Wellington (New Zealand)

I lived in Wellington for the first thirty years of my life, and although now residing in other parts of the world, I have always come back to refresh my memories of this ever changing city.
When I visited the Capital last Christmas, I was amazed at the changes I saw. For instance, you can now take a harbour ferry from the downtown wharves area at Queens Wharf, and cross the harbour over to Days Bay and Eastbourne.
On a fine day, this is a fantastic way to appreciate the magnificent harbour. You can also stop off at Somes Island - a former quarantine station - in the middle of the harbour, and get a later ferry back if you wish.
The other attraction I would recommend to Ciao readers is the Southern Walkway which goes along Mt. Victoria. You begin this marvellous walk at Oriental Bay, and climb up a graded track past highly priced real estate to emerge at the top of Mt. Victoria. The views en route are really quite extraordinary.
I took a photograph en route, and was very pleased at the way it turned out. You can view this at http://www.flixya.com/photo/360538/Panor​amic_view_of_Wellington_New_Zealand
Once at the top of Mt Victoria, if you have reserves of energy left, you can continue in a Southwards direction along the tops of the hills, and eventually, you'll finish up past Newtown and drop down to Island Bay. From there, catch a bus to take you back to the downtown area.
It is a wonderful walk, and if you are lucky enough to experience one of Wellington's windless sunny days (more common than many would have you believe) you will have a marvellous time.