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SEVILLE Summerin
YOURCRUISEHOLIDAYINCLUDES:
•ReturnEconomyclassflightsfromAuckland,Wellingtonor ChristchurchtoVancouver
•2nightVancouverstayincludingtransfers
•7nightcruise onboard NieuwAmsterdam includingall meals&porttaxes
•Saveupto$500percouple
*GratuitiesarenotincludedandarefromUS$17perpersonperday
YOURTOURHOLIDAYINCLUDES:
•2nightstayinAnchorage
•McKinleyExplorer®luxurytrainjourney
•2nightstayHollandAmericaDenaliLodge
•TundraWildernessTour
•RiverboatDiscoveryTourincludinglunch
•2nightDawsonCity,Yukonstay
•KlondikeGoldTour
•1nightVancouverAirportstay
•Coach,train&flightsincluded
•31nightcruiseonboard
•EnjoycomplimentaryPickleballlessons
•24-hourroomservice
•Saveupto$1800percouple
*GratuitiesarenotincludedandarefromUS$17per personperday
•35nightcruiseonboard Noordam including allmeals&porttaxes
•Onboardentertainment
•EnjoycomplimentaryPickleballlessons
•24-hourroomservice
•Saveupto$2000percouple
*GratuitiesarenotincludedandarefromUS$17per personperday
8 10 12 16 18 22 26 31
ROOMCHECK
Astayat25hours Langstrasse,Zurich
SIZZLINGSEVILLE
Beenchantedby old-worldcharm andvibrantmodern culture
TREASURETRAILS
Shoppinginthesouks ofMorocco
HEAVENONEARTH
Aotearoastealsa photographer’sheart
EASYONTHE POCKET
Europeancitiesthat won’tcostafortune
STARRYNIGHTS, SERENEDAYS
JanePhareboards
TheGhantrainfrom DarwintoAdelaide
BEAUTYOFBIRDS
Howmanycanyou spotatCanada’s KnightInletLodge?
THECHOICEIS YOURS
Campervanningwith GrantWebster
CONTACTS
SamHurley: NZHeraldPrint Editor JanePhare: DeputyNZHerald PrintEditor TravelMagazinesEditor: SarahPollok
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Marriner
Cover: RoyalAlcazar,Seville Photo/Unsplash travel@nzherald.co.nz nzherald.co.nz/travel Facebook.com/nzhtravel Instagram.com/nzhtravel ListentoourpodcastTrip
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GREATBARRIERISLAND
Thisextraordinaryislandoffersaperfectblendofnatural beauty,tranquillity,anduniqueexperiences.Beginyour adventurewithascenicflightfromAucklandandenjoy theserenityofthisremoteisland.Spendyourfirstevening stargazingintheGreatBarrierIslandDarkSkySanctuary, atrulyunforgettableexperience.
Duringyourtimeontheisland,immerseyourselfinits naturalbeautywithacoastalcruisearoundtheBroken Islands,wanderthroughtheNīkaupalmgrove,visitthe GlenfernSanctuaryandFitzRoyHouse,JacquesHaven, andthefamousMilk,Honey&GrainMuseum,andthe CommunityArtsVillage.Thisrelaxed,immersivejourney invitesyoutodiscoverthetrueessenceofoneofNew Zealand’smostunspoiledregions.
ScanthisQRcodewith yourmobilephoneto findmoregreattravel tips,adviceand inspirationfrom nzherald.co.nz/travel
6 | Tuesday,August12,2025
Twoislands,oneescape
Tickoffadreamescapewiththisjourneythrough FrenchPolynesia.Beginyourtravelssurrounded bythepristinewatersofTaha’a,thenunwindin anoverwatersuiteorbeachfrontvillainthe lagoonofBoraBora.Pricedfrom$7050pptwinshare,thispackageincludesreturnEconomy
flightsfromAucklandtoPapeetewithAirTahiti Nui,domesticflightsbetweenPapeete,Raiatea andBoraBora,dailyAmericanbreakfast,andall transfers.
Forfulltraveldates,availability,andto book,visittahitivoyages.co.nz/trip/lebora-bora-and-le-tahaa-by-pearl-resorts.
SurfersParadisegetaway
LocatedinSurfersParadise,justastrollfromthe beachandclosetotheentertainmentstrip, themeparks,andBroadbeach’sdining,Crowne PlazaisanidealbaseforaGoldCoastgetaway. Guestscanrelaxinthelargeoutdoorpoolwith
star-spottinginLA,theitineraryoffers unforgettableexcursionsandexperiencesacross tropicalparadisesandcosmopolitancities.Priced from$3454pptwin-shareforaPrincessStandard fare,thepackageincludesstandarddining, accommodationandentertainmentonboard. Flightsareadditional.Pricesaresubjectto change.
Tobook,visitprincess.com/cruise-search/ details/?voyageCode=X610D&fareType= BESTFARE,orcall0800780717.
Scandinaviabysea
ExploretheVikingHomelandsonthis15-day cruisefromStockholmtoBergenorviceversa. Sailthroughscenicfjords,discoverUnesco-listed sites,andexperiencetherichcultureof ScandinaviaandtheBaltic.Pricedfrom$13,695pp inaDeluxeVerandastateroom,thisall-inclusive
Sailintotulipseason
SailthroughtheNetherlandsandBelgiumduringtulipseasononthisseven-nightrivercruisewith AmaWaterwaysaboardAmaVenita.Departinground-tripfromAmsterdam,you’llstayinaFrench BalconyStateroomandenjoyregionallyinspiredcuisine,immersivetoursineverydestination, unlimitedfinewine,beerandsoftdrinkswithlunchanddinner,andspecialitydiningatTheChef’s Table.EachdayincludesaSip&SailCocktailHour,andbookingsthroughTravelAssociatescome withaUS$300onboardcreditperstateroom.From$6685pptwin-share,thiscruisedepartsMarch 24,2026,andisonsaleuntilAugust22,unlesssoldout.Airfaresandairporttransfersareadditional. ContactTravelAssociateson0800482776,orvisittravel-associates.co.nz/luxuryholidays/product/21331768tobook.
poolsidewaiterservice,unwindatthedayspa, orstayactiveinthegym.HouseofTravelhas apackagestartingfrom$999pp,twin-share, whichincludesfivenights’accommodationand returnEconomyflightswithAirNZfrom Auckland,WellingtonorChristchurchtoBrisbane. ValidforsaleuntilAugust17,unlesssoldout. TraveldatesincludeOctober12-20,November 5toDecember4,2025,January26toFebruary 16,andMarch5-31,2026.
Visithot.co.nz/goldcoast-crowneplaza,or call0800713715tobook.
Islandhoppinginstyle
Setsailona25-dayPacificadventureaboard DiscoveryPrincess,departingfromAucklandon
April12,2026.Thisluxurycruisecrossesthe InternationalDateLineandvisitsdestinations includingtheBayofIslands,Tahiti,Moorea, Hawaii,LosAngeles,VictoriaandVancouver. Fromsnorkellingtofour-wheel-drivetoursand
journeyoffersguidedexcursionsateveryport, allmealswithalternativediningoptions,wineand beerwithlunchanddinner,unlimitedWi-Fi,and accesstoaNordicspa.BookbeforeSeptember 1,tosave$3000percoupleonoptionalpre-and post-cruiseextensions,includingIceland’s GoldenCircle(3nights)from$4699ppand Norway’sscenictrainjourney(4nights)from $2999pp.
Visitvikingcruises.com.au/oceans/cruisedestinations/baltic/viking-homelands/ index.htmltobookorformore information.
3&4-staraccommodation,
Smallgrouptour,
Smallgroup,max16guests, fullyescortedbyexpertguides
Dedicatedtransport throughout
3&4-staraccommodation, breakfastdaily,6meals
Smallgroup,max20guests, fullyescortedbyexpertguides
Allinternalflights anddedicatedtransport
JuliaD’Orazio stayedin 25hoursLangstrasse,a hotelinspiredbythe red-lightdistrict
Location: Langstrasse150,8004Zurich,Switzerland.
Perfectfor: Couples,orfriendswhoarefamiliarwith eachother,andbusinesstravellerskeentomingle inZurich’slong-standingnightlifedistrict.
Firstimpressions: You’regreetedbyastringofgiant neon-litwordswrappedaroundthefrontoftheboxshapedbuilding:“spotlight”,“expedition”,“bling”, “highball”.
Aswithall25hourshotels,eachfollowsatheme; thisoneisapocketuniverse.HotelmanagerMichael Baursays25hoursLangstrasse’schosentheme reflectsitslocation:“Alltheworldscometogether, business,tourists,entertainmentandabitoftheredlightdistrict.”
Itisastimulationoverload,withthelobbyareaakin toahipvintagestore,chock-fullofrandomantiques andtrinkets,fromthetame(shipsinbottles)tothe eyebrow-raising(time-wornpostcardsofnaked women).Thecentrepiece,anindustrial,HillsHoistinspired“Freitag”tree,hasbagsfromSwitzerland’s favouritecultbranddanglinglikefruitoverthe concretefloor.
Behindthereceptiondeskisaluminoussign, “Leihaus”,meaningpawnshop;possiblyaplayon wordsforanothersourceofinspiration.Thehotelpays homagetothedistrict’sgrittier,scandalouspastas aformerred-lightdistrict.
Apaintingofaladyposingprovocativelyinacorset andknee-highblackbootsglaresdownatthecounter. Squint,andyou’llseeanakedladyinthecolourful mosaicmuralbehindthebar,too.
Check-intakeslessthanfiveminutes,andI’m advisedofafewunexpectedperks:foreverydayI forgohavingmyroomcleaned,atreeisplanted,and everythinginthemini-bar(includingalcohol)is complimentary.Andthere’sagoodreasonwhy “Leihaus”flashesbehind:guestscanscorefreestays inexchangeforanantiqueorpieceofartdeemed ofvalue.
