Museum saving‘time’ Travel Q&Awith Lance

Q A &

Lance Green BESPOKENZ BY VIAGGIO

Ardent travellers keen to discover more of New Zealand are likely to find BespokeNZ’s unique vacations a breath of fresh air. Owners, Lance Green and Lisa Tapley-Bale, from Miranda, have long been successful in the international travel arena, in particular, their Italian sojourns, centred around food and wine, providing guests with extraordinary experiences and memories. However, with the global Covid-19 pandemic curtailing overseas travel, Lance and Lisa are turning their extensive experience to formulating a distinctive range of Kiwi vacations. SOUTH magazine asked Lance Green about his new vacation menu.

How long have you been in the travel industry and how did you start out?

I left school in 1979 and joined the family’s business, Greens Travel, startingat the Pukekohe office. That was the beginningofmy global travel and tourism career now spanningmore than four decades duringwhich I have visited some 65 countries and created vacations for thousands ofpeople.

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic what was your industry interest?

Havingbeen a pioneer in establishingthe fly & cruise vacation market in New Zealand many years ago, I tookwhat I had learned there to create and build the Viaggio Lifestyle Vacation brand. The company was launched in 2005 and over the past 15 years Lisa and I refined our unique style ofbespoke vacations.

Has Lisa also had a long career in travel or has she come into it after you met and married?

Lisa, who originates from the East Coast ofCanada, has a background in the cosmetic and skin care business and this is what brought her to New Zealand some 35 years ago. Like me, she has traveled extensively and her involvement in our business is primarily focused on guest relationships and communications, sales and administration. While I’m the creative and personality of the business, her role is equally important; she makes sure everythingis in place prior to the start ofa vacation.

Where in the world have you taken your guests?

Our bespoke vacations have taken in many interestingdestinations. Europe has been a primary focus with the emphasis on Italy and our private villa vacations. That said, our touringvacations have seen us explore Portugal, Spain, France, Germany and Austria as well as Eastern blockcountries. We have toured Croatia and one ofour most interestingbespoke road journeys was circumnavigatingTurkey. North America has featured with a focus on the Eastern states from New Yorkand north to the maritime regions ofCanada.

Two years ago I did a bespoke road journey ofsome 9500km from New Yorkto Montreal driving the Labrador Highway, one ofthe most remote road journeys in the world. We have ventured down to Africa and, in 2019, travelled with a group ofguests on the world’s most luxurious trains from the west coast ofAfrica to the east coast. An amazingjourney! We have also explored Vietnam and Cambodia, cruisingthe MekongRiver. Over the decades, there would be only a few countries I haven’t planned vacations to for our guests.

Your vacations are strongly connected to a region’s food and wine, is this a personal interest of yours?

Years oftravellingto many different countries roused my interest in culture and cuisine; it seemed inevitable I would develop a passion for cooking. As a result I’ve become a reasonably good, selftaught chef(based on the feedback ofour guests). My view is that good food, wine and the right setting, bringpeople together around a table; this is where conversations begin, stories are told, experiences are shared, laughter is enjoyed and there’s a beginningoffriendships. This is where memories are created. Isn’t that what travel is all about?

Of all the travel you have done, choose one type of travel you enjoy the most?

Without question it is the bespoke road journeys I create. These typically include a small number of guests –anythingfrom one person to 12. I enjoy drivingand whenever I get the opportunity I will drive between destinations; that’s why I have driven more than 250,000kms in Europe and North America. At home I drive on average 70-80,000km a year.

You get to know the people you travel with. You hear their stories of growingup, business adventures and you share ideas and views on many subjects. Now, at home it’s my intention to offer this personal style ofvacation in NZ. So, ifyou are lookingfor a person, which is much more than just a driver to take you on a road journey, then definitely get in touch.

It seems international travel may well be interrupted for some time, what are you doing to fill the gap?

International travel has changed forever without question and I have some thoughts on how this will lookin the future. For some time I have wanted to shift my focus to NZ. Covid-19 has meant we have shifted our focus to creating our style ofbespoke vacations here at home which is a really positive thingin my mind. We

have an amazingand beautiful country and it’s time for us to really explore it. We are taking what we have refined from our global experiences and are applyingthis to travellingin NZ. Subsequently, we have created and launched a new brand –BespokeNZ with a new vacation menu to explore this country. These are not your typical, offthe-shelfvacations; guests can expect an affair with food and wine and to leave with unique memories.

What is first up in your plan?

