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Editor’s Note — CNN Travel’s series often carry sponsorship originating from the countries and regions we profile. However, CNN retains full editorial control over all of its reports. Read the policy.(CNN) — The River Nile stretches more than 4,000 miles (6,650 km) between Lake Victoria and the Mediterranean Sea. Out of all that length, is the relatively short section between Aswan and Luxor in southern Egypt is the most intriguing.What makes this part of the river so special? First and foremost, the ancient treasures scattered along its banks. Some of largest, most elaborate and intriguing structures built in ancient times: The Temple of Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, the crocodile temple at Kom Ombo and water-bound Philae Island. The scenery is also incredible, the most stunning along the entire Nile. A mosaic of sapphire-colored river, emerald-green farms and palm groves, and amber desert with a sky that turns ruby red at dusk as the sun sinks over the seemingly endless Sahara.The stunning Abu Simbel is often visited as a long day trip from Aswan by airplane or roadKhaled Desouki/AFP/Getty ImagesA fraction of Cairo’s size and population, Aswan and Luxor are both easy to navigate, compact tourist-friendly cities with a wide choice of hotels, restaurants, and activities. Daytime temperatures run triple-digits throughout the sweltering summer months, but the other three seasons bring on weather that’s often ideal for river trips and ruin trekking. Most visitors make the 130-mile (214-kilometer) journey between the two cities on modern floating hotels operated by upscale hospitality companies like Oberoi. Cruises normally span three days and two nights, and some of them are quite posh, featuring gourmet cuisine, onboard spas and top-deck swimming pools.Or step back in time by cruising the river aboard a luxury dahabiya, an updated version of the large sail-powered craft popular with foreign travelers and the Egyptian aristocracy during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Normally outfitted with six to 10 cabins, dahabiyas come with all the mod-cons including private en-suite bathrooms with showers, outdoor dining and lounge areas, and a full kitchen staff. The boats can be booked through local tour companies like Cairo-based Emeco Travel. The Ramesseum temple is a stunning sight in the southern Egyptian town of Luxor.AFP Contributor/AFP/AFP via Getty ImagesBoth the floating hotels and dahabiyas offer shore excursions along the river between Aswan and Luxor to the ancient Egyptian temples in Kom Ombo, Esna and Edfu. It’s also possible to drive this stretch of the Nile. There are three road routes: Egypt Highway 75 along the east (right) bank of the Nile; the Aswan Western Agricultural Highway along the west (left) bank; and the new Luxor-Aswan Expressway via the Sahara Desert. While travelers can certainly self-drive these routes, it’s highly advised they hire an experienced chauffeur to undertake the driving and often-mysterious parking situation near the main sights. Last but not least, the more intrepid travelers — especially those who want a very authentic local experience — can hire a felucca sailboat to cruise down the Nile. It’s anything but luxurious: passengers sleep on the deck, in the open air, in sleeping bags they need to supply themselves. You need to bring your own food or arrange with the felucca crew to cook for you. And toilets are wherever you can find them along the banks. But you’re traveling the Nile in the manner that Egyptians have for thousands of years, stretching all the way back to pharaonic times.Read on for the lowdown on the main sights to visit on the journey down the Nile between Aswan and Luxor.AswanThis pleasant riverside city has functioned as Egypt’s southern gateway since it was founded around 2000 BCE. Islands in the Nile offer waterfront restaurants, ancient temples, and a botanic garden founded in British colonial times. Aswan High DamThe construction of the Aswan High Dam, completed in 1970, has generated hydro-electricity for Egypt and increased arable land in Egypt.AFP/Getty ImagesCompleted in 1970, this marvel of modern engineering created massive Lake Nasser and allowed Egyptian farmers to water their fields throughout the year and provided the entire nation with reliable electric power. Philae