NZH Special Travel Issue - 12th Dec 2021

travel S P E C I A L

I S S U E

DECEMBER 12, 2021

It’s time to rewrite your world travel wish list

w e N BEGINNINGS

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CONTENTS

FROM THE T R AV E L E D I T O R

A

couple of weeks before we hit deadline on this special issue of Travel, the New Zealand government announced the dates for the end of MIQ as we knew it. We all rejoiced — this would make international travel so much easier in 2022.

Less than a week later, news started coming in of the new Omicron variant of Covid, which — at the time of going to press — was a “variant of concern” according to the World Health Organisation.

It’s fair to say it took some wind from our sails.

I’m not meaning to start your day off on a downer, merely trying to demonstrate how quickly things change in this crazy world of ours. We still don’t know what’s around the corner or when this pandemic will end.

I remember a time before the words coronavirus and Covid; when bubbles were nothing more than my favourite drink, and when, if I really wanted to, I could turn up at Auckland International Airport and get on a flight almost anywhere. All I needed was a passport and a credit card and I could be on my way.

Relatively speaking, it wasn’t that long ago. The photo you see of me on this page is from my last international trip pre-pandemic — Portugal, August 2019, at the end of a multi-day guided cycling tour. I look pretty pleased with myself, and I was — I’d had six days on a bike, cycling south from Porto along the Atlantic Coast, and I was feeling fit, healthy and free.

If I’d only known it would be my last international trip for more than two years, I’m sure I would have done some things differently. At the very least, I would have been more mindful and taken a moment to truly appreciate the privilege of my absolute freedom.

The world looks very different now, and there are

many more considerations to factor in before jetting off overseas. And just because the borders will open for Kiwis in January (to Australia) and February (to the rest of the world), doesn’t mean you’ll be quite ready to leave. I get it. And I’m certainly not trying to rush you.

But one thing that’s kept me going through these dark days is the dream of better times to come. For me, that means travel. Whatever the world has thrown at us since the start of 2020, I have never lost my love of exploring. My wanderlust has simply got stronger as the days of lockdowns and alert levels have gone on. I know many of you will feel the same.

So, this magazine is for you. At some point in 2022 you’re going to welcome back the world into your life and when you do, I want you to be ready. Because it’s going to be hard to narrow down where to go first when you finally have the freedom to choose.

In these 64 glorious pages, we have curated some of the best, luxurious, exclusive experiences and destinations on offer to help you rewrite your bucket list. Some are super high-end and indulgently expensive. Others are more affordable but still worthy of your once-in-a-lifetime wish list.

There are many places we couldn’t fit in — it’s too hard to include the whole world in just one magazine — but it’s a damn good start. So take your time this summer and let our writers and stories inspire you for your travels still to come. The world has been waiting for us while we’ve been gone, and it’s looking forward to seeing you back in it, when the time is right for you.

6 HOW TO WRITE YOUR BUCKET LIST

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DESTINATION INSPIRATION 18 WELLNESS RETREATS

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WHAT’S NEW IN CRUISES

27 ANTARCTICA 28 NEW ZEALAND 32 AUSTRALIA

stephanie.holmes@nzherald.co.nz

C O N TA C T S EDITOR Stephanie Holmes DEPUTY EDITOR Anna Sarjeant TRAVEL TEAM Thomas Bywater, Sarah Pollok CREATIVE DIRECTOR Paul Slater SENIOR DESIGNER Rob Cox DESIGNER Laura Hutchins

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PACIFIC ISLANDS

44 NORTH AMERICA 46 ASIA

PRODUCTION EDITOR Isobel Marriner SUB EDITORS Courtney Whitaker, Maureen Marriner, Sue Baxalle, Jill Stanford COMMERCIAL INTEGRATION MANAGERS Alice Jones, Lucy Janisch-Fitzgerald ON THE COVER Soneva Fushi, Maldives. Photo / Supplied EMAIL travel@nzherald.co.nz SOCIAL @nzhtravel

A NOTE ● As Covid rules and regulations change so frequently as the pandemic continues, we have omitted from our stories any notes on vaccination passports and entry requirements.

Please check the relevant rules before booking or commencing any travel. ● Prices are in NZ dollars, unless stated otherwise ● Staying safe should be your utmost priority when travelling.

Keep an eye on Ministry of Health and Safetravel advice, get

travel insurance with adequate cover, and take any necessary precautions to keep well — vaccinations, face masks, hand sanitising and social distancing are all a good place to start. ● The best way to ensure you’re on top of all the things you need to know before travelling is to book with a travel agent. In doing so, you’ll also help support an industry which has suffered catastrophically since our borders closed. Let them do the hard work for you, so you can simply sit back and enjoy the ride.

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M O V I N G F O R WA R D

W

e’re hoping we’re almost there. Not long now till we can farewell these fraught times and dare to hope for a travelling future that’s slightly less diabolical.

These past two years of border closures and broken dreams have shrunk our horizons to the smallest they’ve been in our lifetimes. But our freedom to explore hasn’t been cancelled, just postponed. If anything, we’ll likely come out the other side of this even keener to discover the world around us.

It’s also likely we’ll have a new perspective on travelling in the aftermath of this pandemic. Even if we haven’t changed personally, the world is going to look very different.

Safety and security will be top of mind. Concerns over climate change loom larger than ever, forcing us to consider carbon footprints and our impact on the places we visit.

A survey this year by top UK tour operator Original Travel (originaltravel.co.uk) found 67 per cent of those polled planned to travel “better” post-pandemic. Meaning fewer “throwaway trips” in favour of well-planned (49 per cent) and more sustainable (32 per cent) escapes.

We’ll all need to be more mindful about where we go, and how we get there. We’ll still travel, obviously — it’s in our DNA. But we’ll do it differently. More consciously.

What does this look like in practical terms?

Here’s one good example: remember that monster cruise ship (MSC Opera) that crashed into a wharf and the cruiser River Countess in Venice in 2019?

Turns out that was a wake-up call for Venice to finally rein in over-tourism, something we’ll see happen more and more globally.

Since October, mega-ships like MSC Opera have been banned from the Venetian Lagoon. In their place, smaller vessels like the 126-passenger SS La Venezia — actually the renovated and renamed River Countess — will take travellers on far more intimate itineraries, exploring overlooked islands and

forgotten corners in luxury and offering exclusive experiences such as private, after-hours tours of St Mark’s Basilica (uniworld.com).

Sustainability, the eco-footprint we leave behind, will increasingly inform travel choices. Fortunately, the industry’s way ahead of us and there are already some formidable options for doing more good than harm on holiday.

African safaris are leading the world in responsible adventure tourism, with outfits like Great Plains Conservation offering walking safaris through Zimbabwe’s Sapi Reserve and the World-Heritage Mana Pools National Park, home to more than 10,000 elephants. Guests sleep in solar-powered tents with a clear conscience knowing Great Plains has been a driving force in big-game conservation — preserving more than a million acres for wildlife, relocating rhinos to safe havens in Botswana, combating poaching and supporting communities in tangible ways. You can even carbon offset your entire trip (greatplainsconservation.com).

Elsewhere on the continent, Marataba Conservation Camps in South Africa offers “a high-value guest-participation tourism model with low-impact on the environment”. Translated, this means guests actively participate in conservation programmes, from tracking and monitoring species to setting camera traps and tree planting (classic-portfolio. com). At Zambia’s off-grid Ila Safari Lodge, safari vehicles and boats are solar-powered for silent stalking of big game and bird life in the country’s largest national park (greensafaris.com).

Even in highly developed nations, it’s possible to travel more viably. The flygskam (flight shame) movement in Europe — which saw the French Parliament ban short-haul domestic flights earlier this year — has sparked a resurgence in continental train journeys.

New sleeper services have launched everywhere from Scotland, where the Caledonian Sleeper runs daily services between Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh and London, and France where start-up Midnight Trains (midnight-trains.com) plans to offer

swank sleeper services — “a hotel on rails” — on routes between Paris and a dozen European capitals. The Austrian Railways-led consortium Nightjet is set to launch a thrice-weekly sleeper between Vienna and Paris this month, complete with free PCR tests (nightjet.com).

After many months of confinement, but wary of crowds, space and solitude are bound to figure large in post-pandemic trip planning. Tourism operators seem to be banking on that outcome with tour specialists like &Beyond (andbeyond.com) and villa companies such as The Thinking Traveller (thethinkingtraveller.com) offering exclusive-use packages that take strangers out of the equation.

Luxury Lodges of New Zealand has launched a spinoff villa collection to cater to the expected demand from families and friends keen to cocoon together in decadent surrounds (luxuryvillasnz.co.nz).

Environments offering fresh air and vast horizons are very much in demand now. Visitor numbers to national parks are booming, here and abroad, and operators have been preparing for the surge. In the austral wilderness of Patagonia, high-end hotelier Explora has just launched two low-impact lodges — the 10-room Valle Chacabuco Lodge in Chile and the 20-room El Chalten ecolodge in Argentina. As Explora chief executive Gonzalo Undurraga says, “The pandemic has … increased the value of being in close contact with nature and of walking freely across places that are still untouched.”

Even if you don’t end up going anywhere in the short term, researchers have found that simply thinking about a holiday can boost our mental well-being. A Cornell University study co-authored

by Matthew Killingsworth discovered planning and booking a getaway makes us immediately happier, regardless of how far off the trip is.

“In a sense, we start to ‘consume’ a trip as soon as we start thinking about it,” Killingsworth explains.

“Our future-mindedness can be a source of joy if we know good things are coming, and travel is an especially good thing to have to look forward to.”

Illustration / Isabelle Russell

When the world is back on the menu, how will we decide where to go first and how to get there?

Being more mindful in our choices is key, writes Kendall Hill.

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D E S T I N AT I O N

Inspiration

Do you know where you’ll be heading when international borders finally open? Rewrite your wish list with these travel writer-recommended once-in-a-lifetime adventures.

Exceeding expectations

I’ve dreamt of African safari adventures for a very long time, nearly 50 years in fact: racing through thicketed bush chasing an elusive cheetah, photographing sun-kissed lionesses preening, or searching earnestly through bushveld to spot the majesty of a kudu antelope.

That’s a long time to build up expectations, but at Sabi Sabi private game reserve in South Africa, they were exceeded. Sprawling over 65,000ha bordering Kruger National Park, in some of the nation’s most celebrated safari country, this is a place that respects the land and its inhabitants and works hard to conserve it for future generations.

It’s all about the wildlife.

From twice-daily open vehicle drives and walks, guests encounter creatures great and small in surprising ways, including the feted “Big Five” (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo) and an astonish-

Africa The Nile, in style

Sitting on the teak deck, the sun kept from my face by fluttering white canvas curtains, my book Death on the Nile remains unopened on my lap. Instead of reading the book that had been written by Agatha Christie on this very boat, and whose movie versions were filmed in situ, I watch families taking their water buffaloes to a grassy island in the middle of the Nile, wave to children who call to their friends to share the excitement, hear the probably 173rd donkey braying on the riverside, and feel a million miles away from life as I have known it since the pandemic began.

The SS Sudan was built in 1911 for the Thomas Cook travel company and has retained its old-world glamour, with wood-clad cabins and suites, teak decks, always-polished copper fire extinguishers, and telephones. The wheels on either side confirm that this is indeed a still operational paddle steamer, offering a step back in time.

With 67 crew set against 23 rooms and suites, guests are pampered throughout their cruise, which takes six days upriver between Luxor and Aswan, or back downriver. There are daily excursions, to the Valleys of the Kings, Queens, and Artisans, to the temples of Abydos and Dendera, the temples of Kom Ombo and Philae, and more, but you always have half a day’s sailing on board to enjoy watching the Nile and the life it brings to the desert. No fancy pool, no on-board shop, few people. Instead, pure relaxation in beautiful, historic surroundings.

— Ulrike Lemmin-Woolfrey steam-ship-sudan.com/en

ing array of bird species, 300 of them.

No crowds, no tight schedules, no restricted views, but instead your own spotter and guide and a different adventure each time, at the whim of the wild. The private lands allow off-track access and incredible proximity to animals, leopards passing so close you could reach out and touch them — but of course, you wouldn’t dare. At night the day’s adventures are relived at “camp”, though there’s not a tent in sight. Little Bush Camp — the most intimate of the four Sabi Sabi lodges — offers five-star luxury and exceptional service, with just six private suites with canopies, and inside and outside bathing. Gourmet meals come with free-flowing champagne and chattering monkeys, by candlelight or under the stars. It’s where dreams come true.

— Christine Aldred sabisabi.com

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Southern sunsets

There are, I’d wager, few better places to admire an African sunset than the open-air observation deck aboard Rovos Rail, watching the tracks fade into the horizon.

This privately owned rail company promises the world’s most luxurious train, and after a halfdozen journeys with them across Southern Africa, I’d struggle to disagree.

Unlike its more contemporary competitor the Blue Train, Rovos Rail prides itself on a sense of Edwardian glamour. Much of the wood-panelled rolling stock dates to the mid-1900s; today revamped and re-engineered to balance vintage charm with modern comforts. On board, you’ll find air conditioning and en suite compartments, while top-tier Royal Suites even boast freestanding Victorian baths.

One thing you won’t find is Wi-Fi, with guests instead encouraged to dip into the library, chat with

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fellow travellers at the (all-inclusive) bar, or simply admire the passing scenery from the observation lounges. Daily off-train excursions offer a chance to explore en route, before returning to the wood-panelled dining cars for three-course dinners of South African culinary classics paired with fine wines from Cape vineyards.

Rovos Rail offers itineraries that stretch from a few days to a fortnight, rambling across Southern Africa and as far north as Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. If time’s an issue, opt for the classic run across South Africa from Pretoria to Cape Town; through the captivating plains of the semi-desert Karoo to connect the capital city with cosmopolitan Cape Town. You’ll enjoy a cross-section of the country, and some of the best sunsets Africa has to offer.

— Richard Holmes rovos.com

Asia The small fair-haired Russian boy said “thank you” in heavily accented English as he handed me a wrapped biscuit. We were travelling on the Trans-Siberian Railway and he’d been practising the phrase after I’d given him a small gift two days earlier.

My journey began in Beijing when I settled into a top bunk in a four-berth compartment feeling a mixture of anxiety and excitement.

With basic washing facilities at either end of the carriage and a shared compartment, I knew this Intrepid Travel tour from Beijing to St Petersburg wouldn’t be luxurious. But the allure of travelling slowly by train through China, the steppes of Mongolia and the birch forests of Siberian Russia was enough to make me sign up.

Mesmerised by the soothing rocking motion of the train, hours passed in minutes as the train snaked around hills, through plains and past villages, dark smoke billowing from the engine.

I took advantage of scheduled stops, alighting for a brisk walk along the platform. I bought buuz (Mongolian mutton dumplings) and cream cheese-filled blini from women on the platform.

I sipped sweetened coffee from a Russian Railways tea glass.

Over 23 days we travelled by overnight train, bus and taxi. We also slept in comfortable hotels, guesthouses and a Mongolian ger. We met locals, ate traditional meals in family homes and explored the ornate stations of the Moscow Metro.

It’s an epic journey that’s well the worth effort.

— Joanne Karcz intrepidtravel.com

Antarctica Dancing on ice

No adjectives can do justice to this once-in-a-lifetime adventure on a Ponant five-star Antarctica Expedition Cruise.

With only 196 passengers and 156 of the finest staff, this luxurious cruise offers excellent service, delicious cuisine and countless unforgettable moments.

From the time you enter the calm waters of the Antarctic Peninsula after crossing the treacherous Drake Passage, be prepared for seven of the most exhilarating days on the coldest and driest continent on Earth.

My visit in mid-December coincides with the period of 24-hour daylight. Although confusing for my body clock, I don’t want to sleep anyway, for fear of missing out.

Twice a day, Zodiac tours are available with onboard marine expedition experts allowing passengers a close-up look at the world’s most untouched continent. I take up as many as possible and expe-

rience astonishing things such as walking alongside 200,000 nesting penguins, snow and ice-filled islands filled with colonies of elephant, crabeater, Weddell and leopard seals, a variety of birds, as well as mighty humpback whales breaching as though they’re auditioning for the latest Cirque du Soleil spectacular.

Seminars are available for the first two days while cruising from Ushuaia Harbour, Tierra del Fuego province, Argentina to the Antarctic Peninsula. By the time we reach Antarctica, I’ve already seen some of the most incredible mountainous landscapes and ice-filled seas with icebergs the size of city blocks. Humpback and minke whales regularly appear and from the private balcony of my suite I watch in awe as five orca chase a poor little penguin, who narrowly escapes on to a chunk of floating ice.

And this is just the beginning.

— Daniel Resnik ponantcruises.com

Photos / Christine Aldred, Ulrike Lemmin-Woolfrey, Daniel Resnik, Supplied

From here to there

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Small island, big appeal

Many Kiwis have probably never heard of Shikoku, the smallest of Japan’s big four islands, but to those living in Japan, it’s a place you dream about.

It’s a cool, clear November day when I land in the island’s port city of Takamatsu (an 80-minute flight from Tokyo). My first stop is Ritsurin Garden — one of Japan’s most renowned gardens, dating back to the 1600s. It’s November and there’s an explosion of colour across the 75ha of manicured grounds.

Golden ginkgo trees and fiery red Japanese maples.

Wasen boats float along the glassy lake and I can’t imagine a better way to take it all in.

Lunch is at the nearby Sanuki Udon Ueharaya.

Udon noodles are eaten at large wooden communal tables. Slurping is seen as a compliment to the local chef, so expect a noisy affair, and a stomach full of the noodles for which the region is famed.

After lunch, we call into Yashima-ji temple, part of the ancient 88-temple pilgrimage — and an incredible insight into this ancient culture.

Later, I head to Takamatsu’s ferry terminal for the 50-minute crossing to Naoshima, known as art island. Don’t miss the striking Benesse House Museum, and the Art House Project, where abandoned houses have been turned into art. Think narrow laneways of ancient houses with traditional gardens, and quaint corner cafes.

The next day it’s inland to the Iya Valley in western Tokushima Prefecture. The verdant valley is home to three ancient vine bridges the brave-hearted can walk across, and stunning onsen hotels, including Hotel Iyaonsen (with the world’s only hot springs accessed via a cable car).

As I head back to the airport, I think about the incense I smelt at the temple, the vibrant colours I saw in the Iya Valley, the honour I felt draped in a traditional haori jacket — and I can now see exactly why Shikoku is the place of dreams.

— Kirstie Bedford shikoku-tourism.com

If you like pina coladas ...

White sand wishes

If Alice in Wonderland was set in a watery world, then the Maldives would be at the bottom of that rabbit hole. A place of euphoria, with white sand wishes and blue lagoon dreams, the Maldives must be seen to be believed. For can such a place exist like that found in the pages of glossy magazines, picture-perfect postcards or Instagram feeds around the gramosphere?

Yes, it can, and it does. A small country in South Asia, the Maldives is made up of 1192 islands across a chain of 26 atolls that are dispersed in the Arabian Sea of the Indian Ocean. This makes them one of the most desired locations for island-hopping, resort relaxation and disconnection.

Flying into the capital of Male, the kaleidoscope of blues and azures from breathtaking vistas of at-

It is the people

Beyond Japan’s incredible scenery and cultural experiences, my enduring memories come from interactions with its people.

Unfailingly polite, nothing is ever too much trouble for the Japanese. Being helpful is in their DNA. Should they see you struggling with directions they will approach, politely offering to help, an act of kindness I appreciated regularly when navigating the metropolis of Tokyo.

I’ve always felt safe e in Japan. Often travelling solo, I’d feel at ease hiking a trail from Kurama to Kibune, or long the evening wanderings along atmospheric Pontocho ho St in Kyoto, or exploring the busy downtown districts cts of Tokyo.

Travel anywhere in Japan easily, quickly and efficiently on the well-organised train network. And nothing beats opening a bento box — the Japanese e

olls, coral islands, and lagoons in the middle of the Indian Ocean looks like an artist’s palette has spilled droplets of paints. Each of those droplets is scattered with luxurious resorts and overwater villas.

Dive beneath the ocean surface, however, and you will find the beauty of this flawless archipelago.

While diving and snorkelling around the resorts is as easy as stepping off the beach, a traditional Maldivian Dhoni can sail you to uninhabited islands scattered like jewels across blue velvet. Diving and snorkelling these coral reefs will have you descending into the warm waters to be met by an amphitheatre of coral walls teeming with sea life. This is where the true beauty of the Maldives comes alive.

— Kate Webster visitmaldives.com

version of a lunch box — on a Shinkansen (bullet train). Guaranteed to make a fast train trip even more interesting.

I recall the outstanding omotenashi (the Japanese mindset of hospitality) experienced at overnight stays in small regional villages. From the owners of a gassho-style farmhouse at Ainokura in the Gifu Prefecture to the personable connection at Kakurinbo, a 550-year-old inn at Minobufrom Tokyo, san, a two-hour train journey jo to the generosity of my guesthouse hosts in my funaya, an ancient wooden h house over the water fishing village of Ine, in the fi inside the Kyoto Prefecture. Mostly, little Engture lish is spoken in these pl places, but a smile and a few words of Japan anese are all that is ne needed.

— Jennifer Johnston japan.travel

Photos / Tokushima Government, Ron Maxidus Chieng, Kate Webster, Getty Images,

It’s 10am, and a coin flip over breakfast has led to paradise. Eschewing a scheduled jungle hike, my friend and I instead paddleboard to a nearby island for a lazy morning of sun-worship, waving fronds of coconut palms lining a translucent bay beckoning like a siren.

We’re beaten to the punch, however; by the time we alight on the sand, a Kudanil Explorer staff member has transformed it into a swanky private beach club, complete with day beds and a pop-up bar. We’re greeted by the mellifluous sound of ice shaken over rum — “Pina colada, madam?” Don’t mind if I do…

It’s the pre-emption of every whim that elevates this 10-day journey through Raja Ampat and West Papua in Indonesia to bucket-list level.

Located in the heart of the Coral Triangle, these remote waters are the holy grail for divers, an underwater utopia boasting the largest diversity of marine life on Earth. Yet somehow, miraculously, it’s managed to escape mainstream tourism; and it’s hard to fathom that untouched places like this still exist.

A privately-owned, 50-metre, refurbished oil-exploration vessel, Kudanil Explorer cuts a striking figure in the secluded bays. Offered for private charter or customised adventures, it accommodates just 16 guests in eight airconditioned berths, each with floor-to-ceiling windows and a private terrace. Indoor and outdoor dining areas are scattered over three decks, as well as two bars, a library lounge, a jacuzzi for champagne moments and a tiny spa for an indulgent massage.

But it’s nature that’s the real star of this luxury cruise. Daily diving and snorkelling are a feast for eyes and soul, while paddling in glass-bottom kayaks reveals a spellbinding panorama, waterfalls and karst cliffs tumbling into coral gardens as hornbills fly overhead in formation. In Triton Bay, majestic whale sharks linger around traditional fishing platforms, unperturbed as we snorkel along their dappled flanks, accompanied by dozens of dolphins keen to join the party. My mind is blown.

— Julie Miller kudanil.com

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Europe

12.12.2021

A Cinderella story

derella If you want to experience a real Cinderella moment, a horse-drawn carriage arrival rrival at one of Vienna’s magnificent balls, dressed ssed to the nines, fits the bill.

I danced the night away at the 62nd Coffee-house Owner’s Ball at beautiful Hofburg Palace, the former imperial home of the Habsburgs, along with 3600 guests from 18 nations.

There are 450 balls hosted in Vienna each season, from the elegant and traditional to rollicking carnival parties.

The quirkiest? The chimney sweeps ball and the hip-hop ball, where the dress code is formal with sneakers.

It is not surprising the Viennese love their music. Mozart, Mahler, Haydn and Johann Strauss II, the king of the Viennese waltz, were all born there.

After a morning waltz lesson with the debonair Thomas Schafer-Elmayer, head of Vienna’s legendary Elmayer Dance School, founded in 1919, I hoped I wouldn’t step on too many toes.

A grand tour

Most of us could never emulate The Grand Tour of history’s wealthy Englishmen, who explored Europe’s cultural riches for months, even years. On mad quests to experience those endless artistic and heritage wonders, I’ve rushed for trains, planes, buses and ferries, waited in hours-long queues, packed and unpacked, again and again.

Until I boarded Viking’s Grand European Tour, a 15-day river cruise between Budapest and Amsterdam. Starting at around $6000 per person almost all-inclusive, it balances the competing desires of experiences and ease. Unpack once and watch those wonders seemingly come to you — including 10 Unesco World Heritage sites.

Among them are the historic hearts of Vienna and Budapest — where my journey began with a glass of fiery Hungarian palinka on the boat’s rooftop deck, the city’s brilliantly lit fairytale spires gliding by to the joyous sound of Strauss’ Blue Danube waltz. From venerable buildings including Cologne’s cathedral and Kinderdijk’s windmills, to the picturesque landscapes of Wachau Valley vineyards and the castle-lined Upper Middle Rhine, it’s a glorious parade.

Unlike mass-market ocean cruises, fewer than 200 passengers travel on Viking’s river-going boats.

Understated Scandi decor, excellent a la carte meals, and a culturally driven programme of onboard presentations and guided port tours add to the sense of affordable luxury.

