieved its autonomy in 1834.
In the territory of Jujuy, the traveller can go - always with San Salvador de Jujuy as a central point - from the almost glacier like cold of the Puna highland to the tropical warmth of the rivers close to the Río San Francisco River, passing through the temperate area of the Gorge of Humahuaca.
Thus, the traveller may chose without problem between a trek or horseback ride through the subtropical Andean low valleys - the Yungas, or else a tourist circuit of the so called Ramal Jujeño, which, although it is sometimes as a place of minor interest for tourism has the following to offer the traveller, the Valle Grande, Siete Aguas, Fraile Pintado and, especially the National Park of Calilegua, in which you will find the jaguarundi, the northern guemul and the River otter, three species in acute danger of extinction.
Throughout the Region, the houses seem to grow from the earth itself: made of adobe, clay and straw bricks, catching the attention of most tourists that visit the area, whether by car, biking, and hiking or by horseback.
Thus, Jujuy has become the Province of northern Argentina most visited by tourists. Its capital city of San Salvador de Jujuy, located 1660 kilometres from Buenos Aires, its rich history, its excellent roads, a modern airport, its multiple tourist circuits that include landscapes crowned by valleys and peaks, where one can practise all types of adventure tourism, coupled to its excellent network of services, makes this area a place to visit during any time of the year.
All you have to do is go there
ECOTOURISM IN SALTA
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Tourist Attractions in Phuket
Animal sanctuary: Visit the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project by the beautiful Bang Pae waterfall. They have a visitor centre manned by Western volunteers and English speaking Thai staff who will talk to you about the project. Talks are free, but please support the project by buying a souvenir, sponsoring a gibbon or giving a donation. Don't have your photo taken with a captive gibbon in Phuket or on the beaches.
Golf: The golf courses of Phuket are of international standard. Each one has its own particular challenges and scenic splendour that only Phuket can offer. Discount green fee are available by booking through Phuket golf booking agencies.
Golf courses in Phuket includes: Blue Canyon Country Club, Laguna Phuket Golf Club, Loch Palm Golf club Phuket, Mission Hills, Phuket Resort and spa, Phuket Country Club, Phuket Golf Courses Reservations, Thai Muang Beach Golf and Marina
Muay Thai training (Thai kick-boxing). The famous ones includes Suwit Muay Thai Boxing Camp and Chalong Chi Muay Thai and M.M.A. Training Camp
Experience the sensense of Thai Spa at Sukko Cultural Spa & Wellness
Watersports: Scuba diving, yachting, jet-skiing and parasailing are the most popular activities on the island. Most dive sites are off nearby islands, but distances are fairly short and there are dozens of dive shops and boats to cater to your needs, mostly based near Chalong Pier.
Other Activities: In Phuket, where everything happens for fun and adventure, you live life to the fullest with such a great variety of activities the paradise has to offer. Just besides the popular activities such as diving and snorkeling, golfing, Muay Thai, sailing and sport fishing, there are a bunch of other "must do while in Phuket" activities.
Climate: Phuket is hot and humid throughout the year. The high season is generally considered to be from November to May. During the summer monsoon season, mornings and afternoons are still sunny and clear, but it tends to rain in the evenings and water clarity goes down. Locals consider May to October the "cool" season, and the weather is quite tolerable, much more so than in the tourism centers around the Gulf coast. It's comparable to Florida's summer weather in temperature and intensity of rain storms: 25-33 deg C, flying clouds, short and thunderous rainfalls in the afternoons and evenings. Surfing is possible off the western beaches.
Geographic Facts: Phuket is the biggest island in Thailand, located in the Andaman Sea off southern Thailand. The island is mostly mountainous with a mountain range in the west of the island from the north to the south. The mountains of Phuket form the southern end of the Phuket mountain range, which ranges for 440 km from the Kra Isthmus. The highest elevation of the island is Mai Thao Sip Song (Twelve Canes), at 529 m above sea level.
70% of the island is covered by forest. The western coast has several sandy beaches, while on the east coast beaches are more often muddy. Near the southernmost point is Laem Promthep (Brahma's Cape), which is a popular sunset viewing point.