TempleThis gorgeous Greco-Egyptian shrine to the goddess Isis is easily reached by boat from Aswan. It was dismantled and moved to its current island location as part of the massive UNESCO project to save Nubia’s ancient monuments from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. Abu SimbelThe Ramses II complex at the ancient Egyptian temple of Abu Simbel was rescued by UNESCO from the rising waters of Lake Nasser.KHALED DESOUKI/AFP/Getty ImagesAlthough it’s not along the Nile between Aswan and Luxor, this stunning temple is often visited as a long day trip from Aswan by airplane or road. Constructed around 1260 BC, the shrine is fronted by four massive statues of Ramses the Great and was also rescued from Lake Nasser by the UNESCO project.Old Cataract HotelSaraya restaurant at Old Cataract Hotel is known for serving authentic Egyptian cuisine.ETAOpened in 1899, this legendary hotel on the Aswan waterfront has hosted kings and queens, presidents and prime ministers, and author Agatha Christie while she was writing “Death on the Nile.” Even if you don’t stay overnight, indulge in afternoon tea on the outdoor terrace, grab a cocktail in the bar where Winston Churchill once quaffed, or dine on tasty Egyptian cuisine at Saraya restaurant. Nubian MuseumWinner of several major architectural awards, Aswan’s top museum revolves around the Nubian history and culture of southern Egypt and northern Sudan. Exhibits span the region’s prehistory and ancient Egyptian legacy to Greek, Roman and Islamic times.Kom OmboRising dramatically beside the Nile around 30 miles (50 kilometers) downstream from Aswan, the Temple of Kom Ombo honors Sobek, the crocodile-headed god of ancient Egyptian mythology. The site museum features hundreds of mummified crocodiles discovered in the temple precinct.Edfu TempleOne of best-preserved temples from pharaonic times, the Temple of Horus in the middle of Edfu town is where the ancients worshiped the falcon-headed god of the sky. Over the centuries, the temple and its giant pylons were nearly covered by sand from the nearby desert and silt from the annual flooding of the Nile, enabling it to be preserved in such a pristine state. Esna TempleThe ram-headed god Khnum — known as the “Divine Potter” because he created other Egyptian deities from clay — is the focus of this small but fascinating shrine in Esna town. Most of the temple was constructed during Greek and Roman times, when those who occupied the Nile Valley continued to worship its ancient gods. LuxorThe laidback riverside city Luxor is a popular jumping off point for nearby landmarks.AFP Contributor/AFP/AFP via Getty ImagesAround 40 miles (70 km) downstream from Esna, Luxor served as the capital of ancient Egypt at the height of its military, political and artistic prowess between 3,000 and 3,500 years ago. Although the laidback riverside city has its own attractions — like the evening illumination of the waterfront Temple of Luxor, the modern (and excellent) Luxor Museum, and the small but fascinating Museum of Mummification — the city is primarily known as a jumping off point for nearby landmarks.Temple of KarnakPerched on the north side of town, the massive Temple of Karnak is both a masterpiece of ancient Egyptian architecture and one of the largest temples ever constructed anywhere on the planet. It begs two visits: once by daylight to appreciate the engineering and artistry of the Great Hypostyle Hall and again after dark when the ruins come alive during a sound and light show.West BankThe Temple of Hatshepsut, also known as the Djeser-Djeseru (“Holy of Holies”) is located on the West Bank of Luxor.Khaled Desouki/AFP/Getty ImagesFerries connect modern Luxor with the West Bank, a mosaic of farm fields, fellaheen villages, and the flamboyant funeral shrines of famous pharaohs including queen Hatshepsut, Ramses the Great, and Ramses III. The riverside floodplain is also spangled with giant statues like the Colossi of Memnon and a toppled statue of Ramses the Great that inspired the Percy Bysshe Shelley’s epic Ozymandias.Valley of the KingsThe tomb of more than 60 pharaohs have been uncovered in this desert wadi beyond the West Bank. Among the more elaborate last resting places are those of Tutankhamun, Tuthmosis III and Ramses VI. Less than 20 of the tombs are open to the public but not all at the same time to minimize the long-term impact of tourism.

