NEW ZEALAND
NAPIER
Architectural tours, wineries, Maori culture and birdwatching: two days in Napier, the stylish Art Deco city and gateway to New Zealand’s Hawke’s Bay region. SPECIALIST: EMILY SUMMER
DAY 1 SUNRISE
Head to the city beach q to see the sun lifting above the Pacific in a tangerine wash. Congratulations: due to Napier’s geography, you’re one of the first people in the world to see the new day breaking.
8AM
Breakfast at Mister D’s w. The menu is extensive, but I’d order their doughnuts. As an added quirk, you insert your own fillings (such as custard) into the doughnuts using a syringe.
40 | AUDLEY TRAVELER
10AM
After its 1931 earthquake, Napier was rebuilt and decked out in the style of the day, Art Deco. The best way to see its architectural highlights is to take a guided tour – in a vintage car, no less. It’s a good introduction to the city’s signature look, alerting you to some of the best examples of stained glass, motifs and other detailing.
12PM
Lunchtime. Try the Hunger Monger e for some of the best fish and chips in New Zealand.
2PM
You’ve got two options for this afternoon, depending on how you’re feeling. If you feel like relaxing, escape to the Ocean Spa r. Luxuriate in its waterfront setting and heated outdoor and saltwater pools. However, if you would like to try something more energetic, drive about 45 minutes north of Napier to reach Mountain Valley t – a stretch of forested countryside at the end of the Kaweka mountain range. It’s great for hiking.
6PM
Why go to just one great restaurant for dinner when you can go to many? On a dining tour, you’ll be transported around several Hawke’s Bay vineyards, from boutique wineries to historic establishments like the Mission Estate y(founded by 19thcentury French missionaries). You’ll eat different courses at each place, with wine pairings. However, the icing on the cake is that the tour is perfectly timed so you’ll watch the sunset from Craggy Range u , a glass of bubbles in hand.
