Archive for the 'Hawke’s Bay' Category
No Trip to NZ is Complete Without Hawke’s Bay
Posted by Ruth Atherley on May 14, 2012 at 1:04 pm
While we didn’t visit Hawke’s Bay on this trip to New Zealand, we did have a chance to catch up with the Hawke’s Bay team at TRENZ. Full of fun, adventure and a cheeky Kiwi approach to life – it’s always a highlight to hear what is happening in Hawke’s Bay.
Hawke’s Bay has a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters. And it is home to Napier, one of the most fabulous Art Deco cities in the world. It also has a wide-range of fabulous wineries and restaurants, the country’s oldest farmers’ market, great cycling trails (you can do a wine tour on bicycle!) and world-class golf courses like Cape Kidnappers – which along with an exceptional golf course also has the largest mainland gannet colony.
Hawke’s Bay is an exceptional place filled with amazing things to do, see, eat and drink, and it is home to some of the most amazing people in the whole world. It’s a “must do” when in New Zealand.
Even New Zealand Prime Minister John Key thinks so. Not only did he sample a Hawke’s Bay apple while he toured TRENZ, he confided in our Hawke’s Bay Tourism pal Vicky Roebuck that he was heading to Hawke’s Bay that very weekend. “Sweet as,” I say.
Relax in Secluded Luxury at Glen Aros Country Estate
Posted by Ruth Atherley on May 7, 2012 at 9:56 pm
It was wonderful to hear all the news from Glen Aros Country Estate at TRENZ.
In an idyllic Hawke’s Bay country setting, only minutes from the famous Gimblett Gravels’ “triangle” of wineries, Glen Aros Country Estate offers the perfect place to relax. You can spend time appreciating life on the wide verandas, stroll their extensive gardens and, of course, enjoy the culinary magic of Michelin standard Chef, Nigel Marriage, who utilizes produce from the estate’s orchards, gardens, olive grove, and local farmers’ markets. Glen Aros is a classic New Zealand country estate, 35 minutes drive from Napier airport and 20 minutes from Havelock North or Hastings. For those who prefer to arrive by air, there is also helicopter access.
Glen Aros offers luxurious accommodation for up to 12 guests, with six guest suites – all with garden views. A heated pool and spa and a billiard room with bar add to the ambience of this historic 1914 colonial homestead. Vineyard visits, hunting and fishing excursions or access to one of the region’s renowned golf courses are happily arranged by the lodge hosts. Guests find Glen Aros is a luxurious & relaxing retreat from their sometimes very busy itineraries, and are disappointed if they only stay one night. They want to urge guests and travel agents to consider staying a minimum of two nights.
At TRENZ, they are showcasing Michelin experienced Executive Chef, Nigel Marriage, who has signed on at Glen Aros again for the 2012/13 season. He is now offering cooking courses for couples and small groups, which is an exciting opportunity for foodies. Guests can select from a variety of options: pasta making & sauces, stocks & sauces, fish preparation & cookery, or chocolate desserts.
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The Classic New Zealand Wine Trail – A Destination in Itself
Posted by Ruth Atherley on May 7, 2012 at 5:12 pm
I had the chance to connect with the people at Classic New Zealand Wine Trail and wanted to provide an update on what they are showcasing at TRENZ.
The Classic New Zealand Wine Trail is a pretty exceptional opportunity for wine lovers. It serves up unforgettable wine and food experiences along the signposted 380km (240 miles) route. Encompassing Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa, Wellington and Marlborough, the drive links three of New Zealand’s leading wine regions that account for more than 80 percent of the country’s wine production. Memorable tasting experiences really bring the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail to life (and I can personally attest to that!).
Travellers are taken off the beaten track. Visit Hawke’s Bay for fabulous reds, Art Deco architecture and wildlife tours; explore the vineyards and historic towns of the Wairarapa region; shop, dine and be entertained in Wellington; then catch the ferry to Marlborough, where you can fish, kayak the waterways of the Marlborough Sounds and find your way to over 50 cellar doors. Combined with the farmers’ markets, eateries and artisan food producers you’ll encounter along the way, the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail offers New Zealand’s most memorable wine and food experiences.
A new Classic New Zealand Wine Trail Guide has just rolled off the printing press – and just in time for TRENZ. Designed as a map of the Trail, with tips on how to make the most of the experience, it is the official visitor guide for the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail – distributed both internationally and domestically and supported by a refreshed website: www.classicwinetrail.co.nz/.
Travelling the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail enables people to taste the breadth of NZ wine. The part of New Zealand covered by the trail is far less touristy than NZ’s more well-known tourism destinations. The trail is a destination in itself.
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