Inspire Magazine - October 2016 by House of Travel

OCT/NOV 2015

r a e y r u o y 6 1 0 2 Make PARADISE FOUND

The untouched beauty of the Philippines OLD HAUNTS & NEW JAUNTS

The best of Australia – old & new HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY!

A century of the US National Park Service

RECREATION OR RELAXATION

Which South Pacific Island should you choose? SPOTLIGHT ON EUROPE

Old relics & ancient abodes + more! I NSPI RE // HOU SE OF TRAVE L

Hello! Not so long ago the world seemed unfathomably huge. Fast forward to 2015 and the likelihood of taking a trip and bumping into your neighbour occurs with disturbing regularity. Small world huh?... Nope, the world's still huge. And there's plenty more to explore. Whether you’re after sun, fun or adventure, 2016’s going to see a surge in all things new, remote and seemingly out of reach; the inaccessible made accessible, the once-avoided landmarks made into bucket-list favourites and familiar cities offering a million new reasons to visit.

IN T HIS 4

The world is bursting at the seams with opportunity, from international sporting events to little-known cultural trends. The hot spots remain, but there are lesser-known neighbouring countries to discover too. Seek and you shall find. Because in this world, anything’s possible.

Enjoy X

Aussie crowd pleasers & teasers

Treasures of the South Pacific

HOUSE OF TRAVEL CONTRIBUTORS Writer ANNA SARJEANT Designer KYLIE MILLAR Campaign Manager HEIDI LOXHAY Australia RACHEL MANCINI South Pacific MIKE GEARY North America GABRIELLE BROWN Asia & Touring PAULA WATSON Europe ANNE GRAHAM South America SHELLEY ADKINS Cruise LINDA HALLIDAY Printer WEBSTAR

I NSPIRE / / HO U SE O F T R AV E L

Europe: Old countries , new discoveries

ISSUE 12

All eyes on Asia

Making waves in cruising

O C T / N OV 2 0 1 5

North America: Cities & soul

Small groups = BIG adventures

First place goes to Rio!

Save the date!

I NSPI RE // HOU SE OF TRAVE L

CROWD PLEASERS & NEW TEASERS GOLD COAST

THRILL SEEKING FAMILIES

FOR

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then you'll LOVE this!

Superman & Green Lantern at Warner Bros Movie World

Shrek, Kung Fu Panda & The Wiggles at Dreamworld

Roller coaster rides that’ll churn your insides

With nine high-adrenalin, Big Thrill rides, over

and stuntmen throwing themselves into

40 attractions and the title as Australia's

peril, or movie-themed motion stimulators

largest theme park, Dreamworld Gold

followed by a casual yarn with Batman.

Coast also boasts ABC Kids World; home

You’re either very young, or young at heart

to Giggle & Hoot, The Wiggles, Play School

– and either works! Warner Bros Movie

and the Bananas in Pyjamas’ fun maze,

World has it all; stunt shows and street

not forgetting the famous residents of

parades, white knuckle rides and characters

Cuddlestown. Suitable for big kids, small kids

patrolling the park, from Bugs Bunny to Tweety

and those old enough to foot the bill, there are

and even Marilyn Monroe. Have a guess who

tiger shows, DreamWorks Experience and virtual

dad will be talking to!

reality V8 Supercars. Look who’s driving now!

Village Theme Parks 7 Day Holiday Passes start

from $435 per family Family is based on 2ad/2ch (3-13 yrs)

urism

& Events Queensla

Dreamworld Kiwi 7 Day Ticket Family passes start from $395 per family Family is based on 2ad/2ch (3-13 yrs)

QUEENSLAND ISLANDS FOR

chilled out BEACH BUMS

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then you'll LOVE this!

Staying on the coast

Queensland island hopping

What’s not to love about endless days of sun,

Queensland island hopping. Why settle for

sea and sand? Holidays that are so relaxed

one slice of paradise when you can have

you needn’t do anything more strenuous

more? From Lizard Island in Tropical North

than saunter from the pool to the beach.

Queensland to Tangalooma on Moreton

The Queensland coast offers a lively social

Island in southeast Queensland, there’s

scene and water-centric activities that lure

always something different to enjoy. There’s

plenty of visitors. Hours are divided between

also the Whitsundays, where you can spend

idle lounging and finding cafes selling fresh

the entire day jumping from one idyllic beach

just-pressed juice, or jumping waves in the

to the next. From swimming with turtles to eco

sea, commandeering a jet ski and sipping

adventures, teeing off and luxe indulgence, you name it, there’s an island offering it.

a frosty Aussie beer outside the nearest bar. Aruba Surf Resort, Broadbeach from $75pp per night share twin Minimum night stays apply

I NSPIRE / / HO U SE O F T R AV E L

Reef View Hotel, Hamilton Island © To

urism

& Events Queensla

from $235pp per night share twin Minimum night stays apply

WE ALL LOVE AUSSIE FOR A HOLIDAY, BUT DO YOU FIND YOURSELF RETURNING TO THE SAME SPOTS YEAR- IN, YEAR-OUT? FEAR NOT, FOR EVERY WELL-LOVED AUSSIE RECREATION, THERE ARE A DOZEN MORE TO DISCOVER.

TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND FOR

an ADVENTURE in the TROPICS

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then you'll LOVE this!