Theroom: Thereare170roomsacrossfour categories.I’minalargeroom,andit’snotthedecor, highceilings,mezzaninelayout,abundantnatural lighting,orkingbedthatleavesalastingfirst impression;it’sthebigglassboxshower(BGBS)in themiddleoftheroom.Itfacesamirrorwalland, nexttoit,ashelfwithaPolaroidcamera.Thecamera iscomplimentarytousewithfilmpurchasedfrom reception.Suggestivemuch?
Speakingofrisqueposes,I’membarrassedtoadmit Imayhavegiventhehotel’sneighboursanaccidental (free)peepshow.Thankfully,thereareblue-green curtainstodrawacrosstheshower,separatingitfrom thebedroomandwindow.
Wegofromeccentrictoeclectic,withthewindow nookfeaturingcushions,asmalldeskwithcoloured pencilsandcoffeeandteaessentials.Thebedfaces ablack-and-whitecityscapemuralandamountedTV. Flooringisamixofpolishedconcretefloors (bathroom)andfloorboards(bedroom).
Bathroom: WhiletheBGBStakescentrestage,things arekeptdiscreet,withthetoiletsecretedbehinda woodendoornexttotheroom’sentrance.Blackbrick tilesrunfromtheshowerwalltothevanityarea, featuringawhitebasinunderanLEDmirror.There’s alsoawoodenbenchintheshowerincaseyou’re initforthelonghaul.
Facilities: Needingtoblowoffsteamorinhaleit? Thehotel’sgymandsaunaareontheseventhfloor andofferimpressiveviewsofZurich.Italsoprovides Schindelhauerbikerentalstoridearoundthecityin style(andkeeptofitnessgoals).
Foodanddrink: Thisisoneofthosehotelswhere you’dbeforgivenforlingeringlongerthanintended. I’mnotalone—itssocialhauntsarelocalgo-tos.
HighballheroesCinchonaBarfeaturescosy loungesandboothnooks,aswellashigh-stoolseating, arounditsrectangulargoldbar,hiddenundera staircase.AlsoonthegroundfloorisrestaurantNeni Zurich,offeringhome-styleMiddleEasternshare plates.
Thelatterisalsowherebreakfastisserved.Middle Easterndipssitalongsidetypicalcontinentalbuffet fare,suchascharcuterie,anassortmentofcheeses (it’sSwitzerland,afterall),freshlybakedbreadsand pastries,smokedfish,muesli,andfruits.There’salso
ROOM CHECK
Fromtop,25hours
Langstrassehasaquirky, red-lightdistrictaesthetic; theeccentriclobbythat greetsguestswithaneon “Leighaus”sign;thelarge roomatthehotel;tryhomestyleMiddleEasterndishes atNeniZurich.
Photos/StephanLemke, AndreaDiglas
ajuicer,whichIuseliberally.Aspartofthebuffet breakfast,Ihaveshakshukaeggsmadetoorder. Intheneighbourhood: Youdon’thavetotrytoo hardtobeentertained.Theonce-scandalous LangstrasseintersectswithEuropaallee—oneof Zurich’snewestneighbourhoods,dominatedby Googleoffices,boujeeeateries,clubs,barsand boutiques—nexttoZurichMainStation.
Accessibility: Therearesixroomstoaccommodate wheelchairuserslocatedneartheelevator. Sustainability: 25hoursZurichLangstrasseisa
GreenKeycertificateholder,whichrecognises excellenceinenvironmentalresponsibilityand sustainabilityinthetourismindustry.25hoursisalso amemberofthecountry’s“Swisstainable”tourism sustainabilityprogramme.
Price: Roomsstartfrom$525pernight,including breakfast. Contact: 25hours-hotels.com
ThewriterwasaguestofVisitZurichandSwitzerland Tourism.
ReturninternationalflightstoHonolulu
BONUS 2Nightpre-cruisehotelstaytoexploreWaikiki 7NightHawaiianIslandscruiseonboardPrideofAmerica EnjoyovernightstaysonboardinMauiandKauai Onboarddiningacrossarangeofcomplimentaryvenues Onboardentertainmentincludinglivemusicandperformances
BONUS USD$200Onboardspendingcredit
BONUS 3Nightpost-cruisehotelstaytoexploreWaikiki
BONUS PearlHarborsightseeingexperience
BONUS MyCruisespackagesavings
BONUS Onboardbeveragepackagewithcocktails,spirits,wine,beer andsoftdrinks
BONUS Onboardwifipackagetostayconnectedwhileatsea
BONUS Onboardspecialtydiningpackage
BONUS USD$300Shoreexcursioncredit
Spain: Seville »
Seville Sizzling Sizzling
Therearemorethanafewreasons LouiseSlyth hasvisitedthis cityinAndalusia10times,andwouldreturninaheartbeat.
Sevilleisoftencalled“thefryingpan ofSpain”becauseofitsalmost constantsunshineandsoaring summertemperatures.Thecapital ofAndalusiaisSpain’sfourth largestcity,soperhapsnotas obviousadestinationasMadridorBarcelona, butitshouldn’tbeoverlooked.
I’vebeenthere10times,andInevertireof it.It’simpossiblenottobeenchantedasyou wanderthroughtheMoorish-inspired architectureandcobbledstreetslinedby fragrantorangetrees.Sevillehasatrulyunique blendofold-worldcharmandvibrantmodern culture.
Thecity’soldtownisonly4sqkm,makingit easytonavigateonfoot.Sevilleistheperfect locationforacitybreak,whetheryou’relooking forromance,relaxationorrecreation.Here’s whatyoushouldknowbeforeyougo.
Wheretoexplore
Sevillehasplentytokeepvisitorsoccupied.It boaststhreeUnescoWorldHeritagesitesaswell asmyriadmuseums,parksandstatelyhomes.
TheCatedraldeSantaMariadelaSedeisthe third-largestchurchintheworld.Itsbelltower, knownastheGiralda,canbeseenfromalmost
everywhereinthecity.Buyyourticket onlinetoavoidlongqueues. Alternatively,purchaseajoint ticketfromtheChurchofthe DivineSaviour(Iglesiadel DivinoSalvador)that includesbothlocations,and strollstraightin.
Seville’sRoyalAlcazaris apalacestillusedbythe Spanishroyalfamily.Its lushgardensarepatrolled bypeacocks,andthepalace itselfisafusionofIslamic, Gothic,Mudejarand Renaissancearchitectural styles.
SetintheParquedeMaria Luisa,thePlazadeEspanawas builtforthe1929Expo.Itfeaturesa seriesofcolourfultiledalcoveswith scenesfromeachSpanishprovince.With itsfountainsandItalian-stylebridges,it’sa spectacularsitethathasbeenusedasabackdrop formoviessuchas StarWars:EpisodeII Forsomethingmorecontemporary,visitthe giantMetropolParasol,whichloomsoverthe PlazadelaEncarnacion.It’sreferredtoas“Las
Seville’sheartbeatstothe rhythmofflamenco;top, fashionistasminglewith studentsoutsidebarsat PlazaDelSalvador. Photos/ LouiseSlyth,supplied
Setas”bySevillanosbecauseitswooden structurelookslikeaclusterofmushrooms. Inside,you’llfindseveralrestaurants,amarket andamuseum.Getticketstothewoodencatwalk foroneofthebestviewsofthecity. AcrosstheIsabelIIbridge,thecolourful neighbourhoodofTrianaischock-full ofceramicshopsandtapasbars.Try thelocalspeciality,Cazonenadobo; dogfishmarinatedinpaprika, oregano,salt,garlic,andvinegar andthenfried.Don’tletthe nameputyouoff,it’sdelicious. Wheretoshop
Seville’smainshopping streetsareCallesSierpesand Tetuan.Theyrunparallelto eachotherintheheartofthe oldtown.Hereyou’llfind everythingfromEuropean brandssuchasMango,to traditionalstoressellingmantones (Spanishshawls).
ElCorteInglesoccupiesanentire blockofPlazadelDuquedelaVictoria.The leadingSpanishdepartmentstoreisa veritablecornucopiaoffashionandfood,with everythingfromconcessionssuchasCarolina HerrerraandPurificationGarcia,toagourmet experienceandrooftopbar.There’sevena supermarketinthebasement,whereyoucanbuy localjamonandempanadas.
Wheretodine
TheSevillediningsceneisvibrant,diverseand constantlyevolving.FromMichelin-starred restaurantstocheaptapasbars,andeverything inbetween,you’llneverbeshortofoptions.
Todinelikealocal,bookdinnerbetween9pm and10.30pm(whenit’sgenerallycooler).Eating lateralsoallowsyoutowatchthesunsetwith apre-dinnerdrinkinoneofthecity’smany rooftopbars.
Notsurewhetheryouwantabocadillo (sandwich)oraburger?HeadtotheMercado LonjadelBarranco.Withanarrayoffood offeringsfromaroundtheworld,aswellasindoor andoutdoorseating,thisfoodmarketistheideal placetogowhenyouwanttohedgeyourbets.
TuckedintoHotelVillapanes,an18th-century palace,you’llfindLosRinconesdelMarques.The restaurantdeliversauthenticAndalusiandishes cookedwithflairandconfidence.Choose betweentherestaurantoroutdoorseatinginthe charming,enclosedcourtyard.Thetiramisu madetoorderatyourtableisnottobemissed.
LaCocheradelAbueloroughlytranslatesto “grandpa’sgarage”.It’sanaptmonikerforthis restaurantsetslightlyoffthebeatentrackinan oldcarriagehouse.Thediningroomiselegant yetcosy,andyou’llbemetwithimpeccable serviceandfoodthatyou’llbethinkingabout longafteryourvisit.
Forarefreshingchangeofscene,headtoCaza OzamaintheleafyPorvenirdistrict.The modernistearly-20th-centuryvillaboastsseveral
differenteatinganddrinkingspaces,foralltastes andmoods.Secureareservationunderacanopy offairylightsinthestylishpergolatoenjoy contemporaryfareortapassuchaspapasalinas (atraditionalAndalusianpotatodish).
