Isola del Nord & Sud 3 - da Auckland a Christchurch in 18 giorni

An archipelago of nearly 150 islands scattered across turquoise waters makes up the Bay of Islands, a jewel of Northland and one of New Zealand's most striking coastal destinations. This subtropical corner of the far north is a paradise for cruising, dolphin and whale watching, deep-sea fishing and water sports, with sheltered bays and secluded beaches reached by boat. The famous rock arch of the Hole in the Rock, off Piercy Island, is one of the most popular excursions. The region also holds deep historical significance: at Waitangi the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840, the nation's founding document, now told in its cultural centre. The towns of Paihia and Russell, the country's first capital, offer fresh-fish restaurants and a relaxed atmosphere. Among crystal-clear sea, history and subtropical nature, the Bay of Islands invites unhurried sailing.

Golden beaches, rainforests and hidden bays shape the Coromandel Peninsula, one of the North Island's best-loved natural destinations, just a few hours' drive from Auckland. This finger of land reaching into the Pacific alternates rugged coastlines, turquoise waters and a mountainous interior cloaked in lush vegetation. Its most famous landmark is Cathedral Cove, a spectacular rock arch reached on foot, while at Hot Water Beach visitors dig their own natural pool in the sand, fed by thermal springs. Heritage towns such as Coromandel Town and Thames preserve the atmosphere of the gold-mining era, with art galleries, cafés and craft workshops. Trails through kauri forests and the scenic Driving Creek invite slow exploration. Among unspoilt nature, secret beaches and a relaxed pace, the Coromandel Peninsula is the ideal retreat for those seeking sea and tranquillity.

Begin a magical journey into the fantasy universe of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, created by Tolkien and made even more famous by the New Zealand director Peter Jackson. Traveling south, you pass through the Bombay Hills, the agricultural region of Waikato, and the historic town of Cambridge. Stop at the Shire's Rest in Matamata, the green countryside where the Hobbit trilogy was set. You will see the 37 hobbit holes, the double-arched bridge, the party tree, the Green Dragon Inn, and the door of Bilbo's house; a splendid view as far as the eye can see over the hills. Rotorua holds one of New Zealand's most extraordinary landscapes, a land of bubbling geysers, hot mud pools and volcanic lakes at the centre of the North Island. Known for the unmistakable scent of sulphur that fills the air, it is the beating heart of the country's Māori culture and geothermal activity. In the areas of Te Puia and Wai-O-Tapu, visitors admire the famous Pohutu geyser and mineral terraces in surreal colours, while Māori villages offer haka dance performances, hangi feasts cooked underground and encounters with age-old traditions. Lake Rotorua and the nearby Redwoods Forest, with its towering sequoia pines, invite walks, mountain biking and canopy suspension bridges. Among geothermal wonders, ancestral culture and lush forests, Rotorua is an experience that engages every sense.

A UNESCO World Heritage site for its natural value and Māori cultural significance, Tongariro National Park is New Zealand's oldest national park and guards three active volcanoes in the heart of the North Island: Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro itself. Its lunar landscapes of steaming craters, emerald lakes and lava fields have provided the backdrop for famous film settings. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing, considered among the most spectacular day hikes in the world, crosses volcanic saddles and thermal springs amid breathtaking scenery. In winter the slopes of Ruapehu become ski fields. Tongariro is the sacred land where fire and myth meet.

Palmerston North spreads across the Manawatu plain, a lively university city energised by the presence of Massey University. Its focal point is The Square, a broad green plaza around which city life revolves, while the New Zealand Rugby Museum recounts the nation’s passion for the sport. Crossed by the Manawatu River, the city makes an ideal base for exploring the nearby Manawatu Gorge, carved between the hills. An authentic portrait of rural New Zealand.

The capital of New Zealand, Wellington stretches across the southern tip of the North Island, gathered around a spectacular bay and ringed by hills dotted with colourful houses. Lively and cosmopolitan, it is regarded as the country's cultural and creative heart, renowned for its food scene, cafés and passion for craft beer. On the waterfront stands Te Papa Tongarewa, the remarkable national museum that tells the nation's history, nature and Māori culture. The historic Wellington Cable Car climbs to the Botanic Garden and a panoramic lookout over the city, while the Cuba Street district pulses with life among vintage shops, venues and murals. The city is also a capital of cinema, home to the studios that brought The Lord of the Rings saga to life. Among culture, sea and a brisk breeze, Wellington wins visitors over with its urban energy and independent character.

