Category: New Zealand

4 sites that should be on the World Heritage list

4 sites that should be on the World Heritage list

By on Nov 12, 2010 in Africa, Asia, Botswana, Malaysia, Mauritius, New Zealand, Oceania, Regions
The UNESCO World Heritage list is a subject that can cause as much controversy as it can congratulations. Regardless of what your opinion of it may be, it is an undeniably influential global inventory which can transform the fortunes of some of the world’s most dramatic and significant natural and cultural locations. With this in

Dramatic CCTV footage of cruise ship in high seas

By on Sep 16, 2010 in Cruises & Boat Travel, New Zealand, Oceania, Pacific Islands, Regions, Speciality Travel
The P&O Cruises ship Pacific Sun hit a storm 400 miles off the north coast of New Zealand back in July 2008, an incident which saw 42 people hurt. The ship was carrying a total of 1,732 passengers and 671 crew as it travelled back to Auckland from the islands of Vanuatu. Dramatic internal CCTV footage
Interview with Grant Thatcher, Publisher and Founder of LUXE City Guides

Interview with Grant Thatcher, Publisher and Founder of LUXE City Guides

By on May 30, 2010 in Accommodation, Asia, Europe, Going Out, Hotels, Indonesia, Interviews, Italy, Middle East, New Zealand, Oceania, Regions, Resorts, Restaurants, Syria, Travel Equipment, Travel Literature, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe
Formerly an actor with the RSC, Grant Thatcher began the series of LUXE City Guides back in 2002. There are now more than 30 guides, including the best of the best from 20 in-the-know residents in each location. What is it that  you do exactly? I’m Editor in Chief which encompasses everything from designing the
Interview with Alison Scott of Elegant Resorts

Interview with Alison Scott of Elegant Resorts

By on Dec 16, 2009 in Accommodation, Africa, Anguilla, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Caribbean, Celebrities, Europe, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, Interviews, Madagascar, Mauritius, New Zealand, North America, Oceania, Pacific Islands, Regions, Restaurants, South America, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe
Alison Scott is the Commercial Director for Elegant Resorts.  She has been at Elegant for just over a year and prior to that was Head of Product at ITC in Chester. Her background has always been in travel. She started in travel after she left University, as a Rep overseas, and has stayed in the

Luxuriate at Lake Okareka Lodge in New Zealand

By on Sep 25, 2009 in Accommodation, Adventure Travel, Leisure Travel, New Zealand, Oceania, Regions, Resorts, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, Videos
Lake Okareka Lodge by lebua, in Rotorua, New Zealand, is the perfect abode of luxury, nestled in a landscape of incredible natural beauty. Far away from the prying eyes of the everyday life, there are countless hours of relaxation and adventures to be had in the most opulent of settings. Go fly-fishing for trout, try
The best airport in the world

The best airport in the world

By on Jun 09, 2009 in Air Travel, Asia, China, Europe, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Oceania, Regions, Singapore, South Korea, Speciality Travel, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Western Europe
The results of the World Airport Awards from Skytrax are out. Congratulations go to Incheon International Airport in Seoul which beat last year’s winner (Hong Kong International Airport) into second place.   The top 10 were as follows: 1. Incheon International Airport 2. Hong Kong International Airport 3. Singapore Changi 4. Zürich 5. München 6.

Upsizing in The Bay of Plenty... despite the downturn

By on Mar 24, 2009 in Accommodation, Business Travel, New Zealand, Oceania, Regions, Resorts, Spas & Pampering, Speciality Travel
New Zealand Luxury member property, Ridge Country Retreat & Spa has recently upsized its luxury accommodation to better serve  its growing boutique business conference and personal retreat markets. Six new spacious stand-alone suites when added to the five existing lodge suites now provide eleven suites in total which can exclusively accommodate up to  22 people

Chaos on a luxury cruise

By on Dec 07, 2008 in Cruises & Boat Travel, New Zealand, Oceania, Regions, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, Videos
This video  gives an insight into those times when luxury cruising doesn’t quite go as planned. The footage is apparently taken from a cruise aboard the Pacific Sun whilst off New Zealand in July 2008.

