Archive for the 'Accomodations' Category
Take A Walk On The Wild Side!
Posted by Ruth Atherley on May 26, 2010 at 10:48 am
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.
Classic New Zealand Wine Trail
Posted by Ruth Atherley on May 25, 2010 at 3:39 pm
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?
Ahhhhh…Polynesian Spa
Posted by Ruth Atherley on May 24, 2010 at 5:52 pm
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.
Museum Hotel
Posted by Ruth Atherley on May 23, 2010 at 3:32 pm
I love the hotel I am staying in. First off, the Museum Hotel’s reception desk is in the bar. And it is full of funky, different art. There is an interesting history to the hotel as well, the full story can be found on their website, but the short version is that the owner is quite a character and he has a strong vision for things. He saw the potential for this hotel; the only problem was that the building was across the street, not where he wanted it to be. Thinking about solutions rather than problems, he figured that if he wanted it his way, the only thing to do would be to move the building.
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.
Matterhorn
Posted by Ruth Atherley on May 21, 2010 at 3:56 pm
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!