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(CNN) — There are people who can sleep anywhere, any time, in any position — including upright in an economy-class airplane seat.And then there are the rest of us. Neck pillows just don’t cut it. Reclining a few inches does nothing. We need to lie flat, which is what makes Air New Zealand’s prototype sleep pods so exciting. On February 26, the airline filed patent and trademark applications for the “Economy Skynest” — the result of three years of research, development and testing based on input from more than 200 customers at a hanger in Auckland. Air New Zealand’s “Economy Skynest” will feature six full length lie-flat sleep pods. Air New ZealandFirst, the specs. According to Air New Zealand’s announcement, the Skynest will consist of six full-length lie-flat sleep pods in the Economy cabin. The exact location within the aircraft is yet to be confirmed. Each pod will be about 200 centimeters (6.5 feet) long and 58 centimeters (22 inches) wide, and come with a pillow, sheets, blanket, ear plugs and privacy curtains. The airline is reportedly also exploring additional features such as reading lights and USB outlets.Air New Zealand’s Economy Skycouch was introduced in 2011. Courtesy Crystal Cabin Award”A clear pain point for economy travelers on long-haul flights is the inability to stretch out,” says Air New Zealand chief marketing and customer officer Mike Tod in a statement from the airline. “The development of the Economy Skynest is a direct response to that challenge.” So will the Skynest actually take flight? There’s reason to be hopeful. After all, this is the airline that’s already proved its commitment to making economy class more comfortable, given so many of its flights are long-haul. It launched the “Economy Skycouch” in 2011, allowing passengers traveling together to transform their seats into a bed.Staff from Air New Zealand tell CNN Travel no formal certification application is in process yet, “however we have designed the concept to meet all regulatory requirements.”Each Skynest pod will come with a pillow, sheets and blanket. Air New ZealandAs for pricing, the airline is yet to determine the costs and is still assessing the commercial proposition and product viability.But given there are only six pods on one aircraft, they will likely be in high demand. “We see a future flying experience where an economy-class customer on long-haul flights would be able to book the Economy Skynest in addition to their Economy seat, get some quality rest and arrive at their destination ready to go,” says Nikki Goodman, general manager of Air New Zealand’s Customer Experience.The airline will reportedly make a final decision on the Economy Skynest in 2021, once it has assessed the performance of its inaugural year of Auckland-New York operations, due to take flight in October this year.That flight will take an estimated 17 hours and 40 minutes one way, making it one of the longest in the world.

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Judges in the closely-watched case at London’s Court of Appeal said the UK government, which threw its support behind the proposal, had failed to take into account what impact the move would have on Britain’s commitments under the Paris Agreement.The decision could scupper plans to expand one of the world’s busiest airports, and was celebrated on the court’s steps on Thursday by a number of climate groups that had brought the legal action against the UK’s Transport Secretary.The court did not rule on the legality of a third runway itself, and Heathrow said it would appeal at the Supreme Court — but the British government said it would not contest the verdict.The ultimate decision over whether to fight for a third runway lies with Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has long opposed the idea and once said he would “lie down in front of the bulldozers” to stop it going ahead.”We have not found that a national policy statement supporting this project is necessarily incompatible with the United Kingdom’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and mitigating climate change under the Paris Agreement, or with any other policy the Government may adopt or international obligation it may undertake,” the judges wrote in their ruling.”The Paris Agreement ought to have been taken into account by the Secretary of State… and an