New Zealand Travel a World Must-Do in 2012

Queenstown Vacation is Top of Lonely Planet's List

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Oct 31, 2011, 09:15 ET

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Oct. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Influential travel authority Lonely Planet has chosen New Zealand's Southern Lakes region, including popular lakeside resort Queenstown, as one of the world's Top 10 Regions to visit in 2012.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111031/LA96085)

The Southern Lakes region comprised of Queenstown, Lake Wanaka and Fiordland is the only region in Australasia to feature in the new book, Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2012 – the best trends, destinations, journeys and experiences for the upcoming year.

Queenstown's backdrop of the Remarkables mountain range and the nearby lakes area were introduced to cinema audiences around the world in Peter Jackson's award-winning Lord of the Rings trilogy.

A Queenstown vacation is included for its year-round activities and spectacular scenery. An excerpt from the book reads, "There isn't a bad time to turn up in the world's top adventure playground. There are nonstop outdoor activities year-round in the resort towns of Queenstown, Wanaka and Te Anau, as well as the surrounding mountains, lakes and parks… Where else can you ski in the morning and golf or water ski in the afternoon? Add excellent wineries and superb restaurants and what more is there to say?"

Best in Travel's recommendations are drawn from hundreds of ideas submitted by Lonely Planet's staff, authors and community of travellers, bloggers and tweeters. Their suggestions are then refined by a panel of in-house travel experts, based on topicality, excitement, value and that special it-factor.

Experience it for yourself with a special New Zealand airfare from $998 flying non-stop on Air New Zealand from Los Angeles or San Francisco to Auckland, New Zealand.

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SOURCE Tourism New Zealand