2011 sees the seventh Rugby World Cup to date, with the first ever being played in 1987, jointly hosted by New Zealand and Australia. England will host the eighth Rugby World Cup in 2015, but lots of English, Irish, Welsh and Scottish supporters will be enjoying the rugby and the hospitality in New Zealand in 2011.
Rugby supporters are well known for enjoying the activities off the pitch as much as the action on the pitch. Certainly New Zealand has a wealth of possibilities in both departments!
Visually New Zealand is very stimulating with absolutely stunning, diverse scenery, plus cities which have heaps to offer. Here is a selection of the gems in the top Rugby World Cup cities of New Zealand.
For England Rugby World Cup supporters, Dunedin will be the venue for the first matches. This means that those of you who enjoy a beer or two can head off on the Speights Brewery Tour, which is both an informational and fun tour with some beer tasting involved.
Located in the South Island of New Zealand, Dunedin is the second biggest city there and will have a totally different rugby tournament taking place there at the same time as the Rugby World Cup. This is the eighth Nude Rugby event, which started out as a bit of a laugh and has turned into a media attention grabber that is now an annual event.
For those who prefer nature as opposed to naturism, the protected wood lands, lush green spaces and amazing coastal area of Dunedin is a wonderful treat. It is possible to spot penguins, sea lions and seals, and to explore the scenery on horseback.
Spring Festival time is October so this makes it a very special time to visit. Ireland will play Italy in Dunedin on 2nd October, so the Irish and Italians will be able to enjoy the festivities as well as the rugby in Dunedin.
England and Scotland Rugby World Cup supporters will be in Auckland however for the match between the two countries on 1st October. But don't worry; Auckland has plenty of spring festivities happening as well. There is the Auckland Heritage Festival, Diwali Festival of Lights, the Kowhai Festival and the Auckland International Boat Show.
Soaking up festivities and culture will not be an issue, but for the rugby supporters who like an adrenalin rush then there is the Sky Tower sky jumping experience, or climbing up the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
To enjoy something a bit more relaxing, check out the village of Parnell which is an historical village with a fine selection of restaurants, or take a wine tour which visits great local wineries.
Last but very certainly not least is the capital city, Wellington, which has been elected one of the top 4 cities worldwide to visit, by the Lonely Planet.
Wellington has a stunning harbour and Botanical Gardens, as well as cable cars and an observatory. One of the big attractions is Zealandia which is an award-winning eco-attraction and well worth a visit. The Te Papa Tongarewa, which is the museum of New Zealand also deserves a visit. It is packed with treasures, history and art.
The highlight for some Rugby World Cup tour travellers will be the Cuba Street District. This is the King of Cool when it comes to the area's ambience, the trendy boutiques, bars, cafes, great food and entertainment, and generally it has an arty feel about it.
Wales will have its first match against South Africa in Wellington, so Welsh fans can enjoy the fun and festivities of this fabulous city. Let's see which Rugby World Cup teams will make it through to the Quarter Finals which will take place between Auckland and Wellington; where the festivities will continue throughout the Rugby World Cup tournament. If you're one of the lucky ones using Rugby World Cup packages to support your team, make sure you have the time of your life, both on and off the pitch.