A Great Barrier Reef day cruise

A Great Barrier Reef heli-tour

The perfect set-up of teal water and

The high-rolling Aussie lifestyle. Soar over the

endless coastline fringed with palm

famous Great Barrier Reef in pure luxury.

trees. Your vessel slicing through the

Heli-tours provide bucket-list wow-moments

water, with sugary soft sand in the

from the air rather than land or sea. The

distance and if you’re lucky, whales on

Tropical North Queensland colours from a

the horizon. For the water-babies there’s

bird’s eye perspective swirl like a painter’s

nothing better, activities abound. From

strokes; turquoise hues fused with shallow

snorkelling and diving (including helmet

coral. There are stunning scenic tours on

diving for those that don’t want to get their

offer, or go the extra mile and land at the

hair wet!) to coral exploration, semi sub

Agincourt Reef pontoon and spend over three hours on and under the water.

rides and plenty of dips in and out of the sea.

GBR Helicopters 10 minute scenic flight

Great Adventures Great Barrier Reef Adventure (departs from Cairns) from $259pp

urism

& Events Queensla

(departs Green Island) from $229pp

SUNSHINE COAST FOR

BEACH LOVING FAMILIES

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then you'll LOVE this!

Mooloolaba

Twin Waters

Wth its perennial perfect climate and laid-

Fifteen minutes north of Mooloolaba sits the

back welcome, little wonder Mooloolaba is

Novotel Twin Waters Resort and Grand Mercure

a firm-favourite destination on the Sunshine

– both top-picks for families. You get that

Coast. For the getaway that’s delivered

happy resort vibe in a unique location, even

with little fuss or flare, days needn’t be

boasting their very own lake with a water

any more taxing than sunbathing on the

park and sailing opportunities. Holidays

beach, barbecue lunches and a wine

can be as relaxed or as exclusive as you

while you dine – of which Mooloolaba

like with both hotels offering traditional hotel

offers sublime varieties of both. Popular

accommodation as well as self-sufficient

properties include family friendly Mantra

apartments. Twin Waters’ golf course is also

Mooloolaba and Nautilus Mooloolaba.

recognised as one of the top six in Australia.

Mantra Mooloolaba, 2 Bedroom Apartment from $109pp per night family share Family is based on 2ad/2ch (2-11 yrs)

urism

& Events Queensla

Novotel Twin Waters, Resort Room Garden View from $49pp per night family share Family is based on 2ad/2ch (2-11 yrs) Flights are additional. Terms & Conditions apply.

I NSPI RE // HOU SE OF TRAVE L

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

VINEYARD ENTHUSIASTS

FOR

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Swan Valley

Margaret River

Exploring Western Australia’s Swan Valley

Situated in the heart of Western Australia’s

from the inside-out, with daily wine tours

southwest region, and only three hours drive

and plenty of tastings. Just twenty minutes

south of Perth, the Margaret River region

drive east of Perth CBD, guided day trips

is one of Australia’s most strikingly diverse

are quick and convenient, with both a host

holiday spots. Hop in a car for self-drive

and driver, their wine knowledge more than

exploration, or join an organised tour and

extensive. Typically you’ll visit five wineries,

head to the home of over 80 wineries and

a boutique brewery and the famous

microbreweries. Plan your visit to complement

Margaret River Chocolate Company along the

big events such as the Gourmet Escape,

way. The best time to visit is between September

or visit throughout the year for plenty of

and December, to coincide with the stunning

gastronomic delights, world famous surf breaks

wildflower season and warm spring weather.

and a laid-back vibe.

Swan Valley Full Day Indulgence Tour from $129pp

urism Western Australia

Margaret River with Neil McLeod 3 Day Escape from $925pp share twin

SOUTH AUSTRALIA FOR

off the BEATEN TRACK food tours

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Kangaroo Island

Fleurieu Peninsula

Food in its purest form. Organic cheese

Beer. But of course! Venture to South Australia’s

and cultured yoghurt, honey harvested

Fleurieu Peninsula, only forty five minutes

from Ligurian bees and seafood so fresh

south of Adelaide, and experience an

it’s practically still swimming. No doubt

off-road 4WD beer tour with ‘Off-Piste’.

South Australia’s Kangaroo Island is

Forge a route through the rugged terrain

your favourite island to grace this

on-board a robust Toyota Troop carrier, while

earth. A haven of fertile land and

gaining a behind-the-scenes look into various

water, Australia’s finest gourmet foods

boutique breweries, complete with lunch.

– as well as the country’s most talented

A labour of love, discover award-winning

artisans – reside here. As wild as it is delicious,

hand crafted beers, all served with a backdrop

you’ll know its renowned food and wine trails

of back-country vistas and stunning coastline.

well; sampling products directly from the source. Sealink Kangaroo Island Experience (departs Adelaide) from $315pp

I NSPIRE / / HO U SE O F T R AV E L

Off Piste Craft Beer Adventure © SATC

(departs Adelaide) from $235pp

NEW SOUTH WALES FOR

a FUN-FILLED BEACH BREAK

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Byron Bay

Port Stephens

The gateway to abundant surf opportunities,

Port Stephens is Sydney’s playground, just two

one hour south of Gold Coast Airport.

hours drive north of the city. Head to Port

Host to a medley of annual events, be sure

Stephens' coast and ride a thundering quad

to catch the annual BluesFest in March

bike across the massive sand dunes (run by

– the quintessential blues and roots music

a local indigenous company who will ensure

festival. Next year's acts include UB40,

you’re smiling throughout). Home to over 100

City and Colour and Tom Jones! Byron Bay

bottlenose dolphins, dolphin-spotting tours

is a year-round crowd puller, popular with

and kayaking trips depart from Nelson Bay

all those who enjoy a cruisey combination

and whale-watching is also popular during

of relaxation and recreation, from energising

the annual migration north in June and July,

dawn surfs to sleepy late-morning markets.

and south from September to November.