Nelson stretches across the northern tip of the South Island, facing Tasman Bay, and proudly claims the title of the exact geographic centre of New Zealand. Blessed with one of the country's sunniest climates, the city combines golden beaches, a lively arts-and-crafts scene and a respected food-and-wine tradition. Above all, it is the gateway to two parks of great beauty: Abel Tasman, famed for its coastal trails between turquoise coves and forest, and the wilder, more untouched Kahurangi. The surrounding countryside, rich in orchards, vineyards and hop gardens, feeds a thriving culture of craft breweries and local produce. Nelson is the ideal destination for those seeking sun, sea, nature and fine food all in one place.

At the mouth of the Grey River, on the west coast of the South Island, Greymouth is the largest town on the West Coast and an ideal starting point for exploring this wild, off-the-beaten-path region. Grown around its mining history of coal and gold, it retains a rugged, authentic character, facing the Tasman Sea. It is the terminus of the TranzAlpine, one of the world's most scenic railways, crossing gorges, beech forests and the passes of the Southern Alps. Nearby, the rock formations of the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and the rainforests offer unforgettable excursions. Between stormy seas and untamed nature, Greymouth is the rugged soul of the West Coast.

Begin a magical journey into the fantasy universe of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, created by Tolkien and made even more famous by the New Zealand director Peter Jackson. Traveling south, you pass through the Bombay Hills, the agricultural region of Waikato, and the historic town of Cambridge. Stop at the Shire's Rest in Matamata, the green countryside where the Hobbit trilogy was set. You will see the 37 hobbit holes, the double-arched bridge, the party tree, the Green Dragon Inn, and the door of Bilbo's house; a splendid view as far as the eye can see over the hills. Franz Josef owes its fame to a rare geological spectacle: the Franz Josef Glacier, which tumbles down from the Southern Alps to within a few hundred metres of sea level, amid lush temperate rainforest. This meeting of ice and exuberant vegetation, unique in the world, forms part of the Te Wāhipounamu protected area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The small village set along the West Coast lives on adventure: guided ice walks, scenic helicopter flights landing on the snowfield, and trails leading to lookouts over the glacier's tongue. After the hikes, the village's hot pools offer relief among the ferns. A short distance away, the twin Fox Glacier completes the picture. Between age-old ice and emerald forests, Franz Josef reigns as the kingdom of adventure on the wild coast.

Wanaka sits on the shores of its namesake lake, at the edge of the Otago region's Southern Alps, and has earned a reputation as a more relaxed and authentic retreat than nearby Queenstown. The town is the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park, part of Te Wahipounamu, the UNESCO World Heritage area that protects some of New Zealand's most spectacular alpine landscapes. In winter the slopes of Treble Cone and Cardrona draw skiers; in summer the lake lends itself to kayaking, swimming and walks along its inlets. The town's icon is the famous "That Wanaka Tree", a solitary willow growing in the lake's waters that attracts photographers from around the world. The surrounding hills, warmed by the Central Otago sun, also produce some of the country's finest pinot noir. Wanaka is an ideal stop for those seeking nature, outdoor sport and an unhurried pace.

Queenstown rises on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, embraced by the jagged peaks of the Remarkables, and is widely known as New Zealand's adventure capital. The tourist heart of the South Island, it blends the energy of outdoor pursuits with the charm of a compact lakefront, where cafés, restaurants and boutiques enliven the town's streets. From here come bungee jumping on the Kawarau Bridge, cruises aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw steamship, jet boating through the gorges, and the ski fields of Coronet Peak and The Remarkables. The Skyline Gondola climbs to Bob's Peak, offering a spectacular view over town and lake. Nearby, the picturesque gold-mining town of Arrowtown and the wineries of the Central Otago region, famous for its Pinot Noir, round out the experience. Among mountains, crystal-clear waters and adrenaline, Queenstown is a destination for every season of the year.

Aoraki/Mount Cook is New Zealand's highest peak, more than 3,700 metres of rock and ice soaring in the heart of the Southern Alps. The surrounding national park, part of the Te Wāhipounamu UNESCO World Heritage area, holds the Tasman Glacier, milky glacial lakes and a crown of snow-capped summits mirrored in the waters of Lake Pukaki. The Hooker Valley trails lead across suspension bridges and past floating icebergs to the foot of the mountain sacred to the Māori. By night, the clear skies of the Dark Sky Reserve blaze with stars. An unforgettable destination for lovers of high mountains and great silence.