New Zealand

New Zealand is a small country, similar in size to Great Britain or Japan in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. The 2 main islands are both marked by volcanoes and glaciation. While the far north has subtropical weather during summer, and inland alpine areas of the South Island can be as cold as -10°C (14°F) in winter, most of the country lies close to the coast, which means mild temperatures.

A population of four million people means there is plenty of space to travel in relative isolation and you can enjoy a  mix of Maori and European traditions and of course enjoy the ‘middle earth’ back drop that was used in the Lord of the Rings film trilogy. The country has a rich bio-diversity though human impact has seen species go extinct and efforts are underway to prevent further loss.

It is a popular place for people to visit and explore, often by camper van and there are lots of opportunities to take part in outdoor pursuits of one sort or another. Yes, it’s a a long journey to get there but well worth the effort.