Club a la Carte exclusive membership

By on Dec 03, 2008 in Accommodation, Food and Drink, Hotels, New Zealand, Oceania, Regions, Travel Miscellany
Stuck for a creative Christmas gift ideas? Why not purchase a club a la carte membership for your loved   one, family member, friend or workmate! Then they too can enjoy being a part of  Millennium Hotels‘  exclusive hotel, dining & lifestyle membership. All for just $250 per year (inc GST). They’ll love it!
Success for Grand Mercure Nelson Monaco at HANZ awards

Success for Grand Mercure Nelson Monaco at HANZ awards

By on Nov 18, 2008 in Accommodation, Business Travel, Going Out, Hotels, New Zealand, Oceania, Regions, Resorts, Restaurants, Speciality Travel
Grand Mercure Nelson Monaco has won the Supreme Overall Award for Excellence at the national HANZ awards for excellence. The resort was also judged to be the Best Hotel in New Zealand and in the top three finalists in the Best Restaurant in New Zealand and the award for Excellence in Customer Service. And it
Ten gorgeous glaciers!

Ten gorgeous glaciers!

By on Jul 31, 2008 in Adventure Travel, Africa, Alaska, Antarctic, Arctic, Argentina, Asia, Austria, Canada, China, Europe, Iceland, New Zealand, North America, Oceania, Pakistan, Polar Regions, Regions, South America, Speciality Travel, Tanzania, USA, Western Europe, Worldwide
This week Forbes Traveler has run a feature entitled “10 Gorgeous Glaciers“. It caught my eye not only because of the beautiful pictures but also because I have a particular  interest in this subject. Few of you will know this, but my  PhD was in glaciology.   Alas, Greenland – where I worked – doesn’t

BEC Spa Resort, New Zealand

By on Jul 04, 2008 in Accommodation, New Zealand, Oceania, Regions, Resorts, Spas & Pampering, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, Videos
Set in an unique hilltop location, BEC Spa Resort enjoys extraordinary views of the ocean, mountains and vineyards below.
Interview with Kevin May of Travolution

Interview with Kevin May of Travolution

By on May 20, 2008 in Africa, Asia, Cambodia, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Interviews, Magazines, Mexico, Nepal, New Zealand, North America, Oceania, Peru, Regions, South America, Travel Equipment, Travel Literature, Travel Miscellany, Vietnam, Websites
Kevin May is editor of Travolution, an industry-focussed magazine for online travel and division of Reed Business Information.   It consists of a blog, e-news service and a physical magazine, and is a leader in its field with an advisory board that comprises some  of the biggest names in the travel industry. What is it
Earthsong Lodge, Great Barrier Island, Auckland

Earthsong Lodge, Great Barrier Island, Auckland

By on Apr 15, 2008 in Accommodation, New Zealand, Oceania, Regions, Resorts
Just a 30 minute flight from Auckland, Great Barrier Island is a treasure trove of beautiful white beaches, rugged wilderness and virgin forests. The luxury Earthsong Lodge, set amongst 12 acres of olive groves and natural foest, is an all-suite property featuring private sunny courtyards and verandas with magnificent views.
Emirates and the A380

Emirates and the A380

By on Mar 03, 2008 in Air Travel, Australia, Europe, Middle East, New York, New Zealand, North America, Oceania, Regions, Speciality Travel, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, USA, Western Europe
Emirates has 58 of the huge, double-decked  A380 planes  on order, and has announced that it will be flying from Dubai to a number of destinations before the end of the year. Flights from Dubai  to New York begin in October 2008 and  will be  followed by Dubai-London Heathrow flights from 1st December 2008. Routes

New levels of luxury for Canterbury's Terrace Downs

By on Jan 22, 2008 in Accommodation, New Zealand, Oceania, Regions, Resorts, Spas & Pampering, Speciality Travel
One of New Zealand’s most sought after resorts might soon be Terrace Downs in Canterbury.   Situated just an hour from Christchurch International Airport, the resort is to undergo a multi-million dollar upgrade. New guest activities such as blokarts, archery and a jet boating operation will begin in the next few months, while a luxury