New Zealand has been voted second-best

nix · 09-07-2006, 10:05 PM

New Zealand has been voted second-best country in the world to visit by readers of the prestigious Conde Nast Traveller (UK) magazine.

The awards, announced last night in London, follow a vote by 30,000 readers of the magazine.

Italy was named top country with a score of 95.57 out of a possible 100, followed by New Zealand (94.81) and Australia (94.44). Huka Lodge was voted 5th in the Australasia and Pacific lodge category.

Air New Zealand was sixth in the long-haul airline category

FTS · 09-08-2006, 12:30 AM

Woo!

Any idea where Aussie placed?

smhatahy · 09-08-2006, 04:14 PM

English magazine? I would imagine some bias there...

And why the heck is Italy number 1? I can think of like 5 other european countries that are better. This poll sucks... USA number #1!! Cause they have me as a citizen =)

Quote:

Any idea where Aussie placed?

...third

T-dub · 09-09-2006, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akshay

English magazine? I would imagine some bias there...

And why the heck is Italy number 1? I can think of like 5 other european countries that are better. This poll sucks... USA number #1!! Cause they have me as a citizen =)

...third

lol i agree i think USA should be 1st also!!!
And ????SPAIN??? What the heck is that?

smhatahy · 09-09-2006, 01:03 PM

Quote:

lol i agree i think USA should be 1st also!!!
And ????SPAIN??? What the heck is that?

I think you mean Italy.

FTS · 09-09-2006, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-dub

lol i agree i think USA should be 1st also!!!
And ????SPAIN??? What the heck is that?

That might be one of the reason's why the States aren't number #1

***Art*** · 09-10-2006, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kepa

That might be one of the reason's why the States aren't number #1

Ding ding!

I would love to visit ~~Kepa~~ New Zealand. I believe the rating.

**bread man** · 09-10-2006, 12:24 AM

I'm thinking of taking a trip to New Zealand next year. Good idea?

FTS · 09-10-2006, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Art

Ding ding!

I would love to visit ~~Kepa~~ New Zealand. I believe the rating.

Fo shizzle.
I'ma show you where the bloods at, where the crips at. Show you where to get crack(ed), how to flip that. Let me take you to my hood (let me take you to my hood), let me take you to my hood, (let me take you to my ************ hood)
Er... just a little song from one of my old high school friends...

Quote:

Originally Posted by bread man

I'm thinking of taking a trip to New Zealand next year. Good idea?

Always

Where you thinking of heading/what are you thinking about doing?

Insane Drummer · 09-10-2006, 06:35 PM

To all who said USA... No... Sorry.

**Simo** · 09-10-2006, 07:25 PM

I think the whole thing was rigged!! Did i get to vote?? NO!

All who voted New Zealand have obviously never heard of Australia!

FTS · 09-10-2006, 07:30 PM

Exactly... where is Australia again?

But anyway, who puts any credence into what the poms say?

**Simo** · 09-10-2006, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kepa

But anyway, who puts any credence into what the poms say?

Thats exactly what i was going to say.... as soon as i saw it a UK magazine, i thought ahhh its just the poms, what do they know?

**bread man** · 09-11-2006, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kepa

Always

Where you thinking of heading/what are you thinking about doing?

I really don't know. I've sort of just started thinking that I'm going to be out of school next year and I'd really like to just go somewhere for a few weeks by myself. I don't know what I'd do, but I imagine I'd visit the major cities. New Zealand just seems like a nice place to go, and it's not far.

nix · 09-11-2006, 04:22 PM

Travel guide loves us but not quite from Reinga to Bluff

Tuesday September 12, 2006
By Jim Eagles

It certainly won't be Lonely Planet's fault if tourists don't flock to New Zealand.

The 13th edition of the best-selling guide, published yesterday, is ecstatic about our scenery, food and wine, friendliness, quirky humour, music and progressive politics.

"The world's biggest film set is also the world's must-visit destination for the umpteenth year in a row," gushes the introduction. "No wonder the locals are smiling. They've long known they live in paradise and now everyone else does too."

It adds that "a pretty backdrop is not all New Zealand has going for it. Genuinely friendly locals go out of their way to ensure visitors feel welcome. There is a vibrant Maori culture too, for this is a country that recognises and respects its indigenous people."

Australian-based Lonely Planet has long been enthusiastic about New Zealand but this latest edition is almost over the top in its praise.

Auckland, which has "a full menu of multicultural delights" and "more sandy beaches and beautiful islands than seems entirely fair" is "one hell of a destination".

Maybe there's a little sarcasm in the description of Hamilton as "the capital of nice" but the Waikato is "postcard-perfect rural New Zealand".

Even "windy Wellington" is "imbued with an easy, accessible blend of the political, the academic and the creative".

A couple of flaws are hinted at. Green MP Nandor Tanczos declares that "to describe ourselves as 'clean and green' ... is 100 per cent pure fantasy" and urges visitors to promote change by asking locals "where the recycling centre is".

The Far North town of Kaitaia is described as "the highlight of no one's trip to New Zealand" with a severe problem of theft from cars while in the Far South the only reason to visit "shabby little Bluff" is to get the ferry to Stewart Island.

Far North District Council Mayor Yvonne Sharp said every community had its pluses and minuses, "but for them to pick out just the bad things is very unfortunate ... certainly Kaitaia would not be the only place in New Zealand that suffers from car theft".

Bluff promotions and publicity officer Lindsay Beer said the deep south township was having a makeover and people who criticised the place had probably never been there.

"Our town is the oldest European settlement in New Zealand and we offer a lifestyle which is pretty relaxed in this part of the world - a lot of people who visit often return to live," he said.

Also in the Lonely Planet, Sir Ian McKellen (aka Gandalf) reveals "the well-kept secret of sandflies" but adds "I would hope that travellers find them an insignificant pest compared with the glory of their habitat".

This thespian tribute follows the endorsement by Scarlett Johansson, who commented at the Venice Film Festival that she liked Auckland as "a very modern city" where "people watch movies and are into art".

Lonely Planet's love affair with New Zealand is no small matter. It is the largest independent travel publishing company in the world, with more than 600 titles in print and selling more than six million books a year.

Since the first New Zealand guide was produced 29 years ago 1.5 million of them have been sold.

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