NotriptoSevillewouldbecompletewithout tapas.Forcheapandcheerfuloptionsintheold town,tryMarabunda,LoboLopezorAbaceria delPostigo.MaravillaSocialClubisalittle furtherfromthecentre,buttheirpatatasbravas areworththewalk.
Wheretodrink
Sevilleofferstheperfectfusionofglamorous rooftopbarsandold-fashionedcervecerias,so youcanalwaysfindtheperfectvenueforyour mood.
You’llhearPlazaDelSalvadorbeforeyousee it.Here,fashionistasminglewithstudents outsidebarssuchasLaAntiguaBodeguitato drinkcheapbeersintheshadeofthecoralcolouredIglesiaDelDivinoSalvador. Forsomethingalittledifferent,tryBar Garlochi.You’lleitherloveorloathethisbar decoratedwithreligiousmemorabilia,redvelvet andcandles.TrythesignaturecocktailSangue deCristo(bloodofChrist)ifyoudare...
Whenthetemperaturesgoup,sodothepeople intheknow.InsidersheadtoSeville’srooftop barsforsoothingcoolbreezesandchilledvibes.
AticoSevillaisaverdanturbanoasiswhere youcansipsignaturecocktailsasyouenjoy fantasticviewsoftheGuadalquivirRiver,the
Clockwisefromabove, MetropolParasol’swooden catwalkhasoneofthebest viewsofthecity;Plazade Espanawasbuiltforthe 1929Expoandfeatures colourfultiledalcoveswith scenesfromeachSpanish province;giftshopJuan ForondaisonCalles Sierpes,oneofSeville’s mainshoppingstreets;Los RinconesdelMarques restaurantistuckedinto HotelVillapanes,an18thcenturypalace;Seville’s RoyalAlcazarisstillusedby theSpanishroyalfamily. Photos/LouiseSlyth, Unsplash,JoseParreno
neighbourhoodofTrianaandthecathedral. InaprimespotinthePlazadelaEncarnacion, therooftopterraceatCasadeIndiasboasts unobstructedviewsoftheMetropolParasol.On theoppositesideoftheplaza,thestylishterrace atabbaTheRoofGiraldahasgreatcityscape viewsandavariedcocktailmenu.
OrtryElMiradordeQuerencia,wherethe cathedralviewsandthebuzzareamazing,but theservicecansometimesbeslow.
Flamenco
Seville’sheartbeatstotherhythmofflamenco. Moreanartformthanadance,it’sworth attendingaflamencoshowwhileyou’rethere. Thereareseveraltablaos(flamencovenues) offeringtheatre-styleperformances,orlively barswhereyoucancatchashowfortheprice ofadrink.
TuckedunderLasSetas,TablaoFlamencoLas Setascanaccommodatearound100peopleinthe theatre-stylevenue.It’sbigenoughtofeelbuzzy, butintimateenoughthatyoucanseeandfeel therhythmandpassionoftheperformersup close.
Forsomethingmoreinformal,tryaflamenco barlikeLaCarboneriaintheoldtownorLola deLosReyesintheTriananeighbourhood. HoweveryouspendyoursojourninSeville, you’realmostguaranteedtoleavewantingmore. Whetheryoufallinlovewiththeculture, weather,gastronomyorfriendlypeople,it’sacity that’ssuretogetunderyourskin.
Africa: Morocco »
ThesouksofMarrakechand Fesarebucket-list destinationsforshoppersin searchoftreasuresthattella story,writes EricaBray
ShoppingthesouksofMoroccoisa full-sensoryjourney—andastep backintime.Inthemaze-like marketsofMarrakechandFes, shoppingisaritual:personal, unhurried,andsteepedinhuman connection.Thattruthcameintosharpfocus whenIaskedashopkeeperifhehadawebsite soIcouldthinkoveraleatherjacketI’dbeen eyeing.Hechuckled:“No,wedoeverythingfaceto-facehere.”
Thatsimpleexchangecapturedtheessenceof thesoukexperience.Farfromtheanonymityof onlineshopping,thesouksofMoroccoarea centuries-oldtraditionshapedbyscent,sound andserendipity.Theairisthickwiththearoma ofspices—cumin,cinnamon,saffron—mingling withthechatterofbargainingandfriendly gossip.Shopkeepersgreetregularslikeold friends,whiletouristssnapphotosofsequined kaftansandspicepyramids.
Aroundonecorner:butcher’sstallswithlamb andchickenhangingfromhooks,straycats circlingbelow.Aroundanother:analleywayof glowinglamps,castingkaleidoscopicshadows throughintricatelycutmetalandcolouredglass. Themaze-likemedinas,thehistoric,walled quarterslinedwithbustlingstallsandintricate detailsofcarvedwood,chiselledstoneand mosaictile,seemedtostretchendlessly,each turnrevealingsomethingthatcapturedmy attentionandimagination.
Navigatingthismazewasnosmallfeat. Thankfully,wehadGhali,ourseasonedguide fromAbercrombie&Kentwhorevealedthe magichiddenamidthechaos.Myhusband dubbedhim“TheMayorofMorocco”forhis warmrapportwithnearlyeveryonewepassed. Atonepoint,Ghaliquipped:“Ifyouseeblonde hairandblueeyeswandering,it’salosttourist.” Thatlinemadeuslaugh,thennodinagreement asweveereddeeperintothemedinaandrealised we’dhavenocluehowtofindourwayback.
Hispresenceallowedustoputourphones awayandremainfullypresent—becauseif you’regluedtoyourscreenhere,you’remissing out—andhisconnectionsledustoshopswe wouldn’thavediscoveredonourown.Andit’s hereyoufindsomeofthemostmemorableitems tobringhome,notjustassouvenirs,butas lastingpiecesofyourMoroccanjourney.
Handwovencarpets
Wehadthewelcomecarpetliterallyrolledout forusatPalaisQuaraouiyine.Tuckedinsidean exquisitelyrestoredriadintheheartofFes’ medina,theshowroomhousesanexceptional collectionofMoroccanandBerberrugs.These textilesarecelebratedworldwidefortheir artistryandbeautyandsometakemorethana yeartometiculouslycraftbyhand.
Aswesippedmintteainanopulentsalon worldsawayfromtheclamourofthesouksand theclip-clopofdonkeys,“rugdoctors”inwhite labcoatsunfurledrugafterrugforustoexamine. Manyofthepiecesarehand-wovenbyalocal women’scollectiveusingtime-honoured techniquesandnaturaldyes.
Wereceivedalessonintheweavingprocess, thesymbolismbehindthedesignsandthedyeing methodspasseddownthroughgenerations. Thoughweweren’tbuying,theexperiencewas avisualfeastintheriad’selegantsurroundings. Myyoungdaughterevenhadherownenchanting momentwitha“magiccarpetride”asshewas gentlyswunginsideafurledrugbyfriendlystaff.
Leathergoods You’llfindakaleidoscopeofleathergoodsinthe souksofMorocco—fromhandbags,jacketsand beltstocolourfulpoufsandtraditional babouches(Moroccanslippers).
Butforadeeperconnectiontothecraft,
Eachturninthemaze-like medinaswillrevealsomething tocaptureyourattentionand imagination;below,EricaBray’s daughtergetsa“magiccarpet ride”. Photos/EricaBray
visitingtheChouaraTanneryinFesisa must.Operatingsincethe11thcentury, it’stheoldesttanneryintheworldand alivingmuseumtoMorocco’sleathermakingtradition.Fromabalcony,I watchedartisansbelowworking justastheirancestorsdid,soaking hidesinvatsofwater,limestone andpigeondroppings(tosoften them),thenhand-dyeingthemin saffronyellow,poppyredand indigoblue.
Witnessingthisprocessdeepened myappreciationfortheleathergoods soldinsurroundingshops.You’renot justbuyingsomethingbrilliantand beautifulbutatangiblepieceofhistory.
Spices,oilsandperfumes
Idon’tthinkI’veeverusedmynosemorein acountrythanIdidinMorocco,whichis ajourneyofscentsasmuchassights. InMarrakech,wevisited HerboristerieBabAgnaou,wherelocal herbalistssharedtheancestral knowledgeofMorocco’smedicinal plantsandnaturalremedies.We receivedasensorycrash-courseinthe country’sspices,oilsandperfumes, eachtiedtocenturiesoftraditionin healing,cooking,andbeauty. Wewereinvitedtosniff,sample,and exploreeverythingfromcuminandsaffron
JOURNEYFURTHER
Uncoverthelonghistoryandrich cultureofBergen,encircledby majesticmountains,fjordsand glaciers,andtakeinthesetting thatinspiredtheVikingsagas.
SCANDINAVIAN DISCOVERY
OslotoStockholmorviceversa
8DAYS|4COUNTRIES|6GUIDEDTOURS
SETSAIL: MAY-SEP2027;MAY-AUG2028
From NZ$8,660pp inVerandaStateroom
From NZ$10,530pp inPenthouseVeranda
BergentoStockholmorviceversa
15DAYS|4COUNTRIES|12GUIDEDTOURS
SETSAIL: MAY-SEP2027;MAY-AUG2028
From NZ$16,025pp inVerandaStateroom
From NZ$19,750pp inPenthouseVeranda
BergentoCopenhagenorviceversa
22DAYS|8COUNTRIES|17GUIDEDTOURS
SETSAIL: JUN-AUG2027;MAY,JUN,AUG2028
From NZ$23,380pp inVerandaStateroom
From NZ$28,980pp inPenthouseVeranda SCENICSCANDINAVIA &BALTICJEWELS
Africa: Morocco »
toeucalyptuscrystals,jasmineessence,black soap,andarganoil—nicknamed“theliquidgold ofMorocco”foritsnourishingpowersin skincareandcuisine.
