OK, so it’s on the other side of the world and a plane ticket costs a fortune. Even so, why not consider a visit to New Zealand? Few destinations can offer the kind of wild beauty together with the creature comforts and friendly people you will find there.

Hiking, or "tramping" is one of the most rewarding activities a visitor to the country can do, as it allows you to keep fit while walking through native wildlife and beautiful scenery. There are many trails, which vary considerably in length, difficulty and terrain. One of the most famous guided tours is the Milford Track, which snakes through temperate rainforest on the west coast of the South Island. Inhale the smells of damp earth and ferns, splash through glassy ice-cold creeks and catch the liquid notes of the bellbird as you step under the cathedral-like canopy of punga trees, beech, totara and kauri. Although there are few native mammals and very few reptiles in New Zealand, bird-life is abundant. The Kea, a moss-green mountain parrot known for stealing boots and windscreen wipers, is particularly delightful. The fantail loves to flirt with walkers, so don’t be surprised if a small brown flycatcher with a fan-shaped tail accompanies you chatting in a dialect of squeaks. Stewart Island, south of the South Island is another unspoiled tramping destination. Here it is possible to see the kiwi, the flightless bird that has come to be New Zealand’s national symbol.

The national center of adventure tourism is undoubtedly Queenstown, New Zealand’s Banff. This pretty town is built on a lake and has some beautiful views of the Southern Alps. With fine hotels, stores, good restaurants and various health facilities it caters to tourists who like their adventures to be comfortable. With Queenstown as your base, you can ski, raft on white water, bungee jump, kayak, tramp and go sightseeing by helicopter all in just a couple of days. There is some excellent freshwater fishing to be had in the nearby lakes and the Central Otago area has many vineyards that are open for tours and wine tasting.

The coasts of New Zealand also offer myriad attractions. Its beautiful public beaches stretch the length of both islands and are home to many different kinds of rare animals. In one place it is possible to visit an albatross colony, to watch yellow-eyed penguins and to swim in the ocean with the tiny Hector’s dolphin. In Kaikoura you can even come face to face with Sperm Whales, migratory Humpback Whales (June and July), Orca (summer months), Dusky dolphins, and New Zealand Fur Seals. Cape Kidnapper’s, in the north, has its own gannet colony.

New Zealand’s beaches are also great places for sport and recreation. There are many excellent surfing spots, for example. In the balmy Bay of Islands it is possible to go sea-kayaking, walking, diving, fishing, sailing and, of course, sunbathing. Stand at the southernmost point of the South Island and indulge in oysters from Bluff, or go north, to the northernmost tip where the Pacific Ocean meets the Tasman Sea.

The North Island is the best place to learn about Maoritanga, the culture and history of New Zealand’s first inhabitants. Today Maori have assimilated with the other races that make up the diverse population but many preserve their ancestral songs, legends, dances and music. Those who are curious about Maori culture can witness it firsthand at Rotorua, one of New Zealand’s oldest and most popular tourist destinations. Attractions include the performance of traditional dancing complete with traditional moko (tattoos) and costumes. Rotorua is also famous for its geothermic activity, boasting hot mud pools, boiling springs and a strong smell of sulfur. If the air in Rotorua is too rich for you, you can opt for a more authentic Maori experience by visiting a nearby township where many people use Maori in everyday conversation. You can arrange to visit a marae (traditional meeting house) and share a hangi (meal cooked in an earth oven).

Urbanites should definitely check out Wellington. Located on the waterfront at the southern part of the North Island, Wellington is a vibrant and attractive city. The nation’s capital has over 300 restaurants and cafes, some of which are the best in New Zealand. It has plenty of cinemas, art galleries and museums including the historical Maritime Museum and Te Papa, the national museum. Being a compact city, it is possible to explore it on foot in between ducking into one of the local fashion boutiques.

Alternatively, take a ride on the working cable cars and admire the sea view. Climb Mount Victoria and be buffeted by the famous Wellington wind as you survey the bright southern vista. The country’s biggest city is Auckland, known as the "city of sails," which recently hosted the America’s Cup. Located in the north of the North Island, it has a semi-tropical climate and hundreds of things to see and do. Art historians should also be interested in Napier, a town that was destroyed in an earthquake in 1931 and then entirely rebuilt in the Art Deco style.

Whether you do a road trip or hop from place to place on cheap flights, it is possible to do all of the above in a couple of weeks. Tall snow-covered mountains, ferny rainforests, grassy volcanic landscapes, mirror-like lakes, and stormy beaches: These images are likely to alter your sense of time and haunt you long after you have returned to a more manicured civilization.