In the mountainous north of the island is the Khao Phra Thaeo Non-hunting Area, protecting more than 20 km² of rainforest. The three highest peaks of this reserve are the Khao Prathiu (384 m), Khao Bang Pae (388 m) and Khao Phara (422 m). The Sirinat National Park on the northwestern coast was established in 1981 and protects an area of 90 km² (68 km² marine area), including the Nai Yang beach where sea turtles lay their eggs. Looking north from Kata View Point over Kata Noi Beach, Kata Beach and Karon Beach. Looking north from Kata View Point over Kata Noi Beach, Kata Beach and Karon Beach.
One of the most popular tourist areas on Phuket is Patong Beach on the central western coast, perhaps owing to the easy access to its wide and long beach. Most of Phuket's nightlife and its cheap shopping is located in Patong, and the area has become increasingly developed. Patong means "the forest filled with banana leaves" in Thai.
Other popular beaches are located south of Patong. In a counterclockwise direction these include Karon Beach, Kata Beach, Kata Noi Beach, and around the southern tip of the island, Nai Harn Beach and Bang Tao Beach. These areas are generally much less developed than Patong, and sought out by individuals, families and other groups with a preference for more relaxed and less crowded environs than Patong.
There are several coral islands to the south of Phuket, the Similan Islands lie to the north west, and Phi Phi Islands to the south east. All the islands are suitable for diving.
Brief History: The most significant event in the history of Phuket was the attack by the Burmese in 1785. Sir Francis Light, a British East India Company captain passing by the island, sent word to the local administration that he had observed Burmese forces preparing to attack. Khunying Jan, the wife of the recently deceased governor, and her sister Mook then assembled what forces they could. After a month-long siege, the Burmese were forced to retreat March 13, 1785. The two women became local heroines, receiving the honorary titles Thao Thep Kasatri and Thao Sri Sunthon from King Rama I.
During the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), Phuket became the administrative center of the tin-producing southern provinces. In 1933 Monthon Phuket was dissolved and Phuket became a province by itself.
Old names of the island include Koh Thalang.
Phuket Villas - Your Holiday Home over the Andaman Sea
Let us introduce you to the new South-East Asian jewel. Blessed with wihte sandy beaches and pristine clear water, Phuket quickly gains its popularity as the new emerging beach tropical hoiliday destination. Latest security issues in Bali gives Phuket an even more competitive advantage, Phuket is definitely the next choice if you are still worried about many security issues in Bali.
Infrastructure, security, and government commitment to make Phuket a holiday paradise become give significant impact in addition to the natural attraction. Phuket has everything for everyone, from quiet secluded beach to the wildest nightlife you may ever imagine.
For those expecting to enjoy the island at their own pace, from the luxury of a private holiday home where you are free to decide between enjoying the sun on your private pool-deck overlooking the ocean at home and enjoying what the rest of the island has to offer, we provide Phuket villas—private villas available for holiday rental accommodation in Phuket.
Perching on sloping hill down to the beach, most Phuket villas enjoy unobstructed sprawling views over the Andaman Sea, from sunrise to sunset.
About Phuket
Phuket (formerly known as Tha-Laang or Talang) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighbouring provinces are (from north clockwise) Phang Nga and Krabi, but as Phuket is an island there are no land boundaries. The island is served by Phuket International Airport, located in the north of the island. The ph of "Phuket" is an aspirated "p", so the name is pronounced (roughly) "Poock-get". The name Phuket is apparently derived from the word bukit in Malay which means mountain or hill, as this is what the island appears like from a distance.
Before that its old name was Ta-lang, derived from the old Malay "Telong" which means "Cape". The northern district of the province, which was the location of the old capital, still uses this name.
However, Wat Chalong is a beautiful Buddhist temple located on the southern end of the island. There is also the history to be seen in Phuket Town and, of course, the sights and sounds of the Vegetarian Festival.
Phuket might not have the historical sites that Bangkok and Chiang Mai have, but it does have a few. Most visitors spend their time at the beaches and in the bars. The most heavily-hyped attraction is the Phuket Fantasea show at Kamala Beach, a self-proclaimed "cultural theme park", but comparisons to Disneyland are exaggerated at best.
Beaches in Phuket
Bang Tao—You can choose Bang Tao beach for relaxing holidays. There is no noise from cars and bars as it's not a crowded place.
Surin Beach still has a small village atmosphere, but this is gradually changing as more and more major housing developments and hotel projects get underway. Accommodation is not cheap and the best prices are around 500 baht in the low season.
