New Zealand is situated in the South Pacific ocean, between latitude 34'S and 47'S. The country runs roughly north-south with mountain ranges down much of its length. Its two main islands cover 266,200 sq km (103,735 sq miles), about the size of Japan or California and slightly larger than Great Britain.
Comparable in size and/or shape to Great Britain, Colorado and Japan, New Zealand has a population of only 4 million - making it one of the world's least crowded countries. There is an uneven split between both islands with 3.2 million in the North but only 800,000 in the South.
It is a haven for those seeking peace, rejuvenation and relaxation as well as a playground for thrillseekers and adventurers. A temperate climate with relatively small seasonal variation makes it a year-round holiday destination.
New Zealand's spectacularly beautiful landscape includes vast mountain chains, steaming volcanoes, sweeping coastlines, deeply indented fiords, and lush rainforests.
Fiji is one of these paradise islands in the Pacific. But the island has more to offer than just beaches where you can bum, and water where you can snorkel.
There are many scenic and historic attractions in Fiji. The capital, Suva, has many old shops and markets with various foods, artefacts, handicrafts and especially seafood. Places of historic interest include the National Museum, situated in the lush surrounds of Thurston Gardens next to Government House and the old Parliament Buildings.
Other sites of interest on Fiji include the Cultural Centre at Orchid Island, just outside of Suva, the mysterious earthworks at Taveuni and the old colonial houses (situated around Fiji).
Very typical for Fiji are three things : The first is the word “Bula”! This will probably be your first word when arriving in Fiji. Meaning “welcome” but also “be at ease”, it will most definitely make you feel both.
Secondly it is common refrain repeated by all who travelled to Fiji, is that the islands of Fiji are not only among the most pristine in the world, but also inhabited by the friendliest people. And last but not least the world renowned Island Resorts, resorts on private islands, many of them within easy reach from the international airports of Nadi and Suva.
Qatar is a small peninsula in the Persian Gulf. It looks like a big thumb 'way up'.
The country is small but offers quite a few interesting things to the visitors. Doha, the capital city of qatar, is a nice town with good beaches nearby and lively markets.
The city itself has a beautiful developing skyline: whether you want to go shopping in one of Doha's many huge malls, or whether you want to tan in one of the many different hotels with beautiful beaches, there is always something to do.
There are many activites you can pursue in and around Doha such as game fishing, although you'll have to look hard to find a decent boat to take you, dune bashing, scuba diving, sailing and sand boarding.
Access to alcohol is restricted, but can be obtained in hotel bars, clubs and restaurants and at one of the two alcohol shops in the country (if you have an alcohol permit). There are rumours that restrictions will be loosened further with the coming Asian Games.
Khor Al Udeid, or the Inland Sea, in the extreme south-east of the country, is of great natural beauty. This is a large area of natural sand dunes, surrounding a calm inlet of the Gulf. The dunes are quite stunning - tall, shapely sand masses formed by the prevailing winds and subject to radical overnight changes of shape. Half the fun of going to the Inland Sea is getting there - there are no roads leading there, and the entire trip is made with 4x4s through the desert and through the sand dunes. This is something which is not to be missed if visiting Qatar, and there are many places where tours can be set up.
Al Wakra is only ten minutes from Doha. It did contain a photogenic harbour, but this is currently being dug up. It did contain a superb beach, but this is currently being dug up. It also contained Mangrove swamps, but these are also being dug up.
There are several forts in Qatar, giving a glimpse into the past history of the country.
Singapore is an island city located at the southernmost tip of the Malaysian Peninsula in South East Asia. It is well-known for being one of the richest, most well organised, efficient countries in the world, with a very high standard of living and an excellent skyline by the water. Singapore is an island with "1,000 shopping malls" or so they say.
Despite the hot climate, it is a tropical paradise for most tourists. This great diversity of lifestyles, cultures, and religions thrives within the framework of a regulated society. Singapore's "FINE" city reputation is well-earned, and in fact, many will admire at once the clean, modern metropolis.
