Old notions of Auckland as a somewhat old fashioned city are now distinctly misplaced as this vibrant, modern metropolis offers residents and visitors all the conveniences of the 21st century. The rapidly developing downtown area and the bustling trendy yet traditional harbour area have helped bring Auckland to the forefront as one of New Zealand’s premier tourist destinations. Auckland’s climate is very agreeable in spite of a tendency towards frequent precipitation. Extreme temperatures are rare, making winters cool but not cold and summers pleasantly warm but certainly not scorching. A trip to Auckland can be taken at any time of the year but the summer season is the most ideal. A busy calendar of annual events brings plenty of visitors both international and domestic to the city. With the popular Auckland Festival, held every two years and the Food and Wine festival held every year, the city has something of a reputation as a cultural epicentre and indeed many visitors time their trips to coincide with its most popular events. The city is well prepared to receive visitors, offering a developed tourist infrastructure which includes no shortage of transportation options as well as a wide variety of accommodations to suit most tastes and budgets. Backpackers will find hostels where rooms for two can be gotten for as little as NZ60 dollars per night while those looking for five star accommodations will find establishments such as the Sky City hotel and the Hilton Auckland. | 