BespokeNZ by viaggio has several vacations underway. The first departs in September focusingon the Deep South and features Invercargill, Stewart Island, Te Anau, Fiordland and Queenstown. It incorporates two six(6) night private voyages onboard the Fiordland Jewel. We have also released a 4-night vacation to Queenstown in partnership with The Rees hotel featuringa degustation dinner paired with the wines ofFelton Road alongwith a Bordeaux Wine longlunch. This will truly be a longweekend with a lot ofindulgence! The Taranaki Garden Festival is also on the

We invite discerning travellers, who enjoy travelling with small groups of like-minded people, to become part of our database. Just email contact details to lisa@bespokenz.nz or phone her on 0800 100 799 Vacations created to capture the beauty, share the culture and experience the uniqueness of this land. Bringing together travellers such as yourself, to share these experiences, enjoy conversations, tell stories, indulge just a little and take away memories that will last a lifetime… these are the essentials of a bespokenz vacation. vacation menu Vacations created to capture the beauty, share the culture and experience the uniqueness of this land. Bringing together travellers such as yourself, to share these experiences, enjoy conversations, tell stories, indulge just a little and take away memories that will last a lifetime… these are the essentials of a bespokenz vacation. vacation menu Vacations created to capture the beauty, share the culture and experience the uniqueness of this land. Bringing together travellers such as yourself, to share these experiences, enjoy conversations, tell stories, indulge just a little and take away memories that will last a lifetime… these are the essentials of a bespokenz vacation. vacation menu Discover Fiordland & Taste of NZ experience 11 NIGHT VACATION ⎮ 17-28 SEPT 2020 DESTINATION FIORDLAND ⎮ QUEENSTOWN With this Bespokenz vacation we have combined a 6-night cruise Vacations created to capture the beauty, share the culture and experience the uniqueness of this land. Bringing together travellers such as yourself, to share these experiences, enjoy conversations, tell stories, indulge just a little and take away memories that will last a lifetime… these are the essentials of a bespokenz vacation. vacation menu Discover Fiordland & Taste of NZ experience Vacations created to capture the beauty, share the culture and experience the uniqueness of this land. Bringing together travellers such as yourself, to share these experiences, enjoy conversations, tell stories, indulge just a little and take away memories that will last a lifetime… these are the essentials of a bespokenz vacation. vacation menu Vacations created to capture the beauty, share the culture and experience the uniqueness of this land. Bringing together travellers such as yourself, to share these experiences, enjoy conversations, tell stories, indulge just a little and take away memories that will last a lifetime… these are the essentials of a bespokenz vacation vacation menu Discover Fiordland & Taste of NZ experience 11 NIGHT VACATION DESTINATION FIORDLAND With this Bespokenz vacation we have combined a 6-night cruise onboard the Fiordland Jewel from Preservation Inlet to Doubtful Sound followed by 4-nights at The Rees Hotel, Queenstown which Vacations created to capture the beauty, share the culture and experience the uniqueness of this land. Bringing together travellers such as yourself, to share these experiences, enjoy conversations, tell stories, indulge just a little and take away memories that will last a lifetime… these are the essentials of a bespokenz vacation. vacation menu Discover Fiordland & Taste of NZ experience 11 NIGHT VACATION ⎮ 17-28 SEPT 2020 DESTINATION FIORDLAND ⎮ QUEENSTOWN With this Bespokenz vacation we have combined a 6-night cruise onboard the Fiordland Jewel from Preservation Inlet to Doubtful Sound followed by 4-nights at The Rees Hotel, Queenstown which enjoy conversations, tell stories, indulge just a little and take away memories that will last a lifetime… these are the essentials of a bespokenz vacation. vacation menu Discover Fiordland & Taste of NZ experience 11 NIGHT VACATION ⎮ 17-28 SEPT 2020 DESTINATION FIORDLAND ⎮ QUEENSTOWN With this Bespokenz vacation we have combined a 6-night cruise onboard the Fiordland Jewel from Preservation Inlet to Doubtful Sound followed by 4-nights at The Rees Hotel, Queenstown which features two gastronomic experiences created just for our guests . Vacations created to capture the beauty, share the culture and experience the uniqueness of this land. Bringing together travellers such as yourself, to