I was mildly aggrieved at having to return to the boat mid-sunset, with the medieval town of Bamberg drenched in vivid, rapidly evolving hues.

That’s the tour’s only drawback: you can never linger long because another wonder always beckons.

— Patricia Maunder vikingcruises.com

Roads to relaxation

Roman soldiers used to bathe in Tuscany’s thermal springs but you don’t need to be a battle-weary warrior to appreciate the spa country on the drive from Rome to Florence. Green fields carpet countryside crowned with charming hill towns, and tiny laneways hold the promise of exciting adventures to come (especially if you are driving a motorhome).

Surprisingly, southern Tuscany receives few international travellers compared to the towns further north, despite the fact it’s only a two-hour drive from Rome. Spa hotels and facilities abound but it’s more fun to join the locals at a natural thermal spring. We strip down to our swimmers and leave our clothes in a pile near the base of the thermal waterfall at Le Cascate del Mulino, where Italians of all ages come to luxuriate in the healing waters.

Slipping into one of the pools and sitting back

The legend lives on

The legendary journey on the Orient Express from Paris to Istanbul evokes all the glamour of a bygone era.

The first direct run from Paris to Istanbul took place in 1889. Then as now, the gleaming blue and gold carriages, accompanied by personal stewards in smart uniforms, await at the Gare de l’Est. The train stopped running to Istanbul in 1977, but once a year the original trip, as described in Agatha Christie’s famous novel, Murder on the Orient Express, is reinstated on August 20. Dress up for

to rest our heads against rocks worn smooth over hundreds of years, the splash of the warm waterfall provides a peaceful soundtrack for this naturally beautiful Italian spa experience. We base ourselves in Pitigliano, with its labyrinth of winding streets and hidden wine bars and restaurants, and tour the Orsini Fortress, which sits on a prime defensive position above the nearby town of Sorano.

From here, it takes about two hours to drive to Florence, so there is no need to rush. When searching for the perfect Tuscan driving holiday, look for the things that make visiting this part of Italy so special.

Fascinating history, friendly locals, excellent food and wine, and loads of character. One of the few things you won’t find in this part of Tuscany is crowds.

— Tiana Templeman visittuscany.com/en

But maybe I needed a second lesson as I was twirled around by “taxi” dancers — students who are paid to dance with you and don’t put a foot wrong.

Anyone can go to a ball — you can buy a general admission ticket and wander around all night or opt for a table.

Ball attire can be hired — for women it’s floorlength evening gowns and for men, a tuxedo.

At 5am, lights are dimmed and the last waltz played, then it’s another Austrian tradition — a wursti at the Bitzinger sausage stand on the way home — just magical.

— Sue Wallace wien.info/en

the occasion as my fellow passengers and I did — this is not a trip that allows for Jandals or backpacks. Settled into my elegant private compartment, I enjoyed a drink in the bar car, listening to the pianist at the baby grand piano surrounded

by Art Deco splendour. All meals are prepared by a French chef.

A journey full of nostalgia, fascinating landscapes and utter luxury.

— Inka Piegsa belmond.com/trains

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Further off the beaten track

A remote island filled with glaciers, volcanoes and unsealed roads might sound familiar, but Iceland has plenty to offer the adventurous Kiwi.

Iceland sits astride the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are being pushed apart. At Thingvellir National Park this creates dramatic fissures in the Earth’s crust that contain incredibly clear glacial water.

It makes for a very special scuba-diving experience.

The best way to get around is by self-driving. The classic route is a day-trip from Reykjavik that takes in Thingvellir, Geysir geothermal park (from which we get the word geyser) and the striking Gulfoss waterfall.

But this “Golden Circle” is packed with tourists, so I’d recommend spending at least seven days circumnavigating the island on Route 1.

You can branch off into the Westfjords Way of the sparsely populated northwest, and the new Diamond Circle that takes in the whale-watching capital of Husavik.

Because it is so far north, Iceland has long summer days and long winter nights. It’s also smack-bang in the middle of the Northern Lights belt, so if you are there with clear skies you are almost guaranteed to see them. April and October have a good balance of dark enough nights and good enough weather.

Beyond the landscape, there’s fantastic hospitality and history. The recently-opened Retreat at the Blue Lagoon is one of the best hotels I’ve stayed in.

— Ash Bhardwaj Discover The World organise bespoke self-guided tours of Iceland with local expertise. discover-the-world.com

Make the most of your summer in Taupō

Photos / Supplied, Belmond, Getty Images

New season deals available now lovetaupo.com

☞

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Really wild

A very different view

Hidden behind the sun-drenched beaches of the South of France is another world — medieval walled cities with dramatic stories, disappearing rivers within deep gorges, atmospheric Roman antiquities, oyster farms and vineyards. Winding through this incredible area steeped in history and legend is the stunning 17th-century Canal du Midi, stretching from Toulouse to the inland sea of Etang du Thau, near the Mediterranean.

We were guests on EuroWaterways luxury hotel barge, Anjodi. With just eight passengers, private guided tours, constant gourmet food and wine, it was extremely relaxing. Moored up in a different secluded spot each day, early morning towpath strolls were an air-filled feast of fragrance, while sharing greetings with occasional dog walkers.

Gliding along the canal offers an opportunity to see a very different view of France. Cicadas chirp constantly under the translucent blue skies, and we felt as though we had stepped into an Impressionist painting as the barge passed through lines of plane trees.

Travelling through the world’s first canal tunnel at Malpas, or down the magnificent staircase of locks at Fonseranes was an unforgettable adventure.

We watched brilliant hued flamingos and gleaming white egrets amid the marshes, saw the mountains of the Massif Central rising high in the distance and strolled through the narrow cobbled streets of Carcassone. At Minervois in the Black Mountains, the horrors of the Cathar crusade became reality, and in Narbonne voices from the past led us through the dark labyrinthine corridors of the Roman Horreum.

— Angela Youngman europeanwaterways.com

How do you say “Thanks, it’s really great to be here” in husky?

As welcomes go, it’s hard to beat the soundtrack of excited hellos from the sled dogs at Alaska’s Winterlake Lodge, especially after a low-level floatplane ride from Anchorage revealing the huge state’s extreme scenery. For almost an hour, at an altitude of just 3000m, glaciers, snowcapped mountains, and meandering braided rivers all roll past cinematically. Come back in winter, and Danger and his canine buddies could be traversing Alaska’s famed Iditarod Trail, but during Alaskan summers bathed in northern sunshine, active and adventurous excursions for visitors to Winterlake include fly-fishing, river rafting, bear viewing and kayaking, while the lodge’s agile helicopter transports guests high above the swirling ice-field of the Trimble Glacier.

Approaching Within the Wild’s second Alaskan lodge is even more spectacular. Tucked into a serrated and forested coastline of fiords and coves, Tutka Bay’s welcome mat is a huge wooden deck with a long jetty stretching into the bay. Echoing Winterlake, the ambience at Tutka Bay Lodge is equally inspirational, with locavore cookery classes segueing to wine and craft beer tasting sessions of the best of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. Balance is provided by checking out seals and sea otters while kayaking to the nearby Herring Islands, private massage sessions, and relaxing in a hot tub surrounded by some of the clearest night skies on the planet.

It’s all compelling evidence that Alaska is a special destination, even for Kiwis well-versed in the lakes and alpine wonders of our own South Island.

— Brett Atkinson Within the Wild’s Winterlake Lodge and Tutka Bay Lodge are both included in World Journeys’ Alaska Unique Lodge Experience. worldjourneys.co.nz

Billionaire lifestyle for beginners

Spending a week on a fully-crewed superyacht — you might think it’s something only billionaires can do, but you’d be wrong. In Croatia next year, the company Goolets will begin hiring out the newly refurbished 23-person, 48m luxury yacht Freedom at prices that start from $8100pp. While the price isn’t cheap, the trips are ideal for groups of families and friends who want an unforgettable post-lockdown reunion or for travellers who want to retain some sense of their protective bubble on their first foray back into the wider world.

When you charter Freedom, you control the itinerary. You can travel anywhere from Umag in the north to Cavtat in the south. During my time on Freedom, we squiggled a course along the Dalmatian Coast. You can make unmatchable memories here. I’d recommend visiting Stupe, a pocket-sized island that’s home to a single cocktail bar and only accessible by boats like Freedom. Order the locally-made Ostreum fizz — the bottles have barnacles on because they’re matured beneath the sea. I’d also suggest seeing Stiniva on Vis. Rocks draw around this beach like half-drawn curtains, hiding it from view. Freedom can anchor mere metres from the concealed entrance, so you can swim straight into the cove.

You don’t need to get off Freedom to enjoy it, though. The yacht has a cinema, top-deck Jacuzzi, and a dining room where private chefs act like genies, granting culinary wishes. If your group likes seafood, request a platter of rare Mali Ston oysters — they’re a Dalmatian delicacy.

— Sarah Holt goolets.net/yacht-rentals/freedom-croatia

South America Overland and overwhelmed

South America’s landscapes overwhelm. I saw them for myself on an overland trip from Colombia to Patagonia, and east through Brazil, Suriname, Guyana and French Guiana.

The Atacama Desert’s reds, yellows and pinks, home to strangely-shaped rock formations, plains, geysers and salt lakes. Salar de Uyuni’s blindingly white salt plains and Perito Moreno glacier’s breathtaking blues. Towering Torres del Paine; the power and vastness of Iguazu Falls. Brazil’s Lencois Maranhenses National Park, its white sand dunes dotted with multi-hued lagoons. The river life of the Amazon.

Wild guanaco roam the plains; magellanic, humboldt and king penguins waddle the coasts.

But more memorable are native anteater, capybara, toucan, hairless Peruvian dogs, minute, colourful frogs and scarlet ibis.

Cities like Santiago, Lima, Buenos Aires — reminiscent of Paris — and Rio de Janeiro — a must-

do during Carnival — entice. Colonial Spanish architecture remains — cathedrals, colonnades, convents, plazas; brightly coloured along Cartagena’s cobbles, white sillar stone, back-dropped by the soaring Andes in Arequipa; stone from Inca fortresses in Cusco, whitewashed in Cuenca. Portuguese colonialists left their mark across Brazil; Ouro Preto, Salvador da Bahia, Sao Luis and Olinda; the Dutch in the wooden buildings and canals of Georgetown, Guyana.

Learn of the Nazca Empire flying over the Nazca Lines; pre-Incan at Chan Chan, Huaca de la Luna, and Cahuachi’s pyramids; Inca amongst the ruins of Peru’s Sacred Valley; Indigenous in villages and city streets. Spanish, Dutch, French and Portuguese colonisation intertwine gold, sugar, cacao, silver and slavery to form a continent of unique cultures. Captivating.

— Eleanor Hughes southamericatourism.com

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Oceania Many happy returns

Often referred to as “The Rock”, Uluru’s cultural and spiritual significance to its traditional owners, the Anangu tribe, is recognised as the oldest in the world.

It only seemed fitting that I made the pilgrimage to the 550 million-year-old landmark for my milestone birthday. It’s believed to be the largest monolith in the world and about 350 metres in height, but nothing could prepare me for its sheer size and aura up close. Meandering the many trails, rock art and watering holes along the 10.6km base, I marvelled at the range of hues morphing between burnt orange, gold, red, and even blue and purple.

You can’t help but feel Uluru’s spiritual essence, especially when entering the soaring gorge known as The Cathedral. It’s as though a higher spirit commands silence as anyone within its vicinity

automatically lowers their voice to a whisper.

In addition to walking the 10.6km perimeter, there are many other ways to experience this ancient landscape including camel, Segway, motorbike or helicopter. On the night of my birthday, the Tali Wiru gastronomic dinner at sunset was the ultimate gift made all the more special knowing that Uluru watched over us.

As Uluru faded into darkness, the Field of Light was a magical experience.

Pathways emerged among thousands of glittering lights adorning 49,000sq m of the desert floor beneath a star-studded night.

Even if it’s not your birthday, Uluru’s magnetic presence looms large on the horizon as one of the most iconic destinations on Earth.

— Carmen Jenner northernterritory.com

Luxury at its best

With more than 300 islands in its territory, the only way to see Fiji’s most remote islands, like Fulaga, is by ship. Captain Cook Cruises offers a journey to the Lau archipelago on its 130-passenger ship, MV Reef Endeavour. Over the course of the trip, enjoy beaches barren of footprints, hike along a trail shared with coconut crabs to a saltwater lake, and make memories with the residents of the islands. Mail a postcard home from Kabara, where a cargo ship comes to deliver supplies and retrieve mail up to twice per month.

With so few visitors each year, the islands and the coral surrounding them are pristine. Reefs are vibrant, home to thousands of fish, sea turtles, and sharks, darting between coral bommies carpeted with sea anemones.

Life onboard MV Reef Endeavour is centred around spa services, indulgent meals, talks from the resident marine biologist, and nightly entertainment. Once reserved solely for the most adventurous of travellers, it’s now possible to cruise to the Lau islands in comfort.

— Chantae Reden captaincookcruisesfiji.com

So far, so good

I visited Perth for a week and ended up staying nine months.

My favourite hotels: Como The Treasury for its restaurants, rooms and jazz club; and Crown Perth for mini-Vegas indulgence.

An affordable alternative is the Alex Hotel, in the heart of Northbridge’s nightlife, with its small bars in the hidden laneways.

Sounds beautiful

I drift up close to Mitch, an experienced kayaker travelling with his dad. “Where would you find a place to paddle as wild and remote as this?” Mitch ponders. “Southern Chile, Alaska, the fiords in Norway. But this is about as untouched as any place on Earth.”

Real NZ’s Preservation Inlet cruise visits five of New Zealand’s southernmost fiords (Doubtful, Breaksea, Dusky, Chalky, Preservation), and follows the route taken by that estimable navigator James Cook — his ship Resolution pulled into Dusky Sound in 1773, where a plaque points us up to Astronomer’s Point.

Cook’s men spent five weeks here, brewing terrible beer and trying out a new chronometer that made New Zealand the most accurately pinpointed place on the globe.

leave the estate, but for the adventurous, nearby islands offer diving, sport fishing, horse riding, and walks on an extinct volcano.

— Briar Jensen havannahboathouse.com

To watch the sun sizzle into the Indian Ocean, head to Scarborough’s Sunset Hill or Cottesloe Beach. Rottnest Island is also worth the ferry ride to swim or dive in its dazzling bays, before meeting a quokka or spotting a rare blue whale.

— Louise Goldsbury westernaustralia.com

During our seven days at sea, we spy fur seals, little blue penguins, albatross, rare Fiordland penguins and pods of Southern Ocean dolphins, and hear tall tales of (since disappeared) moose, gifted by then US President Teddy Roosevelt in 1901 and released into Fiordland as game for hunters. We take short hikes on Resolution Island and Anchor Island, and discover that islands such as these are being cleared of predators so endangered flightless birds can go about unmolested. And we visit beaches too remote and beautiful for words.

On our last day we clamber aboard a decrepit barge to await an exhilarating 20-minute helicopter ride over Fiordland’s majestic mountain peaks back to Lake Manapouri.

— Cameron Wilson realnz.com

Photos / Getty Images, Supplied

Cruising in comfort

Early morning birdsong seeps into the subconscious. A zephyr of sea air, fragrant with frangipani, drifts through louvred timber walls. Diffused pre-dawn light barely illuminates the swimming pool, glimpsed through open bedroom doors.

Life at Havannah Boat House (H.B.H), a private estate on Vanuatu’s Efate Island, ebbs and flows with nature’s rhythms — and the whim of guests.

The beachfront location exudes the serenity of a wellness sanctuary, perfect for calming minds and nourishing souls.

H.B.H is barefoot luxury at its best. Book the Residence for up to eight, the Boat House for two to four, or the entire estate for 12. Nothing is too much trouble for the unobtrusive Ni-Van staff; Pilates on the lawn, massages on the beach or sunset cocktails on the sand. With snorkelling, paddle-boarding and kayaking straight off the beach, there’s no need to

☞

Mā kā karu hōmiromiro ka kitea te rerehua o te whenua.

Sometimes you can only see the beauty of the land through the eyes of someone who loves the land.

We are all born explorers, some more intrepid than others.

Whatever you are looking for, you will find it here – in the land of the long white cloud. At Ngāi Tahu Tourism, we’re proud to connect millions of visitors to our people, our place and to our culture.

Call in and visit us on your way around Aotearoa and immerse yourself in some authentic New Zealand experiences.

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Nau mai, haere mai (welcome); we look forward to hosting you.

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Nothing gets you closer to the majestic power of the magnificent Huka Falls.

Get set for a thrilling half-hour jetboat ride, filled with our world-famous 360° spins and zoom past sheer rock cliffs with just centimetres to spare! This is the ultimate ‘up close and personal’ adventure thrill!

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Marvel as you power through epic scenery and narrow canyons, and hold on tight for exhilarating 360 spins and wall-to-wall action from start to finish.

Shotover Jet operates on an exclusive area of the Shotover river and are the only commercial jet boats permitted to operate within its spectacular narrow canyons.

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Dart River Adventures is the only operator in the pristine Dart River Valley offering jet boating and funyak (kayak) experiences through breathtaking scenery. Journey from the frontier township of Glenorchy deep into the untouched Mount Aspiring National Park. These little known areas are inaccessible by other means.

GLENORCHY | 0800 327 853 | DARTRIVER.CO.NZ

At Dark Sky Project, we connect manuhiri (visitors) to the night skies via cultural and scientific experiences at a range of exclusive locations, including University of Canterbury Mt John Observatory. Pristine night skies, world-class observatories, expert astronomy guides and astrophotographers create New Zealand’s premier dark sky experience.

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Enchanting encounters

Australia’s Lord Howe Island in New South Wales is famed for its beauty and exclusivity (only 400 tourists may visit at a time). Trust me when I say that the moment you step off the plane is precisely like walking into a real-life nature documentary.

The subtropical climate combined with limited human interference has created a marvellous marine ecosystem here. Think crystal clear lagoons filled with a phenomenal array of sea life, colourful coral formations and swathes of verdant seagrass.

The mountainous backdrop adds a Jurassic feel to this Unesco World Heritage-listed island and it’s well worth taking a guided hike to explore.

I easily imagined Sir David Attenborough’s voice narrating my visual experience. Watching the variety of birdlife at Ned’s Beach was mesmer-

Grape escape

Gewurztraminer, Symphony Hill Winery’s signature white, may not be an easy name to wrap your mouth around, but it is certainly effortless to drink. Chief winemaker Abraham de Klerk is tasting with me at the cellar door and insists that he “guides” rather than “makes” his boutique wines.

Whatever he’s doing, it’s working, with the 2019 gewurztraminer vintage being awarded gold at the Royal Melbourne Wine Awards, and the 2018 vintage selected by Qantas for its Business Class passengers.

Symphony Hill Winery is just one stop on my personalised Wine Discovery Tour, showcasing the best of Queensland’s Granite Belt wine region. The 50 or so local wineries have become renowned for their rare varieties, locally re-

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ising. Many bird species migrate here plus there’s a few endemic ones too. Who knew a flightless woodhen would prove to be my new best friend?

I had a preconceived notion that Lord Howe was the domain of wealthy city folk only but I was wrong. Sure, there are a few luxurious resort enclaves but by and large it’s a relaxed nature haven, perfect for those who are keen to turn up, tune in and drop out of society. Which is exactly what I did at the aptly named Ebbtide Apartments.

If seaside seafood barbecues, an unhurried local atmosphere, marine adventures and restful island afternoons appeal to you, Lord Howe Island will make those holiday dreams a reality.

— Roxanne Williams lordhoweisland.info

ferred to as “strange birds”, because they represent less than 1 per cent of the wine produced in Australia.

Next up on my bespoke tour, I opt for an antipasto picnic lunch and a bottle of award-winning Saperavi, surrounded by grapevines heavy with fruit in the Ballandean Estate vineyard, the region’s very first winery.

It’s tempting to take a post-lunch nap on the rug, but there is another delicacy I want to unearth: black French Perigord truffles at The Folly Truffles farm. In winter, you can join the hunt for these rich truffles that are sought after by restaurants around southeast Queensland.

Dinner in the Granite Belt can be a simple affair, cobbled together from an esky of fresh local produce you’ve purchased throughout the day, or it can be dinner-jacket-attire formal.

At Herit Heritage Estate Wines, their seven-course degustation dinners engage all five senses by using a Nez du Vin smelling experience for the tasting, musicians playing strings, silent wine tasting projections, and a touch of class as you film project dine aroun around antique tables lit by ornate candelabras delabras.

You’ll You’ need somewhere luxurious to sleep off the day’s indulgences. I suggest Azju Azjure’s cabins with vineyard views or the historic Braeside Homestead for coun country comfort.

— Cath Johnsen granitebeltwinecountry.com.au

Right on track

There’s a reason so many songs wax lyrical about the rattle and hum of train travel. The “clickety-clack” is mesmerising; the motion soothing.

I’m on The Ghan, crossing the length of Australia from Darwin in the Northern Territory to Adelaide in South Australia. This iconic rail journey follows in the footsteps of intrepid Afghan pioneers who explored the 2979km on camels. But we get to do it in style.

Sipping bubbly, I watch the Outback glide by in all its burnt-ochre glory in my little timber-lined oasis of design ingenuity.

My cabin is “intimate” but full of smart ideas using limited space … a long lounge, a tiny ensuite and perfectly placed cubby holes to store things. When I feel that irresistible urge to mingle, I’m off to the Lounge carriage … because we can.

Brace yourself for a busy four-day itinerary — a mix of watching the world go by, then getting out to explore it. Who’d have thought you could fit in cruising ancient gorges, hiking to landmarks like Simpson’s Gap or exploring Alice Springs, dinner in the Outback and going underground at Australia’s opal mining capital of Coober Pedy?

A warning though, the Ghan is a mobile feast and you won’t want to miss any of the gourmet delights.

At the end of each day, while we have another nightcap, the cabin is transformed into a cosy bedroom. Then the “clickety clack” soothing mantra and the rocking motion has me sleeping like a baby.

This is slow travel at its luxurious best.

— Carolyne Jasinski journeybeyondrail.com.au

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12.12.2021

A world of

WELLNESS

After a challenging couple of years, the first thing on your mind when it comes to planning a wish list adventure could well be wellness. If you’re in need of a massive reset, some luxurious pampering, and the chance to change your life for the better, try one of these incredible spots guaranteed to transform mind, body and spirit, writes Sarah Pollok.

1 Aro Ha Glenorchy, New Zealand

It may be close to home but this South Island eco-retreat is one of the world’s best, according to acclaimed international publications like Conde Nast Traveller and Lonely Planet.

Destination: Nestled in the Southern Alps, the crisp alpine air and clear lake views alone are healing, while the solar and hydro-powered retreat hosts only 32 guests at a time for optimum exclusivity.

Experience: In classic Kiwi style, Aro Ha is less about pampering and more about the healing power of nature. Days on retreat will include sunrise yoga, alpine hikes, mindfulness sessions and deep tissue massage, while light but delicious plant-based meals fuel you throughout the day.

Duration: Wellness retreats span five to seven nights.

Covid protocol: Under the Government’s Covid-19 Framework, Aro Ha is required to operate under a vaccination certificate environment.

Contact: aro-ha.com

2 Golden Door California, USA

If you want to do wellness like a celebrity, drive 40 minutes north of San Diego to the iconic Golden Door.

Destination: Stretched across 240ha of land in San Arco, this wellness oasis draws inspiration from traditional Japanese architecture, with its 40 guest rooms decked out with shoji paper doors and tatami mats.

Experience: Alongside the typical yoga, massages and hikes, those looking to shake up their wellness journey should try treatments based on Eastern practices such as reiki (Japanese energy healing), watsu (water therapy) or Qi-Flow cupping.

Mindfulness workshops and meditation walks renew the mind while organic meals (and even clothing) is provided.

Duration: Seven-day, all-inclusive programmes.

Covid protocol: Guests and employees must be fully vaccinated and guests are tested upon arrival.

Contact: goldendoor.com

3 Ananda In The Himalayas Narendra Nagar, India

This luxury spa retreat is at the foothills of the Himalayas.

Destination: Set in the heart of a 40ha forest, the Viceregal Palace was once home to Indian kings and hasn’t lost a bit of grandeur since being restyled into a series of suites and villas.

Experience: Located near the birthplace of Ayurveda, Ananda has a strong focus on the alternative medicine system. Alongside reflexology,

3 yoga, emotional wellbeing and philosophy classes, guests can indulge in dozens of Ayurvedic treatments to eliminate toxins and optimise wellbeing.

Duration: Packages range from five to 21 nights.

Covid protocol: Proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test required.

Contact: anandaspa.com

4 Six Senses Douro Valley Samodaes, Portugal

When in one of the world’s oldest wine regions, it would be a shame not to do as the Portuguese do, which is why, unlike some other wellness retreats, Six Senses takes the oh-so-European approach of “everything in moderation”.

Destination: With panoramic views of the Douro Valley, the 60-room retreat is housed in a 19th century manor house.

Experience: Six Senses may have an impressive restaurant, wine cellar and bar but don’t be fooled, they also have their fair share of health-enhancing activities from acupuncture and aerial yoga to herbal saunas and nutrition workshops.

Duration: Programmes run from three to 10 days.