Breakfree Eco Beach, Studio Room

from $99pp per night share twin

The Nelson, Queen Standard Room from $85pp per night share twin

VICTORIA FOR

the ANIMAL LOVING FAMILY

If you LIKE this... Melbourne Zoo Seeing your little tykes getting acquainted with Australia’s fascinating wildlife; their grins spreading from ear to ear. If you and the family are big fans of Melbourne Zoo, you’ll already know it’s one of the best

then you'll LOVE this! Werribee Open Range Zoo Why travel across the globe when you can get a taste of African safari at Werribee Open Range Zoo? A mere 30-minutes out of Melbourne and en route to the Great Ocean Road, discover African, Asian, North

days out in the Victoria state; the ultimate

American and Australian wildlife across

wildlife encounter and just five minutes from

more than 200 hectares of open range

Melbourne’s CBD. Stroll through lush Asian

environment. The animals have so much

and African rainforests, discover Australian

space they behave exactly as they would in

bush land and if it's water creatures that excite, visitors can even venture underwater. General Admission Day ticket from $109 per family KIDS GET IN FOR FREE on weekends & school holidays Family is based on 2ad/2ch (4-15 yrs). Kids under 3yrs free

their natural habitats. Hop on a free safari tour or stay overnight for a unique ‘Slumber Safari’. General Admission Day ticket from $109 per family KIDS GET IN FOR FREE on weekends & school holidays Family is based on 2ad/2ch (4-15 yrs). Kids under 3yrs free

TO FIND OUT MORE GIVE US A CALL ON 0800 838 747, VISIT HOUSEOFTRAVEL.CO.NZ/INSPIRE OR COME INSTORE TODAY Flights are additional. Terms & Conditions apply.

SHINE ON,

VANUATU

IN MARCH 2015 HURRICANE PAM SWEPT THROUGH VANUATU, RAVAGING MUCH OF THE MAINLAND AND ISLANDS. BUT DON'T CRY FOR VANUATU JUST YET. ALBEIT SHAKEN, IT TAKES MORE THAN A STORM TO UNSETTLE THIS BEAUTY.

his is a country where the sun shines bright

(like much of Vanuatu) is a food haven. French

soldiers were instructed to dump all warfare into the

but the people’s smiles shine brighter.

colonists gave the country strong coffee and sweet

sea. Jeeps, trucks, bulldozers, tractors, trailers and all.

A nation on the mend, Vanuatu’s rebuild

patisseries, while the island’s tropical location

And that is where they stayed.

is predominately cosmetic, nothing can destroy

and rich agriculture contribute to the exotic fruits

the population’s enviable zeal for life.

and coconut plantations, gooey honey and an

of planes, boats and bulldozers no longer await

abundance of cattle, all of which is fresh and

excavation; now a permanent feature of the

and the nation’s second biggest tourist area was

organic. Arguably, Vanuatu’s beef will likely be the

Santo scenery, they’ve taken residence in Vanuatu,

almost completely bypassed by Cyclone Pam and

best you’ll ever taste.

frequented only by divers, snorkelers and scores

Espiritu Santo, the largest island in Vanuatu

remains both in-tact and in-credible. Awash with

From Santo you can discover Vanuatu’s war

Decades on and the rusted, contorted remnants

of tropical fish that have renovated the twisted

palm-fringed beaches, platinum sand and water

history. As the former WWII military base of the US Army,

wreckage into their home. Not as adverse as it initially

so clear it sparkles like crystal, even Pam knew

Hurricane Pam isn’t the sole perpetrator to leave a

appears, the underwater scenery, albeit muddy

Santo was too beautiful to attack.

path of debris.The sunken graveyard of the USA Army,

and mangled, is also beautiful. An interactive history

Simple, sleepy and charmingly under-

also known as Million Dollar Point is found just off the

lesson that beguiles visitors with both its eerie neglect

developed, in Santo there are more cows than

coast of Espírito Santo. Between the terracotta sand

and fascinating past, it is undeniably one of the

people. In fact, if it wasn’t for the cattle idly gracing

and perennial blue sky there lies a dumping ground

world’s best diving spectacles.

the shoreline, you’d find yourself alone on the

of US military equipment, or to put it in better words,

beach. High-end retreats flank the green hinterland

a moment of lunacy frozen in time.The submerged

the most visited of Vanuatu’s islands from NZ, Efate

but it’s the isolation that makes Santo so attractive.

junkyard reflects a time in 1947 when, with the war

took a huge brunt of Pam’s wrath and didn’t fare

That and the cuisine of course, because Santo

over and Vanuatu no longer US-occupied, American

well for it. Months on and a lot of the province has

I NSPIRE / / HO U SE O F T R AV E L

As the most populous island in Vanuatu and

SPOTLIGHT ON NIUE

Niue. The island with a self-service bar, one or two plane arrivals per week (depending on season) and a singular holiday resort. High rises? Forget it! If this sounds like bliss it’s because it is. In Niue, there exists a natural serenity that’s almost unheard of in the modern day. An outdoor enthusiast’s paradise, there are sea tracks and walking routes, snorkelling coves and swimming caves, as well as pods of dolphins and the annual whale migration between July and October.

