Known as the 'City of Sails', Auckland welcomes holiday makers with the view of glistening blue water from almost every vantage point. Set on the peninsula of New Zealand in the South Pacific, the country's largest city offers an exciting mix of urban and island fun and is ideal for a holiday.

This subtropical destination boasts the two distinct harbours of Waitemata and Manukau, many islands, beaches, extinct volcanoes and the chance to experience true Polynesian culture found amongst a population of just over a million people.

Auckland is regarded as one of the most vibrant and multicultural cities in New Zealand and a centre of commerce and industry, originally named as the capital before it became Wellington.

Maori people are thought to have settled in Auckland 650 years ago and the region is still covered with volcanic hills, once the site of pas (fortified villages) which now offer great views of the city.

The best lookouts can be found at Mount Eden – the highest point at 200 metres high and offering a panoramic view of the city's bays and islands – and One Tree Hill, named after a lonely pine tree that grows on the summit.

Another point of interest is the Auckland Harbour Bridge, a four lane highway built in 1959 which including what locals call the 'Nippon Clip-on' – when Japanese engineers added extra lanes to the bridge to cope with increased traffic.

If you chose to go on holiday here Auckland really is a water lover's paradise offering some of the best beaches - including Karekare, Piha, Te Henga and Muriwai - just waiting to be explored. A whole host of watersports can be enjoyed from swimming, diving, fishing, sailing to windsurfing. Many companies offer adventure tours and cruises to spot ocean wildlife such as dolphins or whales.

Visitors can also enjoy the Auckland Domain, a large park near the centre of the city filled with trees, gardens and playing fields and tucked away in the south east corner of the park is the city's main museum hosting many Polynesian artifacts.

Multicultural influences spill over into the culinary delights to be found in the popular weekend markets and many restaurants covering the city.

Auckland has to been best known for its fresh fish and live crayfish, mussels, fresh tuna, snapper, trevally and terakihi are readily available on the streets and on the menus.

Those searching for a place to relax with a nice coffee between shopping trips, exploring and sightseeing can find a haven in the laidback café strip on Ponsonby Road.

For a more formal affair, two of the best places for diners are the Sky Tower which houses the Orbit restaurant including a 360 degree view of harbour and city, and the Viaduct Harbour which is the best place to find seafood restaurants offering a selection of fresh seafood from all over New Zealand.

For a rich sticky and sweet treat, travellers should try a local Polynesian dish made with bananas cooked with tapioca flour and coconut milk.

Travellers will have no trouble reaching the subtropical spot as Auckland operates the largest international airports in New Zealand with two domestic terminals offering flights throughout the country.