Whilethepricklypearseedoiltemptedme withitsreputationasanaturalBotoxalternative, knownforsmoothingandanti-ageingbenefits, Iultimatelyleftwithseveralvialsofsweetsmellingroseoil.
Handmadeceramics
Thesouksoverflowwithceramictreasures: hand-paintedtaginesinearthyredsandcobalt blues,silver-trimmedplates,zelligemosaicsin dazzlingpatternsandhamsa-shapedplattersthat blendsymbolismwithstyle.
WestoppedatArtD’Argile,anartistcooperativejustoutsideofFes’medina,towatch artistsmouldclay,hand-chiselglazedterracotta andpaintbyhand.(Mydaughterwaseven invitedtojoininonthepainting.)Withtwo showroomsfullofeverythingfromtallvasesto tinytagines,it’snotonlyawindowinto Moroccancraftsmanshipbutaperfectplaceto chooseapiecetobringhome.
Decorativelamps
“Aladdin-style”genielampsareeverywherein thesouksand,unsurprisingly,caughtthe attentionofmyDisney-lovingdaughter. However,itcanbechallengingtodistinguish betweenmass-producedfakesandthosecrafted byartisans.Thelatterareoftenhand-pierced frombrass,copperorwroughtiron;masterpieces ofdesignanddetail.ManyfeatureIslamic
Moroccanrugsareknownworldwidefortheirartistryandbeauty;top,akaleidoscopeof babouches(Moroccanslippers);right,paintingdetailsontoceramics.
geometricmotifs,richwithspiritualmeaning —symbolsofunity,harmony,andtheinfinite natureofthedivine.Whenlit,thecutoutscast alace-likepatternoflightandshadowthat transformsaspaceintosomethingtruly mesmerising.
Westumbleduponasmalllampshopinthe medinaofMarrakechcalledLaMenara,where Ipurchasedthreelampsinvarioussizes.Today, theylightmyhome—notjustfunctionally,but asluminousremindersofMorocco’s enchantment.
Thewritertravelledattheirownexpense.
Photos/Unsplash,EricaBray
Fromp12
YOUR7NIGHTHOLIDAYPACKAGE
7NightsinaGardenViewRoom
Returnflightsincludingcheckedluggage
Returnairportandresorttransfers
Tropicalbuffetbreakfastdaily Complimentaryresortfacilitiesandactivities
BONUS Choiceoftwobuffets:FiaFiaNightandBuffet ORMaevaStringBandNightORTO’ONA’I SundayLunchtimeFeast
BONUS WST$150WineandDinecredit
BONUS TurtleTour
BONUS 30-Minutemassagefortwo
BONUS 4xCocktailsperroom
BONUS AdmissiontoGoldClassMovieNight
YOUR5NIGHTHOLIDAYPACKAGE
5NightsinaClassicDeluxeRoom
Returnprivateairportandresorttransfers
BreakfastdailyatWaterfallRestaurant
ComplimentaryaccesstoCampAnandaKidsClub
BONUS Two-courselunchORdinnerdaily
BONUS ChoiceofUbudandSurroundsTourOR6-hour privatevehicledrivercharterORhalf-day cookingclassatKayunRestaurantwithtransfer
BONUS DailyAyodyaspecialcocktailORbeer
BONUS Guaranteedlatecheckoutof3pm
BONUS 15%OffFood,BeverageandSpa
BONUS 30-Minutebicyclehire
BONUS PrivilegesDiningCard
YOUR6NIGHTHOLIDAYPACKAGE
6NightsinaguaranteedupgradedSuperiorPoolViewRoom
ReturnAustraliandomesticflightsfromSydneytoHamilton Islandincludingcheckedluggage
ReturnferrytransfersfromHamiltonIslandto DaydreamIsland
BuffetbreakfastdailyatGrazeInteractiveDining
BONUS ChoiceofOceanRaftingTour
BONUS $200WineandDinecredit
BONUS LunchfortwoatSaltiRestaurant
BONUS Kidsstay,playandeatfree
BONUS Bottleofsparklingwineonarrival
BONUS 2xDrinkvouchersonarrival
BONUS Guaranteedlatecheckoutof12pm
Heaven Heaven
AholidayinNewZealandpackedwiththesemountain-bike trailsturnedintoalife-changingmoveforSvenMartin.
Photos/CallumWood,HenryJaine,TobyCowley,
AfteryearschasingtrailsinWhistlerandMoab,ScotlandandtheAlps,world-famousmountain bikephotographer SvenMartin saidAotearoaultimatelystolehisheart.InaforewordforNick Stevenson’snewbook,Eden,Martinrevealshowthecountryisabikingmeccaunlikeanyother.
Ifyoucouldchoosetoliveanywhereinthe world,wherewouldyougo?Whatwould yourcriteriabeandhowwouldyoueven begintomakethatdecision?Thisisthe life-changingcrossroadsmywifeandI foundourselvesatafterweatheringyet anothercoldwinterinBend,Oregon.
FromApriluntilOctobereachyearI’monthe roadworking,photographingtheactionatWorld Cupdownhillandenduroeventsacrosstheworld. BecauseofthisIwasunabletoenjoythegood springandsummerweatherandridingconditions. Foroursanitysomethingdrastichadtochange, weneededtofindaplacewherewecouldenjoy year-roundridingwithlike-mindedpeople.
Wehadalreadysampledareasandcountries withfabledandfamoustrails.Whistler,California, Vermont,NorthCarolina,Moab,Fruita,Sedona, Colorado,Scotland,Walesandalltheusual EuropeanhotspotsintheAlpsandalongthe Mediterranean.Butnoneofthemfeltlikethey couldbe“home”.
Therewasaplacethathadbeenonourradars though.Eversinceanearlywhirlwindvisitto Rotoruatoracethe2006DownhillWorldChamps, therehadbeenanaggingitchtoreturntoNew Zealand.Overthesubsequentyears,enough magazinearticlesandvideopartspoppedupto keepourinterestpiqued.
WealreadyhadaCommonwealthkinshipwith alltheAussieandKiwiracersabroad.Their carefree,down-to-earth,fun-lovingandwelcoming attitudeswererefreshinginthepitsandatthe races.TheoppositeSouthernHemispheresummer seasonmatchedperfectlywithmyworkschedule.
Areturnvisitwaslongoverdue;weneededto seeifthegrasswastrulygreenerunderthatlong whitecloudontheothersideoftheworld.
Now,bearinmindthiswas2010,pre-social media,noteverythingwaslaidoutreadyto consumeontheinternetasitistoday.Goodoldfashionedresearchwasneeded,adviceand recommendationsfromknowledgeableand trustworthyrealpeoplewerekey.
Muchtoourluckandfortune,oneofthefew KiwisIknewthroughwork,CalebSmith,then publisherof SpokeMagazine,tookituponhimself tocreateamulti-islandroadtrip,takinginthevery bestofNewZealand’smanyiconicandvariedtrails andbiketowns.
Accompanyingthisstackeditinerarywasalist of“must-ride-with”localsandtheirpersonal contactnumbers.
Weneverrealisedthenthatourlittle exploratory“ridingholiday”wouldquicklymorph intoaseven-week-longhellridethatsometimes couldmoreaccuratelybedescribedasadeath march.Imaginevisitingafriendwhoonlyhasa dayortwobutwantstoshowyoutheirlongest, mosttechnicalandbestcollectionoftrailsintheir hometown.
Nowimagineyourfriendisalsothefittestand fastestpersonyou’vemetandsomeonewhocan rideallday.Thiswaswhatweenduredfornearly twomonths.Itwasabaptismoffire. Respitewasoftensoughtbychoosingtotackle someofthemoreremotetrailsonCaleb’slist, ridingsolo,buteventhenwe’dendupfinding ourselvespushingandoftencarryingourbikesup unrideable“trails”forhoursonend,aimingfor thatever-elusivepeakandsubsequentfabled, magical,never-endingpot-of-golddescent—which thankfully,therealwayswas. Travellinginourlittlecampervanoverthose sevenweekswelearnedalotaboutNewZealand. Itsnature,faunaandflora;itsmicroclimateswith fourseasonsinaday.Thenativeforests,stunning landscapes,thebeautyoftheSouthernAlpsand itspasses,itslongunspoiltcoastlinesandtucked awayuncrowdedsurfspots—nottoevenmention theallureofitsuniquemixofnatural,purposebuiltanddual-usemountainbiketrailsand networkswithunmatchedflowandherodirt. Moreimportantly,welearnedalotabout ourselvesandhowwrongourpre-conceivedideas ofwhatitmeanttobeamountainbikerwere,or
evenwhatasimplebikerideentailed.NewZealand gaveusanewperspectiveandforthisIamforever grateful—itchangedthewayIviewandridebikes. Beforeourvisit,anall-daybikerideorevenone overtwohourslongmeantyouwereatabikepark ordoinganafternoonofshuttles.Trailrideswere relativelyshort,andquickthrillswereearnedon shortdownhillsyouoftenlappedacoupleoftimes. However,hereinNewZealandthebikebecame asetofwingsforall-dayadventuresvialong,pointto-pointbackcountrytrailsorepicloopstraversing multipleecosystems,ridgesandranges.Pushing uptheunclimbableorhike-a-bikingintothenative forestsbecamethedailynorm.
Tocapitoff,everyrideseemedtoendwitha swim,beeroricecream—sometimesallthree. Simplyput,wehaddiscoveredEdenandwhat realmountainbikingwasmeanttobeallalong. Icouldwaxonforagesaboutthebeautyofthe countryandthenatureofthetrails—themindbendingtechnicalnativebeechforestchallenges, thevistasandviews,rhythmandflow—butat theendoftheday,ifyouarereallygoingtoconsider movingtosomewherecompletelynew,itisalso communityandthepeoplethatmattermost.
