My bf and I have finally fixed a period for our first long vacation together. It will be near the end of September. Our initial plan was to go off to Europe, but we decided we want to spend more time to do Europe justice. So we were thinking something low-key, romantic (lots of intimate conversations, etc.) closer to home, like San Diego or Hawaii...Doing my research, I discovered that a trip to Hawaii (flight, hotel, and car) would add up to as much as one to New Zealand. But New Zealand's just as beautiful, if not more so IMHO.

If I were to vote for New Zealand, I was thinking mostly of a city stay in Auckland or Wellington, with a daytrip tour with a local outfit to check out either a volcano or glacier or two. If anything, this would be a bit of a New Zealand "sampler." Would 5 days be enough to do New Zealand justice, and would it be totally un-low-key and the opposite of romantic?

Any thoughts or comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

A.

The volcanos would be a very long day trip from Auckland (and, for a day trip, you would just get to drive by the volcanoes). I didn't go to Wellington on my trip, so I could not give you an estimate at all from there. New Zealand's roads are, for the most part, not like speedy US interstate routes at all. There is just not the population to justify those sorts of roads. Many of the side roads can even be one lane at points, so driving is slow.

New Zealand is larger than it looks buried down near Antarctica on the map. The glaciers are all on the South Island. I day trip would involve a flight if you were based on the North Island.

I was on the North Island for 2 1/2 weeks based in Whangerai (in Northland--the northwest bit that sticks all the way out) and never got to the South Island. There is plenty to see and do wherever you do. I got only as far south as the volcanoes and Waitomo Caves. I also went to Rotorura. Otherwise, I was based in Northland and that area is what I concentrated on. I got to Auckland for 2 nights at the end.

Have fun whatever you decide to do!

Hi aggie -

Are you coming from Texas?

Five days is no where near enough to 'do NZ justice'. Do I understand correctly that you're actually considering flying halfway across the world and crossing the international dateline for a five day holiday?

Please don't underestimate the flight time involved and the effects of jet lag. This isn't anything like flying from Texas to California or HI. It's a 12 hour flight from LA, and a 15 hour time difference from TX.

Having said that, Auckland and Wellington are not what come to mind when I think low key romantic holiday. Auckland (a.k.a. The Big Smoke) is a city of 1.4 million people. There's nothing low key about that IMO.

If you're looking for peace, quiet and romance, you need to ditch the cities and head for wine country or perhaps the beach. And for that, you'll want more time.

For a five day romantic escape, I can't help but think you'd be much better off picking someplace closer to home. Have you considered the Caribbean, or Cabo San Lucas?

Make that a 17 hour time difference!

Yep, basing yourself in Auckland or Wellington would be a bit less than a romantic holiday and weatherwise it'll be about 15C cooler than Hawaii.

Like most countries you can find some lovelly places to get away but not staying in the cities and the NZ volcanoes are not active like Hawaii, the nearest thing to regular activity being mud pools and geysers in Rotorua area.

As Lauren says, going antwhere from the cities can involve quite a bit of driving.

I'd stick with Hawaii.

I love both places. (Got back from NZ two weeks ago ... and am leaving for Kauai in two weeks!)

With your timeframe I'd vote for Kauai. Love the North Shore.

Visiting New Zealand for just five days would be setting yourselves up for a lot of stress and disappointment. You can't day trip to the glaciers from Wellington. To be honest NZ is very much a place where touring is the thing. I don't mean the sort of touring that involves being on the move all the time - but maybe having three or four different bases over a period of 2-3 weeks MINIMUM.

I have a feeling coming for such a short time would turn into the exact opposite of what you say you want.

Far better for a first holiday together to keep it simple. If you fancy leaving the confines of the USA (I assume you are American) then Mexico is a great suggestion, or perhaps one of the Caribbean islands?

Have a wonderful time!

The flight to NZ can best be described as torture. Absolutely you can not do it justice in 5 days, nor would I fly for that long to stay in one of the cities!

Stick with Hawaii (or Mexico or the Caribbean).

Thank you all for your comments. I guess New Zealand's out, although I would love to explore either Auckland or Wellington with my bf!

I guess Hawaii fits the bill better...(as does Barbados)!

Aggie (from CA)