Queenstown

Christmas plays out somewhat differently in the southern hemisphere summer where long sunny days season the festive mix.

Visit New Zealand during the summer months and you might not find anyone at home – that’s because when the sun is out, so are Kiwis and with so much to do, it’s hardly surprising.

Background information on the host centres for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

For winter holidaymakers wanting to take a day off from skiing and snowboarding, New Zealand’s ski regions offer some quirky fun-filled snow-related activities.

Passionate rugby fans and hospitable Kiwi hosts all over New Zealand are throwing down the Rugby World Cup 2011 welcome mat – nowhere more so than in the 24 communities that will officially host rugby teams.

Talented Kiwi chefs, innovative cuisine, top wines, and a growing list of high-end destinations and food events are helping New Zealand develop a reputation in the world of fine cuisine.

New Zealand has laid down the welcome mat with a new campaign to assure travellers that the country is very much open for business, while bloggers throughout the world are extolling the virtues of the destination.

New Zealand’s southern hemisphere ski fields – renowned for spectacular mountain terrain, postcard scenery, varied snow trails, and popular resorts – are gearing up for the winter 2011 season.

Rugby is an integral part of being a Kiwi and Rugby World Cup 2011 is destined to turn New Zealand into a non-stop party zone called the REAL New Zealand Festival.

New Zealand's varied landscapes and unspoiled beauty offer the perfect backdrop to Middle-earth.