Archive for the 'Ground Transportation' Category
Glen Aros Country Estate
Posted by Ruth Atherley on May 24, 2011 at 1:52 pm
I recently had the chance to learn more about Glen Aros – a classic New Zealand country estate, set in the foothills surrounding the wine-growing region of Hawke’s Bay. Everything I heard makes me want to go there.
From its beautifully secluded location, Glen Aros is only a short drive to the many world-class attractions of this diverse region – including wineries, winery restaurants, the lovely Art Deco city of Napier, fishing and golf. As a fully-serviced lodge, Glen Aros is ideal for high-end FIT travellers or small groups of friends can have exclusive use of the lodge. And the weather there is fantastic!
Luxury Accommodation
At Glen Aros, travellers enjoy a 5-star Guest & Hosted Qualmark Luxury accommodation with 24-hour concierge. Six spacious bedrooms, each with a super king-sized bed and a modern ensuite bathroom, are available for single or double occupancy. Tasteful furnishings lend individuality to every room and enhance the original character of this elegant Hawke’s Bay estate. Quiet, independent climate control assures your comfort winter or summer, throughout the house.
Dining
Enjoy creative meals prepared by their on-site chef, with an emphasis on fresh, natural foods and local produce. Menus can be arranged to suit your preferences. Choose a wine from their extensive cellar of carefully selected New Zealand and international vintages.
At TRENZ 2011, Glen Aros is promoting the incredibly talented Nigel Marriage – a top chef with Michelin star experience. He is classically trained and has worked as Head Chef in some of the finest restaurants in Europe and New Zealand, including Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, John Burton-Race’s (of French Leave fame), The New Angel in Devon and Eight Point Two in Birkenhead Auckland.
Nigel enjoys using the vegetables and herbs from the kitchen garden at Glen Aros along with the wealth of locally grown produce available at the well-known Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ Market and the nearby port in Napier. The Glen Aros garden also has an olive grove and a vast range of fruit trees, including greengage plums, guavas, pomegranates, persimmons, figs, feijoas, gooseberries, black currants, apricots, artichokes and walnuts.
It sounds like a fabulous place.
GreatSights Announces Capital Explorer Bus – Hop On, Hop Off
Posted by Ruth Atherley on June 1, 2010 at 12:37 pm
At TRENZ, GreatSights announced that they are about to launch the Capital Explorer Bus, enabling travellers to hop on and hop off wherever they like in Wellington. With 11 dedicated stops, the one-hour round trip has a set route stopping at iconic places including Te Papa, parliament buildings, Wellington Zoo, Zealandia: The Kaori Sanctuary Experience, and many more.
Affectionately known as HOHO (hop on, hop off), the 30-seat bus will allow patrons to purchase a ticket that is valid for 24 hours (opposed to a one-day ticket). This will allow them to board and exit the bus as many times as they like during the time period.
The bus will help showcase many of Wellington’s world-class attractions and allow visitors to get around the capital city with ease!
Get Nude In New Zealand
Posted by Ruth Atherley on May 26, 2010 at 7:50 pm
Ok – that got your attention. In fact, the guys at Paradise Motorcycle Tours NZ used it to get my attention too. I wonder if they heard about my obsession with Naked Rugby?
Here’s the story: The people at Paradise Motorcycle Tours received an email from a special interest group from the U.S. The group was very specific about what they wanted to do and what they wanted to do it on.
Apparently this group is lead by a woman named Jane. They enjoy riding motorcycles and get naked as often as possible. According to the Paradise Motorcycle Tours guys, they LOVED researching this tour. Their first call was to the police to find out what the group could and couldn’t do. It turns out that nudity is okay in NZ, as long as it’s appropriate and not in front of a school, on a beach or where children are playing…who knew?
The guided tour took place in February 2010 and they rode from Auckland to Christchurch and many places in between. They managed to fulfill their wishes to get naked most days – not while on the motorcycles, I was assured. The group was really happy with their tour. Although, now that I think of it, I wonder if the guides got naked too?
This is a bit of an extreme example, but it showcases how far this company will go to give the client what they want. Paradise Motorcycle Tours offers a range of guided tours using the latest luxury model BMW bikes.
For those of you who want to know more info on the bikes and the incredible range of tours, check out their website.
Connecting With Maori Culture In Auckland
Posted by Ruth Atherley on May 24, 2010 at 6:03 pm
I have a fascination with Maori culture. In fact, I am considering learning the Maori language. I’m not quite sure how I will accomplish that, but where there is a will, there is a way.
Toru Tours is owned and operated by New Zealander Paul Fuimaono, who is committed to giving you an authentic view of Auckland’s culture and heritage. Paul told me that it is the only tour that visits a marae (a sacred place which serves both religious and social purposes) on a daily basis.
With this tour, you experience a powhiri (welcome) by Maori people at the Awataha Marae. Here you will learn about their art, the symbolism of wood carvings, how to weave, and how to sing a Maori song. There is also a guided tour of historical Maori taonga (treasures) at the Auckland Museum and an “up close” encounter with the kiwi bird at the Auckland Zoo.
A nice introduction to a fascinating culture in a fabulous city.
Seeing New Zealand One Mile At A Time
Posted by Ruth Atherley on May 19, 2010 at 2:40 pm
Yesterday morning, I joined a coach tour in Auckland. Run by Australian Pacific Touring (APT), the tour I joined is the Freedom of Choice tour. It takes in all of the major attractions of New Zealand and in select locations, we (the passengers) are offered choices of activities. We choose the one that suits us and it is all arranged.
There is a variety of ages of the group on the tour that I have joined – ranging from early 40s upwards, to a couple that have been together for 60 years. People are from all over the world including the U.S., Ireland and Australia. It is an interesting dynamic and everyone seems to be having a great time.
Our guide, Glenys, is exceptional. She takes very good care of us, making sure we are each getting what we want out of this experience. Bruce, our driver, provides running commentary as he takes us through the regions. He is very knowledgeable about the different areas, the traditions and the little things that make places interesting.
There is a certain freedom that comes with not having to drive, find directions or figure out your way back from a wrong turn. And hearing about the people and places from local guides like Bruce and Glenys is an added bonus. They share little tips and hints and know things that, as a tourist, I would never even think about.
I have to admit, being able to get on and off the bus to participate in an event, go to morning tea and lunch, and not have to worry about anything is pretty great! All the organizing and getting to the attractions is done for the passenger, meaning on this leg of the trip, I am left to enjoy the moment. It’s nice to connect with other travellers too. I have had some very interesting conversations with my fellow coach tour passengers and had the opportunity to learn a little bit about their lives. Everyone on this tour is open and friendly and this has added to the experience.
The first stop was Mount Eden in Auckland. As we got closer, we realized that Auckland was blanketed in a fog – it was quite interesting to see and a great photo opportunity!
