Christchurch is the largest city in New Zealand’s South Island and preserves a distinct English feel to it. Visitors can admire the lovely parks that abound in this city, as well as the green areas that follow the flow of the river Avon through the center. With antique stone bridges, cobbled walkways and hanging willow trees, it’s a postcard-perfect image of nature and man combined.

Christchurch also has great importance as a starting point for Antarctic voyages, featuring an interesting Antarctic Experience center, where you can mingle with penguins or take a ride in the type of vehicle currently used for scientific expeditions on the Antarctic ice.

A must-do is a daytrip on the TranzScenic train, which will take you to the west coast of the island and across some fascinating landscape on the way. Seeing Jurassic-era ferns, lunar plains and crystal-clear mountain rivers and lakes in one day is something you can only do in New Zealand!