POPULATION CURRENCY

1,300

The New Zealand Dollar

FLIGHT FROM AUCKLAND

3 ½ hours

LANGUAGE Niuean & English All Vanuatu photos © Vanuatu Tourism / David Kirkland

NOT TO MISS ACTIVITIES Swim in the spellbinding Avaiki Cave Snorkel in the crystal clear Limu Pools Venture into Toga Chasm (not for the faint hearted…it’s a very steep ladder!)

WILDLIFE WONDERS been rebuilt, only two resorts, Iririki Island Resort &

trees, you’ll reach a stunning waterfall and an

Holiday Inn Resort remain closed until May 2016 and

invitation to swim beneath it. Efate may have taken

a new 80 room self-contained resort, The Ramada

a battering but its beauty stands strong.

Akiriki Vanuatu is readying itself to welcome tourists

Cyclone or no cyclone, the people of Vanuatu

from 1 June 2016. Included in Vanuatu’s rebuild

are always smiling. Said to be the happiest souls in

is the capital, Port Vila. A little slice of France in

the world, making easy and immediate connections

the southern hemisphere, and well worth a visit

with the nation’s people is an everyday occurrence.

for the food alone. French colonists gave the

Travellers are welcomed with open-arms, more so

country a taste for European flavours and even the

since Hurricane Pam. Tourism plays a huge part in

supermarkets are enticing – with French chains selling a medley of continental treats. From Port Vila, take a 20-minute drive to Mele Cascades, an area of lush foliage intertwined with turquoise streams and foaming rivers. Nature at its very finest, Mele Cascades is the polar-opposite

their vitality, credited to 40% of the national income and the stability of Vanuatu’s future, the country fought to bounce back, and bounce back it did. Pam’s long gone – but Vanuatu’s long list of appeals never went away.

of Cyclone Pam; calm, tranquil and glowing with

When Vanuatu gets knocked down, Vanuatu

serenity. Inhale the sweet scent of hibiscus, dip

gets back up. Taller and stronger and with

your toes in shallow pools and navigate bubbling

smiles even wider than before. To find out

creeks, the water reaching high above your ankles.

more visit houseoftravel.co.nz/inspire, give us

Having clambered over rocks and under low-lying

a call on 0800 838 747 or come instore today.

Swim with humpback whales, which come within 100m of shore! (July-Oct) Join a pod of 100+ spinner dolphins Walk through flocks of beautiful butterflies in the rainforest

INSIDER KNOWLEDGE A rental car is a 'must' to experience the real Niue at leisure Cash out is possible at the Supermarket or Bond store as back up to credit cards Most shops are shut on Saturday and Sunday but the Supermarket is open till 1pm on a Saturday Good walking shoes and reef shoes are a must!

EATING & DRINKING Head to Willie's Washaway Café, open every Sunday from 11am-11pm. Great burgers and a self service bar! Visit the early markets to grab some tropical fruit and get an insider’s view into Niuen life Kaiika (Japanese Restaurant) and Falala Fa Café & Bar are top spots to dine at I NSPI RE // HOU SE OF TRAVE L

Which island is right for you?

COOK ISLANDS

EACH OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS HAS A STRONG IDENTITY, CULTURE AND HISTORY. HERE'S OUR GUIDE FOR PICKING THE RIGHT ISLAND FOR YOU.

VANUATU

TH E ULTI MATE H O LI DAY FO R:

TH E ULT IMAT E HOL IDAY FOR:

Adventure junkies who want to fill their days with action packed activities like diving, zip-lining and off-road 4WD tours.

Chilled out families and couples looking for beautiful, tropical beaches and a great range of activities and dining.

BEAC H ES

BEACHES

DI VI NG / SNO RKELLI NG

DI VING / SNORK EL L ING

C ULTURE

C ULT URE

FA MI LI ES

FA MIL IES

DI NI NG

DI N ING

TH E ULTI MATE H O LI DAY FO R: Laid-back travellers who are after a pure Pacifica experience with plenty of beach time and a chance to go whale watching! BEAC H ES

TONGA

NIUE

DI VI NG / SNO RKELLI NG C ULTURE FA MI LI ES DI NI NG

NORFOLK ISLAND

I NSPIRE / / HO U SE O F T R AV E L

TH E ULTI MATE H O LI DAY FO R:

TH E ULT IMAT E HOL IDAY FOR:

History buffs who are after a relaxing holiday in a beautifully serene setting, surrounded by majestic pine trees.

Outdoorsy types looking for a myriad of activities including fishing, whale watching, cavern diving and hiking.

BEAC H ES

BEACHES

DI VI NG / SNO RKELLI NG

DI VING / SN ORK EL L ING

C ULTURE

C ULT URE

FA MI LI ES

FA M IL IES

DI NI NG

DI NING

TH E ULTI MATE H O LI DAY FO R: Beach bunnies (head to the islands for beautiful beaches and snorkelling) and families (head to resorts with great kids clubs & action!) BEAC H ES

FIJI

DI VI NG / SNO RKELLI NG C ULTURE FA MI LI ES DI NI NG

TH E ULTI MATE H O LI DAY FO R: Active relaxers who like culture, eating and shopping – with the option to get into watersports like windsurfing and kitesurfing.

NEW CA LEDONIA

BEAC H ES DI VI NG / SNO RKELLI NG C ULTURE FA MI LI ES

WHEN?

BEST TIME TO GO The dry season (May-Oct)

IF YOU'RE A COUPLE Avoid school holidays!