Covid protocol: Occupancy limits, social distancing and temperature checks are required.

Contact: sixsenses.com

5 Kamalaya Koh Samui, Thailand

For centuries, Buddhist monks escaped to the island of Koh Samui for spiritual rest and renewal.

Now, visitors can achieve the same transformation at one of the top wellness retreats in Asia.

Destination: Blessed with palm-fringed beaches and dense forest, Kamalaya Wellness Retreat’s 76 villas and suites blend seamlessly into the tropical surroundings.

Experience: From gut-healing retreats to extended wellbeing sabbaticals, Kamalaya offers more than 20 wellness programmes that align guests with both Eastern and Western wellness practitioners to create a personalised itinerary.

Duration: Programmes range from three to 21 nights.

Covid protocol: Proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test required.

Contact: kamalaya.com

6 Como Shambhala Estate Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

A hub for yogis, vegans and other health gurus, Bali’s Ubud has long been a popular place to rest and reconnect.

Destination: One of several Como resorts, Como Shambhala Estate is just 15 minutes from Ubud’s

6 centre. Its luxury villas have private infinity pools, with a climbing wall, Pilates studio and yoga pavilion also on site.

Experience: East meets West at Como with everything from chakra healing and Ayurveda to facials and jungle treks. Their four wellness programmes focus on cleansing, nutrition, fitness or a bespoke mix of everything.

Duration: Retreats start from three nights.

Covid protocol: Reopening March 2022, with specific regulations to be confirmed.

Contact: comohotels.com

7 Chopra Health Retreat Sonoran Desert, Arizona, USA

If you’re a fan of the wellbeing industry, chances are you know Deepak Chopra, the alternative medicine guru who inspired many with his bestselling books on self-improvement. Now, Chopra fans can get the full experience with a six-day retreat in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert.

Destination: Hosted by CIVANA Wellness Resort and Spa, this “playground of wellbeing” boasts 22 treatment rooms, several pools and dozens of hiking trails.

Experience: Inspired by Chopra’s bestselling book, Perfect Health, the retreat centres on Ayurvedic practices. Each day includes bodywork, meditation, yoga and workshops dedicated to detoxification.

Duration: Six days, twice a month.

Covid protocol: Proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test required.

Contact: chopra.com/retreats/health-retreat

8 Chiva-Som, Hua Hin, Thailand

According to Conde Nast Traveller’s 2021 Readers’ Choice awards, Thailand’s Chiva-Som is the world’s best destination spa resort.

Destination: Set in the coastal district of Hua Hin, Chiva-Som’s holistic retreats are made even more nourishing by the sun, sand and bright blue ocean.

Freshly renovated in 2019, the resort now has 70 treatment rooms and 54 luxury suites with warm, natural decor.

Experience: With a finger on the pulse, ChivaSom has launched four Covid-19-related wellness retreats that focus on immunity, gut health, nature and senior wellness. All programmes involve a mix of nutrient-dense meals, detoxifying treatments and movement-based activities to choose from.

Duration: Retreats can range from three to 14 nights.

Covid protocol: A PCR test is required upon arrival, and a rapid antigen test on Day 6 or 7.

Contact: chivasom.com

Photos / Supplied

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THE WORLD You owe it to yourself to make your next cruise an amazing one.

Tiana Templeman looks at some of the best for 2022-23.

I

f you’ve been dreaming of sailing distant shores or taking a once-in-a-lifetime cruise closer to home, there’s never been a better time to book your next ocean adventure. Just like a cruise ship buffet, there are loads of tempting options. Cruise lines have had time to plan incredible itineraries around the globe and launch new ships to suit every taste and budget.

Whether you’re visiting the buffet or browsing the cruise inspiration below, we bet you won’t be able to limit yourself to just one trip.

Trips of a lifetime It’s been a long time since we’ve been able to get on a ship so make your next cruise one to remember with these incredible trips.

See the world on MSC Magnifica

With overnight stays in destinations like Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Papeete, Bali, and Mumbai, and visits to more than 25 Unesco World Heritage sites, there is little chance of getting bored on this 116-night world cruise which includes 15 complimentary shore excursions and a beverage package. With calls in Auckland, Napier, Wellington and Tauranga half-way through the trip, you can catch up with friends and family before setting sail for New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia,

Singapore, Malaysia, and a Suez Canal transit followed by Sri Lanka, India, and Oman before the cruise ends in Jordan.

Priced from: $23,149pp. Departures from: January 4, 2023. msccruises.com.au

Yirrkala Indigenous community in Arnhem Land — home of renowned Aboriginal artists and the famous rock band, Yothu Yindi.

Priced from: $44,570pp. Departures from: October 17. coralexpeditions.com

Explore New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands

Closer to home

Explore one of the world’s least visited regions in style on a 14-night Subantarctic Islands cruise with Ponant and National Geographic Expeditions. This round-trip cruise from Dunedin on the elegant Le Soleal takes in New Zealand’s Fiordland, the historic huts of early explorers, and allows access to the breeding grounds of Adelie and Emperor penguins. Landings on the rarely visited Auckland, Campbell and Macquarie Islands are just some of the many highlights on this expedition cruise.

Priced from: $28,550pp. Departures from: January 13. au.ponant.com

See all five Great Lakes

Sail the historic waterways of all five Great Lakes on a 14-night Viking Expeditions cruise. Cruising between Toronto and Duluth in Minnesota, this new itinerary combines naturally beautiful destinations like Niagara Falls and the Unescolisted Biosphere Reserve of Georgian Bay with iconic US cities like Detroit, the home of motoring and Motown. Add kayaking over shipwrecks, food and wine tours, and hikes to tumbling waterfalls, and you’ve got the trip of a lifetime.

Priced from: $19,820pp. Departures from: June 2023. vikingcruises.com.au

Australia circumnavigation expedition

Want to venture off the beaten track? Coral Expedition’s 59-night round-trip Australia expedition voyage from Cairns on Coral Adventurer focuses on interesting destinations such as the Tiwi Islands, Cape York, Kangaroo Island, Cape Peron, King Island and the Lacepede Islands as it circumnavigates Australia. Along with seeing the highlights of the Kimberley coast such as the Horizontal Falls and Ningaloo Reef, you’ll also fly by private jet to Uluru for dinner under the stars, dine with the winemakers at Leeuwin Estate, and sail on historic tall ships as they race through the heads at Sydney Harbour. Other highlights include exploring Maria Island and visiting the

You don’t need to travel far to board the cruise of your dreams with stellar departures available from Auckland, Australia, and nearby Fiji.

Enjoy a right royal cruise on Queen Elizabeth

Cruising on Cunard’s repositioning voyage from Auckland to Singapore is a grand occasion that harks back to the Golden Age of cruising when people dressed for dinner, there were different restaurants for different classes of passengers and high tea was served by white-gloved waiters. With prices starting at just NZ$5250pp for 23 nights, you get a fancy trip for a bargain price on this cruise which travels around the south of Australia with stops in Melbourne, Adelaide, Albany, Margaret River, Perth, Bali and Jakarta on the way to Singapore.

Priced from: $5265pp.

Departures from: February 22, 2023. cunard.com

Explore the islands of Fiji

Discover the pristine beaches, turquoise water and villages of Fiji’s remote islands with Captain Cook Cruises’ three, four, seven and 11-night cruises on the 130-passenger expedition cruise ship, MV Reef Endeavour. With a focus on swimming, snorkelling, mingling with other passengers and visiting Fijians in their local villages, this intimate ship offers an authentic cruise experience with plenty of laid-back fun and cultural immersion.

Priced from: $1075pp. Departures: Available weekly. captaincookcruisesfiji.com

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Exciting new ships Nothing beats the excitement of being one of the first passengers to relax in the plush interiors, try out the dining venues, and set sail for distant shores on a new ship.

Enchanted Princess

If you’ve always dreamed of cruising the Pacific but crave something more meaningful than palm trees and colourful cocktails, this 11-night roundtrip Papua New Guinea cruise with Carnival should float your boat. At the tiny island of Kitava, rows of elaborately decorated bamboo rafts take snorkellers to an idyllic sandy atoll where they can spend the day. You’ll also visit a volcanological observatory on Rabaul, experience the unspoiled charm of Kiriwina, uncover the region’s military history in Alotau and go snorkelling and swimming at the Conflict Islands, which are so beautiful they resemble a picture postcard. When you’ve finished exploring for the day, there’s plenty of great food and good fun to be had onboard.

Priced from: $1210pp. Departures from: November 20. carnival.com.au

Transpacific cruise on Quantum of the Seas

Scarlet Lady

Quantum of the Seas is heading our way in 2022 for the first time and is packed with fun activities like the North Star, FlowRider, SeaPlex, iFly, Escape Room, and Laser Tag plus three elaborate production shows that have never been seen here before. On shorter cruises it can be hard to fit in all the activities, but you’ll have time to do them all on a 17-night Transpacific cruise from Brisbane which sails across the International Dateline and includes stops at Papeete, Moorea, and Bora Bora on the way to Honolulu where the cruise finishes.

Priced from: $2470pp. Departures from: April 12, 2023. royalcaribbean.com

If you’re under 40 and not sure if cruising is for you, sassy Scarlet Lady could be your perfect match. Virgin Voyages’ cutting edge ship isn’t for everyone — and that’s the whole point. With its onboard tattoo parlour, risque late night shows, balconies with hammocks, dance music instead of muzak, and a trendy onboard vibe, this is cruising as you’ve never seen it before. Specialty dining, drinks, Wi-Fi, tips and a whole lot of fun are included in your fare. virginvoyages.com

Kimberley Coastal Encounter, APT

Aqua Mare

With its secluded coves, spectacular waterfalls and fascinating rock formations, the Kimberley coast in Australia’s northwest offers plenty to explore, from King George Falls, where the river plunges 80m over sandstone cliffs, to the tidal phenomenon of Horizontal Falls on a thrilling fast boat ride.

APT’s six-night round-trip cruise from Broome on Caledonian Sky includes highlights such as seeing Indigenous rock art created by the Wunambal people, an in-depth exploration of Montgomery Reef by zodiac, and watching the 12 metre tides at Talbot Bay. With up to 10 Expedition Team members for a maximum of just 110 guests, there are plenty of opportunities to learn and explore.

Priced from: $6775pp. Departures from: March 28. aptouring. com.au

Aqua Expeditions has launched the first superyacht to sail the pristine waters of the Galapagos Islands. Catering to just 16 guests, with a one-to-one crew to guest ratio and two expert naturalist guides, Aqua Mare offers a choice of seven and 14-night itineraries.

With multiple sundecks, a six-person jacuzzi, outdoor barbecue area, workout zone, and dining venues serving menus created by award-winning Peruvian chef, Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, this ultra-luxurious adventure cruise delivers onboard and onshore. aquaexpeditions.com

Reina Silvia Voyager

Explore the Galapagos Islands with G Adventures on the brand new 31m catamaran, Reina Silvia Voyager, which sleeps 16 passengers over two decks and has two dedicated single cabins. Decor is light and bright with a modern, contemporary feel. Keep an eye out for the region’s many animals and take in the scenery as you relax in the outdoor Jacuzzi or on a deck chair. Nine on-board kayaks and two zodiacs are used for landings and exploration of the region’s remote ports and rocky coasts. gadventures.com

Photos / Supplied

Cruise Papua New Guinea with Carnival

Tap your toes to live jazz at Take Five, an intimate bar that combines vintage footage and iconic imagery to transport you to the stylish jazz era, on the brand new Enchanted Princess.

Other highlights include 25 different bars and restaurants, an infinity-style Wakeview pool and adults-only Retreat Pool. Entertainment is a highlight with shows like Rock Opera and the technological wizardry of 5-SKIES which is set in a virtual gaming world with spectacular digital effects and acrobatics. princess.com

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with an overnight stay in Istanbul.

Priced from: $3,110pp. Departures from: June 13. hollandamerica.com

Hawaii Inter Island Cruise, NCL

Must-do itineraries Not sure where to go? These classic cruise itineraries promise a memorable adventure in some of the most interesting and highly sought after destinations around the world.

Tahiti and the Society Islands, Paul Gauguin Cruises

It is hard to think of a more famous South Pacific destination than Tahiti. With more than 100 islands and atolls that span five different archipelagos, it’s the same size as Western Europe and the perfect destination to explore by ship. The classic sevennight Tahiti cruise on the recently refurbished Paul Gaugin takes in the lush landscape and palm tree-lined shores of Moorea on an overnight stay, spends a day on Motu Mahana, a private islet, and explores the isolated coves of Huahine and sun kissed beaches of Bora Bora.

Priced from: $5,635pp. Departures: Available weekly. pgcruises.com

Norwegian Coastal Voyage, Hurtigruten

Hurtigruten’s classic voyage sails up and down Norway’s coasts daily, stopping at isolated towns and villages to drop off mail and freight and let passengers take a look around. It’s a journey that goes beyond simply seeing the sights and immerses travellers in the day-to-day life of their destination.

Onboard you’ll dine on Norwegian specialties like cloudberries and reindeer sourced from local producers and rub shoulders with the locals who use the ship as a ferry service. Sail on the 12-day Classic Roundtrip Voyage in winter and you’ll get another six or seven-day Classic Voyage for free if the Northern Lights don’t appear on your cruise.

Priced from: $2,395pp. Departures: Available weekly. hurtigruten.com.au

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Hawaii cruise showcases the most famous Hawaiian islands on a six-night round-trip from Honolulu, stopping at Kahului in Maui, Hilo and Kona on the Big Island and Nawiliwili on Kauai. Pride of America sails mostly at night and spends the majority of its time in port, including several overnight stays. It’s a great way to see the highlights without the hassle or expense of flying. Single travellers are especially well catered for on this ship with an exclusive Studio Lounge for mixing and mingling with other solo passengers.

Priced from: $2,780pp. Departures: Available weekly. ncl .com

Back to nature Go wild on these nature-focused cruises which promise more animal sightings than you can point a camera at.

Explore Ecuador and its Galapagos Islands with Avalon

Enjoy two days of guided sightseeing in Quito and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station to learn about the conservation of giant tortoises before you board the 16 passenger Treasure of the Galapagos for a memorable four-night cruise through the Galapagos Islands. Along with seeing plenty of wildlife, Avalon Waterways offers a choice

Travel across the top of the world

Join Heritage Expeditions for a 15-night expedition voyage to isolated Wrangel Island (pictured) which was untouched by glaciers during the last ice age. It’s not uncommon to see hundreds of polar bears on this voyage. Wrangel Island also has the world’s largest population of Pacific walrus and lies near major feeding

of Classic or Active excursions which cater to different interests and fitness levels.

Priced from: $12,631pp. Departures from: January 30. avalonwaterways.co.nz

Alaska Glacier Cruise, Celebrity Cruises

Alaska is arguably one of the world’s best and most popular cruising destinations. With stunning scenery, wonderful wildlife, and plenty of immersive excursions, it doesn’t get much better for nature-loving cruisers. There are multiple lines to choose from but Celebrity Cruises offers a choice of three different ships in Alaska. Learn about First Nations culture in Ketchikan and the gold rush history of Skagway and watch wildlife in the Inside Passage, then extend your holiday with a visit to the Boeing Factory, hiking through national parks and exploring Washington State’s wine scene pre-or post-cruise in Seattle.

Priced from: $1,310pp. Departures from: May 6. celebritycruises.com

Cruise the Ross Sea in style

Set sail for adventure from Dunedin on Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Endeavour for a 22-night luxury Antarctica cruise to Hobart. After a couple of days at sea, you’ll enter the Antarctic Circle and begin exploring remote and lesser known destinations such as Cape Roget with its vast adelie penguin colony and the McMurdo Dry Valleys which resemble the surface of Mars. You’ll also be one of the few to visit New Zealand’s volcanic Balleny Islands where humpback whales come to feed.

Priced from: $60,065. Departures from: January 28, 2024. crystalcruises.com

grounds of the grey whale. Opt for the August 21 2022 sailing and you’ll be joined by Professor Buddy Levy who wrote Labyrinth of Ice: The Triumphant and Tragic Greely Polar Expedition, which recently took out the US National Outdoor Book Award for History.

Priced from: $11,945pp. Departures from: July 24. heritage-expeditions.com Photos / Supplied, Katya Ovsyanikova

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Mediterranean Empires, Holland America

With an impressive array of ports packed with history, culture and natural beauty, a Mediterranean cruise is the perfect way to experience some of the best of Europe with a minimum of fuss. Holland America has an impressive choice of Mediterranean itineraries but it’s hard to go past the 11-night round-trip cruise from Venice on the Oosterdam which combines “don’t miss” Mediterranean ports like Mykonos

Milford Sound

EXPLORE SPECTACULAR REMOTE WILDERNESS AREAS We offer high-end adventure cruising aboard the Fiordland Jewel, our boutique catamaran, purpose-built to give guests like you a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you’ll never forget. With a maximum of just 18 passengers on board, all our nine climate-controlled cabins have sea views and private ensuites. Private charters available.

C O N TA C T U S 0800 100 105 | +64 3 441 3322 | hello@fiordlanddiscovery.co.nz | fiordlanddiscovery.co.nz

Doubtful Sound Breaksea Sound Dusky Sound Chalky Inlet P reservation Inlet

Paterson Inlet Port

Adventure

Fiji Yasawa Islands Explorer Cruise & Luxury 5* Private Island Stay

BOOK NOW FOR

MARCH 2022 MARCH 2023

Your Itinerary Day 1

Fiji - Hotel Stay

Arriving in Fiji, you’ll transfer to Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort & Spa nestled on a private island that overlooks both Viti Levu’s idyllic

Save up to $1,500 per couple^

Coral Coast and the island’s private beach and stunning lagoon.

Luxury Hotel Stay at the Shangri-La Yanuca Island, Fiji

Day 2

Fiji - Hotel Stay

Rise with the sun and head out for a refreshing morning swim from one of the three pools or the turquoise lagoon. Or if the relaxed-way of living is more your thing, start your days slowly from the comfort of your balcony and admire the sweeping views.

Day 3

Fiji - Hotel Stay

Shangri-La’s trump card is its abundance of dining options, all sourcing the freshest and highest quality produce in Fiji. Your luxury resort boasts five new dining concepts and three exquisite bars, all situated on the waterfront, providing a fantastic backdrop as you savour magnificent flavours.

Day 4

Fiji - Hotel Stay

Today, spend some time away from your hotel to explore the captivating treasures of Yanuca. An inhabited coral island in Fiji’s Lomaiviti Archipelgao, it’s characterized by

MV Reef Endeavor Includes all flights, taxes & transfers

soft-white sandy beaches and thick lush vegetation.

Day 5

Denarau Island - Embark MV Reef Endeavour

DURATION

DEPARTING

8 nights

Mar 2022 - Mar 2023

Today you’ll embark the intimate MV Reef Endeavour. Catering for up to 130 passengers, this purpose-built ship ensures

Fly Cruise Prices* per person

a casual and relaxed atmosphere in which

PORTHOLE CABIN fr

OCEAN STATEROOM fr

TABUA SUITE fr

$3,299pp

$3,699pp

$4,699pp

every passenger receives personal attention.

Shangri-La Yanuca Island

Day 6

Naviti Island

Naviti is the largest island within the Yasawa chain and is home to clusters of friendly

Package Includes

fishing villages and paradise beaches untouched by modernity.

Hotel Stay 4 night five-star hotel stay at the Shangri-La Yanuca Island, Fiji in a Reef Deluxe Room in the adult only wing Complimentary additions include:

Day 7

Today you’ll explore Yasawa Island, the northernmost island of this beautiful

- Daily breakfast

archipelago and home to Mount Tamasua.

- Daily pre-dinner drinks and canapés

Naviti Island

- A lunch and dinner for two adults - 30 minute massage for two adults

Cruise 4 night Fiji discovery cruise on board MV Reef Endeavour with all meals and entertainment Island hop the Mamanuca & Yasawa Islands All excursions and sightseeing Use of snorkel, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards

To book call (09) 941 2568 imagineholidays.co.nz Opening Hours: Mon to Fri 10am - 8pm |

Sat & Sun 12pm - 8pm

You could take a walking trail to its summit or explore the abundant coral gardens off the shore, with their diverse marine life.

5 new dining concepts and three bars, all on the waterfront Enjoy a private pool and adults-only dining and cocktail hour Tee off on the premier 9-hole Peter Thompson-designed golf course

All flights, taxes & transfers

Yasawa Island

Day 8

Sawa-I-Lau (Drawaqa Island)

Sawa-I-Lau, one of the highlights of the island chain, is home to the famous limestone caves and aqua blue lagoon, in which you can swim and snorkel.

Day 9

Sawa-I-Lau (Drawaqa Island)

Book with Confidence

Fully protected | Exceptional service & expertise | Amazing value

Excellent

Denarau Island - Disembark MV Reef Endeavour & Fly Home

Terms and Conditions apply, for full details please visit imagineholidays.co.nz. All prices shown in NZ Dollars. Prices are per person based on 2 adults sharing a cruise cabin or suite and include flights from Auckland (regional flights available at a supplement). *Porthole Cabin price based on 5 August 2022 departure, Ocean Stateroom and Tabau Suite price based on 10 March 2023 departure. ^Prices shown include discount and savings are based on 2 adults sharing a Porthole Cabin departing 10 March 2023. Credit cards charged at 1.5%, if paying by AMEX a charge of 2.5% will be added. ABN number 48614987718. Prices are correct at the time of print and are subject to change.

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GO WITH THE FLOW Take the hassle out of overseas holidays and let the world come gently and beautifully to you, writes Patricia Maunder of slavery. From New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz, to Memphis and its rock ‘n’ roll pilgrimage sites, this route also has rhythm.

When: Think twice about summer departures.

It can be uncomfortably sticky in the South then, especially by the water.

Operators: American Cruise Lines, American Queen Voyages, Viking

Budapest to Amsterdam, Europe

Luxor to Aswan, Egypt

The brightest star in the Continent’s galaxy of river-cruise options, this route along the Danube, Main and Rhine is a picturesque parade of heritage sites — including several recognised by Unesco. Itineraries also offer a mix of languages, cuisines and other intangible culture at stops in Hungary, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands and, in some cases, Slovakia. Enjoy a taste of elegant, historic Vienna, perhaps including Saint Stephen’s Cathedral and Schonbrunn Palace.

Immerse yourself in the Baroque majesty of Melk Abbey and Wurzburg’s palatial bishop’s residence, and the medieval architecture and rambling layout of Bavarian towns such as Bamberg and Regensburg. See castles overlooking a once strategically important section of the Rhine (pictured), and Kinderdijk’s windmills. Even without optional excursions, this is a feast for culture vultures.

When: Departures March-December, but consider avoiding July-August when ports are packed with tourists.

Operators include: Avalon, Emerald, Scenic, Uniworld, Viking

Memphis to New Orleans, USA

At least 150 years before the 21st century rivercruise boom, the Mississippi’s steamboats showed tourists a good time.

They mainly paddled the 3770km river’s usually languid southern stretch, between Memphis and New Orleans, which remains the favourite route.

It’s a week-long journey through the American South’s varied landscape, including farms and wetlands, as well as its history.

Itineraries explore Vicksburg’s Civil War battlefield, the heritage cities of Baton Rouge and Natchez, and plantation estates whose gracious gardens and mansions were only possible because

Also ahead of the modern river-cruise curve were early 20th-century tourists, including Agatha Christie, who sought leisurely adventure on the Nile.

With a new film adaptation of her novel Death on the Nile out in February, now is the time to beat a likely surge in bookings for always-popular cruises between Luxor and Aswan. Usually part of package tours with air links to Cairo, this relatively short section of the 6650km river is explored over three to seven days.

The longer the cruise, the more time at Egypt’s ancient sites. Essentials include the Valley of the Kings’ subterranean royal tombs, and towering stone columns, statues and obelisks at the temples of Karnak and Luxor. In between, cruise through timeless scenes of white-sailed feluccas, locals with donkeys and camels on the Nile’s green banks, and the desert beyond.

When: Avoid the extreme heat of June-August.

Operators include: Avalon, Movenpick, Scenic, Uniworld, Viking

St Petersburg to Moscow, Russia

Even at a leisurely pace, this route along the Volga and Svir rivers takes less than a week, but itineraries generally double that by lingering in port for three to four days at start and end.

Depending on the operator, your bases in St Petersburg and Moscow will be the cruise ship or hotels, so if you have a preference find out before booking.

The journey is bookended by Russian essentials, from imperial palaces and the Hermitage Museum’s vast art collection to the Kremlin and Saint Basil’s Cathedral in the capital.

In between, discover the colourful icons and frescoes of the Orthodox churches, centuries-old wooden buildings at Kizhi Island’s Unesco-listed

Open Air Museum of Architecture, and Mandrogi’s vodka museum.

When: Only departing May-September due to otherwise icy conditions.

Operators include: APT, Cruise Russia, Emerald, Scenic, Viking

Kampong Cham to My Tho, Southeast Asia

These ports may not ring a bell, but the river they overlook has been like a big gong lately, calling cruisers to the Mekong’s lush lower reaches. The route between Kampong Cham in Cambodia and My Tho in Vietnam (or nearby Ho Chi Minh City itself for some operators) takes about a week. It’s most easily experienced as part of package tours also visiting must-see Angkor Wat by road.