TheKiwiswemetonthisramblingexpedition weresomeofthemostwelcoming,salt-of-the-earth, unassumingandmodestpeopleanywhere.They wereoftenridingoldermodelbikeswithworn tyres,no-logoT-shirtsandflatpedals,yethadno problemdroppingyouonboththeupsanddowns. Itseemseveryonecanridehereandmosthad ahelicopterpilotsetupforspeeddialontheir phones.Theaveragerider’sskillsetisfar,far higherthananyotherplacewehadthusfarvisited. Thereisadistinctfeelingofstewardshipandsense
EdenbyNickStevenson (Thames&HudsonAustralia, RRP$90.00)isavailablevia majororindependentbook retailersandonlinevia AmazonortheThamesand HudsonAustraliawebsite.
ofpridetowardsthelandandtrails. Everyonewemetseemedtoridewithtrail buildingtoolsandsawsofsomesort,andwesoon learnedthatmostofthemplayedactiverolesin buildingandmaintainingthetrailswerode. Thistrailbuildingculturerunsdeepandstrong acrossthewholeofNewZealand,whichexplains thesizeandqualityofthevarioustrailnetworks —especiallyevidentincertainhotspotslike Rotorua,Wellington,Christchurch,Arthur’sPass, QueenstownandNelson. Afterthissuccessfulscoutingvisit,westillhad tomakeaquicktriptoAustralia,justtobesure wehadallourbasescoveredandthatweweren’t makingarashdecision. Butjusttworidesandsixsnakeencounterslater weconfirmedwhatwealreadyknew:NewZealand wastobeournewhome. Eightmonthslaterwereturnedwithashipping containerandbegananewchapterofourlivesin Nelson,NewZealandwithitsbeautifulbeaches, mountainsandbeechforests.Asbothabikerider andphotographerIhadfoundmyNirvana. Amazingly,wemadethislife-changingmove almost15yearsago.SincethenIcan’tevenbegin tocounttheamountofworld-classtrails,parksand networksthathavesprungupacrossbothislands. Fromtheamazingpurpose-builtmust-ride wonderslikeOldGhostRoadandPaparoaTracks toeverynewvolunteer-,club-orprivately-built trail.
Alltastes,stylesandskilllevelsarecateredfor. Itdoesn’tmatterifyouareavisitingpro downhillerorweekendwarrior,NewZealandis wellandtrulytheplacetovisiteverysummerfor anyonethatcallsthemselvesamountainbiker.
Europe »
Easyonthepocket
WanttocheckoutEurope’s bestbitswithoutspendinga smallfortune?Thesetop citieshaveyoucovered, writes TamaraHinson
Riga,Latvia Latvia’shistoriccapital,withitsUnesco-listed oldtown,offersfantasticvalueformoney.You’ll payaround$67foranightinathree-starhotel, or$25forathree-coursemeal.Manymuseums areadmission-free,asareitshistoricmarkets andchurches.“Rigahastheworld’slargest collectionofArtNouveauarchitecture,”says localtourguidePhilipBirzulis,founderofRiga Sights.“AdmireitonAlbertSt,withitsbizarre sculpturesofsphinxesandscantilycladmaidens, thenvisittheArtNouveauMuseumwhereentry isjust$10.”Anotheressentialstop-offisthe formerZeppelinhangarswhichnowhouseRiga’s CentralMarket—it’sEurope’slargest,andlocal delicaciestosnapupincludethesmokedfish. Finally,don’tforgettotoastRigawithalocal beer.“Pairitwithourgarlicryebread,”says Birzulis.“Thistangy,saltybreaddatesback toSovietdays.TryitatLasite,amedieval cellarrestaurantwitharesidentghost.”
Prague,CzechRepublic Prague,acitywithitsrootsintheninth century,isn’tjustwonderfullycheap,it’s packedfulloflandmarkswhicharefree tovisit,whetherit’stheOldTownSquare withits15th-centuryastronomicalclock orthepark-filledKampaIsland neighbourhood.We’rehugefansof PragueCastle,butforacrowd-free, admission-freealternative,consider VysehradCastle,onPrague’soutskirts. Whenitcomestogettingaround,optfor theRekolabikeshareschemeforbikes thatareperfectforhoppingbetweenthe city’sculturalhotspots.
“Manygalleries,includingthe RudolfinumGallery,whichshowcases world-classcontemporaryart,are admission-free,”pointsouttourguide DavidovaLenkaatPragueCityTourism.“For somethingalittlealternative,headtothe Holesovicedistrict,whichisfullofindependent galleriesandquirkycreativespaces.”
Loveacheapeat?TourguideDana,founder ofPragueBehindtheScenes,recommends chlebicek.“It’sadelightfulopensandwichtopped withingredientssuchaspotatosalad,eggs, sausages,fishspread,cheeseandpickles.They’re edibleworksofart.”
Cologne,Germany
Oneofthebestwaystoexplore Cologneisononeofthecity’sfree walkingtours.Ourfavourites includethoseofferedbyFreewalk Colognethatfocusoneverything fromtheSudstadt(SouthCity) neighbourhoodtoCologne’sfamous Kolschbreweries.Goingitalone? FreewalkCologneguideMikeClarke suggestsaspotofkiosk-hopping.“It’s agreatwaytoexplorethecityand meetlocals,”saysClarke.“Itbasically involvesgrabbingacheapbeerata ‘kiosk’(smallconveniencestores whichsellbeer,butwhichalsodouble associalhubs)beforewandering
Fromtop,Manymuseums, historicmarketsand churchesareadmission-free inRiga;Prague’s15thcenturyastronomicalclock; kiosk-hoppinginCologneis agreatwaytoseethecity andmeetthelocals. Photos/Unsplash,123rf
betweendifferentneighbourhoodsandtheir respectivekiosks,talkingtolocalsandlearning aboutCologne’sstories.”
Don’tmissthechancetocheckoutCologne’s churches.They’realladmission-freeandthere are12Romanesquechurchesinthecitycentre alone.Asfortheultimatewallet-friendlysnack? “Tryreivekoochen,”saysClarke.“It’safried potatopancake,whichisawonderfultypeof comfortfood,andthebestspotforitis Reivekoochbudintheoldtown.”
Marseille,France
Marseillehasendlessfreefun,includingapacked calendaroffreeculturaleventsthroughoutthe yearyoucanperuseatmarseille-tourisme.com. Additionally,allofitsmunicipalmuseumsare admission-free.However,topofyourlistshould beatourofaMarseillesoapfactory.Thefour thatproducesoapthetraditionalway(certified byUniondesProfessionnelsduSavonde Marseille)allofferfreetoursandourfavourites aretheonesofferedbyLaSavonnerieLaLicorne. Marseilleisanothergreatcitytoexploreon foot.TopspotsincludePalaisLongchamp,with itslushgardens,andLePanier,Marseille’soldest
Turntop20
WINTER
BLUES TO REEF HUES FROM WINTER BLUESTO REEFHUES
ThreeCoasthosts,
oneblissful
Queenslandreset.
YoucouldcallittheCoasttocoast–althoughourcrew’sstyleiswaymore laidbackthanthatKiwigut-buster. OurcousinsacrosstheseainTropical NorthQueenslandreckon,“Ourgarden’s aone-million-year-oldrainforest.Outthe backisareddesertofdinosaurbones.Our swimmingpoolistheworld’slargestreef.”
Theypromisedwarmoceanswims, encounterswithnature,theplanet’s oldestculture,sensationalfoodand signaturecocktails,thatultimatewinter escapeHolidayFeeling.
True,orjusttheAussiestalkingabig game?CoastFM’sBreakfastCrew–Toni Street,JaseReevesandSamWallace–poppedovertofindout.
Onthebeach
Sitting–okay,lazilylying–onthegolden sandsofFourMileBeach,SheratonGrand MirageResortisPortDouglas’premier hotel.Famousfor2haofpalm-fringed lagoonpools,guestscanfloattheday away,relaxinaprivatecabana,swimupto thebarorchoosefromsevenrestaurants andbars.Ifyoucansummontheenergy, thereare147haoftropicalgardensto explore.It’salsohometoKaiaDaySpa,a havenofrelaxationandrejuvenation.Tip: riseearlyandhitthebeachforoneofthe moststunningsunrisesanywhereonEarth.
“TheSheratonGrandMirageblewme away,”saidToni.“Thebuffetbreakfastwas astandout–especiallythetropicalfruit andperfectomelettes–andourroomhad adreamydaybed.Thestaffwereamazing, justsowelcomingfromthemomentwe arrived.Andthe‘RefreshMe’wasmy favouritecocktail:watermelon,tomato juiceandrosé.Perfection.”
InCairns,theCrystalbrookRileyis theplacetobaskintropicaltranquillity overlookingtheCoralSea.
Threereefsites,oneepicday AsstunningasTropicalNorthQueensland is,it’sthepartsyoucan’tseeatfirstglance thatmightblowyouawaythemost–such astheunparalleleddivespotsoftheGreat BarrierReef.OurcrewtookofffromPort DouglaswithPoseidonCruises,oneof Australia’sfirstecotourismoperators.Itwas anexhilaratingdayoffunandsnorkelling threedifferentreefenvironmentsaround
theclearwatersofthe Agincourtreefsatthe outeredgeoftheGreat BarrierReef,eachavibrant underwaterkingdomteeming withmarinelife.
“I’dseentheReefin Attenboroughspecialsand thought,Ihavetoseethatin reallife!,”saidJase.“Finally,the universedeliveredwithflawlessblue skiesandmirror-calmwater.Butnothing preparedmeforjusthowbreathtakingly stunningitwas.Thecolours,thesealife,the waythesunshoneintothewater–itwas purecalm.Don’tlaugh,butusingthepool noodleisgenius.Floatwithyourfacedown, snorkelonandjustwatchinamazement. Youlooksilly,butnoonenoticeswhen nature’sputtingonashowlikethat.”
Fromtop:SheratonGrandMirage, SaltHouse,MossmanGorge. Photos/TourismandEventsQueensland
country,learn abouttheenvironment,thehistoryand traditionsofhispeople,theiruseofnative plantsformedicineandfood,passed downovermillennia–andhowfoodbrings peopletogether,bushtuckerincluded.