share these experiences, enjoy conversations, tell stories, indulge just a little and take away memories that will last a lifetime… these are the essentials of a bespokenz vacation. vacation menu Discover Fiordland & Taste of NZ experience 11 NIGHT VACATION ⎮ 17-28 SEPT 2020 DESTINATION FIORDLAND ⎮ QUEENSTOWN With this Bespokenz vacation we have combined a 6-night cruise onboard the Fiordland Jewel from Preservation Inlet to Doubtful Sound followed by 4-nights at The Rees Hotel, Queenstown which Vacations created to capture the beauty, share the culture and experience the uniqueness of this land. Bringing together travellers such as yourself, to share these experiences, enjoy conversations, tell stories, indulge just a little and take away memories that will last a lifetime… these are the essentials of a bespokenz vacation vacation menu onboard the Fiordland Jewel from Preservation Inlet to Doubtful 11 NIGHT VACATION ⎮ 17-28 SEPT 2020 Discover Fiordland & Taste of NZ experience features two gastronomic experiences created just for our guestsfeatures two gastronomic experiences created just for our guests . features two gastronomic experiences created just for our guests . Discover Fiordland & Taste of NZ experience 11 NIGHT VACATION ⎮ 17-28 SEPT 2020 DESTINATION FIORDLAND ⎮ QUEENSTOWN With this Bespokenz vacation we have combined a 6-night cruise onboard the Fiordland Jewel from Preservation Inlet to Doubtful Sound followed by 4-nights at The Rees Hotel, Queenstown which features two gastronomic experiences created just for our guests . Discover Fiordland & Taste of NZ experience 11 NIGHT VACATION ⎮ 17-28 SEPT 2020 DESTINATION FIORDLAND ⎮ QUEENSTOWN With this Bespokenz vacation we have combined a 6-night cruise onboard the Fiordland Jewel from Preservation Inlet to Doubtful Sound followed by 4-nights at The Rees Hotel, Queenstown which features two gastronomic experiences created just for our guests . Sound followed by 4-nights at The Rees Hotel, Queenstown which features two gastronomic experiences created just for our guests . Food & Wine Lovers Long Weekend 4 NIGHT LONG WEEKEND ⎮ 24-28 SEPT 2020 DESTINATION FIORDLAND ⎮ QUEENSTOWN With this Bespokenz vacation we have combined a 6-night cruise onboard the Fiordland Jewel from Preservation Inlet to Doubtful Sound followed by 4-nights at The Rees Hotel, Queenstown which features two gastronomic experiences created just for our guests . 11 NIGHT VACATION ⎮ 17-28 SEPT 2020 DESTINATION FIORDLAND ⎮ QUEENSTOWN With this Bespokenz vacation we have combined a 6-night cruise onboard the Fiordland Jewel from Preservation Inlet to Doubtful Sound followed by 4-nights at The Rees Hotel, Queenstown which features two gastronomic experiences created just for our guests . Food & Wine Lovers Long Weekend 4 NIGHT LONG WEEKEND ⎮ 24-28 SEPT 2020 DESTINATION THE REES HOTEL, QUEENSTOWN Created for food & wine lovers, a long weekend where you get to Food & Wine Lovers Long Weekend 4 NIGHT LONG WEEKEND ⎮ 24-28 SEPT 2020 DESTINATION THE REES HOTEL, QUEENSTOWN Created for food & wine lovers, a long weekend where you get to Food & Wine Lovers Long Weekend 4 NIGHT LONG WEEKEND ⎮ 24-28 SEPT 2020 DESTINATION THE REES HOTEL, QUEENSTOWN Created for food & wine lovers, a long weekend where you get to experience the cuisine of The Rees Hotel kitchen paired with wines from Felton Road. The Bordeaux Long Lunch features wines from the Food & Wine Lovers Long Weekend 4 NIGHT LONG WEEKEND ⎮ 24-28 SEPT 2020 DESTINATION THE REES HOTEL, QUEENSTOWN Created for food & wine lovers, a long weekend where you get to Discover Fiordland & Taste of NZ experience 11 NIGHT VACATION ⎮ 17-28 SEPT 2020 DESTINATION FIORDLAND ⎮ With this Bespokenz vacation we have combined a 6-night cruise DESTINATION THE REES HOTEL, QUEENSTOWN Created for food & wine lovers, a long weekend where you get to experience the cuisine of The Rees Hotel kitchen paired with wines Food & Wine Lovers Long Weekend 4 NIGHT LONG WEEKEND ⎮ 24-28 SEPT 2020 Food & Wine Lovers Long Weekend experience the cuisine of The Rees Hotel kitchen paired with wines from Felton Road. The Bordeaux Long Lunch features wines from the hotels extensive library collection. experience the cuisine of The Rees Hotel kitchen paired with wines from Felton Road. The Bordeaux Long Lunch features wines from the hotels extensive library collection. hotels extensive library collection. experience the cuisine of The Rees Hotel kitchen paired with wines from Felton Road. The Bordeaux Long Lunch features wines from the hotels extensive library collection. onboard the Fiordland Jewel from Preservation Inlet to Doubtful Sound followed by 4-nights at The Rees Hotel, Queenstown