With offices in Auckland and Queenstown, services offered have expanded to include travel and leisure assistance, event planning, wedding planning, property investment and management and also the well-recognized and world-renowned Touch of Spice Private Villa Collection.

For the leisure market, they promote luxury villas, lodges and private retreats – New Zealand wide – partnered with a personal concierge service, tailored specifically for in-house guests. The specialist team of staff can source the finest wines, locate guests’ favourite flowers, assist with ground arrangements, find the perfect gift and arrange a world-class private chef to prepare an intimate dinner for two.

The Touch of Spice Private Villa Collection features a portfolio of properties of unsurpassed elegance and opulence including exclusive townhouses, luxury penthouses, luxury lodges and private island retreats.

Touch of Spice Weddings provides tailor-made wedding-planning services throughout New Zealand.

Touch of Spice Events offers exclusive and unique event solutions – New Zealand wide.

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.

The people from Ralston Marketing have many high quality boutique accommodations and activity suppliers on their roster. They include Atholwood Luxury Country Accommodation in Mapua, Adrift Outdoors in National Park Village, Bay of Many Coves Resort in the Marlborough Sounds, Knapdale Eco Lodge in Gisborne, Bachcare Holiday Homes found across the country, U-Fly Adventure Rides in Wanaka, and - new this year - Waiatoto River Safaris and Hannah’s Homestead in Hasst .

I spent some time in Haast last year and loved it! It is a breathtaking place and these two new products are worth checking out! I had the opportunity to see Hannah’s Homestead as it was just being developed.  I also got to experience Waiatoto River Safaris. It was an excellent experience (see my blog post) and anyone looking to get out there and really connect with Mother Nature will enjoy the adventure!

At TRENZ, I had the chance to learn a little more about Ipipiri, the latest addition to the Fullers GreatSights fleet at TRENZ. This is a unique overnight cruise that allows visitors to immerse themselves in the breathtaking beauty of the Bay of Islands. On the cruise, you learn about the region’s historical and cultural significance as you journey back to the birthplace of New Zealand. You can snorkel or kayak in the clear waters and then sit on the rooftop sundeck and relax with a drink.

The overnight experience accommodation is in one of 30 ocean view cabins, each with private ensuite and uninterrupted sea views. Also included are a three-course buffet dinner and a full cooked breakfast featuring local produce. There are complimentary afternoon activities at one of the favourite sheltered bays – that could include snorkeling, kayaking or nature walks.

I am told that starting in September 2010, there will also be a two-night cruise option, allowing guests to extend their wonderful experience in the Bay of Islands.

Another one to add to my wish list for next year!!!!

I checked in with the people at The Quadrant Hotel Auckland yesterday and had a great time hearing about their funky hotel.  Their rooms range from a studio apartment to a one bedroom apartment, two bedroom apartment and penthouse suite. I love this part – they have FREE WI-FI!!!

The hotel has lovely rooms that look extremely comfortable and each have a fully equipped kitchen. They say it’s where style and affordability spend the night together. That’s a good thing.

They have a bar and restaurant. (Sounds weird for me to say this, but when you see the website, it looks like your staying at beautiful condos.)

Check out the website, the hotel is impressive.

Kaikoura Wilderness Walks are one of those magical, experiences of a lifetime activities.  The luxury guided walk traverses New Zealand’s highest privately owned land rising to 8,000 feet to Shearwater Lodge, a beautiful guesthouse that holds a maximum of 12 guests.

On the walk, you experience the wide range of ecosystems found here, which includes rare and endangered species of flora and fauna. It is a unique, authentic and sensory wilderness encounter. Because the walk takes place on private land, you won’t see any other people – it’s you, your group and Mother Nature.

Shearwater is a purpose built eco-lodge and is set in a spectacular alpine valley. It provides some of the most outstanding scenery that nature has to offer.

One of the hopes that the Kaikoura Wilderness Walks team has is that they will inspire guests to take away a little of their sustainable practice ideas to their part of the world, along with great memories of their extraordinary New Zealand wilderness experience.

Everyone on the Kaikoura Wilderness Walks will look after you with true Kiwi hospitality. Attention to detail is important to them and nothing is overlooked.

Biking Marlborough - photo credit to Ian Trafford

You have to love New Zealand, they have a wine trail that runs through the country! The Classic New Zealand Wine Trail is a 380 km (236 mile) self-drive touring route that leads you off the beaten track. You travel through many of New Zealand’s most interesting and scenic regions, including three major viticulture areas that account for more than 70% of the country’s wine production. And you don’t have to worry about getting lost, because along the way, there are road signs with images of grapes. No words, just a bunch of grapes. It’s like a little secret code for wine lovers.

Wine growing regions in New Zealand include Northland, Auckland, Waikato/Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Wairarapa, Hawke’s Bay, Nelson, Marlborough, Canterbury/Waipara Valley and Central Otago.

All through the trail are lovely little villages, historic towns, artist studios, specialty food, live theatre, forest hikes, brewery tours, fishing, hiking and of course – a range of wineries producing everything from Sauvignon Blanc to Pinot Noir.

You will come across both large estates and smaller vineyards that make batches by hand. In most of New Zealand’s wineries, the emphasis is placed on quality rather than quantity.

I’m sold. Another adventure to go on my bucket list!!!

Anyone want to join me?

TRENZ has started in full force and there is a lot to tell you about!

Overlooking Lake Rotorua is New Zealand’s leading international mineral springs spa, Polynesian Spa.

This is nothing like what we would experience in North America.  Here, the experience is about thermal bathing. Guests can select from four pool areas: the Deluxe Lake Spa with scenic rock-pool bathing; the Adult Pools and Priest Spa with a variety of pools; the Intimate Private Pools; or the Fun Family Spa.

The Polynesian Spa is a world top ten spa (medical/thermal/natural category) as voted by members of the prestigious Conde Nast Traveler Magazine from 2004-2007 & 2009.

There is quite a history in Rotorua for thermal baths and hot mineral bathing. It dates back over 125 years on the Polynesian Spa site.

With everything going on here at TRENZ, I dream of relaxing at the Polynesian Spa.

Click here to see additional images.

Engineers and other smart people told him that it was impossible. It couldn’t be done. There is a certain group of people in the world (I might be one of them…) that when you say you can’t do it, that only makes them more determined to do it. Railroad tracks were built. They lifted the building onto a rail car and they moved it across the street.

Staying here thrills me to no end. I have a great view, the hotel is unique, interesting, incredibly comfortable and it’s right in the heart of things. There is a grocery store just down the street, Te Papa is across the road and you can walk to lots of cafes and restaurants.

I had dinner with the lovely Jo Heaton from Positively Wellington Tourism last night. Jo picked me up at the amazing Museum Hotel, where I am staying until Monday. As soon as I arrived in Wellington, I knew I loved the place. The same can be said about the Museum Hotel. I will do a blog post later on the hotel.

Jo took me to Matterhorn, a local icon.

Choosing wine for me

Matterhorn is a busy, bustling place. And I have to say, all of the staff looked like supermodels. For such a popular place, everyone at Matterhorn was so down to earth. I have to admit, that took me by surprise. It shouldn’t, the place is full of Kiwis – the most down to earth people in the world!

I’ve been to some nice places and had the experience ruined because of pretentious staff, not at Matterhorn. It was like I had walked into a place that was full of friends.

Our server was exceptional (and shame on me for not getting his name!). I think I was too busy admiring his model good looks to think straight…

I can’t say enough about this restaurant – great wine list, great food, staff that knows their stuff and they make you feel taken care of and welcome. Amazing.

Matterhorn is just one reason to come to Wellington. I bet I find more today!