A highlight is Phnom Penh’s riverside Royal Palace, the many traditional, ornate buildings of which include the Silver Pagoda. Itineraries also take in French-colonial buildings, sites related to the Vietnam War and Cambodia’s brutal Khmer Rouge regime, and scenes of everyday life, from floating markets to traditional craft workshops.

When: Some operators don’t sail when water levels are low April-July.

Operators include: Aqua Expeditions, APT, Avalon, G Adventures, Viking

Iquitos and beyond, Peru

The 6992km Amazon is so huge that ocean cruisers explore its lower reaches in Brazil, but most true river-cruising options are in Peru. That’s right, there’s more to Peru than Lima and Machu Picchu.

Indeed two-thirds of this country is Amazon jungle.

Itineraries vary, and may include Peru’s other highlights as part of a package, but journeys along this riverscape usually begin in Iquitos.

From here, cruise the Amazon and its tributaries, particularly in the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. This wild, green world buzzes with life, including monkeys, sloths, piranhas, birds and perhaps rare pink river dolphins.

When: The May-November dry season is preferable for its accessible jungle paths and fewer mosquitoes.

Operators include: AdventureSmith Explorations, Aqua Expeditions, Avalon, G Adventures, National Geographic Expeditions

Photo / Getty Images

D

o ocean cruises’ big crowds and potential big waves leave you cold?

Consider river cruising. Smaller boats glide on calm waters, pausing often for the shore’s many cultural and natural wonders. Dip your toe in — or dive in again — on the world’s best river-cruise routes in 2022 and beyond.

A DV E R T I S E M E N T

TRAVELLING DURING COVID? FIVE REASONS WHY YOU NEED A YOU TRAVEL ADVISOR

Planning a trip can be daunting, and at times stressful! Throw a global pandemic in the mix and you can find yourself in murky waters.

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f only you could pass on the pressure and leave the questions, policies and logistics to an expert.

Well, you can. All you have to do is choose YOU Travel! Travelling during a pandemic has added a few other stresses to not just the planning process but throughout the entire journey. From last minute lockdowns, constant changes to cancellation policies and health requirements, it can be hard gaining the right information when things change.

All of this added stress can be eliminated when you work with a professional YOU Travel Advisor who can take care of everything for YOU! Here are five of the most important reasons you need a YOU Travel Advisor for your next Journey.

1. Constant Changes With the COVID climate, things can change in an instant and it’s easier than ever for your trip to be

thrown into a spin. A YOU Travel Advisor will be all across the finer details and be in touch with the right information as soon as possible. They are professionally trained to deal with all changes and adjust your arrangements accordingly.

2. Destination Do’s & Don’ts These days you don’t need to cross international borders for a drastic change in regulations with local governments implementing their own directives to keep their communities safe. We will provide you with the most relevant information from the planning stage to when you return.

Instead of choosing where to get your information and if it’s trustworthy, your YOU Travel Advisor has sources in all the right places; no more Googling needed!

3. 24/7 Has A Ring To It Pick up the phone to someone who will firstly answer and secondly, care. With the climate this turbulent, you’re going to need answers that are both fast and factual and this is exactly where we step in. 24/7 assistance has a ring to it, don’t you think?

4. Let Us Take Care Of Everything It’s not always about what you know, it’s who you know. Selecting a YOU Travel Advisor, gives you direct access to reputable airlines, accommodation and cruise operators. A holiday is all about having some time-out, right? If you tend to be the nominated logistics manager, it’s time to pass on the pressure to a professional. Should your journey experience a bump in the road, we will sort everything out on your behalf.

5. Safety First COVID or not, booking travel-related expenses can be daunting. Passing over thousands of your hard earned money across the internet to an unfamiliar provider can certainly be a risk. Why take that risk when you can plan you next journey with a qualified YOU Travel Advisor. With us you are in safe hands.

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VENICE •

BARCELONA

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LISBON

•

• •

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MALLORCA

CARTAGENA

SEVILLE MÁLAGA (CÁDIZ)

ST. PETERSBURG

TUSCANY

• (LIVORNO) •ROME

(CIVITAVECCHIA)

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HELSINKI STOCKHOLM

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KAVALA/PHILIPPI

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SANTORINI VALLETTA

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MONTE CARLO

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FROZEN, TOO

Joanne Brookfield seeks out the best ways to visit Antarctica in 2022 and beyond

LIGHT UP THE SKY

Aurora Hunters know the thrill of witnessing this dazzling astronomical phenomenon. Eerie neon light appears to avalanche out of nowhere and land on nothingness, as an interplay of solar flares and the Earth’s magnetic field create a dynamic light show considered to be one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

The further south you go, the better your chances of seeing Aurora Australis, making Antarctica the ultimate viewing location. Weather can obscure the view, but it’s a problem solved if your viewing platform is a plane. Departing from Christchurch, Southern Lights By Flight, a privately chartered Air New Zealand Dreamliner, takes you down to Antarctica, away from light pollution and above the clouds and weather systems to create a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be literally in the sky with the southern lights.

Flight time is around 10 hours and includes live commentary from astronomer Dr Ian Griffin, Director of Otago Museum, on-board guidance from professional photographers for capturing your best shots, and a pre-flight “Astronomy Over Antarctica” information session and tour at the International Antarctica Centre with Nasa-trained aerospace engineer Miranda Satterthwaite.

When: March 26-27; April 2-3; September 24-25 Priced from: $1468pp vivaexpeditions.com

RELIVE HISTORY

Impenetrable pack ice means the Ross Sea region is only accessible for around two months each summer, making it a destination that is both incredibly remote and rarely visited. As the world’s largest marine reserve, it is brimming with life, natural beauty and rich history.

Departing from Bluff on February 8, on the ice-strengthened Spirit of Enderby, which takes only 50 passengers, Heritage Expeditions’ In The Wake of Scott and Shackleton 30-day cruise

explores wildlife havens of New Zealand and Australia’s Subantarctic Islands en route to the white wonderland. The tour includes visits to McMurdo Station, Scott Base and the historic huts of Shackleton and Scott, plus getting out on the ice to observe the abundant wildlife in its natural habitat.

When: February 8-March 9 Priced from: US$23,880pp heritage-expeditions.com

departing Melbourne on November 27 that aims to follow Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s route to the South Pole and return via Roald Amundsen’s path, taking in Ross Ice Shelf, Transantarctic mountains, the Polar Plateau and the South Pole Station. Or, if you’re wanting a truly unique way to see out the year, they also have a special New Year’s Eve flight on December 31, 2022.

Pricesd from: AU$1195pp vivaexpeditions.com

POLAR DIP FROM NEW SHIP

HIGH ROLLING ON THE HIGH SEAS

Named The World’s Leading Polar Expedition Operator 2020 by the World Travel Awards and celebrating their 30th anniversary this year, Aurora Expeditions offer seven different itineraries, ranging from 10 to 23 days.

You’ll need to get yourself to either Punta Arenas, Chile or Ushuaia, Argentina first, but once on board the purpose-built Greg Mortimer or the brand new Sylvia Earle, both of which take about 130 passengers, you will have plenty of ways to enjoy a visceral experience of Antarctica.

There are included activities, such as Zodiac cruises, guided hikes, on-board lectures and the opportunity to polar plunge, while the more adventurous can pick from optional activities such as sea kayaking, scuba diving, snorkelling, and skiing or snowboarding alpine bowls and crevassed glaciers. There’s even the opportunity to camp overnight on the ice to really make some memories.

When: Departures on January 8; March 6, November 4, November 27 Priced from: US$9260pp auroraexpeditions.com.au

DO IT IN A DAY

Want to see the frozen continent but don’t want to get cold? Or seasick? Don’t have the time to sail seven-plus days to get there? A cost-effective and time-efficient way to get a birds-eye view of this spectacular region is on a day trip. Viva Expeditions’ sister company Chimu Adventures has several options for scenic flights in a privately chartered Qantas Dreamliner. Departing from Melbourne, and returning via Hobart as part of the Australian Antarctica Festival, the Antarctica Flight on August 25 will have you spotting your first iceberg after about three hours and then spending four hours gliding over the icy mountains and glaciers of the continent.

If you want your scenery with a side-serving of history, the South Pole Discovery is a 16-hour flight

With their brand new expedition ship Le Commandant Charcot, Ponant will take you south in the lap of high-end luxury. Their Unexplored Antarctic Between Two Continents voyage is a semi-circumnavigation linking the southern end of the American continent to New Zealand.

Departing Ushuaia in Argentina on January 15 2023 and returning to Dunedin 30 days later, you’ll travel through the ice fields of the Bellingshausen, Amundsen and Ross seas.

The From Dumont d’Urville to Mawson: Retracing Heroic Age Expeditions itinerary does it in reverse, departing from Dunedin on February 13, 2023, and finishing in Ushuaia, exploring Adelie Land, Victoria Land, Marie Byrd Land and Macquarie Island, classified a Unesco World Heritage Site for its extraordinary biodiversity, over the 28-day trip.

Priced from: $60,244pp Bookings: ponant.com

CLOSER TO HOME

Open every day of the year and offering a range of all-ages interactive encounters, the International Antarctic Centre in Christchurch allows you to experience a polar storm in their Storm Dome.

Far safer than trudging across the ice, but just as gelid, the room is chilled to -8 degrees Celsius, then buffeted by a minus 18C wind chill machine.

When: Open every day Priced from: $29pp iceberg.co.nz/experiences

AT HOME

With the New Zealand Government’s recent announcement of $344 million funding to redevelop Scott Base, New Zealand’s research station at the southern end of Ross Island, you can keep an eye on it all from the comfort of home via the four webcams they have set up down there. antarcticanz.govt.nz/scott-base/ webcams-weather

Photo / Olivier Blaud Studio Ponant

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rutal, yet fragile, pristine but perilous, capable of wild fury and yet an oasis of silence and serenity, Antarctica is one of the most contradictory and unique places on earth. A vast frozen landscape, despite notoriously inhospitable conditions, it is home to abundant wildlife, spectacular scenery and natural wonder. Time in Antarctica will leave you forever changed.

Here are several ways to experience the seventh continent next year.

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HOME, SWEET HOME

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t wasn’t quite how I imagined my first two years as Travel Editor would be. I started the job in November 2019 and just four months later — before I’d had the chance to jet off to any international destinations — our borders closed.

But, as we have all discovered since March 2020, staying home is actually a good thing.

Aotearoa New Zealand has an abundance of riches when it comes to travel and — when alert levels allow — I’ve thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them.

So, after two years of domestic travel, here’s my insider’s guide to the best New Zealand travel experiences to add to your 2022 bucket list.

Stay in a private house with an epic view

If you’d prefer a more private holiday, where you can self-cater but still enjoy luxury surroundings and priceless views, The Hawk House (pictured above) is for you. Available to rent on Airbnb, the property is in between Cromwell and Wānaka in the foothills of Mt Pisa. Suitable for up to six adults, stock up on supplies in Wānaka and local Central Otago wineries, then settle in — once you see the view you won’t want to leave.

Other options: The Glass House, Whangārei Heads

well as 125sq m furnished balcony.

My pick for the best views in Auckland is the Hilton down on Princes Wharf. It’s not as new as the others, but the top floor Bow Suite will never get tired — expansive views of the Harbour Bridge, North Shore, Rangitoto and beyond mean you’ll find it hard to do anything other than sit on the balcony and gaze at the changing light on the Hauraki Gulf.

Other options: Sofitel Queenstown’s Penthouse No 10, The Penthouse at Eichardt’s Queenstown.

Stay in a luxury lodge

If you’re looking for a more homely experience but want the “home” in question to be fit for royalty and billionaires, New Zealand’s luxury lodges are the place for you.

Huka Lodge (pictured) is the Queen’s favourite — she’s stayed at the internationally renowned Taupō property three times. I’ve stayed once, and can confirm it’s the perfect place for a special occasion getaway or bucket list treat.

The three Robertson Lodges — Northland’s Kauri Cliffs, Hawke’s Bay’s The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, and Queenstown’s Matakauri — also come with this Travel Editor’s seal of approval.

Each offers the same exceptional level of service and fine dining, but all have their own individual styles and subtleties to suit the local environment they’re situated in.

Other options: High on my list for 2022 are The Landing in Northland, Minaret Station in the Southern Alps (see p30), and The Lindis in Ahuriri.

Stay in the penthouse of a luxury hotel

The America’s Cup didn’t bring the hordes of international tourists Auckland was hoping for but it did bring a raft of brand new hotels in prime locations.

Treat yourself to a touch of luxury for a city break (or staycation) with a night or two at The Hotel Britomart and Park Hyatt. Both have incredible penthouse suites available for extra special stays.

The Hotel Britomart (pictured) has five Landing Suites to choose from, three of which have their own open-air terraces where you’ll feel as if you’re living in an Upper East Side New York dream.

At the Park Hyatt, choose from the 141sq m Chairman’s Suite, or the 245sq m Presidential Suite, the latter of which has a private outdoor garden as

but snapped up almost immediately. Sign up for the restaurant’s newsletter to receive alerts on when the next round of bookings open.

It will be well worth the wait — thanks to appearances on Netflix’s The Final Table and alongside Gordon Ramsay on National Geographic’s Uncharted, Fiso’s unique approach to indigenous ingredients has made her one of the world’s most acclaimed chefs. You can bet as soon as international borders open, those seats will be even harder to secure.

Other options: In Auckland, head to Josh Emett’s Onslow and Peter Gordon’s Homeland. In Central Hawke’s Bay, visit Wallingford to enjoy the exceptional cuisine of chef Chris Stockdale.

Have dinner cooked by an internationally acclaimed chef

To get a taste of Aotearoa, head straight to Wellington’s Hiakai, Monique Fiso’s (pictured) contemporary fine-dining restaurant that in 2019 was named by Time magazine as one of the 100 greatest places in the world. You’ll need to book well in advance — reservations are released seasonally

Walk, cruise or fly to Fiordland

Picking a favourite place in New Zealand is like picking a favourite child — impossible. However, after various trips over the past few years, I have discovered that Fiordland is a place I could return to time and again. I suggest you do the same.

For active relaxers, a fully guided multi-day walk is an absolute must-do. Try the Routeburn Track with Ultimate Hikes, or the Hollyford Track (pictured) with Ngāi Tahu’s Hollyford Wilderness Experience. While you still have to walk the walk (the Routeburn is 32km and the Hollyford is 45km), you will only be tasked with carrying a day pack.

When you reach the well-appointed private lodges at the end of each day, gourmet three-course meals will be cooked for you while you enjoy a fine wine or beer and rest your weary feet.

A visit to Milford Sound is essential for any Kiwi but take your exploration of the region even further with a cruise to Dusky and Doubtful Sounds.

Fiordland Discovery’s Fiordland Jewel takes a maximum of 18 passengers to the inlets and islands of the area, with kayaking, fishing, hiking and good food a requisite part of each day.

Both the Hollyford and Fiordland Discovery experiences include a helicopter flight for a bird’s eye view of this stunning, vast, secluded region.

The beauty will blow your mind.

Other options: Take a guided Kepler Track heli-hike with Trips and Tramps; Stay at luxury accommodation like Milford and Fiordland lodges.

This is just the beginning of the multitude of once-in-a-lifetime experiences available in New Zealand. To keep up with the latest and greatest things to see and do, read our regular magazines in the Herald every Tuesday and Sunday, and visit us online at nzherald.co.nz/travel, and Facebook and Instagram — @nzhtravel.

Photos / Supplied

Closed borders have brought a new appreciation for travelling in our own country writes Stephanie Holmes

Need a Break?

Book a staycation at The Carlin, the first 6-star hotel in the heart of Queenstown.

Now Open for Reservations Be one of the first to reserve a 6-star suite for a holiday in March 2022, and dinner for two, is on us.

Enjoy one of our relaxing massage treatments on your own private Terrace.

Experience fine dining at ORO Scan this QR code to join our diners’ club. Local residents receive a complimentary entrée and a food and beverage discount.

T: 021 965 623 E: reservations@thecarlinhotel.com www.thecarlinhotel.com

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WA N A K A’ S W O W Craig Tansley discovers a Jacuzzi and a helicopter on his lawn at one of New Zealand’s finest laid-back lodges

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t’s doubtful that Norwegian Sondre Norheim, the father of modern skiing, imagined a ski “hut” like Whare Kea Lodge when he invented downhill skiing in the 1870s. Or that Russian Igor Sikorsky, inventor of the helicopter, envisaged a time and a place where one of his creations might land on a perfectly manicured Gatsby-like lawn, and whisk a couple straight from their outdoor Jacuzzi — champagne in hand — into a private chalet on top of a remote snowy mountain range.

While this all sounds pretty decadent, inside Whare Kea Lodge the vibe’s as down-homey as if you were staying with friends or family. But then… you will be (more on that later).

Nestled in amongst New Zealand’s Southern Alps and built just above Lake Wanaka (you have direct access to it if you fancy a swim, in winter the water’s a jolting 9 degrees, but in summer it’ll get up to a swimmable 20 degrees), Whare Kea Lodge is located on 28ha of private farmland (complete with lambing ewes) just 10 minutes driving time from town. Once you arrive, you can pretend the world outside doesn’t exist; just hunker down in a private lodge that fits a maximum of 12 guests in six bedrooms and stare through floor-to-ceiling windows at the green waters of Lake Wanaka and the mountains that change colour with the time of day.

There’s a handy neighbour though, should you

It’s easy to escape the real world at Minaret Station, writes Sue Wallace

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t’s simply breathtaking skimming over snowdusted mountains, emerald green valleys and spotting tumbling waterfalls and meandering streams on the way to the South Island’s luxury Minaret Station Alpine Lodge.

The lodge fits snugly on the western side of Lake Wanaka between Minaret Burn in the south and the Albert Burn in the north.

Head swivelling is in full force on the 30-minute

fancy a stroll. Walk on a path beside the lake to Rippon Vineyard and do a tasting of their award-winning pinot noirs with the same view you have of the surrounding mountains. Set on 60 hectares of a family farm, Rippon were one of the pioneers of the Central Otago wine region. You can walk to Wanaka too if you like to stretch your legs — and when you’re done, call your guest house manager for a lift home. It’s hard, however, to leave the lodge behind for too long.

Designed by renowned Melbourne architect John Mayne, the brief from owner Martyn Myer (of the Myer family retail dynasty) was to ditch the stiffness often associated with the kinds of high-end boutique hotels in Whare Kea’s price range. It had to be luxurious, but Myer wanted an intimate place with no formality; because who needs to dress up for dinner on a ski or hiking holiday? He borrowed principles from Japanese architecture and made sure to include floorto-ceiling windows so none of the views are wasted.

helicopter hop from Queenstown Airport to the remote highland retreat among some of the world’s best scenery. You just don’t want to miss anything.

Nature in all her glory stars here and as you climb out of the helicopter, the magnificent landscape stops you in your tracks. It’s one of those moments in time that you want to remember forever as you stand still and soak up the grandeur of the vistas.

Bordered by national parks, mountains and Lake Wanaka, there are no roads at all leading to the lodge — helicopter is the only way in.

Alpine Group sales general manager Penny Hayes is used to seeing startled reactions from guests who come to experience the secluded lodge and unique experiences.

“It is hard to describe the feeling guests experience flying into Minaret Station for the first time, and truly getting a feel for this special and unique

place,” she says. “It is the sense of time standing still, as you escape the ‘real world’ in the truly extraordinary location. It provides guests with some of life’s most precious elements — time, fresh air and open space.”

We settle into our home for two days, one of four secluded luxury chalets with a king-size bed, ensuite, a hot tub that beckons and a private deck with magnificent views. In no time, a desire to connect with these mountains creeps up and we are in luck, the weather is promising as we plan our excursions.

There’s much to appeal to the adventurous traveller and those who just want to savour the landscape from their deck or stride out along the raised wooden boardwalks. A day hike takes guests from alpine environments to waterfalls, through native beech forest, and high-country farmland. A day helicopter experience can whisk you from glaciers to fiords and ancient beech forests, viewing unique wildlife and dining on fresh seafood in locations that are usually inaccessible.

Minaret Station is a working farm owned by the Wallis family, who farm deer, sheep, and cattle. It rises from 304m at Lake Wanaka to 2194m at the towering Minaret Peaks. The Alpine Lodge itself sits at 914m up a spectacular glacial valley on the property.

Every season provides its own surprises that allow guests to enjoy the location year-round. “The longer days of spring and summer allow for further exploration, as the snow melts from the surrounding mountains by November, returning in May,” Penny says. “Winter is when our heliskiing kicks off, and we can share the best of more than 800 heli-ski runs through our Southern Lakes terrain.”

In other words, it’s the ultimate treat come what may. “Each of our trips goes beyond the beaten path to allow guests to experience the very best of the re-

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DETAILS

Book Whare Kea Lodge for one to six people for $3800 per night, or for 7-12 people for $4600 per night. The lodge comes with an on-site manager. wharekealodge.com

The Myer family have owned the property for nearly two decades and have taken note of what travellers passing through are looking for. They found most craved individual, private experiences, so they converted the property from a lodge where guests could book individual rooms and share communal spaces, into an exclusive retreat that guests must book out as a group (there are rates per night for groups up to six, or up to 12). Guests have full use of a fully equipped kitchen to cook their own meals,

gion, and view some of the world’s most spectacular scenery, without a doubt,” Penny explains.

Fancy deeper adventure? There’s backcountry fly fishing, heli-skiing, hiking, mountain biking and guided hunting available. Our Fiordland Heli Traverse excursion is a day of viewing astounding nature from majestic glaciers, ice formations, alpine lakes, wildlife and fiords. Fresh barbecued lobster from the West Coast is a lunch highlight, accompanied by stunning views.

We later land in the snow at the beautiful, isolated mountain lakes and next we are skimming over wave-battered beaches as we follow the coast home.

There are many “pinch me” moments from the time we take off to our return. Later we enjoy canapes and bubbles fireside, followed by an amazing dinner at the Mountain Kitchen in the main lodge.

Star chef Alistair Wilson uses the freshest produce and seafood from the rugged West Coast, including paua, crayfish, kina, blue cod, groper, and albacore tuna. Tender Minaret Station Te Mana lamb, grass-fed Angus beef, and wild alpine venison are often served. It’s a culinary adventure devoid of foams, gels, soils, or anything unrecognisable, instead it’s all about delicious tastes matched with some of the country’s best wines.

Back at our chalet, I can’t resist the bubbling hot tub as I gaze at the clear night sky carpeted with twinkling stars that light up the dark shadows of the towering peaks. Regardless of what you choose to do here, the mountains have a great physical and spiritual charm and you just want to reach out and touch them.

When you visit Minaret Station, it doesn’t take long to realise it’s the striking unforgettable landscape that takes centre stage and is well-deserving of a standing ovation.

or they can use private chefs for some, or all meals.

That way, you can have as much privacy — or pampering — as you choose.

“Offering exclusive hire allows the property manager to work with guests ahead of arrival so they have the best stay for them,” property manager Gillian Boyes says.

But the coup de grace of Whare Kea is its chalet, one of the world’s most spectacular alpine accommodation options. Picked up from the lodge’s heli-

DETAILS

Rates for up to two guests start from $2950 per chalet, per night (autumn) and from $3250 per night in summer. minaretstation.com

pad by helicopter then flown over Lake Wanaka and the Southern Alps, you’ll land on a mountain peak high in the Mt Aspiring National Park (at 1750m), then hike down to your own private chalet in the snow (even in summer) 50km from the nearest intrusion. A mountain host will take care of all your needs; meals come with views over New Zealand’s tallest peak, Mt Cook, 120km to the northeast. It’s a 20-minute flight to the lodge, guests can book a scenic flight with a hosted chalet lunch, a day trip, guided heli-skiing to and from the chalet (in winter) or overnight hosted retreats.

Harris Mountain Heli-Ski can also land on the lawn at Whare Kea Lodge and take you to one of more than 4000 heli-ski runs in more than 200 nearby peaks in seven separate mountain ranges.

Though if you’d sooner get to your ski resorts the old-fashioned way — by road — New Zealand’s most under-rated ski resort, Treble Cone, is only a 35-minute drive away. With its views over Lake Wanaka and the Southern Alps, cheeky kea and challenging ski bowls, it’s easily the best ski resort in the South Island. In summer, hikers can drive up to its mountains to traverse the rugged terrain, provided you complete an online safety briefing.

If hiking is your passion, you’re right next to some of the best hiking trails in New Zealand with more than 750km to cover. There’s everything here from short hikes to multi-day hikes — though a halfday hike might suit you best, so you still enjoy all the comforts of the lodge. One of the best half-day hikes in the country is only a short drive away — you’ll cross a swing bridge into beech forest on the Rob Roy Glacier walk, finding waterfalls and glacier views along the way.

You’re also 10 minutes drive from Wanaka, home to some of the country’s top-rated regional restaurants and multiple activities, from winery day trips to fly fishing tours.

Photos / Craig Tansley, Supplied

FA C T O R

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While you’ve been

AWAY ...

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Think you’ve been there, done that, bought the T-shirt when it comes to Australia?

