KEY POINTS:
Move over Paris - anyone after a world-class romantic rendezvous need look no further than the picturesque South Island lakes district.
The Central Otago resort town of Lake Wanaka has been voted one of the 10 most romantic holiday destinations in the world in a new book.
Published by Life Books, Dream Destinations: 100 of the World's Best Vacations, puts Wanaka in 10th spot on a list topped by India's Wildflower Hall and The Carmargue in France.
The book says of Wanaka: "More than 300m above sea level, in the centre of New Zealand's gorgeous South Island, lies this 43km long lake.
"The lakeside town is a charming place to stay, with sheep farms dotting the surrounding countryside."
The praise comes as no surprise to Lake Wanaka Tourism head John Alldred, who sees large numbers of honeymooners flocking in.
"It's a very peaceful place, it's not crowded, and it's drop dead beautiful obviously," Mr Alldred says.
"It inspires people I think."
Wedding celebrant Bev Clark has seen a marked increase in the number of weddings in Wanaka in recent years and she puts it down to the area's spectacular beauty and peaceful nature.
"I'm quite sure the mountains and the lake are very restful and Wanaka has not become a destination as busy as Queenstown," Ms Clark says.
"You have everything from people who get married up on a mountain or on skis in the snow to those who go out on the lake as the sun rises -it certainly creates a romantic atmosphere."
A LOVELY SPOT
WANAKA:
Population - 7000.
Famous architecture - Puzzling World (Wanaka's answer to the Leaning Tower).
Romantic meal - A nice piece of venison and a local pinot noir.
PARIS:
Population (city) - 2.2 million.
Famous architecture - The Eiffel Tower.
Romantic meal - Escargots and champagne.
