Auckland

Auckland accommodation in the city centre puts the downtown ferry terminal, the art gallery and Wynyard Quarter within a walk. Apartments in the middle and villas a few streets out both work without a car.

The city eats by neighbourhood. Ponsonby Road runs to long brunches and wine bars, Karangahape Road stays open late, and Dominion Road is the place for noodles.

Ferries cross to Devonport for a bookshop wander and an afternoon on the sand, and Eden Park empties into the streets on match nights. Climb Maungawhau / Mt Eden and the shape of the place makes sense: a narrow isthmus with water on both sides.