It's not the country's capital, but it is New Zealand's largest and most populous city, open and cosmopolitan, as well as New Zealand's main transit center. But it would be a shame not to stay there. In the north of the North Island, nestled between two beautiful bays, each with its own harbor, Auckland is nicely nicknamed the City of Sails. It is necessary to go up from Queen Street, to the top of the emblematic Sky Toweryou have to climb from Queen Street to the top of the iconic Queen Street Building, the tallest building in the southern hemisphere at 328 meters, to enjoy a bird's eye view of Viaduct Harbour with its luxury yachts and lanes of bars and cafes. At the foot of the extinct volcano, you can visit the Auckland Estate, the city's oldest park, which is home to the Wintergardens, beautiful landscaped gardens. The beach at Mission Bay, close to the city center, is a popular spot for walkers and runners along the sea. In fact, wherever you are in Auckland, you'll never be far from the sea: the city stretches from the Pacific Ocean to the Tasman Sea. Surfers particularly appreciate the unspoiled beaches of the Hauraki Gulf. You can also choose to hike in the bush, or discover a dozen small wild islands off the coast. What else is there? Plenty of sunshine, Polynesian culture in the background, a taste for food and good wine. Seductive, isn't it?