explanation given as to how it was taken into account, but it was not,” they added. The accord pushes signatories to reduce their carbon output and halt global warming below 2C by the end of the century.London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, had supported the legal action and welcomed the decision on Thursday. “We won!” Khan tweeted after the ruling. “A new runway at Heathrow would have serious consequences on climate change, on air quality, on noise pollution, on road and rail networks and on the quality of life in our city,” he added in a statement.Campaigners celebrate the ruling on Thursday. Leon Neal/Getty ImagesThe move marks a new period of uncertainty in the lengthy and controversial debate over whether to build a third runway at the site — which would have made Heathrow the world’s busiest airport by current statistics.After the verdict, the UK’s Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the government will look elsewhere in exploring expansion and would not fight the decision.”Airport expansion is core to boosting global connectivity. We also take seriously our commitment to the environment. This Govt won’t appeal today’s judgement given our manifesto makes clear any #Heathrow expansion will be industry led,” he wrote on Twitter.However, a statement from Heathrow Airport said the issue identified by the court is “eminently fixable.””We will appeal to the Supreme Court on this one issue and are confident that we will be successful. In the meantime, we are ready to work with the Government to fix the issue that the court has raised,” the airport’s spokesperson said in a statement.The new airstrip would cross over the M25 motorway, London’s busy and regularly congested outer ring road. About 750 homes in the villages of Longford, Sipson and Harmondsworth could be flattened to make way.Johnson opposed the runway while he was Mayor of London — should he decide to accept the court’s judgment now, plans to build the airstrip would likely be doomed.’This has wider implications’Thursday’s case was brought to the court by groups including Friends of the Earth, which described Thursday’s ruling as “an absolutely ground-breaking result for climate justice” — and climate groups seized on the decision as a sign of rapidly shifting attitudes towards the climate.”This judgment has exciting wider implications for keeping climate change at the heart of all planning decisions,” Will Rundle, head of legal at Friends of the Earth, said in a statement. “It’s time for developers and public authorities to be held to account when it comes to the climate impact of their damaging developments.”Architect’s impression showing a “third space” concept for new terminal infrastructure at Heathrow.Heathrow Expansion”It would have been hard to imagine this outcome even a couple of years ago,” added Tim Crosland, director of the Plan B. Earth, which was involved in the case. “But as the scale and impacts of the ecological crisis become clearer, with people dying and being displaced in the UK and around the world, it’s vital we reject the politics of division and unite amidst adversity.”The move was also hailed by Extinction Rebellion, whose frequent protests in London and around the world have become a notable feature of the growing climate movement.And legal experts said the decision could be replicated around the world, as governments battle tensions between economic agendas with concerns over man-made damage to the climate.”The last year has seen a surge in litigation across the globe associated with the effects and risks of climate change,” Mary Anne Roff, a partner at the London law firm Clyde & Company, said in remarks sent to CNN. “The Court of Appeal made clear that they have not decided that there will be no third runway at Heathrow. Nor have they decided that a national policy statement supporting this project is necessarily incompatible with the UK’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and mitigating climate change,” she added.”But their insistence on the Government complying with its commitment to the provisions of the Paris Agreement underlines the continuing and increasing importance that those involved with the planning, construction and operation of infrastructure and other major projects must take climate change into account.”CNN’s Samantha Tapfumaneyi and Simon Cullen contributed to this report.

