New Zealand is a fabulous country to visit - I came here first 4o years ago and enjoyed hitch-hiking around. I met some amazing people along the way. But hitch-hiking does not get you down those wonderful side roads where you can find magical out of the way spots, even at the height of summer - places like Helena Bay or the Forgotten World Highway. Maybe you have been to New … [Read more...]
Helena Bay – Exploring the Coastline on the Back Road to Russell
NZ off the Beaten Track - Less than one hour north of Whangarei is the beautiful road that is the back road to Russell in the Bay of Islands. These days access to Russell is usually via the Opua car ferry. All very good for those for whom time is short. If you are the kind of people who are roaming New Zealand’s magnificent back country, where the locals holiday and play but … [Read more...]
How Green is New Zealand – five things I have noticed
100% Pure NZ? New Zealand brands itself as 100% Pure and images like this one portray the magic of our waterways and beaches. At present this ‘image’ is under pressure in the lowland river systems where intensive farming methods have put pressure on our rivers and lakes, an in some parts of New Zealand they swimming is no longer recommended. However many New Zealanders … [Read more...]
New Zealand as a Food and Wine Destination
Perhaps it is because New Zealand is at the bottom of the world that we tend to be very well travelled. We long for connection to a bigger global story - after school most of us head of for what is known as OE - Overseas Experience. Those that come back (and not all do) bring with them the tastes they have savoured overseas. When I grew up the 60s only non English cuisine … [Read more...]
A Kiwi Christmas – a Beach and a Bach
This Christmas we celebrated in a classic kiwi bach at the seaside. A bach is a NZ term for simple accommodation – a holiday house without fuss. It had an outside toilet, room for a tent, a deck to enjoy the view out to the bay. The bedrooms were cosy, but the kitchen easily provided the means to feed the extended family, and a BBQ on the deck is an added bonus. At the … [Read more...]
Do you Love Italian Food – Cooking and Exploring Italy?
Lyn and Chris run The Gables Country House accommodation, cooking school and catering in Akaroa, near Christchurch in New Zealand and in the NZ winter head to Italy and their home in Puglia, where they lead small groups of mostly NZ people in exploring the tastes and texture that is Italy - in Tuscany, Puglia, Sicily and Sardinia. As experienced chefs, they offer a taste … [Read more...]
Ladies Week in Norfolk Island
Safe - Scenic - Special Norfolk Island is a perfect getaway for girlfriends - swimming, golf, walking, history, fishing ... Experience the island life. Two Bedroom, two bathroom executive Ladies Only Cottage for 7 Nights at Shiralee Executive Cottages. This offer until March 2017 Price includes Return airport transfers and welcome drink Car rental and car … [Read more...]
Golden Bay – off the beaten track in New Zealand
Nelson is at the top of the South Island, it is the gateway to the amazing Abel Tasman National Park. and the wonderful and productive hinterland of Tasman - great cycling here Northwest of Nelson is Golden Bay - a huge bay sheltered by the long arm of Farewell Spit. To get there you go over the Takaka Hill. It was many years after living in New Zealand before I drove … [Read more...]
The Gables – living between Italy and New Zealand
On Women Travel the World Blog I recently wrote about Lisa Condie who went to Italy on holiday in 2012, and on her last day there decided she wanted to live in Florence. She has set up a small tour company dedicated to showing women the wonders of Tuscany. More Lyn and Chris are two New Zealand women who also fell in love with Italy, and now spend their time between Puglia … [Read more...]
New Zealand Awaits – a new travel company introducing NZ to the world
Debbie Clarke and her Partner Karen Lang have just set up a tour company New Zealand Awaits, with a focus on providing inbound tours to NZ for LGBT travelers. Debbie shares some of their journey here: After many years of living and working internationally, from London to Japan to Hungary to the U.S, I’ve decided to follow my passion and have founded a travel company to … [Read more...]