The beach itself is lined with tall casuarina trees and small Thai style restaurants. There is no nightlife to speak of, but there are many quality restaurants serving a variety of cuisines. Surin beach can become quite dangerous in the monsoon season due to its steeply sloping beach, and many unwary swimmers have lost their lives here; however this has not deterred the local surf enthusiasts and when the waves are right you'll see many Thais on surfboards.
Laem Sing Beach Beautiful beach accessible only by a short hike down a steep hill through lush forest. Well worth the exercise. The beach has 2 restaurants right on the sand serving good food and drinks at reasonable prices and with excellent service. Beware the rocks on either end of the beach whilst swimming.
See the beach and get some tan. There isn't much else to look at here except maybe under water. Fortunately, it's a beautiful beach and it faces west so you get nice sunsets. Although the beach is full of rental sun chairs, for the moment it is now as crowded as some of the more popular beaches along the Phuket's west coast.
Kamala provides a haven for those who prefer the quieter life. Although the southern end of the beach can get busy in the high season, the northern end is peaceful all year round. "Rim Haad" (Beach Road), at the southern end, has a number of small 20-30 room hotels for the low/medium budget traveller. Friendly service and village feel and a diversity of restaurants and small bars can be found on this small road. Cheaper food options/market stalls can be found on the main Kamala Road.
The only two tourist attractions Kamala has to offer (besides the beach) are the Fantasea show and the Buddhist temple at the southern end of the beach. At the middle of the beach, there is a small park with a tsunami monument.
Patong is the party capital of Phuket, with a sex-drugs-booze-saturated nightlife and a great beach. Mostly made up of hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and various tourist attractions, there's a thriving nightlife, with numerous "entertainment complexes" and countless bars clustered together in and around Bangla Road, and female, transgender and male prostitutes to cater to every taste. Massage parlors of the erotic as well the therapeutic (Nuad Thai) genre provide less alcohol/drug infested venues for punters and wellness seekers. One can even find masseuses practicing this medical art atop bamboo mats on the beach sands (100 baht and up).
Karon Beach is approximately 1.5 km long. Most areas are fully recovered from the tsunami, with just a few vacant lots still awaiting redevelopment. Not many hotels have direct beach frontage - most are across the road (which is not a busy one).
Unlike the busier and noisier neighbour Patong Beach further north, Karon Beach offers visitor a nice long quiet stretch of sand. Beach umbrellas decked out along the beach are available for rent. Facing west, it gives a beautiful view of the sunset.
Kata Yai Beach is approximately 1 km long. Much smaller and less crowded than Patong Beach. Fantastic surfing - highly recommended!
Rawai is located at the southern tip of Phuket. It is much less touristy than nearby Kata and Patong beaches and an excellent place to experience some real Thai culture. Rawai beach itself is only used to moor fishing boats and swimming there is not recommended, but there are a number of excellent beaches which are only a few minutes away by scooter/tuk tuk. In particular Promethep Cape is recommended for excellent swimming and snorkeling, although neighbouring Nai Harn Beach is popular with the older crowd.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Tourist Destinations of Argentina
Monday, April 27, 2009
Places to Visit in 2009: Dubai, A Tourist Paradise
This does not end here. In fact, no one is really sure, where this will stop. Below is the another picture of same street. This one, taken in 2005.
The pace at which Dubai is making progress is mind boggling. The state has more workers, working on permits, than it has citizens. It is estimated that 15% of world’s high rise cranes are in Dubai at the moment. Can you count them in the picture below?
All this to construct, world’s most expensive and luxurious hotels…
Al-Burj (right picture), when completed, will be the centerpiece of these beautiful man made palm islands.
Top Honeymoon Destinations
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Greek Island Holidays - Number 1 British Tourist Destination 2009
Best Tourist Holiday Destination 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
The Most Overrated Tourist Attractions in Paris, France
However, once can simply not doubt the utmost attraction value of visiting Paris, France. It has been one of the world's leading tourist resort country's for countless years and is a popular choice for both regular tourists and historians alike. However, there are places in the country which take advantage of the general popularity of the place itself. Needless to say, not EVERY tourist attraction in Paris, France is a good one, it is up to your wise judgement and a little help from this article to judge for yourself which are the good, and which are the bad.