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(CNN) — The Japanese macaques in Jigokudani Monkey Park begin most days with a relaxing dip in their own private hot tub. Located in Joshinetsu Kogen National Park in Japan’s Nagano prefecture, the primate-only onsen is world-famous as the preferred simian hot spring. But life hasn’t always been so simple for the snow monkeys of Jigokudani (“The Valley of Hell,” named for its natural hot springs). They were initially forced from their habitat in the 1950s by the development of nearby ski resorts. As a result, they moved into nearby towns and quickly found trouble, raiding fruit from local farmers’ orchards. The farmers petitioned the government and were granted the right to hunt the animals.Japanese macaques in Nagano love soaking in onsen in the park that was made for them: Jigokudani Monkey Park.Courtesy Joshua MellinLegend has it, the manager of Kourakukan, a nearby ryokan (a traditional Japanese inn), began feeding the animals in 1957. Enlisting the Primate Research Institute of Kyoto University, the inn’s manager put the monkeys on the radar of researchers as well as a Nagano Railway Company worker and local nature enthusiast, Sogo Hara. Hara and his group visited the ryokan, which included outdoor onsen for guests’ enjoyment. One day in 1961, so the story goes, an errant apple fell into the human’s onsen. A young monkey tested the steamy water and emerged with the apple. He didn’t exit the waters immediately, though, and many of the monkeys looked on as their buddy quietly enjoyed the water.It wasn’t long before other young monkeys began mimicking the water-loving monkey’s behavior. Within months, all of the female monkeys had taken to bathing in the hot springs. This soon led to the establishment of the Jigokudani Monkey Park in 1964, thanks to the efforts of many invested parties. Today, this is where the snow monkeys live, freely soaking in their dedicated hot springs peacefully. A relaxing soakThe snow monkeys’ onsen practice isn’t solely about warming their bodies or bobbing for apples — like the Japanese and visitors to Japan, they seem to appreciate onsen for its stress-reducing properties. Since the macaque’s thick coats keep them warm, and they take a dip even when there are no apples in sight, researchers’ studying the monkeys at Jigokudani believe hot springs function primarily to ease their tension. Staff encourage the macaques to keep the park’s onsen in their daily routine, offering a steady diet of soybeans, barley and, of course, apples.The baby monkeys love a good snow romp.Courtesy Joshua MellinResearchers also discovered the monkeys’ indifference to the nearly 500 daily visitors to the park. In other words, their stress hormones did not increase as the number of park visitors increased. Even during the busy tourist season, the monkeys meander nonchalantly about the park, climbing in and out of the hot spring as humans snap photos and ooh and ahh in delight. Unlike some of Japan’s other open animal experiences, such as Nara Deer Park, touching or feeding the monkeys is strictly prohibited. But this rule doesn’t detract from the joy of sitting poolside as the macaque play leapfrog. Meet the monkeys Since the monkeys don’t swim every day (in spite of their warm fur coats, they seem to prefer the hot springs on colder days), visitors will want to plan accordingly before heading north to the park. A flexible itinerary is best, and January and February are prime visiting months. Fresh snow is ideal — the monkeys are at home and perhaps at their playful best in the snowy climate. If you’re lucky, you might even catch baby monkeys wrestling and making snowballs. Time of day is a critical piece of planning, too: Jigokudani Monkey Park requires an overnight stay to catch the monkey’s early morning soak. While it is possible to do it as a day trip from Tokyo, even catching the earliest train will make for a later arrival, when crowds are at their greatest, and that’s if everything goes off without a hitch. If you miss seeing the monkeys, you’ll wish you had allowed for more time.The park opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m. daily, with extended hours from 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. seasonally. What started out as a dip to grab a fallen apple has evolved into something much sweeter: monkey bathing.Courtesy Joshua MellinYou’re better off arriving the night before you plan to visit. Stay at a ryokan, delight in its onsen and take off for the park first thing in the morning. If you can, leave time for onsen exploration beyond your ryokan, for at the base of the mountain leading to the park is a main street packed with nine unique onsens for weary travelers. Each meant to aid a particular ailment, the onsen encourage visitors to walk the charming street in a yukata (light kimono) and wooden sandals to collect stamps on a towel passport from all the onsens. Doing so is believed to ward off evil spirits and bring divine favor. The thin strip contains no shortage of mom-and-pop restaurants eager to share their house-made versions of Japanese staples.Getting thereMost of these inns offer complimentary morning shuttles to the Jigokudani Monkey Park’s information center. To best even these crowds, early risers can trek up the scenic path themselves for a chance at some private time with the monkeys. From the information center, the monkey’s onsen is only accessible via a one-mile path through the forest, about 30 minutes each way. Unfortunately, Jigokudani Monkey Park is not accessible to wheelchairs as the final ascent consists of tight winding paths and steep steps.Jigokudani Monkey Park’s pool-side views offers visitors a delightful insight into this unique behavior. Relaxing with the chilled-out macaques is a quintessential excursion from Japan’s mega-cities. Getting to Jigokudani Monkey Park from Tokyo requires an hour and a half ride on the shinkansen (high speed train) to Nagano, then a 50-minute trip on a local train to Yudanaka station in Yamanouchi, the town the park is located in. The Jigokudani Monkey Park information center is two miles from the train station. For winter enthusiasts exploring nearby Shiga Kogen, the largest ski field in Asia, it’s less than a hour’s bus ride away. CNN Travel Contributor Joshua Mellin is a writer and photographer based in Chicago. While traveling in Japan he subsists primarily on Family Mart katsu sandos and Ichiran Ramen.

