My husband and I are planning a very special trip to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. At first we wanted to go Ireland, but I've read so much about New Zeland. Has anyone been to both? What are your feeling concerning the two spots. The long flight to NZ concerns us. We want to rent a car and see either country. The flight to NZ would be more expensive, but I would really like to hear about both spots..

Anna: <BR> <BR>Don't know about Ireland, but my wife and I spent 10 days in NZ last November. <BR>We were so fascinated by it we are returning this November for 3 weeks. Ten days in Queenstown and ten days in Christchurch. <BR> <BR>You'll get used to the long flight. Bring lots of reading material. We flew Qantas where they showed lots of movies and continually fed us. They also provide you with a mask and slippers for dozing. The seats are a tad larger than on domestic flights. We sat in 71A and 71B where they were two abreast instead of three. The plane narrows in the real and there are several rows with two abreast. Gives you a little more room. <BR> <BR>Hope you have a great time! <BR>John

Hi, Anna, <BR>Yes, been to both. First, what time of year? Remember the seasons are reversed on either side of the equator. <BR>It's difficult to summarize without too much generalizing. I think I would pick NZ for the natural environment and Ireland for the human environment. <BR> <BR>Basically our impression is that NZ looks like it rains fertilizer. I have never seen a more lush and green place outside the tropics. The "emerald isle" by comparison is a treeless expanse, although of course that's horribly unfair. NZ has tall mountains, Ireland doesn't. Ireland has charming villages, cozy pubs, a marvelous musical and literary tradition, Irish language, ancient castles and Celtic ruins, great cliffs and statley homes and endless stone walls...NZ doesn't. NZ has the Southern Alps and Maori carving and glaciers and thermal zones and glow worms. Ireland doesn't. Both have a lot of sheep. Ireland is an hour by plane from London. Auckland is an hour by plane from...Wellington. <BR> <BR>On the other hand, on many airfares you can stop en route to NZ in Tahiti or the Cook Islands or Fiji (maybe not right now), which might help split up your trip and add a dimension to an anniversary that can't be equalled in Europe. <BR> <BR>The flight to either is pretty long. One thing in favor of NZ is that the US dollar goes a very long way indeed, while the Celtic Tiger's economy is pretty robust in comparison. The extra you spend on airfare might be compensated by cheaper hotels, cars and food. <BR>

What a beautiful comparison. You are so fair and objective; however, now I feel much more comfortable deciding on NZ. Maybe Ireland will come later. Both my husband and I love nature, and all that has been described about NZ will suit both of us just fine. We loved going to Colorado, but the crowds are so large now if you go when the weather is nice. <BR>We plan on going to NZ in May of 2001. Do you have any recommendations concerning packages? <BR>Thanks so much

Hi again, Anna, <BR>That's what I was warning about. May in NZ is the equivalent of November in Ireland or Washington State. Wet, getting dark early. If May is the only month available, I think I'd recommend Europe and save NZ for some November, December, or January. That is, unless you want to ski, in which case May may be a little early.

Thanks, John! <BR>The only time we would be abel to travel is during May or Summer. After your description of Ireland, I'm really in a quandry about going there. Is NZ really that bad in May? Is Australia that bad too in May? At least we have a long time to think about were we're going and investigate all of our options. Thanks for all of the input. <BR>

Anna,I dont know much about Ireland but lived in New zealand for 30 years.The weather in New zealand could be indifferent but equally could be okay.New Zealand is a long thin country so the weather will vary as you travel.It will not be crowded at this time of the year.Your money will go a long way.

Anna - <BR> <BR>I spent 10 days in NZ in the last two weeks of May. In the south part of the South Island by Queenstown, it was fairly cold, about in the 40s and 50s. As soon as I drove up to Christchurch and points North, the weather was a very comfortable 60-70. It rained for 2 of the 10 days, otherwise it was sunny. Very, very scenic, mountains, coastline, and lakes. Extremely green, beautiful rolling hills with what seems to be millions of sheep. Not much traffic on the roads (mostly one lane in each direction) which were fairly easy to drive, even if everything is backwards.

My husband and I (married 24 years, so probably same age as you) have been to both Ireland and NZ, and we both agree: New Zealand!!! And his family is from Ireland, and he always raved about it being his favorite UNTIL we went to NZ last April. We can't wait to go back! Enjoy. 8-)