Diving’salsoonoffer,andPoseidon departsfromCairnsaswell.
Ancientfootsteps
Toknowaplace,youhavetomeetthe locals.That’stheguidingprincipleof WalkaboutCulturalAdventures:First Nationspeopleofferingguidedtoursof KukuYalanjicountry,theonlyplaceon EarthwheretwoWorldHeritagesites meet–theancientDaintreeRainforestand theGreatBarrierReef.JuanWalkerhas beenguidinghereforover20yearsand invitesvisitorstowalkwithhisteamon
“Theculturaltourcompletelyexceeded expectations,”saidSam.“Wesqueezed Hawaiiangrapeberriesintooureyes fortheirsoothingeffect,crushedleaves tomakesoap,andspearedmudcrabs forlunch.There’ssomethingprimal aboutcatchingyourownmeallikethat–especiallyundertheguidanceofChaseley, who’scontinuingherfather’slegacywith wisdompasseddownovergenerations. Itwasextraordinaryandunforgettable.” Eat,drink,beamazed ForSpencerandReinaPatrick,naming theirrestaurantwaseasy:Harrisons honourstheirfirst-bornson.Basedinthe
SheratonGrandMiragesince2017,it’s PortDouglas’hottestplate.MichelintrainedPatrickseasonsunmatchedlocal producewithhisclassicaltrainingfora stylishandlight-heartedmodernmenu. Astone’sthrowfromFourMileBeach, Zinctakesfulladvantageofnature’saircon. Enjoytheopen-air‘diningroom’seating 180,appreciatingwarmseabreezesorthe starsabovelushtropicalgardens,orinthe elegant,romanticindoors.ListenforaKiwi accent:ChrisBarlow,whoownsZincwith wifeDani,hailsfromInvercargill.Localsand visitorsinsistthisfamily-friendlyrestaurant, bistro,bar,cafeandloungebarisamust-do. SaltHouseboastsapanoramaofCairns’ oceanfront,marinaandcityasguests delightintherestaurant’scustom-built, Argentinewood-firedgrill,sipsignature cocktailsbyflowingpondsorwatchbands inthelantern-litsailingbar.Don’tleave withouttryingthelocalseafood.
Europe »
Fromp18
district.There’splentyofdeliciousstreetfood tofuelyourexplorations,too.Trypanisses, deliciouschickpeapancakes.Headtothe L’estaquedistricttopickupadozenforaround $7.Finally,setsailontheworld’sshortestsea cruise—the283mferrycrossingfromoneside ofMarseille’shistoricporttotheother.Thecost? Just$1perperson.
Vilnius,Lithuania
Thisisanothercitywithayear-roundcalendar offreeevents,whetherit’sthesunriseyoga sessionsinVingisPark,family-friendly scavengerhuntsorganisedbythetouristboard, orthefreecitytoursonMondays,Tuesdays, ThursdaysandSaturdays.
VisitVilniusEventsand select“freeadmission” tofindthebestones.
Asacityfamousfor thediversityofits architecture,a strollaroundits centreisagreat (andcheap)wayto learnaboutits history.
ThereareawiderangeoffreewalkingtoursinSofia;left,Vilniushasayear-round calendaroffreeevents;belowleft,PalaisLongchampinMarseille;belowright, Leipzigremainsrefreshinglyaffordable. Photos/123rf,Unsplash
Sofia,Bulgaria
WheredowestartwhenitcomestowhySofia wellandtrulyearnsitsplaceonthislist?Isit thehundredsofstreetfoodstalls,scattered aroundthecity,whichsellservingsofgrilled roastcornfor$1?Thewiderangeoffreewalking tours,includingFreeSofiaTour’sbrilliant CommunistTour?Orthewaythebestinsights intoitshistoryaren’thiddenawayinmuseums, butavailableforalltosee,likethe6000-year-old ruinsexposedbytheopen-airarchaeologicaldig behindthePresidentialPalace?
Thenthereareitsridiculouslycheaphotels, manyofwhichyou’llfindinhistoricbuildings. Doublesatthefive-starneo-classicalBalkan Palace(partofthePresident’sPalacecomplex) startaround$170anight.Gettingaroundthecity isequallyeasyonthewallet;singlefaresonits metrostartfromaround$1pertrip,andthis includestheroutesthatconnectthecitywiththe airport.
Leipzig,Germany
“We’vegota Unesco-listedoldtown filledwithpicturesque narrowstreetsandcosy courtyards,andthere’salsothevibrant Naujamiestis(NewTown)withitsstreetartand bars,”saysIevaatvilniuswithlocals.com. “AnothergreatspotisthetranquilZverynas area,withitswoodenarchitecture.”Forthebest accommodationdeals,lookforindependent hotels,whichwillsetyoubackconsiderablyless thanchainones.TrytheDomusMariawhere roomsatthisbeautifulformermonastery,inthe heartoftheoldtown,startfromjust$156.
AsacitywithaclubscenetorivalBerlin’sand someofthebeststreetartinEurope,Leipzigis seriouslyunderestimated.WhileotherGerman hotspotshavehikedtheirprices,Leipzigremains refreshinglyaffordable,andmanyofitsbiggest crowdpleasersareadmission-freesuchasthe MuseumoftheCityofLeipzig,theGrassi MuseumofAppliedArtandtheLeipzigNatural HistoryMuseum. It’salsogotsomeofEurope’scoolestwalletfriendlyaccommodation,includingthe fantasticallylocatedMotelOneLeipzig-Post, whichboastshugemuralsandagorgeousroof terrace.TheRedBullArena,thecity’smaintrain stationandStNicholasChurch(another admission-freegem)areallwithina10-minute walkaway,androomsstartfromjust$150. Finally,maximiseyoursavingsbyusing Nextbike,thecity’sbrilliantbike-sharingapp. Singleridesstartfromjust$2.
Starrynights, serenedays
JanePhare travelsthroughthe AustralianoutbackfromDarwin toAdelaideonTheGhantrain
TheGhan’stwolocomotives pullthe735mlongtrainonthe 2979kmtripfromDarwinto Adelaide;below,diningunder thestarsattheAliceSprings TelegraphStation.
Therearemomentsinalifetimeof traveladventuresthatI’llnever forget,andtwohappenedonThe Ghanjourney.Onewassitting outsideonacold,starrynight, eatingabanquetandlookingup atthegalaxywhileanexpertstargazerpointed outthevariousconstellationswithalaserlight. Theotherwasmyhusbandsleepwalkinginthe darkofnight,yelling,“Theboat’sonautopilot andwe’vegotnolightson!”whileTheGhanwas hurtlingalongat80km/h.
Bothmemorablemoments,butbacktothe starry,starrynightatthehistoricAliceSprings TelegraphStationonoursecondnight.The station’sstonebuildingsonceusedtohouse mixed-raceAboriginalchildren,partofthe StolenGeneration.
Nowit’satouristdestination,steepedin historywell-displayedinside.Buttonightwe’re outside,watchingthelightfadefromahugeblue skyinterruptedonlybythebrightsliverofthe moon.Onebyone,thestarsappear.Softlight glimmersfromcandlesonourtablesandfrom firesburninginhalfbarrelssurroundingthesite. We’relisteningtoCrowdedHouse’s FourSeasons inOneDay,andwe’reabouttoexperiencethat. Thetemperaturedropsfromverywarm,tovery cold—makethatvery,verycold.
DanFalzon,fromeco-tourismbusinessEarth Sanctuary,playsthedidgeridooandlateruses astronglaserlighttopointoutthestars.Aswe dineonblackangussirloinfollowedbylemon myrtlepannacotta,raspberrypureeand strawberries,alivebandgentlysingsJohn Williamson’swonderfulballad Rainingonthe Rock (areferencetothebeautyoftheoutback andUluru/AyersRock)withtherumblingtones ofadidgeridoointhebackground.Weevenget achancetotoastmarshmallowsoverthefires onourwaybacktoTheGhan. Bythetimewereturn,ourcouchhasbeen transformedintotwobunks.We’reinaGold Twincabin,oneofthesmallest,butthereare largeroptions.Thissmallbutperfectlyformed spaceishomeforthreedaysonthe2979kmtrip fromDarwintoAdelaide.
We’relookedafterbycheerfulstaffwho changefromdaywear—outbackpants,boots, shirtstoppedwithanAkubrahat—toanevening uniformtoservedinner.
Thetrainishuge,735mlongwith31carriages andtwolocomotives.Butitneverseemscrowded becausethediningcars,thelounge/barsand cabinsarespacedout,soyouseethesamesmall groupofpeopleatmealtimes.
Thebunksarecomfyandthelinencrisp,so sleepcomeseasily,thatwasuntilthedramaof theboatonautopilotwokemeup.Myhusband hurtleddowntheladderfromthetopbunk,and althoughIlungedathimfromthebottombunk, hemanagedtounlockourcabindoorandbolt outintothecorridor.Itwasthelightsinthe corridorthatsnappedhimawake.
TheGhanreallyisasplendidwaytotravel, andthethreedaysseemtospeedby.There’s somethingverypeacefulaboutallowingyourself timetojustsitandgazeoutthewindowatthe impossiblyhugebluesky,spottingtheodd kangaroooremu.
Aself-serviceteaandcoffeestationattheend ofeachcarriagemeansyoucanhaveacuppa atanytimeofthedayornight.
Muchofthesparetimebetweentheday outingsistakenupinthediningcarandthe loungebar.Bepreparedforacookedbreakfast, andthree-courselunchesanddinnersfroma
Checklist DARWIN, AUSTRALIA
GETTINGTHERE
Qantasfliesfrom AucklandtoDarwinwith onestop,ineitherSydney orBrisbane.