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(CNN) — You’ve seen your friends’ photos, you’ve watched the Lord of the Rings trilogy and you’re desperate to experience New Zealand for yourself. But considering that the Land of the Long White Cloud is about the same size as the UK, how will you decide what to see? Here’s our insider’s guide to Aotearoa’s must-see destinations, including some off-the-beaten track gems.NORTH ISLANDCape ReingaCape Reinga is the end of the road when it comes to the North Island — the only place further north is North Cape, which isn’t open to the public. Stand beside the iconic Te Rerenga Wairua lighthouse on this rocky, windswept point and you’ll see where the Tasman Sea (between New Zealand and Australia) and the Pacific Ocean meet. You’ll also be bearing witness to a sacred place in Maori culture. An 800-year-old pohutukawa tree at Cape Reinga is believed to be the last leaving place for spirits of dead Maori. Legend has it that they leap from this tree into the ocean to begin their journey back to their ancestral homeland of Hawaiki.AucklandAuckland: New Zealand’s biggest and most culturally diverse city.Chris McLennan/Tourism New ZealandThere’s lots to see and do in New Zealand’s biggest and most culturally diverse city. The ‘City of Sails’ sprawls around more than 40 volcanic cones and is surrounded by the island-strewn Hauraki Gulf. Auckland has a metropolitan vibe, but it’s also blessed with bountiful beaches, parks and places to get away from it all. When you need a break from the hustle and bustle, walk to the top of Maungakiekie (Mt Eden). Here, just 5km from the CBD, you will enjoy panoramic views from the city’s highest volcanic cone while sheep graze peacefully nearby. Bonus trip: Make sure you include a trip to Waiheke Island — just 40 minutes from the terminal in Auckland -l- for a complete change of pace. Waiheke is home to idyllic beaches, bushwalking trails and 20-odd vineyards. Lake Taupo + Tongariro National ParkA lake the size of Singapore? Check. Volcanoes? Check. Bubbling mud and steaming hot water pools? Check. Bleak, barren desert landscapes? Check.Lake Taupo and its surrounding landscapes read like they’ve been purpose-built for a tourism brochure. The freshwater lake, which is the biggest in Australasia, is a vast caldera formed by a super-volcanic eruption some 26,000 years ago. At the southern end, three mighty volcanoes (Mounts Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngaruahoe) loom large. It’s no wonder that nearby Tongariro National Park (a World Heritage Area) was used as the backdrop for some of the most stunning scenes in the Lord of the Rings films.Many visitors choose to base themselves in Taupo, the town on the lake’s northern shores. There’s no shortage of outdoor experiences on offer here, including fishing, mountain biking, skydiving, jet-boating and bungee jumping. In winter months, all eyes are on the mountains. There are two fields on Mount Ruapehu (Whakapapa and Turoa) and plenty of apres-ski fun to be had in the small town of Ohakune.Bonus trip: Get up close (okay, not too close!) with steaming mineral pools and bubbling mud at the Tokaanu Thermal Walk (near Turangi, 40 minutes from Taupo), then take a dip in the healing waters of the nearby geothermal hot pools to soothe away any travel-induced aches and pains.Lake Waikaremoana + Te UreweraLake Waikaremoana boasts the largest protected tract of native forest in the North Island.ShutterstockRemote and rugged Te Urewera is the largest protected tract of native forest in the North Island: Think dense, rugged bush, vast Lake Waikaremoana (formed more than 2000 years ago by a monumental landslide) and lots of potential for fishing, tramping, camping and hunting.It’s home to the Ngati Tuhoe tribe (nicknamed ‘the Children of the Mist’) and most species of New Zealand’s native birds. If you’re looking for somewhere to completely switch off, this is it.To exercise body as well as mind, consider hiking the complete Lake Waikaremoana Track. This trail, one of New Zealand’s ‘Great Walks,’ traces