FOR FAMILIES If going in school holidays, book at least 4 months in advance to avoid disappointment

BEST TIME FOR DIVING This varies depending on the location with less visibility in the wet season

HOW OFTEN ARE FLIGHTS?

TH E ULTI MATE H O LI DAY FO R:

Fiji & Cook Islands: Daily

BEAC H ES DI VI NG / SNO RKELLI NG

Samoa, Tonga, Tahiti & New Caledonia: 5 days a week Vanuatu: 4 days a week Niue & Norfolk Island: Once a week

HOW LONG ARE THE FLIGHTS?

C ULTURE

Tahiti: 5 hours

FA MI LI ES

New Caledonia: 2 ¾ hours

DI NI NG

TH E ULTI MATE H O LI DAY FO R: Off the beaten track travellers who are after amazing culture, deserted beaches and even a spot of surfing if you're keen! BEAC H ES

SAMOA

AND

DI NI NG

Couples (honeymooners...even better!) who want to soak up the sun in luxuriously beautiful surroundings.

TAH ITI

HOW

DI VI NG / SNO RKELLI NG C ULTURE FA MI LI ES DI NI NG

Norfolk Island: 1 ¾ hours The rest: Between 3-4 hours

NEW IN 2016 Double Tree Sonaisali Island Resort by Hilton Fiji Opening 01 Jul 2016

Ramada Akiriki Vanuatu Opening 01 Jun 2016

Taumeasina Island Resort Samoa Opening Apr 2016

I NSPI RE // HOU SE OF TRAVE L

WE'VE FOUND PARADISE

(can you keep a secret?)

T HE PHILIPPINE I SLA N D S A R E B E AU T I F U L , BU T T HE Y ’ R E AL S O U N D E R E X P O S E D AN D MORE-OR-LESS UNDISC OVERED. I F YO U T H O U GH T A 2 1 S T C E N T U RY U TO P I A WAS U N AT TAI N ABL E, TH INK AGAIN.

he pursuit for paradise never ends. The

soft as sugar, as light as flour and brighter than

a good dose of city-fever, Cebu is as energetic

Robinson Crusoe ideal, where the beach

both. Lapped by emerald water and shroud by sun,

as Manila, but served with an extra lashing of

is desolate, silence dominates and the

the entire stretch of beach runs parallel to a sandy

panache. Like all good cities, Cebu is fast-paced

only chance of seeing another soul is in the water,

pedestrian walkway – the White Beach Path. Cars

and exhaustive; radiating with an urgency that

and even then it’s your own reflection. Cast your

are banned so kick your naked toes through sun-

only exists in Asia’s most manic metropolises.

eyes over the Philippines; dubbed the hottest new

warmed sand and weave your way to the nearest

This animated frenzy is heightened by the

destination for 2016. It’s a country that boasts over

beach shack. Indulge in a refreshing Philippine

Philippine’s most popular means of public

7000 relatively under-populated islands, so there’s

specialty; fresh Calamansi juice made from citrus

transport, the Jeepney. Big, crowded and frequently

ample to go around.

fruit. Come nightfall, Boracay transforms from quiet

adorned with kitsch decoration, these over-sized

and subdued to loud and vivacious so swap your

Jeeps are a great experience, even if just the once.

BORACAY Get out of Manila. There’s no love to be found here, see it only as the city where your first plane lands and your next one departs. Instead, fly 315 kilometres south into Boracay and discover the incomparable White Beach. With sand like talcum-powder, it’s as 12

I NSPIRE / / HO U SE O F T R AV E L

juice for an aperitif and settle in for a bustling festivity of live music, fire dancers and illuminated palm trees.

C EBU Beautiful beaches aside, the Philippine’s urban areas are always an experience. If you’re seeking

PA L AWAN Island-hopping is easy from Cebu and will allow you to call at Palawan’s UNESCO-listed Puerto Princesa Subterranean River. Dubbed one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature, at 8 kilometres in

length, it’s the longest underground river in Asia. Explore pitch black chambers lit only by your head lamp, observing stalactites and stalagmites, hanging bats and a never-ending highway of spine-tingling chasms. From Puerto Princesa, take the three hour drive to El Nido and you’ll be rewarded with the holy grail of travel – the gateway to paradise. Thailand stand down. The world’s most pristine beaches belong to the Philippines. In particular, The Secret Beach of Matinloc Island. A non-fictional Shangri-La, where a white sparkling beach nudges towering limestone cliffs and a sprinkling of coconut trees, it’s picture-perfect. Reading like a verse from a Utopian fairy tale, the secret beach leads to a secret lagoon – via a barely-visible split in the cliff. Reach the other side and you’ll find a deserted lagoon guarded by giant cliffs and blessed with emerald water. You’ll want to spend an eternity here, but with so much of the Philippines to discover, you’ll be compelled to leave.

BO H OL Chocolate buttons – 400 feet in height and over one thousand in number. Sound like heaven? It is. But unfortunately they can’t be consumed. Bohol’s Chocolate Hills, so called because they resemble giant Maltesers, are huge conical mounds that turn brown during the summer. For the best views of these bubbling cocoa-coloured droplets, Chocolate Hills Adventure Park offers famed views across the landscape, including vistas of Carmen’s limestone formations. Home to Bohol’s most exhilarating zip wire, you’ll need to swap your feet for a set of wheels to successfully complete this course. A zip wire like no other, here’s where you’ll find a bicycle zip wire. Elevated 45 metres above the ground, those with nerves of steel can pedal a modified bicycle across 225 metre-long cables, suspended high above the treetops and strung between hillsides. With a light breeze whipping your ears, precariously navigate the lines and you’ll be rewarded with dazzling Philippine views – if you dare to look around that is. Suitable for the entire family, there’s also a tandem option, for those who quiver at the very thought of riding solo.