DETAILS
PricesforTheGhan ExpeditionstartatA$4290 perpersonduringthelow season(AprilandSept/ Oct)fortravelin2026. journeybeyondrail.com. au/journeys/the-ghan NewZealandHeraldflew toDarwincourtesyof Qantasandtravelledon TheGhancourtesyof JourneyBeyond
Tipsfromthetrip
•Bookearly(atleastayearahead)andoptfor acabinlargerthantheGoldTwincabinifyou canaffordit.Theextraspacewillbewellworth it.
•Takeafullfacenettogooveryoursunhatand downtoyourshoulderstocombattheflies.
•Takeeverythingyou’llneedforthethree-day tripinyourcarry-on.Youwon’tbeabletoaccess yoursuitcaseuntiltheend.
•Packwarmclothes—pufferjacket,hat,scarf, gloves—forthenightbanquet.
•Don’tforgettoincludetheheightofthewheels whenmeasuringyourcarry-onsuitcase.
•Takeacoupleofbooksorapackofcards.The Wi-Figoesoffforhours.
•Requestaforward-facingcabinand,ifpossible, oneinthemiddleawayfromthenoiseofthe wheelsbelow.Cabins4,5,6,and7areideal.
•Youcanlockyourcabinfromtheinsidebutnot fromtheoutside.However,thereisasmallsafe inthewardrobe.
freshlyprinteddailymenuwithanemphasison localproduce.
Thedinnerselectionrangedfromcrocodile dumplings,roastedduckbreast,andgrilled barramunditogrilledkangarooloin,roasted lambrumpandAdelaideHillscheesesouffle. Ghanguestsaregivenseveraloptionsforday tripsateachofthestops—Katherine,Alice SpringsandtherailsidingofManguri.Weopted fortheNitmilukGorgeCruiseatKatherine,a boattripthroughthetranquilgorgeandawalk toseerockart,withplentyofcrocodilesightings alongtheway.AtAliceSprings,wevisitedthe toweringbeautyofSimpsonsGaponthe LarapintaTrailafterapicnicbytheriver.Be warned,thefliesarepersistent.
AtManguri,wetookacoachtoCooberPedy, theopaltownwheremostoftheresidentslive inhousesblastedundergroundbecauseofthe heat.
Wevisitedanexampleofonewithbedrooms, akitchen,lounge,bathroomandtheallimportantcoveredairvents.Thehousesremain ataneventemperatureallyear,soresidents
don’tneedtospendmoneyonheatingorair conditioning.
OneofthemoststartlingfindsinCooberPedy isStElijah’sOrthodoxChurch,withitshuge stainedglasswindowandmagnificentlyornate
interiorbuiltintothesideofahill.Itwasbuilt toservethelocalSerbiancommunityinthe1990s, mostlywithdonationsandvolunteerlabour. NewZealandartistNormAstonspentlong hours,oftenatnight,carvingSaintElijahand otherreligiousimagesandiconsintothestone. ThepriestandtheSerbianlocalsarelonggone,
Fromleft,SimpsonsGap nearAliceSprings; NitmilukGorgein Katherine;didgeridoo playerDanFalzonplaysat AliceSpringsTelegraph Station. Photos/Supplied
leavingthechurchforcurioustouriststovisit. WearrivedbackatTheGhanonourlast eveningtofindcanapesanddrinksserved outdoorsbythetrainandwatchthesungodown byawarmfire.Thenit’sdinnerandbedaswe rumbleourwaythroughthenighttowards Adelaide.Andnobodysleepwalked.Justperfect.
Fromp22
ATwingoldcabinonTheGhan;left, thediningcarriageonthetrain.
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rom $1,890 perperson* N$3,560owfrom $2,848 perperson* No$4,270wfrom $3,416 perperson*
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THEBEAUTYOFBIRDS
AtKnightInletLodge,all around,onthewater,inthe woodsandintheair,thereare birds,writes SimonWilson
“Lookforthegolfballsin thetopsofthetrees,” saidourguide,Mark, andsowedid,inourfloat plane,flyinginlowover theforestsofwestern hemlockandcedar,thesteephills,thebottomless fiordstheycallinlets.Andtheretheywere.Bald eagles.
Big,bad-arsebrutes,hunchedatthetopsof thetrees,onethere,apairoverthere,morein thedistance,theirroundwhiteheadsashockin allthegreen,andthroughthebinoculars,the viciousbeak,theenormousbody,hookedtalons, eagleeye.
It’sadelighttodiscoverwhataphraselike thatmeans.Baldeaglesreallyknowhowtostare.
Youstepofftheplane,hellohello,thisway tocheckinandthatwaytoyourroom,butyou’re distracted,becauseallaroundtherearebarn swallows,moreorlesslikeourownswallowsbut withadefiniteedgewhenitcomestoplumage: bluetopstothewings,redheads,yellowstraps, andtheyswooprightatyou.
ThisisKnightInletLodge,acollectionof buildingsmooredonafloatingraft,metresout fromtheshore.Theheartoftheplace,itscentral purpose,isgrizzlybearwatching.(Iwroteabout thatlastmonth.)ButthiscornerofBritish Columbia,anhour’sflightandsomenorthof Vancouver,isfullofsomuchmorewildlife. Wolves,cougars,deer,andinthewater,orca, dolphins,humpbacks,sealsandsealions.And allaround,onthewater,inthewoodsandinthe air,therearebirds.
Birdingisabigpartofthiskindofadventure tourism.I’marankamateur;someoftheother guestshaveveryseriouscameras.
Someofthebirdsarecompletelyfamiliar: cormorants,whichwecallshags.Someare utterlynot:thoseeagles.Mostarethesamebut subtly,delightfully,different.
Thelargeseagullisnotblack-backedlikeours, butsoftgrey.Theblueheronisbiggerthanours, andoutonthewaterthereisallmannerof waterfowl,severalwithascruffy,featheredlook abouttheirheadsandnecks:grebes,teals, mergansers,wigeons,loons,guillemots,scoters. Suchnames.
Manyofthemhangaroundwheneverthe humpbackwhalesputonashow:there’sfoodto behadwithallthatdisturbanceinthewater.
Thedaysarebusywithexcursions,byboat andonfoot.Earlyoneevening,weclimbinto theskiffsandheaduptheinlet.
Highinadeadcedar,apairofeagleskeep watch,theirenormousnestofstickswedgedinto theforksofthetree.
Wepassdeerforaginginthesedgegrassand enterthemouthofariverthatwillbethickwith salmoncomethefall.Theforestisoverheadand allaround,anditisnotsilent:severalspecies ofthrushandothersongbirdsaresingingtheir heartsout.
Withthemotoroff,weglidealongthegentle creek,mossyrocksbeneath,thebirdsong piercinglysweetontheair.Doesthisevening chorusmeantherearenobears,orhavethebears andthebirdscometoanaccommodation?
“Theuniversehasgranteduspermission,” saysEmma,ourguidetoday,andit’seasyto believe.It’saperfectmoment.
Onenight,inlieuofanafter-dinnerlecture, themanwiththemoustache,Dean,invitesus tohearastory.He’s60-something,mucholder thantheotherguides,andhetellshistalewith enormoustheatricality.
It’saboutaboywhowantstogoduckhunting, buthecan’tbecausethewindgetsup.Sohe
AbaldeaglefishinginKnightInlet,inthewildernessofBritish Columbia,Canada;below,fanciestbeakinthebusiness:a scoter,oneoftheenormousvarietyofwaterfowlinKnight Inlet;themerganserisadivingspecialistthatlooksliketwo differentbirdsjoinedtogether;aneveningexcursionupriver intheskiffs. Photos/JasonDrake/KnightInletLodge
complainstohisgrandmother,whotellshimthat ifhewantstoknowwhythisis,hewillhaveto asktheThunderbird:agiantbaldeaglewholives atthetopofthemountain.
It’sajourney,there’smuchhardship,allof itexceptionallyentertaininginthetelling,with Deanroamingalloverthegloomilylitroom,and theboylearnsthegreatlessonofthewilderness: whenthewindblows,itblows,andyoucango duckhuntingwhenitdoesn’t.Youlivewiththe elements,connectedtotheworld,notoutsideit, tryingtobendittoyourpunywill.
Lateron,Deantellsmethereare250different speciesofbirdsinKnightInlet,andtheyknow thisbecausetheybroughtinanornithological experttoidentifythem.
haven,oneofTripadvisor’sbestluxurystaysintheSouthPacific.
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Canada: BritishColumbia »
Fromp26
Moremarvellousnames.Therearenighthawks, buffleheads,hairywoodpeckers,chestnutbackedchickadees,brown-headedcowbirds.And killdeers,whicharenotwhatyouthink,butsmall harmlessploverswhosecallsoundslike“kill deer”.
AndCanadageese,whichIthoughtmighthave anothernamearoundhere,orsimplybecalled geese.Butno.Theyalsohavesnowgeeseand greaterwhite-frontedgeeseandordinarygeese geese.Baldeaglesaretheonlyeagles,butthere arealsoospreys,turkeyvulturesandtwotypes ofhawk.
Baldeagles,bytheway,don’tstartoutbald. Actually,they’reneverbald,butthefeathers coveringtheirheadsarebrownforthefirstfour years,thentheyturnsnowy.
Crowsandravensareeverywhere,andyoucan playagamewiththelocals:What’sthe difference?
Somewilltellyouthecrowscawmoreand theirbeaksaredifferent;otherswillsayravens arebiggerandbeattheirwingsless.Thesethings aretrue,butwhenyoupointatabird,theycan’t tellyouhowtheyknowit’sbigenoughtobea ravenorifitswingsflapoftenenoughforacrow.
Themostgorgeousbirdsarerufous hummingbirds.Thelodgesetsoutbirdfeeders tohelpthesevisitorsontheirastonishing migrationfromMexicotoAlaska.
Rufousisawordinventedtomeanreddish brownorpossiblybrownishred,butitdoesn’t capturethewaythesebirdsshine.Theyweigh lessthan4g,andthewhirrofthosewingsdefies alllogicabouttheconservationofenergy.