Historians often go for the countless monuments in Paris, be it the legendary Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame Cathedral, or recently, the more controversial location where Lady Diana was fatally wounded and later tragically passed away. This may seem a morbid reason to visit Paris, France, but there are many people in the world who actually take photographs of this area and the area surrounding as whether we like it or ot, it serves as a pinnacle point in our world history and serves as the setting point for the worst tragedy of the 1990's.
All of these locations however, are all media hyped in one way or another to make them seem a lot better and more interesting than they actually are. They are more interesting for aspiring historians rather than the common tourist, yet tourists still pay to see them, simply to say that they have seen them, whether they know the history or not. Most of Paris' monuments rely, or have relied on media hype to make them popular.
Whether it be the romantically themed hotels and restaurants, or the dull monuments, most things in Paris, France are simply media hype. Why it is a place i personally would like to visit, being a fan of history around the world, I would say the majority of tourists would not be impressed, from the hype they have seen on television, i do not think they would be impressed.
I would reccomend Paris, ONLY if you are an aspiring historian, or have children who are fans of the Disney characters. The rest is smply media hype to make money from a simple tourist attraction country's well looked after namesake.
5 Architectural Landmarks: World's Best Tourist Attractions
5. The Alhambra : Spain was once the mightiest country in the world. It contains plenty of beautiful and historic landmarks. One other most visited landmark of Spain and one of the most visited in the continent of Europe is The Alhambra. Literally, The Alhambra means "the red one"; the complete name is Qal'at al-Hambra, which means "The red fortress". It is a palace and fortress complex of the Moorish rulers of Granada in southern Spain. It was once the residence of the Muslim rulers of Granada and their court, the Alhambra is now one of Spain's major tourist attractions exhibiting the country's most famous Islamic architecture, together with Christian 16th century and later interventions in buildings and gardens that marked its image as it can be seen today.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
South Island Attraction with Blue Sky
Why New Zealanders Love Their Gardens?
New Zealand gardens boast a beautiful selection of native flowers and trees, including the magnificent flowering pohutukawa tree (known as New Zealand's Christmas tree because it flowers in December) and the alpine Mount Cook lily, the world's largest buttercup.
In many places, garden tours in New Zealand include private as well as public gardens. Some of the large private country gardens in the Eastland, Manawatu-Wanganui, Wairarapa and Canterbury regions were former estates and are quite spectacular.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
New Zealand: Tourism Information
New Zealand has so many outstanding places to visit during a vacation that it is difficult to choose among them. I know that your vacation time is both brief and valuable. Our recommendations for the best places to visit will help you find the right place for your vacation in New Zealand.
Be sure to note that the period of the seasons in the Southern Hemisphere is the opposite of the Northern Hemisphere. During our summer they are experiencing winter. So if you want to ski in Queenstown, July and August can be the heart of the season. If you are not a skier, don't let the concept of winter stop you from taking your summer vacation in New Zealand, since the snow pretty much stays at the higher elevations.
A trip to New Zealand should cover the country's two major islands, known simply as the North Island and the South Island. Both islands are interesting, but we recommend that you spend the majority of you time on the South Island, which is pretty close to paradise.
The team at ThereArePlaces has developed a proprietary method for evaluating the attractiveness of towns and regions as tourist destinations. We used this methodology to create our list of the best places to visit in New Zealand. We believe that the cities and regions described below are the country’s key tourist destinations, contain New Zealand's best attractions and urge you to visit them during your travels in New Zealand.
South Island : The South Island is sparsely populated and brimming with outdoor adventure. You may see landscapes and scenery that you have not seen before, packaged in the most beautiful and moving of environments.
Queenstown : Queenstown, sited on the shore of beautiful Lake Wakatipu, is surrounded by the luscious beauty of a mountain chain known as the Remarkables. The town is the focal point for a large and diverse recreational area. Queenstown is a place where you can "sit and think" or participate in various outdoor activities, some of them quite unique. The shopping is OK but limited and cultural attractions are sparse.
Milford Sound : I think that cruising Milford Sound (a glacial fjord/fiord) is worth the cost of the trip to New Zealand. The Sound's scenery is spectacular - do not miss it! Most rental car agreements prohibit you from driving your rental on the road to Milford Sound. The Milford Road is subject to avalanches and landslides and is often closed on short notice.