Julie Miller discovers there are many new and luxurious experiences to add to your wish-list.

rom mesmerising monoliths shrouded in ancient Dreamtime lore to the throbbing silence of Jurassic-era rainforests, the timeless landscapes of Australia continue to lure Kiwis across the pond, the scale and complexity of our neighbouring continent an irresistible pull. From architectural masterpieces such as the Sydney Opera House, to its sun-kissed beaches and dramatic coastal highways, the Aussie wish-list is overflowing, and more than enough to fill a lifetime of itineraries.

During the pandemic-induced slumber of the past two years, however, Australia’s tourism industry has been quietly rebuilding in anticipation of welcoming visitors back to its considerable shores. Surprisingly, there are many fabulous new hotels and tours that have commenced operation in challenging times; while others have honed their product to be even more attractive to international visitors.

Here are some new and unexpected luxe ideas to add to your Aussie travel wish-list:

New South Wales

It’s hard to better the iconic duo of the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge; but for unbeatable views of the city and its sparkling waterways, the Ultimate Bridge Climb (bridgeclimb.com), offers intrepid climbers the opportunity to trek the entire span of the bridge.

This three-hour tour involves tackling 1621 steps, north to south then back again, with the reward of jaw-dropping views from the summit.

Views are also in abundance at the unmissable Crown Sydney (crownhotels.com.au/sydney),

Sydney’s first six-star hotel located in a 275m twisting glass edifice towering over Barangaroo.

Instagram dreams are made in its show-stopping infinity pool on the fifth floor; while an impressive stable of new restaurants — including Oncore by famed UK chef Clare Smyth — satisfy every appetite, from casual to fine dining.

Nestled on the far side of the harbour behind towering eucalypts, Taronga Zoo’s Wildlife Retreat (taronga.org.au) transports you to where the wild things roam, literally sleeping among zoo residents in a luxurious eco-retreat. Wake to a panoramic sunrise over Sydney Harbour as koalas doze in the forks of trees, with buffet breakfast and sanctuary tours included in packages.

A stunning water vista is even more impressive when you’ve earned it; and on the three-day Great

North Walk, challenging ascents to ridgelines above the glistening Hawkesbury River are rewarded by gourmet meals and waterfront penthouse accommodation at Berowra Waters.

This hike on the northern fringes of Sydney, courtesy of Life’s an Adventure (lifesanadventure. com.au) is indicative of the latest travel trend — multi-day guided pack-free hiking tours, with luxurious accommodation and fine food the perfect buffer to vigorous exercise on spectacular wilderness trails. sydney.com

Victoria

Located in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, the new W Melbourne (marriott.com.au) is a reflection of the city’s funky laneway culture, where coffee, contemporary art and fashion collide in a dazzling reimagining of the ultimate urban lifestyle.

But step aside, Melbourne — in recent years, regional Victoria has become the epicentre of Australia’s culinary scene and leading the charge is Brae (braerestaurant.com) — recently honoured with 44th place in the World’s 50 Best Restaurant Awards.

Set on organic farmland in the Otway hinterland one hour from Melbourne, this immersive farm-to-table experience can be capped off with an overnight stay in Brae’s new ecofriendly luxury guest suites.

Meanwhile, in the bucolic mineral springs destination of Daylesford, leading chef Alla Wolf Tasker of the Lake House restaurant has reimagined the old-fashioned farm stay at Dairy Flat Farm (dairyflatfarmdaylesford.com.au), with luxurious accommodation, gourmet meals and fine wineimmersing guests into the heart of her 15ha regenerative farm. visitvictoria.com

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on Earth where two World Heritage-listed environments, the Wet Tropics Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef, collide — Silky Oaks Lodge (silkyoakslodge.com.au) is set to reopen its doors on December 15 after a $15 million refurbishment.

A recent addition to Baillie Lodges’ impressive portfolio, this luxurious retreat, featuring 40 luxury treehouses with views of the Mossman River, heralds a new era in rainforest luxury, with immersion into the ancient environment a crucial part of the visitor experience.

An intimate evening with indigenous artists awaits cashed-up art lovers at Queensland Art Gallery — Gallery of Modern Art (qagoma.qld.gov. au), with the First Artists: Cultural Experience offering an insight into the unique culture of Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. An evening of dance, storytelling and art commences with a private tour of magnificent artworks, followed by an unforgettable dinner created by leading Koori chef Chris Jordan. With a maximum of 25 guests, this lavish and unforgettable experience will set you back AU$4199pp ($4380) — one for the wishlist, for sure. queensland.com

South Australia

Clockwise from main: Ningaloo, WA; Heart Island and Keppel Island, QLD; Crown Sydney, NSW; Brae, VIC; Sequoia Lodge, SA; Chef Clare Smyth from Oncore at Crown Sydney, NSW. Photos / Supplied

Queensland

Imagine waking to the dazzling sight of the Great Barrier Reef and its incredible marine life, literally a splash away from your door. The new, three-storey Lady Musgrave pontoon (ladymusgraveexperience. com.au), tethered in the sheltered waters of Lady Musgrave Lagoon, has created a whole new way of experiencing the southernmost reaches of the reef, with an underwater observatory that doubles as bunkhouse accommodation for school or dive groups, as well as Upper Deck glamping — the ultimate in barefoot luxury.

Meanwhile, Hamilton Island guests now have exclusive use of a state-of-the-art floating pontoon at legendary Heart Reef. After being whisked from the island to the split-level Heart Island (hamiltonisland.com.au/hamilton-island-heartisland-experience), a glass-bottom boat will be waiting to take you to the Valentine-worthy reef, where you can snorkel and swim in the crystalline waters. True love, indeed.

Covering 1308ha, the Keppel Island group off Yeppoon in Central Queensland consists of 18 islands surrounded by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. For the most comprehensive islandhopping experience in this World Heritage-listed wonderland, jump aboard the Keppel Explorer (keppelexplorer.com.au), a scenic day trip that visits secluded beaches on uninhabited islands rich with marine, bird and animal life.

Meanwhile, the waters off Cairns in Tropical North Queensland (tropicalnorthqueensland.org. au) are the only place in the world where you can interact with dwarf minke whales. Just a handful of boats are licensed to take guests swimming with these inquisitive little whales, with tours only running for two months of the year.

In the Daintree Rainforest — the only place

Tucked into the Adelaide Hills on the slopes of Mount Lofty, Sequoia (sequoialodge.com.au) is South Australia’s newest luxury lodge with exclusive packages designed to connect guests to the surrounding environment. Guided walks, stargazing and sensory wine tasting is all on offer; but for the ultimate “look-at-me” indulgence, the Prancing Horses Ferrari driving experience gets you behind the wheel of a supercar before dinner at Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant.

At the revered Seppeltsfield Winery in the Barossa Valley, the Taste Your Birth Year tour (seppeltsfield.com.au) adds a personal touch.

Meander alongside the longest lineage of single vintage wines in the world dating back to 1878, culminating in a taste of Para Vintage Tawny direct from the barrel of your birth year.

Meanwhile, Kangaroo Island — hard hit by bushfires in 2020 — remains one of the best and most reliable places in Australia to view wildlife, with a walk among sea lions at Seal Bay an unforgettable close-up encounter. For a taste of this verdant natural environment, don’t miss Gastronomo Dining’s bush dining experiences (gastronomodining.com.au), which meld the island’s produce and landscapes together with a theatrical touch. southaustralia.com

Western Australia

The only place where you can readily walk amongst quokkas, the adorable, grinning marsupials, is on Rottnest Island, 12km off the coast of Perth. For a barefoot vibe with a generous dose of luxury, the absolute beachfront Samphire Rottnest (samphirerottnest.com.au) offers the most exclusive digs on the island, designed to complement the environment and provide experiences that take you to the heart of this idyllic paradise.

More than 1000km further north, on Ningaloo — the world’s largest fringing reef — another star of the Australian wildlife pantheon, the whale shark, makes its imposing presence felt for six months of the year. This is the only place in Australia where you can swim with these gentle giants; as a bonus, you may even also encounter humpbacks and manta rays as they join in the underwater party. To cap off this incredible experience, book a stay at Sal Salis, an eco-luxe safari camp just metres from the reef. (salsalis.com.au) Meanwhile, on the wild, untamed Kimberley coastline lies mainland Australia’s most remote wilderness lodge, Berkeley River Lodge (berkeleyriverlodge.com.au). Accessible only by air, this is outback Australia at its most evocative — wild, private and sand-between-the-toes luxurious, with no distractions from Mother Nature’s artistry. westernaustralia.com

☞

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Northern Territory

Australia’s most celebrated glamping experience is Longitude 131 (longitude131.com.au), where 16 tented pavilions gaze out across red desert sands to Uluru.

With a private plunge pool and an expansive outdoor terrace, the two-bedroom Dune Pavilion offers the pinnacle of outback luxury, as well as being Australia’s only accommodation to offer views of both World Heritage-listed Uluru and Kata Tjuta.

Dining under a celestial tapestry in the Central Australian desert is a truly magical experience, and a must-do when visiting Uluru. Set on a red dune with distant views of the sacred site, Tali Wiru open air restaurant at the Ayers Rock Resort (ayersrockresort.com.au) presents an unforgettable four-course dinner infused with native ingredients, and accompanied by music and storytelling from the indigenous custodians of this special place.

Comfort is a welcome addition to another Central Australian icon, the 223km Larapinta Trail through the West Macdonnell Ranges.

On Australian Walking Holidays’ guided, pack-free six-day trek, comfortable and exclusive eco-camps featuring hot showers and three-course gourmet dinners make exploring the dramatic desert scenery that much more achievable (australianwalkingholidays.com.au).

Travelling between Adelaide and Darwin, the Ghan (journeybeyondrail.com.au) is one of the world’s great rail journeys, providing access to the fascinating and mesmerising heart of Australia. For the most romantic experience, the Chairman’s Carriage comes with a dining room and lounge, as well as your own team of staff delivering exceptional personalised service. northernterritory.com

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Australian Capital Territory

It’s a jungle out there in the Australian capital — but not all the wild things are rogue politicians. At the Jamala Wildlife Lodge (jamalawildlifelodge. com.au), you can sleep under the watchful eye of tigers, lions and sun bears, with only a glass wall separating man from beast; or feed inquisitive giraffes from the lofty heights of your own Treehouse balcony. visitcanberra.com

Tasmania

Begin your Tassie adventure in the historic heart of the southern isle with an overnight stay at Macq01 Hotel (macq01.com.au). Based on Hobart’s historic wharf, this is Australia’s first storytelling hotel, bringing to life the lurid and often tragic history of this former penal colony.

Meanwhile, the conversation is sure to flow at one of Australia’s most lauded art galleries, Mona, with Dinner with David — the owner,

no less (culturalattractionsofaustralia.com/ experiences/dinner-with-david). This surely is the ultimate way to experience the provocative private museum, with a lavish dinner with art collector David Walsh at one of Mona’s luxe restaurants. This exclusive experience also includes private jet transfers from the mainland, luxury accommodation in Mona’s riverside pavilions and a guided tour of the gallery. It all sounds impossibly wonderful — but so it should be, at AU$50,000 a pop.

Cultural enlightenment, however, can also be found in simpler experiences. On the new Wukalina Walk (wukalinawalk.com.au) in the Bay of Fires, local palawa (Tasmanian Aboriginal) guides will bring age-old traditions to life as they share their special connection to Country.

Traversing the living landscape of these wild, storm-tossed coastlines over four days is a journey towards deeper understanding of the past, present and future, with accommodation at an awardwinning architecturally-designed camp a welcome addition. discovertasmania.com

Multi-State

From top: Longitude 131, Uluru, NT; Wukalina Walk, TAS. Photos / Supplied

Could there be anything more Australian than a pub crawl? Some people will travel a long way for a cold beer — and what better way to experience some of Australia’s most remote Outback pubs than on a flying safari. The Classic Safari Company’s Outback Aussie Pub Crawl (classicsafaricompany.com.au) travels more than 4000km by air, visiting eight Outback pubs over five days. It’s an epic embodiment of Aussie mateship and the frontier spirit — and one worth raising a glass to.

Flanked by elegant palms and dazzling white sandy beaches, Rarotonga and Aitutaki in the Cook Islands are the stunning tropical island destinations you’ve always dreamed of. Here, you’ll be amazed by warm, soothing crystal-clear lagoons, mysterious jungles and dramatic volcanic peaks which make the islands a haven for relaxation, family fun, romance, adventure and exciting new discoveries.

Rarotonga

Aitutaki

No two days will be the same in Rarotonga – unless you like it that way. With endless beaches, multiple kinds of accommodation, exciting activities and a huge variety of cafes, restaurants and bars to choose from, the island is a playground for couples, families and anyone else looking for a serene slice of paradise they can enjoy in their very own way.

Basking in a turquoise coral reef lagoon teeming with colourful tropical marine life, the small island of Aitutaki is a short 50-minute flight north of Rarotonga. This secluded natural utopia made up of 15 motus (small islands) is often thought of as one of the South Pacific’s most stunning and unspoiled destinations making it ideal for honeymoons and private romantic escapes.

For more information visit your travel professional or www.cookislands.travel

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Pacific

PARADISE Other beautiful worlds await not far from our doorstep, writes Sara Bunny

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rom leafy private islands and secluded plunge pools, to out-of-this-world scenery and unforgettable adventures, there’s no shortage of wish list material in our corner of the Pacific. Whether you’re feeling the urge to splurge once travel is back on the cards, or just want some excitement to shake out the cobwebs, these experiences are what dreams are made of.

Fiji

There are 333 islands to choose from, countless sandy stretches and marine activities galore, so it’s not hard to see why Fiji has long been a Kiwi holiday favourite. And these days, it’s taking highend accommodation to a whole new level, attracting growing numbers of increasingly choosy sunseekers.

For the ultimate indulgence, take a 15-minute helicopter ride from Nadi International Airport to exclusive Vomo Resort. As the only resort on this idyllic palm-fringed freckle in the ocean, Vomo boasts all the usual water activities, plus a golf course, two top-class restaurants and plenty of options for island-hopping day trips.

Accommodation includes expansive private residences and luxury villas, and for a once-in-alifetime splurge, you can even book the whole island for a destination wedding or special gathering.

Another top pick is Laucala Island Resort, home to the sort of swimming pool that has even the most well-travelled island connoisseurs talking. Made of glass, it stretches along the resort’s multi-level lagoon and shouts “photo opp” from every angle.

The resort is surrounded by lush gardens and each glamorous suite also has its own private beach.

When it comes to activities with the wow factor, take a boat or chopper ride to one of Fiji’s many deserted sand cays and enjoy a picnic in paradise.

There are plenty of pristine spots to discover, but the sand cay in the Beqa Lagoon near Royal Davui Resort is said to be one of the best. Take in the tropical surrounds from a helicopter with Heli Tours Fiji, or if you prefer to be closer to the water, spend a day sailing past the secluded coves of the Mamanuca Islands on a South Sea Cruises catamaran tour.

Blue Lagoon Cruises slice through cobalt-blue water, visiting the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands, which as any quick Google search will show you, are paradise perfected. Sail to empty tropical islands on an adults-only cruise, dropping anchor beside a private beach in the Blue Lagoon for swimming, snorkelling and sunbathing. A max of 68 passengers allows for relaxed cruising with little fuss or fanfare, while the 100 per cent Fijian crew provide plenty of fun.

Cook Islands

White sandy beaches and languid blue lagoons are just some of the reasons why the Cook Islands was crowned by Lonely Planet as the No 1 country to visit in 2022. And when it comes to treating yourself, you’re spoilt for choice in the Cooks.

In Rarotonga, soak up the scenery from a decadent suite at Rumours Luxury Villas & Spa, or take in some of the best views of Muri Beach lagoon from stylish and family-friendly Nautilus Resort.

For a unique adventure, you won’t forget the feeling of gliding around below the ocean surface with a sea scooter. These James Bond-esque, handheld motorised gadgets help pull you through the water, so you can do less swimming and more sightseeing. Test them out by booking your spot on a Turtle Sea Scooter Safari with Ariki Tours.

When in the Cook Islands, you can’t miss incredible Aitutaki. A 50-minute flight from Rarotonga, the island’s biggest drawcard is the

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French Polynesia

Despite one or two hotspots taking most of the limelight, there are in fact 118 tropical islands in French Polynesia. Amid the sprawling coral reefs and unspoilt atolls, jewels in the crown include heart-shaped Moorea, Huahine, Taha’a, Tahiti, Fakarava and Bora Bora. Loved by famous artists and film stars, French Polynesia has been referred to as “the most beautiful place on Earth”, and it does a great line in next-level luxe.

The newest resort in the area is Motu Nao Nao, sitting pretty on a deserted oasis near the island of Raiatea. Exclusive with a capital E, it features just three deluxe bungalows, designed for a group to book them all for an unforgettable escape in a private island paradise.

When legendary actor Marlon Brando took a shine to one of the islands, it seemed only right to build a high-end resort in his honour. The Brando is on the private island of Tetiaroa, and focuses on sustainability as well as ultra-chic, French-

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inspired luxury for those with cash to splash.

But if you have your heart set on an overwater villa, the St Regis Bora Bora is the pick of the bunch. It’s perched on the shores of a glorious lagoon and guests can spot tropical fish from their deckchairs thanks to the protected aquatic sanctuary surrounding the hotel.

When luxuriating in paradise gets boring, take a culinary adventure with Tahiti Food Tours in Moorea. Here, local experts take you off the beaten track to the best foodie spots on the island, and give you the lowdown on the eclectic culinary history of French Polynesia. You can join a group, or book your own private tour.

But by far the most romantic thing to do in French Polynesia is to set sail on a dreamy island cruise. See the sights aboard the Paul Gauguin, named after the famous artist who fell in love with the area, glide along on the charming refurbished freight ship Aranui, or go old-world glam on sailing ship Windstar.

Clockwise from main: Bora Bora, French Polynesia; Aitutaki, Cook Islands; Niue; Mapu ‘A Vaea blowholes, Tonga; To Sua trench, Samoa; Vomo resort, Fiji.

Photos / Supplied

surreal and sparkling lagoon, surrounded by a triangular-shaped reef. Picture-perfect turquoise waters, beaches out of a film set, and serenity in spades.

For the best adventures, be sure to book in with Wet N Wild Aitutaki. This local team of lagoon experts can take you kiteboarding, water skiing, island-hopping, snorkelling to the best spots or, (depending on when you visit) swimming with humpback whales. These behemoths usually frequent the water between July and October.

Tonga

Even the most stressed-out types won’t take long to sink into the serenity of Tonga. Here, it’s all about relaxed vibes and authentic island life, and with only 36 of the more than 170 islands inhabited, it’s super easy to find your own piece of secluded paradise.

It’s also one of best places in the world for whale watching, especially if you visit between July and October. Seeing humpback whales and their calves splashing in the warm waters makes for an unforgettable experience, and if conditions are right, some tours allow for swimming with the giant mammals. It pays to ask around for the best operators to ensure you’re taking the most ethical and whale-friendly trip.

On the main island of Tongatapu, don’t miss the Mapu ‘A Vaea blowholes, where a line-up of all-natural fountains regularly blast more than 15m into the air. Tour the ethereal Anahulu Cave, and take the kids to watch the swimming pigs of Mu’a, near the capital of Nuku’alofa. These comical porkers scour the lagoon at low tide, hunting for crabs with their snouts underwater and they’re quite the tourist attraction.

The lush island of Eua is all hilly terrain and tropical jungle, and packed with activities for adventure seekers, while Ha’apai and Vava’u island groups are perhaps the most beautiful, with picture-perfect beaches at every turn.

Here, you’ll also find some of the most idyllic accommodation options. Reef Resort boasts four tranquil fales and panoramic ocean views, and the added bonus of having one of the best snorkelling spots, the Japanese Gardens, just a stone’s throw from the resort. Or if you fancy staying in a treehouse, Mandala Resort on private Fetoko Island has six charming eco-bungalows, each perched to make the most of the stunning scenery and gentle sea breezes. Although it feels a world away, it’s only a 10-minute boat ride from Vava’u’s main town, Neiafu.

Niue

Tiny Niue is a coral atoll surrounded by impossibly blue waters, and although it’s perhaps not as flashy as some of its Pacific neighbours, this island is every bit as special. On Niue, you can watch whales and dolphins swimming close to the shore, and explore tropical marine life right next to the rocks, thanks to the narrow reef shelf that quickly drops away to deep ocean.

Here, the whale-watching is legendary, especially if you visit between July and October. Book in a tour with Buccaneer Adventures Niue Dive, Fish Niue Charters, or Magical Niue Sea Adventures, to spot marine mammals galore and to snorkel the outer reef. With whales so close to the island, it’s not uncommon to hear the slapping of fins in the water at night, or the unforgettable echoes of whale calls.

☞

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When you’re not looking at the sea, you’ll be looking up at the stars. As an accredited International Dark Sky Sanctuary, Niue’s night sky is a glittering canvas of constellations, dotted among the clouds of the Milky Way. Make the most of it with an astro-tour, where locals also share the cultural significance of the stars, and the knowledge that is passed down from Niuean elders.

With hundreds of caves and chasms throughout the island, Niue offers some of the best caving in the South Pacific. Book a tour to see some of the most spectacular ancient stalactites, or if tropical rainforests are more your scene, explore the jungle with Ebony Conservation Rainforest Tours.

In Niue, accommodation includes a range of self-catering waterfront spots like Anaiki Motel, Breeze Niue and the Lalopine Rockhouse. If you’re looking for a little more luxe, Scenic Matavai Resort Niue is the pick of the bunch. The resort’s restaurant is a popular place to grab a bite, and diners can often watch whales and dolphins putting on a show right next to their table.

Samoa

If you’re looking for warm hospitality, superstylish resort accommodation and more natural wonders than you can shake a stick at, Samoa ticks all the boxes.

Arrive at the main island of Upolu and make your way to Coconuts Beach Club Resort and Spa. Here, you can take your pick from stunning overwater fales, serene treehouse suites and enormous luxury villas.

Another upscale option is Aga Reef Resort, on Upolu’s south coast. Take in the incredible sunsets from the spacious deck of your waterfront or island villa, or go all out and book yourself into the VIP villa. This huge suite boasts some of the best views in the area, an expansive wooden deck, and a private pool to soak while you sip a cocktail.

As well as beaches, lagoons and tropical reefs galore, Samoa boasts plenty of other natural sights that should be on any traveller’s wish list. Check out To Sua ocean trench, a spectacular swimming hole that formed when ancient undersea lava made the surrounding cave collapse. With its 30m-deep turquoise water, the swimming hole is one of Samoa’s most scenic spots.

Then there are the many tropical waterfalls to marvel at, with Papapapaitai, Sopo’aga and Togiogoga Falls among the best. And when you venture over to Savai’i, the biggest island in the

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shortage of luxury resorts on Vanuatu’s main islands. Port Vila favourites include Onyx Resort and Ramada Resort, as well as Terraces Boutique Apartments, which offer fantastic views across the capital and the surrounding rainforest. Top spots further afield include Aore Island Resort, just off the southern coast of Espiritu Santo, and the distinctive Rockwater Resort on Tanna Island.

New Caledonia

Samoan archipelago, be sure to check out the Alofaaga blowholes. These roaring aqua jets spray every few seconds, and locals love entertaining the kids by throwing coconuts into the holes and waiting for blast-off.

Vanuatu

Distinctly different and incredibly beautiful, the six provinces of Vanuatu boast everything from underwater relics and enchanting beaches, to ancient cultures and traditional rituals. With so much to see and do, it’s the sort of place where it’s hard to know where to start first, but these magical isles make for memorable experiences wherever you go.

The main island of Efate boasts a range of jaw-dropping scenery, including the Mele Cascades waterfalls, Crystal Blue Lagoon, and dense tropical rainforest you can trek through on a guided tour.

The bustling markets in the capital of Port Vila are a hub of local life, and well worth a look.

Espiritu Santo is a 55-minute flight from Port Vila. Known for its world-class dive spots, including the shipwrecks of the SS President Coolidge and the SS Tucker, gardens of colourful sea fans and mesmerising marine life, it’s top of the wish list for anyone who loves to explore the seas.

The island of Tanna is where thrill-seekers will find Mount Yasur, the world’s most accessible active volcano, while Malekula island is packed with fascinating cultural sites and traditional villages. Visit the island of Pentecost between April and June and you may see the Nangol, a traditional bungee-jumping ritual where men and boys leap from 30m towers with only a few vines tied around their ankles.

When it comes to places to stay, there’s no

It has five regions, including Noumea, the lush East Coast, culturally-rich West Coast, mountainous and sporty Great South and the spectacular Islands, so New Caledonia has pretty much every landscape and activity covered.

It is home to the second-biggest barrier reef on the planet (after Australia’s Great Barrier), and the world’s longest continuous barrier reef and much of the water around New Caledonia is a Unesco World Heritage site. So when it comes to water sports, snorkelling, beautiful bays and spectacular stretches of pristine beach, visitors are truly spoilt for choice.

Start your trip in New Cal’s capital of Noumea.

It’s a perfect place for relaxed wandering, and while you’re there, check out the Lagoons Aquarium in Anse Vata Bay, saunter the promenade, and snack your way around the PortMoselle Market.

Further afield, the five islands of New Caledonia each have their own vibe, but stunning Ile des Pins (Isle of Pines) and out-of-this-world Ouvea are the top picks. In Ile des Pins, channel your inner Robinson Crusoe and explore the spectacular Kuto, Oro, Upi, and Kanumera bays by boat or plane.

