Alcatraz

The Rock (now a National Park) was a famous federal prison where the worst of the worst criminals were kept. It was said when lavish parties in the 1920s occurred on the mainland, the prisoners could hear it from their cells way out at sea. The tour includes a cruise from San Francisco and audio tour of the cell blocks that's great.

Tongariro National Park

This national park encompasses there large volcanoes in the center of the north island an hour and a half south of Taupo. Tongariro is most famous for the Tongariro Alpine crossing, billed as the best day hike in the world. It's a challenging 12.5 mile one way  hike up from forest through lakes, volcanic flows, alpine scenery, and hot springs.

Þingvellir National Park

A fascinating mix of history and natural beauty. Þingvellir was the site of the Alþingi, Iceland’s first parliament and, dating from 930, one of the oldest parliaments in the world.