which menu and, once again, while it will take guests to some extraordinary gardens there will be more than meets the eye! We have week-longvacations planned for the Chatham Islands. Summer will see the creation of LongWeekend wine and food adventures and I’m looking at creatingsome interesting vacations involvingbespoke Food & Wine Lovers Long Weekend 4 NIGHT LONG WEEKEND ⎮ 24-28 SEPT 2020 DESTINATION THE REES HOTEL, QUEENSTOWN Created for food & wine lovers, a long weekend where you get to experience the cuisine of The Rees Hotel kitchen paired with wines from Felton Road. The Bordeaux Long Lunch features wines from the Food & Wine Lovers Long Weekend 4 NIGHT LONG WEEKEND ⎮ 24-28 SEPT 2020 DESTINATION THE REES HOTEL, QUEENSTOWN Created for food & wine lovers, a long weekend where you get to experience the cuisine of The Rees Hotel kitchen paired with wines from Felton Road. The Bordeaux Long Lunch features wines from the hotels extensive library collection. Taranaki Garden Festival 8 NIGHT VACATION ⎮ OCT 31 - 08 NOV 2020 DESTINATION TARANAKI from Felton Road. The Bordeaux Long Lunch features wines from the hotels extensive library collection. DESTINATION THE REES HOTEL, QUEENSTOWN Created for food & wine lovers, a long weekend where you get to experience the cuisine of The Rees Hotel kitchen paired with wines from Felton Road. The Bordeaux Long Lunch features wines from the hotels extensive library collection. 4 NIGHT LONG WEEKEND ⎮ 24-28 SEPT 2020 DESTINATION THE REES HOTEL, QUEENSTOWN Created for food & wine lovers, a long weekend where you get to experience the cuisine of The Rees Hotel kitchen paired with wines from Felton Road. The Bordeaux Long Lunch features wines from the hotels extensive library collection. Taranaki Garden Festival 8 NIGHT VACATION DESTINATION TARANAKI We start our journey at a back country station, then make Taranaki Garden Festival 8 NIGHT VACATION ⎮ OCT 31 - 08 NOV 2020 DESTINATION TARANAKI We start our journey at a back country station, then make Taranaki Garden Festival 8 NIGHT VACATION ⎮ OCT 31 - 08 NOV 2020 DESTINATION TARANAKI We start our journey at a back country station, then make our way along the Forgotten Highway before continuing on to Taranaki Garden Festival 8 NIGHT VACATION ⎮ OCT 31 - 08 NOV 2020 DESTINATION TARANAKI We start our journey at a back country station, then make features two gastronomic experiences created just for our guests road journeys. Lots happening! Having made a start, will there be more diversity to come? Many more vacations to a number ofstunningdestinations within New Zealand are in the planningstage and will be released over the coming weeks. The vision for BespokeNZ is simple –to blend together exceptional destinations with extraordinary experiences in order to create an adventure for our guests which remains etched Taranaki Garden Festival 8 NIGHT VACATION ⎮ OCT 31 - 08 NOV 2020 DESTINATION TARANAKI hotels extensive library collection. Taranaki Garden Festival 8 NIGHT VACATION ⎮ OCT 31 - 08 NOV 2020 DESTINATION TARANAKI We start our journey at a back country station, then make our way along the Forgotten Highway before continuing on to New Plymouth where we have the opportunity to explore the gardens, visit the art galleries, discover the fashion and taste local cuisine. “Travel is a passion of mine and when I travel I want all the details taken care of for me and my travel companions. We want every component of the trip to run smoothly and like clock work. This is exactly what I have always got with Lance and his company. A travel experience that is enjoyable, varied, interesting and We start our journey at a back country station, then make our way along the Forgotten Highway before continuing on to New Plymouth where we have the opportunity to explore the gardens, visit the art galleries, discover the fashion and taste local cuisine. “Travel is a passion of mine and when I travel I want all the details taken care of for me and my travel companions. Taranaki Garden Festival 8 NIGHT VACATION ⎮ OCT 31 - 08 NOV 2020 DESTINATION TARANAKI We start our journey at a back country station, then make our way along the Forgotten Highway before continuing on to New Plymouth where we have the opportunity to explore the gardens, visit the art galleries, discover the fashion and taste local cuisine. “Travel is a passion of mine and when I travel I want all the Taranaki Garden Festival 8 NIGHT VACATION ⎮ OCT 31 - 08 NOV 2020 DESTINATION TARANAKI We start our journey at a back country station, then make our way along the Forgotten Highway before continuing on to New Plymouth where we have the opportunity to explore the gardens, visit the art galleries, discover