Surrounded by artificially 'ordered' parks, its tall housing projects are populated by more than 80% of the population -- whose smiling native charms often belie underlying tensions about the way the island is progressing after 30 years of development.
Highlights of Singapore include some of the ethnic parts of town: Arab Street, Chinatown, Colonial District, Orchard Road and Little India.
Afghanistan is a landlocked country in Central-Asia. It has long borders with Iran and Pakistan. It borders on three of the new Central Asian republics: Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikstan. It has a very short border with China which is the result of a strange 19-th century Anglo-Russian deal.
Afghanistan used to be quite a popular travel destination in the 70's when hippies would go overland to India. The capital Kabul was a popular hangout, back then. Things have changed big time since then.
It started in 1979 when Afghanistan was invaded and occupied by the Soviet Union. The USSR was forced to withdraw 10 years later by anti-communist mujahidin forces supplied and trained by the US, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and others.
Fighting subsequently continued among the various mujahidin factions, but the fundamentalist Islamic Taliban movement has been able to seize most of the country. In addition to the continuing civil strife, the country suffers from enormous poverty, a crumbling infrastructure, and widespread live mines.
Pakistan is the sixth most populous country in the world and is the second most populous country with a Muslim majority. Its territory was a part of the pre-partitioned British India and has a long history of settlement and civilisation including the Indus Valley Civilisation.
Most of it was conquered in the 1st millennium BCE by Persians and Greeks. Later arrivals include the Arabs, Afghans, Turks, Baloch and Mongols.
The territory was incorporated into the British Raj in the nineteenth century. Since its independence, the country has experienced both periods of significant military and economic growth, and periods of instability, with the secession of East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh). Pakistan is a declared nuclear weapons state.
Spain is more than bullfights, flamenco dancers and crowded beaches. It's a spectacular and diverse country, the north resembling the rolling, green hills of Ireland and the south giving you a taste of Moroccan landscapes and architecture.
Its tremendous history is reflected in its prehistoric cave paintings, Moorish palaces, crumbling castles, Roman ruins, Gothic and Renaissance cathedrals as well as some very distinctive modern architecture.
The uniqueness of Spain lies in the separate kingdoms which made up the original Spanish nation. These regions remain diverse in their language, culture, cuisine and art.
They include: Andalucía, Aragon, Asturias, Basque Country, the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, Cantabria, Castilla La Mancha, Castilla León, Catalonia, Extremadura, Galicia, La Rioja, Madrid, Murcia, Navarra and Valencia.
Italy is one of those countries about which you probably have quite a number of preconceptions before you have put one foot into the country. A country of olive oil and mafia, pasta, wine and sunshine, roman ruins and renaissance palaces, Italy has a lot to offer its visitors.
Although some of these images are appealing, it would be a shame if that was the only thing you come away with. Italy is certainly much more complex and interesting than that.
Italy is a modern country with deep Roman Catholic roots, full of interesting stuff for the casual tourist and even more for the educated visitor.
It is easy to spend two weeks in major tourist centers without any reason to get bored, but it is equally simple to get off the beaten track.
In the north, next to the Alps and the flatlands of the Po river, both cultural jewels and highly developed industrial cities attract. This is where Italy's economic heart beats, but even in the bustling cities, people live the "la vita Italiana".
Paris is known as The City of Lights and it absolutely deserves this name. But Paris is much more than just the City of Lights. Paris is one of the best travel destinations in the world as it offers everything a traveler could possibly hope for.
Unlike most major cities traveling in and out of Paris by plane is relatively simple due to the accessibility of Charles de Gaulle International Airport
A stay in Paris should always include at least three of the most popular Paris activities for visitors including: a visit to the Louvre -- one of the most impressive and well known museums in the world, a climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower, and a climb to the top of Notre Dame Cathedral.
If you have time, you should also climb the steps to the Sacré Coeur in Montmartre, stroll around the Place du Tertre, and visit the saucy Pigalle district. Take a walk around the Quartier Latin (Latin Quarter) -- St.
Germain, Boulevard, St. Michel -- and bask in the creative energy of the street performers outside the Centre Pompidou.