With the gateway to the Philippines expanding and Philippine Airlines now flying from Auckland, it’s even easier to find paradise. For more info visit houseoftravel.co.nz/inspire, give us a call on 0800 838 747 or come instore today. I NSPI RE // HOU SE OF TRAVE L

GO WITH THE FLOW

THE WATER ARTERIES THAT MAKE UP THE BACK WATERS OF ASIA PROVIDE A UNIQUE INSIGHT INTO THE CONTINENT'S LESS ACCESSIBLE LANDSCAPE.

sia has long been a favourite among

monks and fishermen heaving their catch home.

travellers for its lush scenery, incredible

Water buffalo paddle the shallow fringes of the

hospitality and mouth-watering cuisine.

riverbed and heat-fatigued cows pull wooden

For a different perspective on an all-time classic,

carts. The land is lush with thick foliage and forged

take to the water.

gorges, the occasional glint from sun bouncing off its pagodas. For scenery that has remained

TH E M E KON G

unchanged for centuries, now is the time to visit

Opening the curtains hasn’t been this exciting

the beautiful waterways of Myanmar.

since, well never actually. Onboard a Mekong River cruise you’ll be greeted with a new (and totally

TH E PA NDAW EXP ERI ENC E

unexpected) view every morning. Whether it’s a

The nights are balmy but an iced G&T cures all.

silver pagoda towering on the hillside, a congress of

Sit atop the deck and watch paddy fields float by,

wooden sampans heaving with fruit, or an overly-

flanked with children playing on the muddy banks

excited gibbon wishing you a cheery hello, every

of the river. So is the life onboard a Pandaw. These

day is different. As the longest river in Southeast Asia,

waterborne boutique hotels are usually replete in

the Mekong effortlessly transports its guests from

teak and brass, their twin-decks carrying between

Vietnam into Cambodia, across Laos and through Thailand, via a vast network of backwater river arteries. A rich tapestry of life that explores everything from Phnom Penh’s eroded French architecture, the famed Angkor Wat and little-visited communities that move with an unquenchable energy.

TH E I R R AWADDY Detox from the Western World; from flashy technology and a relentless pace. Take to the river. Cruise along the Burmese Irrawaddy and

30-60 privileged guests. Bespoke staterooms are spacious but free from TVs, internet or phones, the entertainment is outside not in. For the intrepid traveller with a penchant for the finer things in life, the dining is refined and the amenities include a spa, gym and plenty of space for relaxing; book in one hand, beverage in the other. For all those with an appetite for luxury as well as discovery, Pandaw cruising supplies both.

open your eyes to a country that’s still emerging

Head to the heart of Asia. To find out more visit

from isolation. Run-down motorbikes zip their way

houseoftravel.co.nz/inspire, give us a call

along pot-holed dirt tracks, racing past bare-footed

on 0800 838 747 or come instore today.

I NSPIRE / / HO U SE O F T R AV E L

FESTIVAL FEVER in Asia Japan's

CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL

India's

HOLI FESTIVAL

Thailand's

SONGKRAN FESTIVAL

A feast for the eyes as well as the stomach, Japan’s Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the beginning of spring and the arrival of beautiful Sakura – Japanese cherry blossom. It is also a time for eating and drinking, with locals descending on the neighbourhood’s prettiest parks to sit under the candy-coloured trees with a picnic. The blossom can be anything from ice-white and bubble gum pink to a deep magenta or mauve, with the sweet scent always remaining the same; fresh, uplifting and symbolic of spring. Popular festival activities include tea ceremonies and food hampers packed-out with onigiri rice balls, Yakiniku (grilled meats) and steaming miso soup. Or for those really embracing the celebrations, last year McDonalds cooked-up a limited edition ‘Cherry Blossom Burger’, complete with pink buns.

Beware, if you’re a visitor the revellers will target you first! The annual Lathmar Holi is the world-famous Indian colour-throwing festival – and the locals take particular glee in colour-coating the out-of-towners. Predominantly celebrated in the north to commemorate the Hindu festival of Holi, it’s the penultimate celebration of a 16-day event. Merrymakers take to the street and sling-shot an assortment of colourful gulal (powder) at one another, with innocent passers-by targeted whether they’re partaking or not. Launch methods have become quite inventive over the years, anything from buckets and balloons to water shot from syringes and the traditional flour-bomb, anything goes. Not an occasion for your best white attire, it’s riotous, boisterous and the perfect opportunity for dancing, singing and mischief.

If you’re in Thailand and it’s April, your biggest threat – apart from the soaring heat – is a Thai toddler. Especially if they’re in possession of a water gun. April marks the Thai New Year and the Buddhist festival of Songkran; the end of the dry season and the beginning of the annual rains. To wash away sins from the old year, locals take to the street for a colossal water fight. And toddlers, on spotting a non-suspecting tourist, take little mercy. Not so much a water fight, but a full-scale war, the entire city heaves with aqua-fuelled commotion; water erupts from coloured buckets and bazooka-sized water guns; soggy squelches and surprised screams fill the air, and the odd lost jandal floats down the street on its own lone tide.

