New Year, New Zealand

2015 Vacation to New Zealand

Question: What's a closer flight—Italy, Australia, or New Zealand? Answer: New Zealand! You're just an overnight flight away from waking up in Middle-earth, minus the Orcs. With so much diversity in one country, every day is a different journey in New Zealand.

Size Matters: New Zealand's compact size lets you do a lot in a day—like experience glaciers, rain forests, beaches, wineries, and thermal hot springs! Queenstown (aka the Adventure Capital of the World) is one of several smart base camps, set on the shores of turquoise Lake Wakatipu and backed by the Remarkables mountain range. From hiking, jetboating, and rafting to golf courses, scenic flights, and trendy restaurants, this little resort town offers it all.

Hobbiton Hop: It's one of the most enchanting pieces of Middle-earth: Hobbiton, aka The Shire, is a magical village on rolling farmland you can tour daily, where 44 Hobbit-holes are exact replicas of how they appeared in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies. And just one hour from Hobbiton, the Waitomo Caves fascinate—a labyrinth of underground rivers and subterranean caves lit up by millions of glow worms that look like a galaxy of stars. Take a boat ride, go black-water rafting, or even zip-line through the darkness!

Eighth Wonder of the World: Dubbed the Eighth Wonder of the World, Milford Sound (pictured) was carved by glaciers, with fiord cliffs rising right out of its pristine, dark waters, waterfalls cascading in all directions, and mountain peaks lording high in the sky. Explore it by kayak, on a day cruise, or by helicopter. For those really looking to get deep into this wilderness, embark on the Milford Track, a four-day, hut-to-hut hike through rain forests, alpine meadows, and up to the stunning (1,904-foot!) Sutherland Falls.

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  1. Afternoon on the Island

    What is it about tiny islands in the middle of lakes? There’s something that just draws you in. It’s even more fun when getting there is half the adventure because you have to reach it by canoe, kayak, paddleboat, or a ranger-guided boat tour!

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  2. Golden Gate's Blue Heron

    Golden Gate Park’s Blue Heron Lake is home to birds of many feathers, turtles lounging on rocks, visitors from afar, and locals who love this urban oasis in San Francisco. Try the "Boats and Breakfast" rowboat or pedal boat deal.

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  3. Rio Del Mar-velous

    Rio Del Mar State Beach in Aptos might be one of the best places for a treasure hunt. Its location between two other beaches makes for a good stroll featuring a spectacle of wildlife as you search the sand for sea glass and seashells.

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  4. Aloha from California

    Say Aloha without leaving California with a 7-mile out-and-back hiking adventure to Lake Aloha in El Dorado National Forest. You can also camp here, a premier place for stargazing.

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  1. Gentle Giants

    Some people visit national parks to marvel at the iconic sights, while others come seeking solitude in nature. With visitation on the rise, it can be hard to find both. But in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, this pair of trails offers both....

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  2. Walking the Los Angeles River Trail Through Frogtown

    Frogtown Strutter’s Stroll

    Don’t go dismissing the Los Angeles River as merely a 51-mile concrete channel. It’s a genuine urban artery that links real neighborhoods, and its riverside bike/ped paths endear i

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  3. Griffith's Golden

    With over 4,200 acres and hundreds of trails, Griffith Park is the gold standard. Opt for the lesser-hiked northwestern end of the park and visit the 2.25-mile Skyline and Oak Canyon loop from Travel Town.

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    Fall for It All in Reno Tahoe

    The best kind of getaway? Less time on logistics, more time on memory-making. Jackpot! You’ve got Reno Tahoe.

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