Pure romance from North to South

Day 1: Spend a day in Auckland

Arrive at lovely Auckland, the 'City of Sails,' a harbourside city. Take a boat tour of the harbour and see if you can spot dolphins and whales playing in the water. Take a trip to the top of the renowned Skytower for panoramic views of the city and beyond. It is New Zealand's highest structure, standing at 328 meters. At the evening, treat yourself to a romantic meal in the Viaduct, Wynyard Quarter, or Britomart, where you'll find a wide range of wonderful restaurants.

Day 2: Auckland to Rotorua via Waitomo

Drive south this morning to the mystical Waitomo Caves. Take a tour of the intriguing caves' vast chambers with a guide. As you drift through the underground rivers in a boat, take in the splendor of hundreds of shimmering glowworms above you. Continue to Rotorua, where you'll spend the night, after lunch in Waitomo.

Day 3: Spend the day in Rotorua

Spend the day experiencing Rotorua's geothermal wonderland.

Start your day with a trip to Te Puia, where you can observe hot mud pools and rumbling geysers. You'll see some of New Zealand's unique fauna, including the endangered Kiwi bird, at Rainbow Springs Nature Park. Agrodome hosts a fun New Zealand farm event with skilled sheepdog performances, cow milking, and plenty of sheep. The Agrodome provides an interesting glimpse into the farming lifestyle, as well as plenty of humor.

Spend the evening with your loved one reclining in the Polynesian Spa's naturally heated mineral pools before exploring Rotorua's restaurants and nightlife.

Day 4: Rotorua to Queenstown

Take a flight from Rotorua to Queenstown this morning. Queenstown is truly gorgeous, sitting on the banks of crystal-clear Lake Wakatipu and tucked behind a towering mountain range. Take a romantic stroll around the lakefront and dine at one of the many restaurants. This region is known for its award-winning Pinot Noir and is the ideal location for a winery tour.

Day 5: Spend a day in Queenstown

Today, take your time to enjoy Queenstown's natural beauty. Take the Skyline Gondola to the top of Bob's Peak for a view of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables Mountain Range. Then go to Glenorchy, one of the several Lord of the Rings filming locations. You may go for a short walk here and see beautiful vistas around every bend. Paradise is a neighborhood just up the road. Alternatively, take a scenic flight over the area; seeing the lakes, mountains, and rivers from above is a wonderful memory to share with your loved one.

Day 6: Milford Sound day trip

Today, you'll explore the world-famous Milford Sound, dubbed the "eighth wonder of the world" by Rudyard Kipling. To get to Milford Sound, you can either drive alone or take a coach. Glacier-carved cliffs rise out of the inky black waters, and waterfalls cascade down hundreds of meters of rock. For the finest experience, go on a boat cruise. Don't forget your camera, and keep an eye out for the dolphin pods that frequent the fiord's waters. Return to Queenstown or stay a night in Te Anau after your cruise.

Day 7: Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier

Today, you'll go north to the spectacular glacier region of New Zealand. The glacier terminal is a short walk from the Franz Josef carpark. Impressive views and a sense of the massive scale of this old block of ice may be found here. To get even closer to the glacier, consider taking a glacier tour or scenic fly. Spend the night at Franz Josef's township.

Day 8: Franz Josef to Christchurch

Today you'll travel east, passing through the Southern Alps on your way to Christchurch. You have the option of driving the road yourself or using the TranzAlpine Railway from Greymouth. The TranzAlpine train journey up through Arthur's Pass is regarded as one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world.

Day 9: Spend the day in Christchurch

Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island and home to English heritage and architecture. Spend your final day exploring the willow and oak tree-lined river Avon, as well as the boutique cafes. If it's sunny, take a punt boat down the river - it doesn't get much more relaxing and romantic than that.