the western side of the lake and takes around four days. Expect giant podocarp forests, remote beaches and incredible views. There are plenty of shorter hikes if you’re pressed for time.TaranakiHead west to experience the Taranaki region, one of the North Island’s best-kept secrets. The perfectly symmetrical Mt Taranaki (a double for Japan’s Mount Fuji), located in Egmont National Park, is the optimum vantage point to take in the region’s lush, rolling countryside and black-sand coastline.Prefer getting your feet wet? Taranaki’s famed ‘Surf Highway 45’ has a dozen world-class surf breaks, interspersed with pretty beaches, quaint rural towns and mountain views. Don’t miss: New Plymouth’s Govett Brewster Art Gallery, New Zealand’s first contemporary art museum, is dedicated to internationally renowned modernist filmmaker and kinetic sculptor Len Lye. The Govett Brewster Gallery is to New Plymouth what the Guggenheim is to Bilbao, a visual feast both inside and out.WellingtonNew Zealand’s capital regularly features in lists of the world’s most livable cities. Wellington is ridiculously pretty. Look out for quirky wooden homes perched on vertiginous slopes, lots of green space, mountain biking tracks, the award-winning bird sanctuary Zealandia and innumerable beaches.It’s also home to Peter Jackson’s film empire (look for the ‘Wellywood’ sign as you fly in or drive across the Miramar Peninsula) and the extremely kid-friendly Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand, the country’s national museum.Wellington’s position at the base of the North Island, between the Tararua Ranges and Cook Strait, makes it the windiest city in the world. Prepare to be invigorated by northwesterly gusts and do as the locals do — wear a raincoat instead of carrying an umbrella when exploring.Don’t miss: Head to Point Howard and the majestic Massey Memorial, a white marble mausoleum to former Prime Minister William Massey and his wife Christina, hidden high above Shelly Bay on the Miramar Peninsula. Climb up through the bush to the memorial, or the gun emplacements above, for views of the distant mountains of the South Island.SOUTH ISLAND Marlborough SoundsMarlborough Sounds is home to more than 50 reserves and 20% of the country’s coastline.Rob Suisted/Tourism New ZealandThis intricate web of sheltered waterways accounts for 20 percent of New Zealand’s total coastline. The three distinct waterways, Queen Charlotte, Kenepuru and Pelorus Sounds, formed from sunken river valleys that were flooded in the last Ice Age. There are more than 50 reserves in this scenic playground — pick up a kayak, fishing charter or relaxing boat ride to appreciate them fully. The Marlborough region produces nearly 80 percent of the country’s wine (particularly sauvignon blanc) and there are nearly 40 wineries to choose from. Don’t miss: The 70 km (44 mile) Queen Charlotte Track gives you the chance to experience the best of the area’s history, scenic delights and cuisine, either on foot or by bike. In New Zealand, Waitomo is home to thousands of “glowworms” that create an amazing luminescent effect day or night. KaikouraThanks to a deep sea trench running along its coastline, Kaikoura is one of the best places in New Zealand to see marine life. It’s one of the few places in the world where sperm whales can be seen year-round, along with seals, dolphins and seabirds.If you’re keen on ‘kai moana’ (seafood), Kaikoura also has a reputation for the island’s best crayfish (local lobster) and other fresh fish. A huge stretch of the eastern coastline of the upper south island around Kaikoura was uplifted in a 2018 earthquake, but the town recovered despite disruption to transport links and infrastructure. It remains an unforgettable place to visit, with the mountains looming over long, deserted pebble beaches.Punakaiki Pancake Rocks + Paparoa National ParkThe Great Coast Road between Greymouth and Westport on the West Coast of the South Island was recently named one of the world’s greatest drives by Lonely Planet.This wild, practically uninhabited stretch of coastline has