🇳🇿New Zealand

Milford Sound

A fjord in Fiordland reached by one of New Zealand's most scenic drives, its sheer cliffs and cascading waterfalls, including the towering Stirling Falls, best seen by boat cruise. Rain, common in the area, actually enhances the experience by triggering temporary waterfalls down the cliff faces. Rudyard Kipling once called it the eighth wonder of the world, a description that has stuck in local tourism ever since.

Hobbiton

The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit film set, built on a working sheep farm in the Waikato region, was kept intact after filming and gradually rebuilt in more permanent materials for ongoing tours. Guided walks pass by hobbit holes, the Green Dragon Inn, where a drink is included with most tours, and the party tree from the films. Its rural, rolling green setting matches the on-screen Shire remarkably closely.

Queenstown

The country's adventure sports hub, where commercial bungee jumping was pioneered in the 1980s and remains a signature activity alongside jet boating and skydiving. Lake Wakatipu's dramatic mountain backdrop makes even a simple lakeside walk feel scenic. Nearby Milford and Doubtful Sounds are commonly visited as day trips from town.

Rotorua

Geothermal geysers, bubbling mud pools, and a distinct sulfur smell define this North Island town, sitting atop an active volcanic zone. Māori cultural performances and traditional hangi feasts, food cooked in an earth oven, offer insight into New Zealand's indigenous culture. Wai-O-Tapu's colorful geothermal pools rank among the most photographed geothermal features in the country.

Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Often ranked among the best one-day hikes in the world, this crossing traverses volcanic craters, emerald-colored lakes, and the peak used as Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings films. The roughly 19-kilometer route requires a full day and reasonable fitness, with weather on the exposed sections changing quickly. Shuttle services typically handle the one-way logistics between start and end points.

Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers

Two glaciers on the South Island's West Coast, unusual for descending nearly to sea level through temperate rainforest, a rare combination found in few places on Earth. Helicopter tours allow landing directly on the ice for guided walks, since the glaciers have retreated too far for easy access on foot. Their proximity to both the coast and the Southern Alps makes for dramatic, varied scenery in a small area.