Auckland. New Zealand

Auckland is a geographically blessed city, whose two harbours frame a narrow isthmus featuring volcanic cones and encircled by farmland. From its multiple vantage points it's surprising to see how close the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean come to meeting and forming a new island. With the rugged west-coast surf beaches, or the resplendent Hauraki Gulf with its many islands, the water is always nearby. Within an hour’s drive from the city's heart, there are dense sections of rainforest, thermal springs, wineries and wildlife sanctuaries. Auckland is regularly ranked as one of the world's top cities for quality of life.