Therearedozensofthem,poisedinmidair, flittingabout,dartingatthehoney.Agroupof usarewatching.Welookup,andthere’saneagle hanginginthesky,anddownagainatthese silent,tiny,iridescentwonders.We’re transfixed.
KnightInletLodgesetsoutbirdfeederstohelpthevisitingrufoushummingbirdsontheir migrationfromMexicotoAlaska;right,thelodgeisacollectionofbuildingsmooredona floatingraft,metresoutfromtheshore;DeanDogherty,storytellerandguide. Photos/Jason Drake/KnightInletLodge,SimonWilson
Checklist
CANADA
GETTINGTHERE
FlydirectfromAucklandtoVancouverwithAirNew Zealand.
DETAILS
Wheretostay: KnightInletLodge. Whattodo: DestinationBritishColumbia. NewZealandHeraldTravelvisitedcourtesyofKnight InletLodge,DestinationBritishColumbiaandAirNew Zealand.
YOURCRUISEHOLIDAYINCLUDES:
YOURCRUISEINCLUDES:
• 7-nightscruisingTokyoreturnonboard DiamondPrincess®
• Mainmealsatselectvenues
• ReturnEconomyClass‘TheWorks’flightsfrom AucklandwithAirNewZealand
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• Prepaidgratuities
YOURCRUISEINCLUDES:
• 14-nightscruisingAthenstoRomeonboard SunPrincess®
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Broadway-styleshows,livemusicandmore
HiltonheavenonDenarau
Indulgeinafive-starFijianescape,whereoceanfrontserenity,VIP excursionsandHilton’ssignatureserviceawaitateveryturn.
FortropicalluxuryintheSouth Pacific,Fijisetsthegoldstandard. Andforthoseseekingeffortless indulgenceonDenarauIsland,Hilton FijiBeachResort&Spadeliversinspades–we’retalkinginfinitypools,elegantcocktails, balmynightsbeneaththepalmsandfivestarservicethatmakesunwindingeasy.
WithMyHoliday’sexclusivefive-night package,yourstress-freeexperiencebegins themomentyouland.You’llbefast-tracked throughmomentyouland.You’llbefasttrackedthroughtheMyHolidayexclusive NadiAirportVIPPriorityLane,greetedwith apremiumwelcomegift,conciergewelcome andwhiskedtotheresortwithtransfers sorted.Bythetimeyou’recheckedintoyour spaciousGardenViewGuestRoomwith Lounge,yourshiftintoblissed-outisland modeiswellunderway.NadiAirport’sVIP PriorityLane,greetedwithapremiumgift fromyourconciergeandwhiskedtothe resortwithaprivatetransfer.Bythetime you’recheckedintoyourspaciousGarden ViewGuestRoomwithLounge,your shiftintoblissed-outislandmodeiswell underway.
PerchedononeofDenarau’smost desirablestretchesofbeach,theHiltonis undeniablyexpansive,yetitfeelsintimate. Sevenpools–includingseveraladults-only options–arescatteredacrossthegrounds, eachwithitsownloungersandquiet cornersperfectforcurlingupwithabook. Andthatbeach:calm,inviting,andalways juststepsaway.Thedailybreakfastbuffet (included,ofcourse)isafeastoffreshfruit, made-to-ordereggsandislandspecialties servedwithasideofseabreeze.
AhighlightofthedealistheMyFiji MalamalaBeachClubExperience–aVIP dayattheworld’sfirstislandbeachclub. Afterascenic25-minutecruisefromPort Denarau,you’llstepontoadreamyprivate atollsurroundedbyturquoisewaters.Your MyHolidaystatusgetsyouaccesstoa reserveddeckareawithplushloungersand dedicatedhostsforfoodanddrinks–plus acomplimentaryMalamalaPopiceblock tocooloff.Spendthedayswimminginan infinitypoolthatseemstomergewiththe ocean,snorkellingjustoffthebeach,or dozinginafloatingdaybeduntilit’stimeto cruisebacktotheHilton,sun-kissedand happilyspent.
AFJD$500Wine&Dinecreditensures you’llgettoknowtheresort’sbarsand restaurantswell.Nukuleadsthelineup, servingmodernFijianflavourswithfrontrowseatstothefierysunset.Forsomething morecasual,there’spoolsideservicewith shareplatesandsnacks,whiletheon-site deliandbakerycatertoquieternightsin. Wanttotaketheindulgencefurther?My Holidayguestsalsoreceive15%offselected treatmentsattheaward-winningeforea Spa.Whetheryouoptforatraditional bobomassageoratropicalcoconutbody wrap,you’llemergerelaxed,rechargedand smellinglikeparadise.
HiltonFiji’scleverlayoutkeepsfamily zonesandadults-onlyareasdistinct,so whetheryou’retravellingwithchildrenor without,everyonegetstorelaxtheirown way.Familiesarewellcateredforwitha complimentaryKidsClub(forages3–12)that hasgames,crafts,aplaygroundandeven aBuild-A-Bearworkshop.Teenscantry paddleboarding,snorkellingorjoinabeach volleyballmatch,andtheKidsStay&Play Freebonusmakestheresortanexcellent optionforschoolholidaygetaways.Gota tinyone?Babysittingservicesareavailable, soparentscanslipawayforaromantic dinneroracouples’massageinabeachside bure,withoceanwavesastheirsoundtrack. Thisfive-nightescapestartsatNZ$1999 perpersonandincludesreturnflights withcheckedluggage,dailybreakfast,a roomupgrade,allVIPinclusionsandthe MalamalaBeachClubexperience–atotal bonusvalueofNZ$1800.Whetheryou’re afteraromanticretreat,asun-soakedfamily breakorsimplysomeserioustropical pampering,HiltonFijiBeachResortandSpa ticksalltheboxes.Bulablissstartshere.
ScanthisQRcode tobook:
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Aotearoaisyouroyster
Caravansandmotorhomeshavelongbeenfavouredasawaytogetoff-gridandslowly exploreadestination.HeraldTravelchatswithTourismHoldingsCEOGrantWebster aboutemergingtrends,outdatedmythsandthingsalltravellersshouldknow.
Howhascampervanningevolvedoveryour timeatTourismHolding(THL),andwhat trendsareyouseeingpost-pandemic?
Onceuponatime,thelifeofacaravanor motorhomewouldbelimitedbyhowlongit wouldtakebeforeyouhaddamagefromwater ingress.Todaythat’sadistantmemorywith advancesinbuildingmaterialsandmethodology. WebuildinNewZealandwithanexpectedlife wellintothreedecades.
Fromafacilitiesperspective,younowhave theabilitytooff-road,freedomcampwithpower fordays,farmorespace.E-bikes,airfryers, Airwraps,paddleboardsarealladditionstoday beyondtheclassicskisandgolfclubs.Weaccount forthemall.
Forsomeonewho’sneverdoneacampervan tripbefore,whatisthebiggestdrawcard? Withkidsunder16,itisadreamholiday.Parking atalake,wineinthefridge,easymealsinthe classickitchenmakesitcheap,andthenthe holidayparkexperience.Ihaveneverseenkids makenewfriendsthewaytheydoina campground/holidaypark.
Thatabilitytotakeyourtime,stop,engage withnatureandexploredestinationsdeeply. Makesfourwallsinabuildingfeel claustrophobic.
Whydoyouthinkcampervansresonateso deeplywithtoday’stravellers?
Itwasfunny,throughoutCovid-19intheUS,they startedcallingcampervans“CovidCocoons” becauseyoucouldusethemtoescapeandenjoy everythingoutdoorswithinthesecurityofyour family.Plus,therearesomanycost-effective options.Onceuponatime,youmighthavebeen consideredaderelictifyouwerelivingina
campervanbytheriver,nowitfeels simplyaspirational.Tohavethat freedomandconnectiontonature!I thinkitreflectswhatweallaspire toachievetoday,simplicity,comfort andyourchoiceofthedegreeof solitude.
Whatmarketsorregionsareyou seeingstronggrowthfrom?
WehaveseenSoutheastAsiashow stronggrowthoverthelastcoupleof years,althoughfromalowbase.The Singaporemarkethasalwayssurprisedusas onewhichprovidesmorecustomersthanyou wouldhaveexpected.
Whenconsideringadestinationtotravelina motorhome,thetopprizecontinuestobeNew Zealand.Asabestyearwehadnearly50%of allGermanholidayarrivalstoNewZealand
travelbymotorhome/campervan.Theydecided alongtimeagothattherewasnobetterwayto travel.
SecondtoNewZealandthereisanenormous amountofmarketinggoingintoRoute66inthe USthiscomingyearasitcelebrates100years asaroadtrippingmust-do.
Howdoyouseecampervanningevolvingin thenextfewyears–willitstayclassic,or aretherebigchangesonthehorizon? Therewillbeapointinthecomingyearswhen wehaveautonomouscampervans/motorhomes. Then,Ithinkyouwillseethecategoryabsolutely explode.Ultimately,youcanenvisageaday whereyouwillbeabletosleepintheRVand ittakesyouovernightfromoneamazing destinationtothenext,andyouthendecidewhat youdonext.Feelslikeallthebenefitsofmost formsoftravel,combinedintotheRV experience.
Whatisone“myth”aboutcampervan ormotorhometravelyouwishyou couldbustfortravellers? Theyarenottoohardtodrive.Thatwould bethesinglemostsignificantcomment fromthenon-believersoncetheytry.It isresearchedasthelargestblockerfor peoplewhodon’tbook.Theydrivejustlike acartoday,youonlyneedyourcarlicence, andtheyareeasy.WestillhaveMercedes chassisforthemajorityofthefleet.Agreat experience.
Doyouhaveatriponthehorizon?Ifso,where areyouheading? AfewdaysintheSouthIsland,Christchurchfor family,andHanmerSprings.Greatscenery,good walksandachilledexperience.
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