the fashion and taste local cuisine. “Travel is a passion of mine and when I travel I want all the and like clock work. This is exactly what I have always got A travel experience that is enjoyable, varied, interesting and our way along the Forgotten Highway before continuing on to New Plymouth where we have the opportunity to explore the gardens, visit the art galleries, discover the fashion and taste local cuisine. “Travel is a passion of mine and when I travel I want all the details taken care of for me and my travel companions. We want every component of the trip to run smoothly and like clock work. This is exactly what I have always got with Lance and his company. A travel experience that is enjoyable, varied, interesting and exceptional every time.” our way along the Forgotten Highway before continuing on to New Plymouth where we have the opportunity to explore the gardens, visit the art galleries, discover the fashion and taste local cuisine. “Travel is a passion of mine and when I travel I want all the details taken care of for me and my travel companions. We want every component of the trip to run smoothly and like clock work. This is exactly what I have always got with Lance and his company. A travel experience that is enjoyable, varied, interesting and exceptional every time.” New Plymouth where we have the opportunity to explore the gardens, visit the art galleries, discover the fashion and taste local cuisine. “Travel is a passion of mine and when I travel I want all the details taken care of for me and my travel companions. We want every component of the trip to run smoothly and like clock work. This is exactly what I have always got with Lance and his company. A travel experience that is enjoyable, varied, interesting and exceptional every time.” our way along the Forgotten Highway before continuing on to New Plymouth where we have the opportunity to explore the gardens, visit the art galleries, discover the fashion and taste local cuisine. Food & Wine Lovers Long Weekend 4 NIGHT LONG WEEKEND ⎮ 24-28 SEPT 2020 DESTINATION THE REES HOTEL, QUEENSTOWN Created for food & wine lovers, a long weekend where you get to experience the cuisine of The Rees Hotel kitchen paired with wines from Felton Road. The Bordeaux Long Lunch features wines from the hotels extensive library collection. in their memories forever. How do people find out more? We invite discerningtravellers, We start our journey at a back country station, then make our way along the Forgotten Highway before continuing on to New Plymouth where we have the opportunity to explore the “Travel is a passion of mine and when I travel I want all the details taken care of for me and my travel companions. We want every component of the trip to run smoothly exceptional every time.” Leighton Smith Award Winning Talk-back Radio Host - Newstalk ZB We want every component of the trip to run smoothly and like clock work. This is exactly what I have always got with Lance and his company. A travel experience that is enjoyable, varied, interesting and exceptional every time.” details taken care of for me and my travel companions. We want every component of the trip to run smoothly and like clock work. This is exactly what I have always got with Lance and his company. Leighton Smith Award Winning Talk-back Radio Host - Newstalk ZB Leighton Smith Award Winning Talk-back Radio Host - Newstalk ZB Leighton Smith Award Winning Talk-back Radio Host - Newstalk ZB who enjoy travellingwith small groups oflike-minded people, to become part ofour database. Just email contact details to lisa@bespokenz.nz or phone her on 0800 100 799 gardens, visit the art galleries, discover the fashion and taste local cuisine. and like clock work. This is exactly what I have always got with Lance and his company. A travel experience that is enjoyable, varied, interesting and exceptional every time.” Leighton Smith Award Winning Talk-back Radio Host - Newstalk ZB p. 0800 100 799 e. lisa@bespokenz.nz Leighton Smith Award Winning Talk-back Radio Host - Newstalk ZB KAT7139 A travel experience that is enjoyable, varied, interesting and exceptional every time.” Leighton Smith Award Winning Talk-back Radio Host - Newstalk ZB p. 0800 100 799 e. lisa@bespokenz.nz p. 0800 100 799 e. lisa@bespokenz.nz p. 0800 100 799 e. lisa@bespokenz.nz p. 0800 100 799 e. lisa@bespokenz.nz south | august 2020 | 9 “Travel is a passion of mine and when I travel I want all the details taken care of for me and my travel companions. We want every component of the trip to run smoothly p. 0800 100 799 e. lisa@bespokenz.nz p. 0800 100 799 e. lisa@bespokenz.nz Taranaki Garden Festival 8 NIGHT VACATION OCT 31 - 08 NOV 2020