Over on Ouvea, the sparkling atoll is the stuff of travel wishlists, and the nearly 25km of immaculate beach around the island, blanketed in countless coconut palms, completes the scene. Alongside sunbathing and snapping pics galore, adventure to the cavernous Hanawa Blue Hole, tour the shark nursery, or take a boat to the Pleiades, one of the best dive spots in New Caledonia.

High-end accommodation is easy to find in this corner of the Pacific, but the five-star Le Meridien Ile des Pins is hard to beat. Set in a 100-year-old coconut grove overlooking Oro Bay, the bungalow suites are magnifique. On the mainland, Le Meridien Noumea Resort & Spa is equally as fancy, while The Sheraton Deva offers pure luxury adjacent to picturesque Poe beach, often named as one of the country’s best.

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TROPICAL DREAMS OF FIJI

Down-to-earth luxury, lush island explorations, a treasure trove of marine adventures, cocktails beachside... It’s not just a fantasy — Fiji has it all, and then some.

Close your eyes… it’s early 2022, you’re lying in a hammock swathed in warm afternoon sunshine, the ice is tinkling in the glass in your hand and there’s the gentle sound of lapping water nearby — a dazzling shade of aquamarine that meets a pure blue sky at the horizon and at the shoreline, soft white powdery sand, dotted with swaying coconut palms… It sounds like paradise — welcome to Fiji. Time spent in this treasured Pacific destination could be as simple as some well-deserved hammock time — or it can be as adventurous, luxurious, experiential, restorative or just plain fun as you could ever hope for.

Reconnect with yourself at Six Senses At Six Senses Fiji, luxury comes with a

restorative dose of wellbeing. Surrounded by natural beauty on Malolo island, part of the Mamanuca archipelago, this resort is a holistic experience with wellness imbued into its ethos. You can immerse yourself in a spa day with traditional or cutting-edge treatments, start your day with yoga at the pavilion, or spend time contemplating the beauty of the tranquil grounds. The sensory immersion continues with the food choices, all designed to nourish and delight. You’ll find contemporary takes on Fijian cuisine using locally produced and sourced ingredients – some from the resort’s own fresh herb and vege garden. Enveloped in this beauty and peace, you’ll leave feeling like a new person.

Immerse yourself in nature With 333 islands to choose from, you’re never short of nature in Fiji. The beaches are stunning, of course, but Fiji’s natural diversity holds many gems away from the shoreline, too. Rivers Fiji will introduce you to some of the wildest beauty the country has to offer with a journey into the Upper Navua

River. Littered with waterfalls, kilometres of deep narrow canyon are surrounded by black volcanic walls and fringed by emerald rainforest; this is an excursion not easily forgotten.

At Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park on Fiji’s Coral Coast, on the island of Viti Levu, you can witness an expansive dune system, covering some 650 hectares. Ranging from 20 to 60 metres tall, these dunes have been forming over millions of years — a natural wonder that is as impressive as it is fun to explore.

In the remote Yasawa group of islands, take the time to be wowed by the Sawa-i-Lau caves — a series of limestone caverns. These saltwater caves were made famous by the movie ‘Blue Lagoon’ — here, you can have your own marooned moment in caverns filled with turquoise water fed by the tides, daylight flooding in from an opening in the ceiling.

Magical stuff.

There’s more jungle adventure to be had at the Tavoro Waterfalls on Taveuni Island, framed by lush green rainforest. There are three to choose from, all with natural swimming pools. Don’t forget to pack your snorkel because hundreds of prawns will be waiting to greet you Pamper yourself with an overnight experience of ultimate relaxation If you’ve ever thought a spa experience was over too soon, then Shangri-La’s Dusk Till Dawn Overnight Spa Package will leave a far more lasting impression. In an Ocean Bure

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9, for some tropical revelry. Partake of the internationally stocked bar, wood-fired pizzas and tunes from a roster of chill-house DJs while surrounded by picturesque ocean.

Keep the good vibes flowing with a stay at, or visit to, the pristine private island 4-star resort of Castaway in Fjii’s Mamanuca Islands group. This picture-perfect resort has visitors returning year after year for its plentiful facilities and convivial atmosphere, compounded by some of that famed Fijian hospitality.

Spa Suite, you’ll start your stay at dusk with an outdoor bath, along with a platter of fresh seasonal fruit, before a full-body scrub and 60-minute tension-releasing body massage in your very own in-room treatment area. After a light supper and a blissful night’s sleep on a king-sized bed, the next day calls for more exquisite indulgence in the form of a breakfast on your private balcony — views stretching across the Pacific Ocean. A final treatment of a facial of your choice will leave you glowing inside and out.

Find happiness on the world’s biggest playground, the ocean That incredible expanse of turquoise ocean surrounding Fiji’s island holds so many treasures — and there are a multitude of ways to enjoy it. South Sea Cruises offer many day trips on their range of vessels — the latest

being a sailing catamaran, Sabre. On the Sabre, you can cruise through the Mamanuca Islands under a large shaded canopy, with refreshments at the ready, with the option to slide into those crystal clear waters.

Snorkelling Fiji’s many reefs is a magical experience, filled as they are with colourful, mesmerising marine life.

Kayaking and paddle boarding also offer new ways to get out on the water but for something a little more adventurous, keen surfers should make a beeline for Cloudbreak — about three miles off Namotu Island. This famous wave is ranked among the 10 most challenging in the world. And even if you’re not up to riding it, it’s just as thrilling to watch on as you spend a day on the water.

Reinvigorate your party side by island hopping If celebration is the order of the day, you’re spoiled for choice for places to let your hair down and raise a glass in Fiji. Malamala Beach Club is located on its very own island, just 25 minutes from Port Denerau. On a day pass here you can enjoy white sand beaches, beachside cabanas, a resort-style infinity-edge pool and keep spirits high with great music, delicious Asian and Pacific cuisine and handcrafted cocktails.

Pleasure seekers will also want to flock to the two-level floating platform of Cloud

The Yasawa Islands, a picturesque chain that offers a grand scope of accommodation options from luxury to budget, can be explored on an island-hopping adventure, where fun is always close to hand. You also have the chance to swim with manta rays between May and October in the Yasawa Islands.

The beauty of Fiji is that you can do as much or as little as you like — always surrounded by tropical beauty and always enveloped in the warmth of the Fijian people. There’s much to choose from for your next Fijian adventure — so tantalisingly close now — and whatever that may be, you can be sure happiness will be waiting to find you.

Visit fiji.travel to plan your next adventure.

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There are few places in the world you can luxuriate in an exclusive private paradise.

Dolphin Island is one of them, writes Michael Neilson.

DETAILS

A maximum of eight guests can stay at any one time, receiving exclusive use of the island and its facilities.

Guests can travel for 2.5 hours by private car from Nadi International Airport, or choose to transfer by floatplane or helicopter to Dolphin Island. For information on package pricing, go to dolphinislandfiji.com

T

he lure of a Fijian getaway is strong for many a Kiwi.

Your mind drifts, escaping to palm treelined, white-sand beaches, leading to warm and inviting waters, with daily temperatures hovering around 30C. But that dream is rarely populated with the noisy, busy, family dominated reality of many resort getaways.

At Dolphin Island though, just off the mainland of Viti Levu, you can experience your own stunning, private island location, with not another traveller in sight.

This slice of heaven offers guests exclusive use of the 5.5ha island for the duration of their stay, whether that means your family, a group of friends, or even just the two of you.

Dolphin Island is luxurious, glamorous even — its clientele ranges from world-famous pop stars (not saying who) to movie stars, to All Blacks; rumour has it even the Queen has stayed there — with every possible need catered for.

But importantly, it does not feel overdone. The service is impeccable, but you barely see it.

The food is divine and presented like a Michelin star restaurant, but it has the feel of a good homecooked meal.

As I step off the water taxi on to the wharf, I am greeted with a warm “Welcome home!”, and a big hug from Dawn Simpson, along with friendly introductions from each of her talented staff.

Dawn has been the matriarch of the island for more than a decade.

She is the guests’ go-to person for ideas on everything from activities to wine selections, but most importantly, what you are going to be eating.

“What would you like for dinner?” Dawn asks, just after I’ve settled into my spacious and elegant villa, fruit cocktail in hand.

Meal choices and times, as well as the activities you choose, are all up to you, with the staff always within reach to provide some guidance, or mix a cheeky pina colada.

Cuisine-wise, I am eager to sample the local seafood, and so for my first night it’s a whole pan-fried fish — caught that afternoon — dressed in a delicious salsa, alongside garlic prawns and a range of fresh salads, and followed by all the tropical fruits you can imagine.

Produce is sourced fresh from the island or local markets from the mainland. Seafood comes freshly caught off the boats, before Dawn performs her magic, transforming it into extravagant meals with a homestyle Fijian flair.

I wash it all down with an ice-cold Fiji Lager, before sampling from their vast array of wines.

After a long day of travel, I indulge in a long hot bath before catching some much-needed shut-eye, feeling a very long and comfortable way from my inner-city Auckland dwelling.

Next morning, after a private outdoor shower

it’s time to indulge in my wholesome breakfast of an omelette, tropical fruits (getting used to this) and juices, and, of course, a flat white.

The day is entirely mine. Options include exploring the surrounding waters by paddleboard or kayak, a spot of fishing, exploring the mainland highlands on guided treks, and even scuba diving the world-famous Bligh Waters a short boat ride away.

If that all sounds too much, it’s also perfectly acceptable to laze by the infinity pool or in a hammock under a palm tree.

I’m straight out on to the water. I soon realise paddleboarding is a little tougher than it looks — upwind anyway — and settle for a kayak to explore the neighbouring islands for the day. There is also the option of a sailboat, but I don’t trust my ability.

Dawn and team helpfully point out the highlights I should check out, and where the reefs are best for a spot of snorkelling.

A couple of hours later I return feeling rather accomplished, having discovered two postcard-perfect islands, and decide to escape the glorious Fijian sun for a little and dive into a book, under a palm tree, on my own little stretch of sand.

Cool refreshments are never far away, with a packed chilly bin within arm’s reach.

For lunch today I’d mentioned to Dawn how keen I was to try kokoda, a Fijian speciality of raw fish mixed with coconut milk and lime.

Well, out comes one of the biggest bowls I can imagine, along with prawns and salads and all kinds of goodness.

I indulge a little too much, so it is back to my book for a couple of hours under a palm tree with a gentle sea breeze, before my deep tissue massage at 4pm.

Dolphin Island offers a full spa range, including Fijian-style massages that will sort out even the most stubborn knots.

Feeling ever so relaxed I take a little soak in the infinity pool.

“Would you like something to drink?” comes a welcome voice.

“A pina colada seems about right,” I decide.

“It’ll be about seven minutes,” comes the response.

Seven minutes later it appears. “I had to go and get the coconut,” is the explanation for what hadn’t even occurred to me to be a delay.

Fresh, and delicious — I am getting used to this.

Dinner follows shortly after, and tonight’s main attraction is lobster.

That evening I drink kava with the staff, a nice way to learn about the local lifestyles and cultures, before settling in for another decent sleep.

For my final morning, a couple of the team take me on a motorboat to an island across the channel for more paddleboarding — this time downwind. I spend about an hour out on the water and love every minute.

Real life in Auckland seems a long way from “home”.

Photos / Supplied

S L I C E O F H E AV E N

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A LT E R E D Sidestep the predictable and put these 10 arty, upmarket, outdoorsy and sometimes a little odd must-dos on your 2022 travel list, writes Anna Sarjeant

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t’s a big ol’ place, North America, and it’s enough to jam-pack your bucket list from now until forever. Rather than overwhelm your 2022 travel agenda, we’ve compiled 10 top-class experiences.

Hike to a remote Alaskan ice cave

We know New Zealand hosts its fair share of glacial wonders but to walk through an Alaskan ice cave is nothing shy of life-changing.

In southeast Alaska, near Juneau, a six-toeight-hour hike over Mendenhall Glacier grants access to an absurdly beautiful ice kingdom, where the walls are the colour of a Tahitian lagoon and bright-blue ceilings mesmerise.

You could also venture to the ice caves at Spencer Glacier in Chugach National Forest by combining the Whistle Stop train with a short, easy hike. Walking and kayaking tours depart from the station and if you’re after the ultimate adventure, Ascending Path offers overnight glacier camping

Visit the art metropolis that is ... Miami

Think Miami is all high-rise beach pads and string bikinis? Well, it is, but it’s also a hub of surprising art experiences.

The Art Basel fair rolls into town every December, showering the city with art shows, events, and, because this is Miami, parties for days. Mixing modern art with beachside cabanas, Faena Hotel Miami Beach is a big hit with luxury-lovers and is festival venue.

Alternatively, if you have US$2700 in your back pocket, an overnight stay at the W South Beach features 21 Warhols in the lobby.

The Wynwood Arts District is Miami’s arty heart, home to eclectic murals and the world’s first Museum of Graffiti.

Don’t skip town without heading to the Caribbean Marketplace in Little Haiti for authentic arts and crafts or, for something obscenely OTT, Dior Cafe in the Design District is sprinkled with life-size animal sculptures in Toile de Jouy print.

Live like an LA local

First things first, you can’t do Tinseltown without a car. This is a city that the word sprawling was coined for.

With wheels to your name (which you should now change to a showbiz one), Venice Beach is calling. Just minutes from the sand is Abbot Kinney Boulevard, a mile-long strip of shops, restaurants and art galleries, including Salt & Straw, where the icecream flavours are as wacky as caramelised turkey and cranberry sauce.

For retail relief, Melrose Avenue destroys bank accounts and is home to the rooftop bar and celebrity hangout Catch. Nearby is Craig’s; a SoCal institution and your go-to for American comfort food, it’s also a Kardashian hotspot.

Lend a hand in Hawaii

In September 2021, the Hawaii Tourism Authority announced it would be resuming the Community Enrichment Programme,

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S TAT E S an incentive to encourage tourists to visit the real Hawaii that locals love. A wealth of conscientious new activities blossomed.

Take a farm tour through Kauai’s kalo (taro) fields, run by six generations of the Haraguchi-Nakayama family. You’ll also get the opportunity to eat a traditional Hawaiian lunch. Explore one of the world’s most fragile ecosystems on the 240ha Kanepuu Preserve on Lanai. Home to endemic Hawaiian plants, tours are self-led and the terrain is what Hawaiian dreams are made of.

Over in Oahu, on Kualoa Ranch, try your hand at thatching a traditional Hawaiian hale (grass hut) or make it to Molokai for Purdy’s Natural Macadamia Nut Farm. A five-acre Hawaiian homestead and macadamia orchard, visitors are taught how to “crack a mac” and devour its delicious insides. es.

Try a different Rocky Mountaineer route

Travel addicts across the world rave about Rocky Mountaineer’s three Canada-based rail routes. Notably for the non-stop flawless vistas and old-world charm of train travel. Riding the rails is undisputedly one of the best ways to see Canada and now the good folk at Rocky Mountaineer have made tracks into the US too.

Chugging into America’s Southwest earlier this year, the train’s newest route, Rockies to the Red Rocks, snakes between Denver, Colorado and Moab in Utah (or vice versa) over two days; hoodoos and mile-high rock canyons slinking past the window with agreeable regularity. With an overnight stay in Colorado’s Glenwood Springs, Rocky Mountaineer’s regaled SilverLeaf service delivers every comfort you could wish for, while upgrading to SilverLeaf Plus permits exclusive access to the newly renovated lounge car.

And cocktails, we might add.

Discover Utah’s brand new state park

Travel by Amtrak

There’s something so glorious about global travel, it makes even the most humdrum things fascinating. Exclaiming at how different the road signs look “over here” or marvelling at the aesthetics of front doors and shopfronts is all part of the experience — and not one you’ll gain from an aeroplane. You will, however, from a train.

Amtrak is the US’ national rail service, connecting almost every inch of the country.

If you’ve ever wanted to witness America’s astonishing diversity, you can do so from huge picture windows. For visitors, Amtrak’s USA Rail Pass is the ultimate hop-on, hop-off ticket, accessing 500 destinations, to pick and choose across 10 journeys and 30 days. It’s easily the most carefree way to jump from national parks to big cities to the coast, with stations conveniently dropping you off in the centre of it all. At US$499pp ($714), you get a lot of bang for your buck.

If you’re after a little opulence, there’s ample aboard Amtrak. Passengers can request private bedrooms for one to two people, family rooms (two adults and two children between 2 and 12 years of age) and bedroom suites. Guests are treated to bathrooms with showers, turndown service, a sleeping car attendant, luxury lounge access at all major stations and full meal

service, including se th three-course dinners. di

What’s new, New Wh York?

York

could never leave We cou NYC off a bucket list sidestep the but we’ll si must-dos in favour obvious must of new-for-2022 attractions.

One Vanderbilt First off, Summit On officially opened in October. An upgrade on your stock-standard observation deck, this inner-city thrill features a glass elevator that shuttles 365m up and down the outside of the building, and for the ultimate knee-quaker, a suspended glass box. Step inside and attempt to hold on to your stomach.

The Blue Box Cafe reopens in 2022 at its flagship Tiffany & Co. store at 727 Fifth Avenue, currently undergoing a total reinvention.

Does that mean you can actually breakfast at Tiffany’s? Yes, but not until autumn 2022 when Tiff unveils her makeover.

Micro hotels are also having a bit of a Big Apple moment. Small in size but with lowerthan-average rates, look out for modern Arlo micro hotels (Midtown, SoHo and NoMad) for temptingly tiny stays smack bang in the middle of the action.

Conquer the mother of all Canadian hikes

As a nation of keen trampers and after a lengthy lockdown to boot, it’s as if we’ve spent all our lives (and most definitely the latter half of 2021) training for the holy grail of hiking: the Trans Canada Trail. This mammoth network of paths is more than 27,000km long, connects well over 15,000 Canadian communities and covers every nook of the country. There’s literally no escaping it and nor would you want to.

Tracks can be walked or cycled, parts can be ridden by horseback and others paddled by canoe or kayak.

If you want to complete every inch of it, allow at least two years. You’d certainly see the

majority of Canada, including its major cities.

Tracks don’t solely sew a route through the wop wops — the Waterfront Trail, for example, traces the shores of Lake Ontario through Toronto. Another weaves its way to Niagara, bringing you face to face with the falls.

Tap into some Deep South storytelling

Masters of an engaging story, whether they’re telling it or singing it, the Deep South’s heritage is always told creatively. Nashville is where the first National Museum of African American Music opened in January. Follow the evolution of every musical genre from gospel to blues, hip-hop, soul, jazz and more.

Then, of course, there’s Dolly Parton. If you’re a fan of the country crooner, don’t miss White Limozeen, Nashville’s new Dollyinspired bar (pictured below). It’s pink, it’s pretty and there’s a rooftop area that’s utterly, unapologetically (perfectly?) overdone.

For something a little rougher around the edges, Nashville’s Lower Broadway is nicknamed Honky Tonk Highway and home to no-frills musical bars, where it’s less about the aesthetics and more about the ambience. And the talent. Oodles of it.

Afterwards, make tracks to Prince’s Hot Chicken diner. A 100-year-old institution, it’s a story of infidelity, a scorned lover and a super spicy revenge meal that ended up tasting unexpectedly good.

Photos / Supplied, Aman Resorts, Rocky Mountaineer

You know an area of significance needs state park ark status when visitors are accidentally making fire pits out of 100-millionyear-old dinosaur bones.

To be fair, in the soonto-be Utahraptor State Park they’re almost as common as firewood.

The area has more than 5000 bones from more than 10 dinosaur species, including the Utahraptor, hence the park’s name. A palaeontologist’s dream, it’s t’s due to open in 2022 once trails, rails, campsites and day-use facilities cilities are completed.

And if all that rock puts s you in the mood for a hot stone massage, Amangiri, part of the Aman resort collection, cuts deep into Utah’s desert, 480km away in Canyon Point. Worth the journey for its slick concrete rooms, spa and a pool dwarfed by towering mesas, it’s like the hidden lair of a James Bond villain.

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From bucket list experiences, through to the most luxurious and jaw-dropping places to stay, eat and drink, Alice Frances discovers the very best Asia has to offer for 2022 and beyond

ONCE IN A

LIFETIME Do

Hit the snow in style in Japan

Niseko, Japan Considering Japan’s top ski-resorts get more than twice the snow dumping that world-famous Utah and Colorado get in a year, it’s not surprising skiers are now flocking to Japan.

And, for a high-end experience, there’s now no beating up-and-coming Niseko, located in Hokkaido, just south of Sapporo. After a day carving through the Champagne-powder sski-fields, you can then unwind in an onsen (hot spring), right next to a towering, active volcano. In the past two years, several five-star resorts have opened, including a Ritz-Carlton and W Hotel, alongside boutique stores and fine-dining restaurants, making Niseko a new favourite among A-listers. niseko-village.com/en

to the orangutan. Try the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in Northern Borneo where around 60 to 80 orangutans live wild and free across the 43sq km of protected land. Many of the nearby hotels in Sandakan offer a shuttle service to the reserve — or it’s a short 45-minute flight from Kota Kinabalu where you’ll find five-star resorts, including a Mariott, Hyatt Regency and Shangri La.

Make a wish at the Sky Lantern Festival Pingxi, Taiwan Though lantern festivals are common in Asia, this is a cut above the rest. Held in the remote mountain town of Pingxi, its low light pollution and stunning cliffs make it the perfect spot to view the annual sea of luminous lanterns rising from the dark.

Book in now for the February 2023 festival where you can write your wishes on your lantern and send it up into the heavens for good luck in the New Year. Stay in Taipei at the luxurious Shangri La Hotel, from where a private car can take you to the spectacle. eng.taiwan.net.tw

Take a five-star cruise through Southeast Asia

Experience India aboard Asia’s most luxurious train

Rajasthan, India Recently named Asia’s Leading Luxury Train at the 2021 World Travel Awards for the second year running, there’s no more opulent way to see India than aboard the Maharajas’ Express.

With fine dining and spaciously appointed luxury cabins, there are four itineraries to choose from, ranging from three to six-night stays. It’s hard to go past the Indian Splendour though, which runs from Delhi to Mumbai over six nights, taking in a game drive at Ranthambore National Park and a lavish dinner at Rambagh Palace along the way. the-maharajas.com

See orangutan in the wild

Malaysian Borneo Treat yourself to a once-in-a-lifetime experience, exploring Asia’s largest island, where you’ll find some of the world’s oldest rainforests, home

Singapore to Hong Kong, China Take in some of the world’s most blissful beaches — as well as buzzing cities and glorious temples and monuments — aboard this Silversea cruise that has it all. Starting in Singapore, this 14-day itinerary takes in Ko Samui, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City and Hue before arriving in Hong Kong, with a few days spent at sea to truly enjoy the lavish facilities on board.

Each spacious cabin comes with butler service, plus there are eight restaurants to choose from, lounges, cafes, a spa, casino and cinema — but no crowds, with cruise numbers limited to ensure one of the highest space-to-guest ratios in the business. silversea.com

Watch turtles hatching on a remote Malaysian island

Turtle Islands National Park, Malaysian Borneo Known locally as Pulau Penyu, this picturesque spot is also the nesting site of the endangered green hawksbill turtle. Stop by for the day to take your chances on seeing one, or opt to stay overnight on the island, where you can take in a sunset stroll on the beach before dinner, then settle in for the evening’s show.

Come nightfall, female turtles crawl up the beach and lay their eggs, which are whisked away to the hatchery to protect them from predators.

Follow your park ranger for a tour of the hatchery, where — if you’re lucky — you may even get to witness a turtle hatching.

Stay The Oberoi Amarvilas

Agra, India You really can’t go past the Oberoi for a room with a view. Enjoy a candlelit dinner on your own private balcony and watch as night falls over the Taj Mahal and it lights up in all its majesty, right in front of you. All rooms at this truly decadent five-star resort come with marble ensuite bathrooms and personal butlers, while larger suites include private sun decks and loungers, living and dining spaces — as well as a luxurious marble bath that overlooks the Taj Mahal. oberoihotels.com

Amiana Resort Nha Trang

Nha Trang, Vietnam If you’re planning a trip with young children or teens in tow, look no further than this Amiana Resort — the Luxury Family Resort Global Winner at the recent Luxury Hotel Awards 2021. You’ll likely not want to leave the sprawling grounds, nestled on a private white-sand beach with multiple, giant saltwater and freshwater pools, a world-class spa and mudbath, restaurants, kids club and watersports centre. But if you can tear yourself away, there’s a plethora of excursions available, from snorkelling and fishing trips, to shopping and cultural trips to the nearby heart of Nha Trang — many offered on push-bikes or Vespas. amianaresort.com

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives

Fari Islands, Maldives To really get away from it all, there’s no better spot than the Maldives. One of the newest — and most luxurious resorts — is the Ritz-Carlton,

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Eat The Chairman

Hong Kong, China Recently voted Asia’s Best Restaurant and the 10th best in the world, The Chairman offers up fresh traditional Cantonese fare in a modern setting. Its tea menu is almost as spectacular as its wine list, and the food is simply sensational. Don’t miss the flowery crab or the crispy pork belly rice cakes. thechairmangroup.com

The Den

Tokyo, Japan For the fourth year running, The Den has been named Best Restaurant in Japan. With two Michelin stars, its signature dishes include a waffle filled with white-miso-marinated foie gras, and “Dentucky Fried Chicken” — a wing stuffed with black sticky rice, pinenuts and goji berries.

