When you need to completely get away- there are few places further in the world that one can escape to! This island nation some 1,200 miles off the east coast of Australia has no shortage of things to do, unique foods to try, and one-of-a-kind hotels to stay in. The long-haul flight will be worth every hour.

Where to stay:

You are going to want to include a stay in historic Queenstown and we highly recommend checking into Eichardt’s Private Hotel. Eichardt’s, a 150-year-old Queenstown icon, provides seven luxurious hotel suites in its historic building and newly opened hospitality wing situated on a premium lakefront position The hotel is situated at the heart of Queenstown’s café and restaurant precinct with some of the finest international shopping labels an easy stroll away. This New Zealand icon reflects contemporary provincial elegance with its modern features in perfect harmony with the distinctive antiques and luxurious furnishings. The hotel’s 2-bedroom rooftop Penthouse Suite is the ultimate in lakeside luxury, complete with a terrace hot tub

Be sure to add a day’s worth of rest after the flight because you are going to want to see and experience all that the island nation has to offer. Take a cruise around the Milford Sound where you can see some whales or spend a day along the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Enjoy a walking tour of the 12 acres set of “The Hobbit” and “Lord of The Rings” movies, which has since turned into a wildlife sanctuary. In the dead of night, turn to the sky for a once in a lifetime view of the stars and the galaxy from Geraldine Observatory.With much to experience and take in, there is no wonder New Zealand has become one of the world’s hottest vacation destinations.