L ATE MARCH- MI D APRIL // N AT I O N W I D E

24 M A R C H 2016 / / N AT IO N W ID E

13 AP R I L 2016 / / NATI ONWI DE I NSPI RE // HOU SE OF TRAVE L

Make a toast to THE GREAT OUTDOORS

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

DENALI

W HE RE : Mostly Wyoming but also Montana & Idaho

W H E R E : Alaska

B E ST T IME TO G O: March-May & September-October

B EST T IM E TO G O: June-August

KNOWN FOR ITS: Geothermal features & wildlife

KNOWN FOR ITS: Glaciers, dramatic scenery & wildlife

Yellowstone is the national park that spoils its guests. So much so, by the time you’ve spotted your umpteenth bison, elk or antelope, you’ll be tempted to roll your eyes; the terrain is that abundant with nature. Of course, we exaggerate, Yellowstone is far from boring. As the world’s first national park, it’s like all great originals; an absolute treasure. Bursting at its 2,219,789 acre seams with canyons and alpine rivers, over 10,000 thermal wonderments and an astounding 300 geysers, the real issue is where to look first. There are bald eagles soaring above its high mountain plateau and yellow-green hillsides that swirl with gushing alpine rivers. Bison thud across a landscape that’s restless with volcanic activity and the dark rocks that (at first glance) look like bears, station themselves between lush forest and rippling mountainside. Yellowstone’s nature, whether it moves on four-paws or two wings provides endless jaw-dropping imagery. Only two per cent of Yellowstone is developed so you’d be wise to trundle across its terrain as slow and as laborious as the bison; admiring every spectacle, inhaling every scent and listening to the chorus of crickets; a chatter that seemingly rings out forever.

In Alaska’s Denali National Park everything looks fluffy, from the mountain-nudging clouds to the spongy green grass, even the brown grizzly bears look cuddly. But don’t let the illusions deceive you, here lies 6 million acres of untamed wilderness; a land where the clouds turn to storms and the bears aren’t renowned for their cuddles. Inherently wild, Denali is still the most accessible of Alaska's national parks and home to North America’s highest peak, Denali Mountain (Mount McKinley), but you’ll probably want to use the 150km road to see it. With a single track, of which only the bus is allowed to travel, minimal traffic allows for uninterrupted views across a breath-taking panorama, a dense carpet of grass merges into thickets of brown and thorns of red, while ice-white glaciers carve a pathway through both. Towering granite spires melt into snow-topped peaks, their slopes reflected in startling glacial lakes. Look closely and you’ll spot caribou, moose, dall sheep, the odd fox and snowshoe hares bounding across sheets of untouched snow. And if that’s not enough to have your face flat-pressed against the window, the opportunity to see golden eagles, wolves and cinnamon-coloured grizzlies surely will.

The Best Yellowstone Tour (3 days/2 nights) departs from Salt Lake City and is priced from $1475 per adult share twin

Denali Backcountry Highlights Rail & Coach Tour (3 days/2 nights) departs from Anchorage and is priced from $2149 per adult share twin

I NSPIRE / / HO U SE O F T R AV E L

RAISE YOUR GLASS TO THE USA’S NATIONAL PARKS. AUGUST 2016 MARKS 100 YEARS OF THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE; A CENTURY OF MAINTAINING THE NATION’S FINEST LANDSCAPES, FOR COMMUNITIES PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. FOR INCOMPARABLE BEAUTY AND ENDLESS RECREATION, LOOK NO FURTHER THAN OUR ‘BEST FOR 2016’ NATIONAL PARK PICKS.

THE MIGHTY 5®

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS

WHERE: Utah

W H ER E: Tennessee & North Carolina

B E ST T IME TO GO: April-May & September-October

B EST T IME TO G O: May-October

KNOWN FOR ITS: Surreal scenery & unforgettable activities

KNOWN FOR ITS: Diverse ecosystems & extensive species of wildlife

Star-gazing from Mars, now made possible in Utah. Or so it’ll seem if you lie across the sandstone plateau of The Mighty 5®’s craggy savannah-coloured stone. Bathing in sunshine that penetrates a desert soil, the five national parks that make up this other-worldly terrain include Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Arches, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park. Collectively the five parks are an expansive, seemingly limitless mass of natural creation, an abstract panorama of domes, cliffs and arches, 300-foot towers and arid humidity; a sizzling desert of brilliant, barren orange. Arrive a little earlier and experience sunrise over red rocks and jutting formations that spike, twist and curve. Stay a little later and watch as shadows from the setting sun give way to a glowing night sky; the transformation of light and colour, pink through to navy seeping into every pocket and fold. Time your visit to witness the full moon cast a silvery glare over the deep canyons and towers, or arrive late autumn and you’ll be presented with the Milky Way, its streaks smeared across the sky like an extra-terrestrial firework display. Nothing short of spell-binding, there’s never a bad time to explore Utah’s aptly-named Mighty 5®.

As America’s most visited national park (and one of few that doesn’t charge an admission fee) you’d think the Great Smoky Mountains would be heaving with sightseers, but with 521,896 acres of wilderness and over 12,000km of back-country trails, you needn’t venture too far to find solitude. Trek eight kilometres off-grid and you’ll be in the thick of the world’s oldest mountain range, the Southern Appalachians. From afar they bathe in a milky blue haze, the colour of plant’s breath, it’s literally the result of respiration. Once inside the dense canopy, you’ll bear witness to an entire kaleidoscope of colour. From hammering woodpeckers to waterfalls where mist and rainbows hang suspended in the air, thanks to heavy annual rainfall the entire park is replete with lush greenery and a beguiling luminosity. You’ll be grateful for backpacks jammed with energy-boosting snacks and water refreshments but keep your tasty treats to yourself, the park’s also home to 2000 black bears. Avoid leaving your pack unattended and always utilise the bear-proof rubbish bins. Instead of bears, seek out the synchronous fireflies, a phenomenon that occurs in late May or early June (reservations required), they’re the only US species to blink in synchrony as part of their mating ritual.