You’ll likely be sat at the counter overlooking head chef Zaiya Hasgawa — and no visit is complete without meeting the restaurant’s mascot, Puchi Jr, Hasgawa’s much-loved chihuahua. jimbochoden.com/en

which just opened its doors in June. The over-water villas feature private infinity pools and sundecks, while larger villas also come with private chefs and butlers. Otherwise, there’s five fine-dining restaurants and bars to choose from, a tennis court, dive centre, kids club, spa, and even a photography studio to ensure you take home picture-perfect mementoes from your stay. ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/maldives-fari-islands

Anantara Resort

Ubud, Bali, Indonesia The Uluwatu Anantara Resort, perched dramatically on the cliffs above the Indian Ocean, is known as one of Bali’s most lavish, as well as being the sister resort to one in upmarket Seminyak. Now, a third resort is due to open its doors mid-2022 in the serene surrounds of Ubud. It’s promising the same impeccable five-star attention to detail, with a world-class spa, dedicated kids club and several dining options, including a “Dining by Design” experience, curated by a private chef, in and around the resort. anantara.com

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Ultraviolet

Shanghai, China Michelin-starred Ultraviolet’s experience begins on a bus that takes you to your final destination, where just 10 diners eat at a time. French chef Paul Pairet has won several awards (including Chef ’s Choice) and while it’s not cheap at US$900 a head, you won’t leave hungry, with 22 courses on offer. uvbypp.cc

Drink Sky Bar

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Take the lift to level 33 of the Traders Hotel where you’ll find a long swimming pool, surrounded by private booths — perfect for a lazy afternoon cocktail. Or visit at sunset and settle in by a window seat for the best view in town. shangri-la.com/kualalumpur/shangrila

Alfresco 64 Whiskey Bar

Bangkok, Thailand One of the most opulent bars in Thailand, 64 is also the world’s highest open-air whiskey bar. Towering

Amangalla

Galle, Sri Lanka A simply stunning resort, Amangalla has a truly unique location, nestled within the ramparts of Sri Lanka’s 17th-century Calle Fort, a Unesco World Heritage Site. Offering views of the Fort and harbour on one side and the hotel’s lush gardens and pools on the other, it also boasts exquisite dining options and a world-famous spa, The Baths (don’t miss the Ayurvedic therapy options). For a different change of pace, visit

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above the city, it resembles the bow of a superyacht, delivering breathtaking views. It might be famous for its extensive whiskey selection, but it also boasts an impressive oyster and caviar bar at which guests can indulge. lebua.com/restaurants/alfresco-64

Coa

Hong Kong, China Named Asia’s Best Bar, Coa is — surprisingly — a cosy Mexican bar named after the tool used for harvesting agave. Featuring a 41-page agave list, owner/bartender Jay Khan has visited every distillery and can find your perfect match. coa.com.hk

Bar 81

Seoul, South Korea Located in South Korea’s tallest building, this Champagne bar offers staggering views and opulent decadence. White and gold crystals hang from the ceiling, resembling bubbling Champagne — making it an ideal location from which to say “Cheers!” (or “Geonbae!” in Korean). lottehotel.com/seoul-signiel/en/dining/ bar-81.html

Amangalla’s sister resort, Amanwella (pictured), 75km further along the coast, which provides the perfect rural counter-offering. Perched on a private gold sand beach, surrounded by lush jungle, it’s ideal for honeymooners, with romantic private beach barbecues on offer, or wildlife safari excursions to the nearby national parks, where you’ll likely spot elephants — perhaps even a leopard. aman.com/resorts/amangalla; aman.com/resorts/amanwella

Commune by the Great Wall

Beijing, China Visiting the Great Wall should really be on everyone’s bucket list — but if you’re in search of a different experience to a day tour from your central Beijing accommodation, then this one could be for you. This five-star hotel by the Hyatt is within walking distance of the Shui Guan section of the Wall — meaning you can pop out to visit it at your own leisure, without the crowds. The sprawling complex includes a 176-room hotel as well as 36 architecturally designed villas, each unique and offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains. hyatt.com

Chiang Rai, Thailand Step into another world in northern Thailand, at this one-of-a-kind resort. Interact with rescue elephants, seize the day fishing with locals or explore mountain trails and bamboo jungles before returning to unwind in luxury tents.

Forget what you know about tents, because these luxurious, safari-styled offerings are far from what you may expect. Featuring hardwood, bamboo and leather interiors, opulent bathrooms (including outdoor rain showers) and wooden hot tubs, each “tent” offers a breathtaking view. fourseasons.com/goldentriangle

Photos / Getty Images, Supplied

Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle

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C O N T I N E N TA L M Y S T E RY B O X

Europe’s lesser-known routes offer up a selection of amazing experiences, writes Thomas Bywater

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urope is home to the classics. It’s the birthplace of 79 recognised regional languages, 12 royal households and the three tenors.

It offers world capitals of culture, cuisine and the arts, all within an area roughly the size of Western Australia, and with far better transport. After a two-year interregnum, the Romes, the Amsterdams and Barcelonas of the old world are welcoming travellers back.

But it’s often on the roads between these metropoles that you’ll find the most memorable experiences. A guided tour can help join the dots, translate the route ahead and pick up the heavy lifting of logistics.

With their planned itineraries for 2022 and beyond, many tour operators are taking their passengers off the beaten track with the aim of illuminating some lesser-known corners of the map. Here are just a few of the many options available, to help inspire your plans.

Italy’s Southern sole

Hidden on the under-heel of Italy is another side to the Apennines. The ancient region of Apulia and Calabria (pictured above right) is famously relaxed.

Neighbouring Neapolitans look down on “Puglia” for being a bit agrarian, but that’s just the vibe we’re after.

The white-walled conical houses define the region. Called trulli, these are the traditional field shelters and storehouses of the laidback Apulian farmers.

More recently they’ve been transformed into everything from stores to boutique-diffused hotels.

Globus offers a nine-day Hidden Treasures of Southern Italy itinerary, cruising along the bottom of “the boot”.

Highlights include tastes of local produce at the masserie farm estates and the white caves of Castellana Grotte. Once known as the home of the infamous crime family Sacra Corona Unita, you’ll find a different kind of underworld on this tour of Apulia: walking the 3km network of karst limestone grottoes.

The off-grid region is popular with celebrities looking for a low-key escape. There’s no danger the paparazzi will catch you in sleepy Savelletri or Arbelobello.

Priced from $2969pp. globustours.co.nz

The Baltic backcountry

There are few better ways to get a feeling for the mystery that is Russia than wrapped up in a guided tour. Intrepid has put together a 19-day

Tolstoyan epic of a journey that travels West via the northern route from Russia, through Finland, Estonia and the Eastern Baltic.

With portions of overnight train travel, rail and sail, the journey is a chance to see the country up close and personal. Yes, the star attractions of Moscow and St Petersburg are en route, but from here the trip leaves Red Square for the medieval Kremlins of Suzdal and the spoked fortress of Novgorod.

Crossing the Curonian Spit — and Europe’s largest sand dunes — and into Lithuania, the trip finishes in Vilnius.

Price from $4608pp. intrepidtravel.com

Turkish delight

Where does Europe end? A question that has puzzled Turks, Trojans and tourists over the years. Where East meets West on the banks of the Bosphorus, Turkey’s place on the Dardanelles makes it a favourite place for both beach lovers and history buffs.

Many Kiwis feel compelled to visit the Gallipoli Peninsula at least once in their lifetime. But beyond the parapets of Anzac cove and the World War battlefields, there’s a lot more to Turkey.

Intrepid Travel’s Treasures of Turkey 15-day trip around the country begins in Istanbul and ends in the fairytale cliffs of Cappadocia, with three nights at the Splendid Cave Hotel.

Optional extras include joining one of the 100 daily hot air balloons in a ride over Goreme, Turkey’s ballooning capital.

Priced from $3488pp. intrepidtravel.com

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Iceland and geothermal fire

Crossing the Caucasus

If you’re looking to push the boundaries of a European tour as far as they go, you’re in the right place. Wedged between the Black and Caspian seas, Georgia and Armenia have all the ingredients of a European holiday — castles, brandy and some seriously edgy history — but none of your pre-conceptions.

Beginning in Yerevan and heading north across the Tsiv-Gombori Range into Tbilisi, you’ll see a part of Europe that travel guides forgot with G Adventures’ eight-day Best of Georgia and Armenia.

From the snow-capped Mt Ararat and the monastery of Khor Virap to the unfamiliar runic alphabet, parts of Armenia feel like Europe in a parallel universe. In spite of famous exports such as adopted Kiwi rock stars, Russian dictators and Churchill’s favourite brandy, the region remains little explored.

Across mountains in Uplistsikhe you’ll find grottos, castles and Roman amphorae.

Finishing in the fortified capital of Tbilisi, the “Rome of the Caucasus” is a European city break you might not have considered.

From $1983pp. gadventures.com

Transformed by geothermal energy, the volcanic land of the sagas has changed more in the past decade than it has in the past two millennia, although its landscapes are still full of primordial charm.

One of the countries hardest-hit by the 2008 GFC, Iceland emerged from the turmoil like a magma-powered phoenix. You’ll find space-age power plants, thermal baths and pristine black beaches and waterfalls.

The timeless landscape has helped fuel a renaissance in Viking romance as well as the country’s burgeoning film and television industry.

The inspiration for fantasy writers George R. R. Martin and J. R. R. Tolkien, New Zealanders from Middle-earth are likely to find kindred spirits.

With Trafalgar’s six-day Iceland return trip from Reykjavik, you’ll get to visit many of the island nation’s compelling sites, including waterfalls at Hraunfoss and Barnafoss, the Geysir Hot Spring area and Thingvellir National Park, as well as the geothermal blue lagoon.

From $3850pp. trafalgar.com/en-nz

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Operatic Oberammergau

Oberammergau. Difficult to say, easy to appreciate.

The picturesque town in southern Bavaria is on the edge of the Alps. On the mountain route between Austria and Germany, its streets are painted with Bauernmalerei murals. It is a familiar stop on the way to the operatic Zugspitze, Germany’s tallest summit.

However, once every 10 years the sleepy village of 5000 welcomes half a million visitors, making a pilgrimage to the foothills of the Alps for the Oberammergau Passion Play.

Since 1634 the parish has held the medieval epic telling of the Passion of the Christ. Drawing the faithful from around the world — and more than a few curious tourists — it is performed in an open-air amphitheatre against a backdrop of mountains.

There is extra drama following the postponement of the 2020 festival due to the pandemic, the first time this has happened since World War I. They are resurrecting the Passionsspiel for September 2022.

At a crossroad in the Alps, itineraries converge from central Europe, Northern Italy and Switzerland.

If you want to stay hyperlocal, and remain in the mountains, Globus runs a nine-day Bavarian Highlights tour with the chance to visit more Wagnerian landmarks, including Bayreuth and Neuschwanstein Castle. Where to begin, Lohengrin?

From $4659pp, with alternate transcontinental itineraries via the Passionsspeile at globustours.co.nz

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T H E R O YA L T R E AT M E N T 5

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1 The Torridon, Wester Ross, Scotland

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4 Beaverbrook, Surrey, England

In the Highlands of Scotland, this is Britain’s most northerly five-star hotel. Originally built as hunting lodge Ben Damph House in 1887, the Victorian property is on the edge of a loch surrounded by 23ha of parkland and towering peaks. Inside, you’ll find 18 individually designed bedrooms, as well as 12 rooms in the former stable block, and self-catering private accommodation in the old boathouse. Within the hotel, there are two restaurants and two bars, including a whisky bar with more than 360 malts to choose from. Activities include guided walks and mountain biking, clay pigeon shooting, archery, kayaking, gorge scrambling and — for the brave — snorkelling in the loch.

From $578 per night. thetorridon.com

Formerly the home of the first Baron Beaverbrook, Max Aitken, newspaper publisher, politician and close friend of Winston Churchill, this English country estate was opened to the public in 2007 following years of restoration work. The main house has 18 rooms, and there are a further 11 in the Garden House, along with a private Coach House for exclusive use. Many rooms feature grand four-poster beds and private balconies overlooking the 190ha estate. Inside the hotel, you’ll find a spa, as well as three restaurants, a deli and the very glamorous Sir Frank’s Bar, where the pretty powder-pink walls are lined with more than 350 paintings by Victorian botanical artist Marianne North.

From $1063 per night. beaverbrook.co.uk

2 Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Oxford, England

5 Bodysgallen Hall, Llandudno, Wales

One for the foodies, this 15th-century manor house country retreat has celebrity chef Raymond Blanc at the helm as chef-patron. His on-site restaurant was awarded two Michelin stars in the hotel’s first year of opening in 1984; it has held them ever since. If the seven-course dinners aren’t enough to sate your appetite, why not sign up for the cookery school? There’s everything from half-day introductions to residential programmes, for all experience levels. The hotel is part of the Belmond group, whose other luxury UK experiences also include the Royal Scotsman train journey.

From $2075 per night. belmond.com

3 Ashford Castle, County Mayo, Ireland

This 800-year-old castle was once the home of the Guinness family but now is part of the Red Carnation group of hotels. Set on a 350-acre estate with landscaped gardens, ancient woodland and a lake, there are 83 rooms and suites to choose from, along with six restaurants, three bars and an award-winning spa. Guests also have access to a 32-seat cinema, library, billiards room and cigar terrace, and activities include fly fishing, zip-lining and falconry.

From $660 per night. ashfordcastle.com

Close to the seaside town of Llandudno, this country-house hotel is set on an 80ha National Trust site, with gardens dating back to Elizabethan times. Rooms have a charming, old-fashioned design, with wood panelling, four-poster beds, open fireplaces, and, in the drawing room, 17thcentury coats of arms. The hotel’s website states Bodysgallen is believed to have originally been built as “a watchtower during the building of Conwy Castle, probably in the 13th century, to warn of surprise attack”. Now, you’ll find nothing but luxury.

From $440 per night. bodysgallen.com

6 Claridge’s, London, England

In the heart of London’s Mayfair, Claridge’s has been a staple on the luxury hotel scene since the 1850s, becoming a favourite soon after opening with European royalty and heads of state. Transformed into an Art Deco icon in the 1920s, the hotel has an enduring legacy — in the 1940s it was a refuge from World War II for European kings; in the 50s it was home to Hollywood stars including Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn and Bing Crosby, with Spencer Tracy once saying he’d rather go to Claridge’s than to heaven when he died.

From $1204 per night. claridges.co.uk

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7 Adare Manor, County Limerick, Ireland

As well as a luxurious and elegant hotel set in 340ha of pristine parkland, Adare is home to Limerick’s first Michelin-star restaurant, The Oak Room. A spa and golf course round out the luxurious offerings, as well as experiences including fishing, falconry, archery, cycling and interactive sessions with the estate’s Irish gundogs and their trainers. If an overnight stay is out of reach, you can always visit for afternoon tea in The Gallery, a gorgeous space full of stained glass windows and ancient wood carvings.

From $964 per night. adaremanor.com

8 Burgh Island, Devon, England

For something wild and free, how about a stay on a secluded tidal island perched on one of Devon’s gorgeous golden-sand beaches? Burgh Island is an Art Deco landmark, built in 1929 and hosting everyone from politicians (Winston Churchill) to musicians (The Beatles) to writers (Agatha Christie and Noel Coward) in its time. There are 25 rooms and suites in the hotel, or stay at Agatha’s Beach House, first built in the 30s as a retreat for Christie where she wrote And Then There Were None and Evil Under the Sun, both set on the island.

From $945 per night. burghisland.com

9 Cliveden, Buckinghamshire, England

Cliveden was built in 1666 by the second Duke of Buckingham as a gift to his mistress, and its reputation as a place of intrigue continued well into more modern times — in the 1960s it was where MP John Profumo and Christine Keeler, mistress of a Russian spy, began the illicit affair that would cause one of the biggest scandals in British political history. Since 1985, the house has been a luxury privately owned hotel, although its 150ha of Grade-1 listed formal gardens and woodlands are open to all, under the care of the National Trust. Choose from a range of rooms and suites, or book the three-bedroom Spring Cottage for an indulgent, romantic hideaway. Mistresses not a pre-requisite.

From $1100 per night. clivedenhouse.co.uk

Photos / Supplied, © Ray Main 2019

Take your UK and Ireland holiday to the next level with one of these luxury hotels good enough for royalty, writes Stephanie Holmes

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In this Covid age of travel, flying visits take on a whole new significance, writes Francesca Syz

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Cuixmala, Mexico

derelict estate on Scotland’s Black Isle peninsula has been immaculately restored as a series of suites and stylish self-catering cottages. The setup couldn’t feel more appropriate.

It’s not the decadent, dusky pink velvet headboards in the bedrooms, the Tesla charging points or the enormous outdoor firepit for sitting around after dinner that make Newhall Mains feel very “now” — it’s the private airstrip that runs alongside it, which means guests can fly right in for their holiday on a privately owned or chartered light aircraft.

Because when we can travel again, it’s clear we’ll be more conscious of doing it in a safe, healthy way. And those who choose to fly privately will discover that some of the world’s most exciting hotels already have their own airstrips, so you can fly right to their doorstep.

Here are our favourites:

Once the private retreat of British tycoon Sir James Goldsmith, his family, his mistresses and an endless conveyor belt of high-profile guests such as Richard Nixon, Henry Kissinger and Ronald Reagan, it’s no surprise that this impossibly chic, Pacific-coast beachfront eco-resort has its own private airstrip. Although you may have to change to a smaller private aircraft at Puerto Vallarta, you can definitely “go private charter” the whole way.

Set within the densely lush Chemela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve, it has one extraordinary “centrepiece” main house, three large fourbedroom villas and an assortment of free-standing casitas and bungalows, which can be rented individually or on an exclusive-use basis. There are also multiple pools and terraces, three private beaches and 12,000ha of wilderness in which to roam. Additionally, the estate has its own organic and biodynamic farm, which provides 90 per cent of the food served. cuixmala.com

La Nava del Barranco, Spain

Islas Secas, Panama

A little south of Madrid in central Spain, wild, windswept Castilla-La Mancha is Don Quixote country. It’s also home to one of Spain’s largest private villas, La Nava del Barranco, which has an airstrip big enough for international private jets. Set on a hillside among olive plantations and vineyards, it sleeps up to 24 guests in 14 elegantly luxurious suites and feels like a very private fivestar hotel.

Within, you’ll find multiple living rooms and dining rooms for candlelit dinners, a library, playroom, cinema, gym, spa and outdoor pool.

Head out on safari, spotting wild deer, eagles and Iberian lynx or try clay pigeon and partridge shooting, horse riding, hot-air ballooning and amazing picnics in the countryside. lanavadelbarranco.com

This luxury island resort, spread over 14 islets and sleeping 24 guests, offers the ultimate barefoot luxury experience. It’s remote and under-the-radar and you stay in stylish casitas designed to connect you with the natural surroundings, while offering every creature comfort. It’s also a heavenly place to snorkel, dive, kayak, head out on a nature hike or simply relax on one of its many hidden powderwhite beaches.

The resort has an air-conditioned 17-seater Twin Otter private plane transfer direct from Panama City, which takes an hour and is available both for private charter and by the seat. After landing at Tocumen International Airport, you’ll be escorted to the FBO terminal and then flown to an airstrip on the main Secas island, cutting out hours spent catching a domestic flight and then a boat journey.

Although casitas are available on an individual basis, you can also exclusively book Islas Secas for approximately $30,382 per night, which includes all meals and drinks and a selection of activities on and off the island. Prices for the private plane transfer are available on request. islassecas.com

Laucala Island, Fiji

Probably the most exclusive private island resort in Fiji, Laucala is the private home of Austrian billionaire and co-founder of Red Bull, Dietrich Mateschitz, set within 1200ha and offering a contemporary take on rustic Fijian style. Available on an exclusive-use basis for groups of up to 20 people, accommodation is split between one-, twoand three-bedroom villas, some set into the forest, others right on the beach. There are multiple swimming pools, horses to ride, an 18-hole David McLay Kidd-designed golf course and spa, which uses organic, island-made oils.

All the resort’s villas are amazing, but the Peninsula Villa, which has its own private beach, and the two-bedroom Overwater Villa, which appears to float above the lagoon, are the most spectacular. Both have private jetties and pools carved into the rock. Private jets — up to Falcon 900s in size — can fly into the resort’s concrete airstrip, or the resort’s own King Air B200 will collect you from the Nadi International Airport. laucala.com

Wharekauhau Country Estate, Wairarapa, New Zealand

This country estate-turned-boutique hotel and spa is set within a 1400ha working sheep and cattle farm in the Wairarapa wine-growing region. It’s a glorious place to roam with a mix of forests, lakes, rivers, rolling pastures and dramatic black sand coastline and the hotel will provide you with bikes or arrange fishing, hiking, archery and clay target

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Terms and Conditions: Offer valid for up to two adults in a Grand Room at The Grand by SkyC City or a Premium m Room at SkyCity y Hotel for bookings until 28 February 2022 for stays until 31 March 2022, subject to availability. Close-out dates may apply. SkyCity Unlocked Members will save an additional 10% discount on the overall package price. All package elements must be redeemed at the time of the booking and cannot be redeemed or exchanged for cash. You will be responsible for all incidental charges and costs, including travel to and from the hotel and all in-room hotel services provided throughout your stay. R18 for the service of alcohol. Host Responsibility limits apply. Dining voucher is an inclusion in the package and is not exchangeable or redeemable for cash. The voucher can be used for food and/or non-alcoholic beverages at any restaurant, bar or cafe at SkyCity Auckland (as applicable). No change will be given if your bill is less than the given amount which must be used before 31 March 2022. We strongly recommend booking your preferred restaurant in advance to ensure you get your preferred dates and times.

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shooting. You are also within spitting distance of 29 boutique wineries.

There’s much to be said for hanging out by the heated indoor pool or in the spa before heading to the courtyard for pre-dinner wine and canapes, then heading to the dining room for a gourmet feast. An hour and half ’s drive from Wellington, the estate also has a private airstrip for light aircraft and can arrange for a private charter to fly you in from anywhere in Australasia.

Alternatively, they’ll provide you with a personal driver who will pick you up from anywhere in New Zealand or take you anywhere you want to go. It’s all very civilised. wharekauhau.co.nz

The Brando, French Polynesia

“That private island” where Kim Kardashian celebrated her 40th birthday in October 2020 and where Barack Obama retreated to after leaving the White House, The Brando is the ultimate jetset retreat and of course, it has an airstrip.

Originally owned by Marlon Brando, who discovered it while filming Mutiny on the Bounty, it’s a secluded haven with 35 villas, 50km off the coast of Tahiti.

Days can be spent exploring the place on foot, by bike, with snorkel or paddleboard, and having spa treatments in treehouse treatment rooms.

Meals are Michelin-quality, making the most of the bountiful produce on land and sea.

You can travel from Tahiti to the island by its own private jet service, Air Tetiaroa, which operates two six-passenger Britten-Norman aircraft as well as two Twin Otters which carry 14 passengers each and depart from a private terminal at Faa’a International Airport. You can also arrange for your own private charter to land on the island. thebrando.com

Hutton Vale Farm, South Australia

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This lovely family-owned winery in the Barossa Valley is renowned for its fine wine, free-range natural pasture lamb and hand-made artisan produce. It offers luxury B&B breaks with wine tasting and gourmet barbecues, all from the comfort of a stand-alone two-bedroom villa or four additional rooms in more rustic cabin accommodation.

The really fun part is that the farm has its own airstrip, so you can be whisked there from Adelaide in a private charter Cessna in no time. You could then fly north to the extraordinary Arkaba Conservancy in the Flinders Ranges, one of the Luxury Lodges of Australia, for an immersive outback safari. huttonvale.com

Amanpulo, Philippines

This pristine island may feel remote but its private airstrip means you can zoom in from Manila in just over an hour. The elegantly low-key resort is home to 42 casitas and several bigger villas, all linked by unpaved roads through the tropical jungle and there are pristine white beaches in every direction.

Each party has a personal assistant, on hand to organise activities and make dinner reservations in one of the resort’s excellent restaurants. There is also a world-class hilltop spa and yoga studio with panoramic views over the island.

About 360km south of Manila, Amanpulo is reached exclusively by private charters, either on the Aman Private Jet, available for guest charter, the resort’s own aircraft that carries up to 15 passengers, or a separate charter you arrange through the hotel, all of which depart from the resort’s own hangar at Manila Airport.

Amanpulo stays start from $2300 per room per night, including return flights from Manila. aman.com/resorts/amanpulo — Telegraph Group Ltd

Clockwise from main: The Brando, French Polynesia; Ilas Secas, Panama; Laucala Island, Fiji; Wharekauhau, Wairarapa, NZ; Hutton Vale Farm, South Australia.

Photos / Adam Bruzzone, Dragan Radocaj, South Australia, Supplied

Stunning self catering apartments located in the heart of Oamaru within the historic precinct.

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S TA R - S T U D D E D Thinking of the ultimate romantic international getaway in 2022?