near-mythical status in New Zealand, thanks mostly to its varied and unspoiled geography, down-to-earth locals and rich history. With the pounding waves of the Tasman Sea on one side and the tropical rainforest of the Paparoa National Park on the other, the drive between Greymouth and Westport is punctuated by the famous limestone formations and blowholes at Punakaiki. Don’t miss: Head up to Denniston above Westport for stunning views of the coast before descending into the historic underground coal mine, or tackle the caves at nearby Charleston.Milford Sound + FiordlandFiordland National Park has super-sized scenery.ShutterstockThe South Island has no shortage of incredible scenery, but Milford Sound and Fiordland are something else. Milford Sound, a fiord carved by Ice Age glaciers, is the jewel of Fiordland National Park, a 1.2 million hectare wonderland encompassing mountains, lakes, fiords and rainforests. Rudyard Kipling called it the ‘eighth wonder of the world.’The scenery here is on such a super-sized scale — towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, seemingly bottomless waterways — that you’d be forgiven for thinking it was some kind of computer-generated trickery. QueenstownQueenstown sets the standard for all resort party towns.Its global reputation as a bucket-list destination comes back to three things: location, location, location. Queenstown sits on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, surrounded by majestic mountain ranges like The Remarkables. While there’s plenty to see and do in the immediate area — especially if you’re into skiing, hiking, jet-boating, bungee jumping and skydiving — it’s is also the gateway to picture-perfect towns like Glenorchy, Wanaka, Arrowtown and Alexandra. A ‘continental’ climate with hot, dry summers makes for excellent wine-growing conditions – the central Otago region around Queenstown is famed for its pinot noir. Stewart Island/RakiuraThis is the little island at the ‘end’ of the South Island. An hour by ferry from the mainland and as close to Antarctica as you can get without leaving the country, it’s full of wildlife and raw, untouched landscapes. Stewart Island’s remoteness makes it one of the least-visited parts of the country — which is even more reason to make the effort. Brown kiwi outnumber the 400 human inhabitants and more than 85 percent of the island has protected national park status. There’s just 28 km (17 miles) of road, compared to 280 km (173miles) of walking and hiking tracks.Need another reason to make the trip? Stewart Island’s Maori name, Rakiura, means ‘the land of glowing skies’ thanks to the frequent appearance of the Aurora Australis, or Southern Lights.

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(CNN) — A suburban London street has been renamed in honor of late musician Freddie Mercury.However, Mercury, born Farrokh Bulsara, did not grow up on that street. The Bulsara family lived nearby at 22 Gladstone Avenue, which is marked with one of the round blue plaques that the UK uses to commemorate places that have historical connections. The neighborhood, which is close to Heathrow Airport, is also home to a community of Zoroastrians — the faith that Mercury’s family practiced.Before forming the rock band Queen in 1970, Farrokh Bulsara worked as a baggage handler at the airport. Among the guests who gathered on a rainy British morning to watch the street sign unveiling was Kashmira Cooke, the late Queen frontman’s sister.Although Mercury died in 1991, his musical legacy has endured over the years. After touching down at Heathrow and popping over to Feltham to visit Freddie Mercury Close, Queen fans can head into central London to the newly opened Hard Rock Hotel to see the Kirkwood piano on which the teenage Bulsara practiced in the family home. Mercury’s last home was Garden Lodge, a high-walled mansion in the well-heeled London neighborhood of Kensington. It’s now a private home owned by his ex-girlfriend Mary Austin, after he left her the property in his will.

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