Take inspiration from the luxury hotels that celebrities like to holiday at, writes Francesca Syz. 1 Soneva Fushi, Maldives

This trailblazing Maldivian resort set the agenda for conservation tourism in the Maldives 25 years ago and has never looked back. It was one of the first luxury resorts to champion the idea of really taking a circuit break from ordinary life while there, with a refreshing “no news, no shoes” policy and has been a magnet for high-profile travellers looking for exclusive, intelligent luxury.

Fans include Gwyneth Paltrow, Liv Tyler and Katy Perry. Actors Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas honeymooned there in 2019. Since their visit the hotel has launched eight huge one-and-two-bedroom Water Retreats, which, as they sound, are over-water villas — a first for the trailblazing conservationminded island.

Where Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas stayed: A one-bedroom Crusoe Villa, which costs from $2995 per night. soneva.com

2 Como Parrot Cay, Turks and Caicos

Privacy is everything at this award-winning Turks and Caicos resort, a white-washed wellness retreat frequented by Bruce Willis and Donna Karan, both of whom have owned houses on it (Willis sold the one he’d owned there for 20 years for US$27,000 in 2019), Alexa Chung and Cara Delevingne, who has called it her favourite island in the world.

The 405ha private island in the northern Caribbean is home to rooms, beach villas and private estates, a COMO Shambhala Spa and is even big enough to have its own wetlands and nature trails. Other celebrity visitors include American socialite and entrepreneur Olivia Palermo and her ridiculously handsome German husband and model, Johannes Huebl, who settled in for a week.

Where Olivia Palermo and Johannes Huebl stayed: A two-bedroom Beach House, which costs from approximately $7630 per night. comohotels.com

3 The Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris This Art Deco hotel just off the Champs-Elysees has been welcoming the world’s most well-heeled travellers since it opened in 1928. Today it has three Michelin-awarded restaurants with five stars between them, a decadent new spa, elegant swimming pool and a courtyard for al fresco dining.

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It even has a tucked-away vintage lift just for VIPs, of which there are many.

The hotel’s artistic director and celebrity florist, Jeff Leatham, is responsible for the extraordinary flower displays throughout the hotel. It’s a favourite with Gwyneth Paltrow, who checked in with Brad Falchuk after their star-studded wedding in the Hamptons in 2018.

Where Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Falchuk stayed: In one of the hotel’s three vast presidential suites, with a Turkish bath, ice fountain, living room, dining room and spectacular views over Avenue Georges V. From $25,600 per night. fourseasons.com

4 The Cadogan, A Belmond Hotel, London

The Cadogan has a long, colourful history, which looks set to continue now it’s in the hands of the Belmond hotel group, albeit in a more sedate way.

While it has welcomed many a well-known guest over the years and the actress and socialite Lillie Langtry, who lived next door, was rumoured to have often met her lover, King Edward VII, there on the sly, the main guest who springs to mind is Langtry’s friend Oscar Wilde. He often checked into Room 118 despite living with his wife and kids just a 10-minute walk away, to enjoy many a dalliance with men.

Homosexuality being illegal at the time, he was

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SOJOURNS 5 Fregate Island, Seychelles

Just four degrees south of the equator, this tiny, verdant, sensitively developed island with just 17 private villas was the original Seychelles private island resort that set the standard for the rest, most notably, North Island, where guests have included the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and George and Amal Clooney.

Fregate has remained an excellent offering, its eco-credentials going from strength to strength, with a huge hydroponic farm growing all its fresh produce and most of the island left to the freeroaming giant turtles. Honeymooners over the years have included Paul McCartney and Heather Mills, Elizabeth Hurley and Arun Nayer, and Ronan Keating and Storm Uechtritz, who jetted off there after a few days at Ulusaba in South Africa.

Where Ronan Keating and Storm Uechritz stayed: A private pool residence, which costs from $8738 per night. fregate.com

6 Singita Faru Faru Lodge, Tanzania

The honeymoon destination of choice for actor Idris Elba and model Sabrina Dohwre, riverside

Singita Faru Faru sits in the heart of the Serengeti in northern Tanzania, along the renowned annual migratory route of the wildebeest.

The stylish, Scandi-chic lodge, which has nine tented suites with private pools, two organically shaped communal pools and elevated viewing decks over a prime watering hole, provides its guests with exclusive access to more than 142,000ha of the Serengeti Mara ecosystem.

As well as twice-daily game drives, guided walks and exquisite food, there are other romantic experiences on offer, like hot air ballooning at dawn over the savannah plains.

Where Idris Elba and Sabrina Dohwre stayed: a tented suite with a private pool, which costs from $3381pp, per night. singita.com

7 Amangiri, Utah

Aman’s modernist luxury desert retreat, set in a 243ha wilderness sanctuary in the parched wilds of Utah, first opened in 1998 and has been a favourite with, well, everyone from Brangelina, who went there a decade ago for some “mommy and daddy time” to almost all the Kardashians, who never seem to stop going. In July 2020, Hailey Bieber’s Instagram account was brimming with pictures of her and husband Justin cuddling on rocks, during a romantic summer stay.

The resort later added Camp Sarika —

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which is a luxurious glamping offering with accommodation in 10 tented pavilions a five-minute drive away, for those who want to play at “roughing it”.

Where the Biebers stayed: the vast Amangiri Suite, with a large private lap pool, a sky terrace with a daybed for sunbathing and stargazing, a firepit and multiple dining areas. From $7467 per night. aman.com

8 Nihi Sumba, Indonesia

This remote Indonesian hideaway owned by fashion designer Tory Burch’s ex-husband, Chris Burch, is tucked away on Sumba Island, twice the size of Bali but completely unspoilt and little known and just an hour’s flight from it.

The property has 33 villas and an even more exclusive private residence — Chris Burch’s own home, Raja Mendaka, an estate with five villas.

Unsurprisingly, it’s this offering that attracts the most high-profile guests, like Christian Bale, Heidi Klum and the Beckhams. It’s also where Jennifer Lawrence and Cooke Maroney honeymooned in 2019.

Where Jennifer Lawrence and Cooke Maroney stayed: Raja Mendaka, the owner’s five-villa estate within the resort, which costs from approx. $11,385 per night on an exclusive-use basis. nihi.com — Telegraph Group Ltd

Photos / Supplied

eventually arrested at the hotel on April 6, 1895.

Where Oscar Wilde stayed: Room 118 back then, Wilde’s room is now The Royal Suite and costs from $9471 per night. belmond.com

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From Japan to France and even in our own backyard of Kaikoura, luxury treehouses are setting new heights for travellers around the world, writes Michelle Tchea

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oteliers have heard the cry of wanderlust-starved travellers around the world and are setting new heights when it comes to travel. Treehouses are the latest rage, offering travellers a chance to immerse themselves in nature, bringing nostalgia and luxury together with the latest design-worthy structures rivalling the most luxurious 5-star hotel.

From magical retreats in South America to peaceful getaways in France’s Loire Valley and lofty escapes in Japan, these treehouse hotels pack a punch, with luxury upgrades fitted into their 20m-high suites. Sleep in king-size beds, call your private butler and see stunning views of national parks in some of the world’s most epic treehouse lodges. Here are our favourites to swing into.

1 Loire Valley Lodges, France

In the heart of the Loire Valley, a two-hour drive from Paris. This is France’s gastro belt and also the ultimate destination for self-professed oenophiles looking for award-winning sauvignon blanc and muscadet winemakers. At Loire Valley Lodges, 18 designer treehouses are sprawled over a 300ha private estate and make for a great lodging option if historical chateaux are not your thing.

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Enjoy an elevated state of living with floor-toceiling windows overlooking the Loire forest or take time exploring the modern-day treehouses that are all distinctly decorated and designed by French artists. The Serge Gainsbourg treehouse is equipped with a vintage turntable and speakers to rock out vinyl albums late into the night, whereas guests who appreciate Philippe Borderieux can immerse themselves in both nature and art, with more than 20 of his paintings around the suite.

All treehouses have a 35sq m living room, Italian-designed shower and king-size bed. There is no Wi-Fi or TV but guests are a stone’s throw away from historical Chateau Chenonceau and have more than 280km of the Loire Valley to explore, so boredom will not come into play.

From $626 per night. loirevalleylodges.com

2 Baobab Treehouse at Xigera Safari Lodge, Botswana

Tucked away in Botswana’s Okavango Delta is the Baobab Treehouse. At Xigera Safari Lodge, this newly opened treehouse is reachable only by canoe for guests who want to rethink their carbon footprint while on holiday in Africa. Built in January this year, the treehouse sits on stilts to minimise the impact on the fragile floodplain it sits on.

The three-storey, solar-powered treehouse is perched 10m above the delta and was inspired by a painting by South African artist Jacobus Hendrik Pierneef. The cantilevered steel branches mimic surrounding trees.

The 5-star lodge has a spiral staircase leading to the first-floor bathroom, which extends into an expansive bedroom and dining room on the second floor, where guests can relish in wildlife-spotting and stargazing activities in the comfort of their own (tree)home.

From $1942 per night. xigera.com/lodge/the-baobab-treehouse

3 Treeful Treehouse Sustainable Resort, Okinawa Japan

The whimsical Treeful Treehouse on Japan’s Okinawa island, a place known for its high number of centenarians, is a breath of fresh air for travellers looking to escape big cities Kyoto and Tokyo.

Guests can choose from two design-focused rooms, Spiral Treehouse and AeroHouse, which both come fully furnished with separate bathrooms, and wall-to-wall windows offering sweeping views of the Genka River, as well as a yoga deck for those inclined to practise meditation 20m above ground. Focused on sustainability, the resort’s rooms are solar-powered.

The AeroHouse is worth splashing out on, with a state-of-the-art kitchen and wine cellar to make your home-away-from-home truly memorable.

The father-daughter team leading the project love giving back to the Okinawan people, and their latest community project is rebuilding a 100-yearold watermill by the Shizogumui waterfall: it’s a great spot for turtle-spotting and refreshing swims after a humid hike in Okinawa’s forest.

From $1890 per night (minimum 2 nights stay). treeful.net

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6 Hapuku Lodge and Treehouse, Kaikoura, NZ

4 Keemala Villas, Thailand

Inspired by the We-ha (sky) clan, who are known for their creativity, Phuket’s Keemala Villas have added seven treehouses to their luxury resort in the lush rainforest overlooking the Andaman Sea. The hotel suites are built to preserve and highlight the resort’s natural environment and topography, using eco-friendly synthetic materials to reduce heat reduction, as well as allowing natural sunlight to stream into the 169sq m lofts.

The seven Tree Pool Houses are two-storeyed and come with a private pool, lounge and dining area, as well as a spacious upper-level master bedroom seemingly suspended in the treetops.

The furnishings include hanging hammocks and cocoon-like beds and loungers, and private bathrooms feature deeply energising monsoon

showers. Activities include jungle walks exploring exotic flora and fauna and taking part in the resort’s Thai culinary masterclasses.

From $1065 per night. keemala.com

5 Lovtag, Denmark

In the North Jutland woods, near Als Odde marina, three treetop cabins each come with a terrace overlooking Rold Skov (Rold Forest), one of Denmark’s oldest natural forests. Here, moose roam free and can be spotted from the Lovtag highrising cabin sitting a mere 8m above the ground.

Designed by architect Sigurd Larsen, the cabins are minimalistic, with a modest kitchen, queensized bed and also a lounge and terrace in a simple Nordic style. The hotel offers more than just a chance to indulge in Nordic Hygge culture but also

New Plymouth’s cultural heart.

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invites guests to explore Mother Nature.

Options include self-guided hikes in the forest, as well as trout fishing in the country’s longest and most beautiful fjord, Mariage Fjord.

From $425 per night. lovtag.dk/en

Indulge

All within a single city block.

A vibrant community of 17 boutique businesses.

A hotel fit for a King and Queen.

International food and wine.

Coffee to raise anyone up.

Retail therapy at it’s finest and world-famous art to ponder.

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A contemporary country hotel located on a deer farm at the base of the Seaward Kaikoura mountain range, Hapuku Lodge’s treehouses are about 12km north of the township.

The modern, wood-clad Tree House Rooms sit high above manuka groves and are remote from the main lodge — perfect for a serene staycation with all the privacy you need. Choose from either the one-bedroom treehouse or the twobedroom treehouse, which sleeps four, and enjoy wraparound windows highlighting insatiable, neck-bending views of the mountains.

Perched 10m above ground in a canopy of trees, the rooms feature deep soaking tubs, custom-made furniture and outstanding views of the Pacific Ocean.

From $1086 per night. hapukulodge.com/tree-houses

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TREASURE HOUSES From a beach house in Ireland to a teak longhouse near Chiang Rai — consider one of these glorious new private villas for a bucket list big break, writes Francesca Syz

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ith space and privacy the ultimate post-pandemic commodity, dreamy exclusive-use homes are in high demand. Thankfully, there’s a fleet of new offerings on the luxury villa rental market to suit every style and taste.

Aurora Lodge, Norway

The exclusive-use, sea-facing Aurora Lodge in Norway’s Lyngen Alps sleeps up to 12 people in six bedrooms. Clad in traditional patinated green copper on the outside, it is anything but traditional within.

The lodge has an outdoor Jacuzzi, a sauna near a small creek and comes with all meals and a bespoke programme of wilderness experiences.

You can spend your days cross-country skiing, snowshoeing in the forest, husky sledding and on private boat trips watching and tagging orcas, accompanied by award-winning nature photographer and marine biologist Audun Rikardsen to document the day. It’s also the perfect place to see the Northern Lights.

From $146,223 for a five-night stay, based on 12 sharing, including helicopter transfers from Tromso. blacktomato.com

Cliff Beach House, Waterford, Ireland

This joyously contemporary beach house in the seaside resort of Ardmore is the latest offering from food-lovers’ favourite next door, Cliff House Hotel, and great dining is part of the offering. The house officially launched in 2020 but was unable to welcome guests for a long time due to lockdown, so is still hot off the press.

Light, airy and spacious, with floor-toceiling windows through which to enjoy the staggeringly beautiful views, there are six

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bedrooms, two living rooms which open out on to a long terrace and a great big oak dining table positioned in front of an open fire.

Have fun cooking in the impressivelyequipped kitchen or let the hotel’s executive chef, Ian Doyle (ex-Noma) pop round and cook for you. There are lots of fun add-ons available from beach foraging and fishing trips to wild swimming lessons.

From $4135 per night, the house sleeps 12. cliffbeachhouse.ie

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The Branson Estate on Moskito Island, British Virgin Islands, The Caribbean

Four Seasons’ first wine country resort, in Calistoga, comes with some pretty amazing villas.

The finest will be The Estate Villa, a great big three-bedroom vineyard-side house in a secluded corner of the resort.

In addition to spacious vineyard-facing bedrooms and a living room with an open fire, there’s a private garden with an outdoor pool, three wet-room style bathrooms with deep soaking tubs and both indoor and outdoor dining spaces.

It also comes with a private bar and a 20-bottle temperature-controlled wine refrigerator stocked with a selection of premium local wines and spirits and all the facilities of a hotel.

Villas at the resort start from $2050 per night. Price for the Estate Villa on request. fourseasons.com

Pa Sak Tong, Northern Thailand

Set in 10 hectares of rice fields, lotus ponds and tropical gardens at the foot of Doi Chang mountain, a 10-minute drive outside Chiang

Rai in Northern Thailand, exclusive Pa Sak Tong is made up of two teak longhouses with 11 bedrooms between them. The two are linked by

and doors that can sweep back all the way round the house.

There’s also a communal beach house, infinity-edged pool, bar, tennis courts, dining pavilions and a watersports centre, plus mountain biking, sailing kite surfing, standup paddleboarding, water skiing, snorkelling and scuba diving. The estate also comes with a dedicated beauty therapist.

Exclusive use of The Branson Estate starts from $36,621 per night in low season (June 1-September 30), for up to 22 people. virginlimitededition.com/en/moskito-island

walkways that crisscross the estate and are lit by tiki torches at night.

The first, Baan Sak Tong houses five suites in a teak house overlooking a lotus pond. On the other side of the estate is Khum Sak Tong, a luxurious longhouse decorated with exquisite local art and textiles divided into four individual houses with six bedrooms and a 30m heated pool.

There are three spas, two fitness centres, a steam room and a dedicated team of therapists.

The estate’s executive chef provides a delicious mix of traditional Thai cuisine and European dishes throughout the stay.

Low-season stays start from $5474 per night, for 12 people sharing. pasaktong.com/en — Telegraph Group Ltd

Photos / D.Bigsby, Supplied, Virgin Unlimited

The Estate Villa at Four Seasons Resort and Residences, Napa Valley, California

Fans of the BVIs have been flocking to Richard Branson’s Necker Island for years. Less known is that Branson has also been developing another island, less than 4km away, to provide a similar offering. The 125-acre Moskito Island, almost twice as big as Necker, is made up of 10 individually-owned private estates, including the Branson Estate.

Branson’s sleeps 22 people in three villas (Headland House, Mangrove Villa and Beach Villa) with 11 bedrooms between them. Each has a freshwater infinity pool, open plan living areas with kitchens, living rooms and dining rooms

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Make a D AT E The world of mega-events is gearing up for new excitement in the new year, writes Alice Frances

I

tching to pack your bags for the trip of a lifetime in 2022 or 2023? Why not time your travels around one of these once-in-alifetime experiences? With many large-scale international events and festivals forced to cancel in the past couple of years, most are now set to return even bigger and better in 2022 and beyond.

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

February 6 and June 2-5, UK She’s not typically one to enjoy a fuss in her honour, but come 2022, if she’s still on the throne, her Majesty will be the focus of dozens of festivities throughout the year. Marking her 70 years of service in February, the official celebrations will be held in early June for an extended bank holiday, Platinum Jubilee Weekend. The four days of festivities will include public events as well as international moments of reflection, including Trooping the Colour, a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral and Platinum Party at the Palace — a live concert at Buckingham Palace, said to be featuring some of the biggest names in entertainment.

Floriade 22

April 14-October 9, the Netherlands Forget the Chelsea Flower Show, the horticultural exhibition that should be top of your list is Floriade Expo 2022. Held every 10 years in the Netherlands, this time beautiful Almere plays host to the event that celebrates local and international flowers, plants, fruits, plus green and sustainable technology. More than 40 countries will contribute to the expo, with an 850m-long cable car connecting sections, or you’re encouraged to make your way around on foot or bike.

Matariki

June 24, NZ Our own backyard is the place to be in June 2022, as we mark our first public holiday to celebrate Matariki. Keep an eye out for festival activities in your community, or book tickets now to have a front-row seat of the night sky for the arrival of the Matariki star cluster. Lake Tekapo’s Dark Sky Project is a great place to be — part of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve and home to some of the world’s darkest skies. Manuhiri (visitors) can choose three experiences: The Summit Experience at University of Canterbury Mt John Observatory; or a Dark Sky Experience at Dark Sky Project Base. Plans for Matariki are yet to be announced, so keep an eye on their Facebook page for more information. facebook.com/DarkSkyProjectNZ Other great places to celebrate will be Aotea Great Barrier Island and Rakiura Stewart Island — both dark sky sanctuaries — or Wai-Iti, near Nelson, a smaller Dark Sky Park.

2022 Commonwealth Games

Rio Carnival

February 25-March 2, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil The world’s biggest party has been given the goahead for 2022 after it was cancelled this year for the first time in more than a century. With more than 500 street parades lined up over the week on the sizzling beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, to the steamy inner streets of Rio de Janeiro, you’re going to need some stamina. But, with some serious pent-up partying in them, leave it to the Brazilians to get the party started... and keep it going, long after you’re ready to go to bed.

July 28-August 8, Birmingham, UK Preparations are on track in Birmingham, where the UK is set to host the games for the third time.

But these games already appear to be one for the record books — they’ll be the first-ever carbonneutral games, and for the first time, there are set to be more medal events for women than men.

Organisers are tight-lipped on what’s in store for the opening and closing ceremonies but have let slip Bafta award-winning screenwriter Steven Knight (creator of Peaky Blinders) is involved.

Oktoberfest 2022

September 17-October 3, Munich, Germany After the festival was cancelled in 2020 and 2021, Oktoberfest 2022 is gearing up to be bigger than ever, with tour packages selling out. Next year the beer will be flowing for 18 days and your best bet is to to be there for the opening or closing ceremonies — although you’ll have more luck finding a seat if you go during weekdays. Prost!

T R AV E L – E V E N T S

Tutankhamun’s final resting place

November 4, Cairo, Egypt Not a big sports fan? Egypt could be your place to be in 2022. After celebrating 100 years of independence from the UK on February 28, Egypt will mark another moment of great historical significance as it welcomes home King Tutankhamun to his final resting place in Cairo, exactly 100 years after his tomb was discovered. On the November 4 anniversary, the doors to the new Grand Egyptian Museum are due to open to great fanfare, where — after years spent travelling the globe — King Tut and his artefacts will now be found, forever.

2022 Qatar World Cup

November 21-December 18, Qatar Since winning the right to play host 11 years ago, Qatar has spent a staggering US$138 billion on bringing its Cup dream to life — with stadiums, cities and hectares of green spaces suddenly emerging out of the sand. It’s the first time an Arab nation will host the Fifa World Cup and if the beautiful game somehow doesn’t provide enough of a spectacle in itself, Qatar is promising to put on one heck of a show.

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2023 events 2023 Cricket World Cup

October-November, India Originally due to take place in February, the 2023 Cup has been moved to the end of the year, due to the pandemic. But, in good news, it’s arguably the best time of year to visit India who, after co-hosting in the past, will host solo for the first time. With cricket by far the No 1 played and watched sport in India, there’s likely to be no better venue to soak up the Cup. Tour packages are expected to go on sale shortly, when the much-awaited schedule is released.

2023 Rugby World Cup

September 8-October 21, France Kiwis may have to make some tough decisions between cricket or rugby, when this Cup kicks off on the opposite side of the world at a similar time. Unlike the cricket, match times and venues have already been released — taking place from Lille to Marseille — so if you want to be among the action, you’ll need to be quick.

Luxury Travel in a League of its Own

Since their inception in September 2005, New Zealand luxury travel company Touch of Spice have been meticulously crafting a portfolio of the creme de la creme in luxury stays and exclusive experiences throughout New Zealand and the South Pacific.

With an award-winning ‘Luxury Stays’ portfolio, which now include new and 'off the beaten track' local luxury accommodation options – Touch of Spice are showing even the most seasoned of traveller something new and something uniquely New Zealand.

The Potting Shed - Northland

Cross Hill Domes - Wanaka

Sea Breeze III - Auckland

Whether you're looking to escape from the city on a family stay-cay, jump onboard a private yacht for a dose of vitamin ‘sea’, impress your other half with a romantic escape in the wild, or celebrate that big birthday doing something 'out-ofthis-world', Touch of Spice can make 'it' happen.

Talk to the Touch of Spice team today to find out more about exclusive summer offers and packages available throughout New Zealand and Fiji.

w ww.touchofspice.co.nz

+64 3 450 0855

info@touchofspice.co.nz

@touchofspice_nz

Photos / Getty Images

12.12.2021

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12.12.2021

READY FOR TA K E - O F F ?

Tongaporutu

Retail Therapy

Photos / Getty Images

If you've rewritten your wish list, we'd love to know where you're hoping to visit in 2022. Email your most longed-for holiday spots to travel@nzherald.co.nz so we can continue inspiring your next adventures.

IT’S TIME TO DISCOVER TARANAKI

Experience Taranaki at its best this summer. Be delighted by truly unique activities, adventure and events, decadent dining and world-class modern art.

Stop dreaming, and start planning your ultimate Taranaki getaway today.

WHAT’S ON L.A.B - 8 Jan | The Good Home Taranaki Off-Road Half Marathon - 15 Jan Synthony In The Bowl - 5 Feb | AmeriCARna - 22 - 26 Feb | WOMAD - 18 - 20 Mar Oxfam Trailwalker - 26 - 27 Mar | Tri Taranaki Festival - 27 Mar AN INITIATIVE OF VENTURE TARANAKI

Make a weekend of it! taranaki.co.nz/visit

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See this on our featured itinerary:

VIKING EXPEDITION SHIP, TORONTO, C ANADA

Thunder Bay

MINNESOTA Duluth

GR E AT L A K ES COLLECTION DULUTH – TORONTO or vice versa

binoculars

15 DAYS | 10 GUIDED TOURS | 2 COUNTRIES

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Lake Superior

MICHIGAN USA

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Alpena

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including boots, waterproof pants and • Unlimited Wi-Fi

ONTARIO CANADA

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Detroit

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Geoorgian Bay Toronto Welland Canal Port Colborne Lake Erie

Lake Ontario Niagara Falls

Cleveland Cruise

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*Conditions apply. Prices are per person, in Australian dollars, based on double occupancy, subject to availability, includes all advertised discounts and correct at time of printing. Guests are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at time of travel. Great Lakes Collection based on 12 September 2023 departure. These offers are valid on new bookings made between 1 October – 24 December 2021 unless sold out prior. For full terms and conditions visit viking.com.

NO KIDS | NO C ASINOS | NEWEST SHIP FLEET 0800 4 47 913 VIKING.COM OR SEE YOUR LOC AL VIKING AGENT