The Mighty Five Small Group Tour (6 days/5 nights) departs Salt Lake City and is priced from $3165 per adult share twin

Grab a Hertz rental car from Nashville, a 3.5 hour drive away, to explore the Great Smoky Mountains. A 5 day rental car, Ford Focus or similar is priced from $265 per person share twin

TO FIND OUT MORE GIVE US A CALL ON 0800 838 747, VISIT HOUSEOFTRAVEL.CO.NZ/INSPIRE OR COME INSTORE TODAY Terms Conditions I NSPI RE // HOU SE& OF TRAVE Lapply 17

HAWAII'S

Outer Kingdom

HAWAI`I. BEEN THERE, DONE THAT, GOT THE ALOHA SHIRT. OH BUT YOU HAVEN’T. LOOK BEYOND THE OBVIOUS HAWAIIAN DESTINATIONS AND DISCOVER AN ENTIRE PLETHORA OF STAND-OUT HOLIDAY OPTIONS.

here’s nothing new about Hawai`i. Much of

the North Shore’s sleepy surf vibes, or snorkelling at

from waterfalls and stellar surf beaches to towering

its terrain is over 5000 years old, pre-dates

Hanauma Bay State Park (found in the carcass of

mountainside; you spent the afternoon in a lush

the dinosaurs and features hardened lava

a volcanic crater and considered one of the best

waterfall lagoon. And now the night’s encroaching

snorkelling locations in Hawai`i) it’s easy to find

and you’re eating with the locals from decorated

neighbourhoods that encapsulate the traditional

food trucks that embrace local flavours. On their

treasures, places that don’t get as much limelight

Hawaiian vibe. For a true local experience, Kapiolani

suggestion, tomorrow you’ll venture to Haleakalā

as famed Honolulu or Waikiki. Discover the outer

Community College's weekly farmers market sells

National Park, where huge volcanic craters of

realms of O`ahu and another three unique islands

a full stock of mouth-watering island fruits; freshly-

hardened lava are dusted in saffron-coloured cinder.

that are all different and less developed.

picked red rambutan fruit, pineapple and guava.

Raw yet beautiful, with pockets of golden beach and

that set well over 5-million years previously. But there’s a freshness to be found in Hawaii’s

a mere scattering of built-up resorts, it’s little wonder

O `AH U

MAUI

O`ahu is the only island where you'll be aware that

As the sun sets, tuck into juicy fish tacos at Paia Fish

Hawai`i is an American state. Both Honolulu and

Market, it’s been a hunger-inducing day exploring

KAUA`I

Waikiki dazzle with glitzy high rises and flashy hotel

Maui’s Hana Highway. Hours earlier the morning

Nicknamed ‘The Garden Island’ due to its

chains, but once you’re done with the bright lights

was fresh; roadside jungle sparkled with a light dew,

dense backdrop of rainforest, waterfalls and

and busy streets, take a short ride out of the city

spraying gently as you passed. By midday a balmy

flawless coastline, Kaua`i is the oldest island in its

and discover a mellower side of O`ahu. Whether it’s

sunshine highlighted the island’s prettiest features,

archipelago. Proudly lacking in commercialism,

I NSPIRE / / HO U SE O F T R AV E L

Maui’s considered the ‘real’ Hawai`i.

KAUA`I

O`AHU MAUI

HAWAI`I ISLAND WHICH OUTER ISLAND will you choose?

MAUI

ROYAL LAHAINA RESORT 4 nights accommodation

795

from

per person share twin

Staying in a Tower Standard Room TRAVEL: 01 Apr-01 Jun & 21 Aug-31 Oct 16

HAWAI`I ISLAND ROYAL KONA RESORT 4 nights accommodation

565

from

per person share twin

Staying in a Standard Room

it’s worth noting that in Kaua`i nature calls the

the floor bed. Hawai`i Island is like that, a constant

shots. From hiking thick forest to kayaking untamed

surprise of sensory revelations. Yes it’s the island with

rivers, adventurous days start with a shot of Kaua’i

active lava flows, but it’s also the island that smells

coffee straight from the source (the company’s

of sweet vanilla as you traverse its jungle thicket,

headquarters still flanks the oceanfront) before

and where the sound of songbird radiates from

solitary swims along stretches of unsullied coastline.

every corner, echoing from huge black cliffs and

Watch out for sea turtles straddling the beach;

over the roar of hidden waterfalls. A land of geckos,

nothing highlights Kauai’s grand age more-so than

mango trees and beaches that are white, black and

a creature that cohabited with dinosaurs. Ravenous

green (actually an olive colour caused by volcanic

from adventure, the closest thing you’ll find to a chain diner is a battered roadside truck selling tex-mex burritos. Amen to that!

HAWAI`I ISL AN D

eruptions), every entity of Hawai`i Island supplies some sort of sensory-pleasing vista.

TRAVEL: 01 Apr-29 Sep & 09-31 Oct 16

KAUA`I

ASTON AT POIPU KAI 4 nights accommodation

775

from

per person share twin

Staying in a 1 Bedroom Garden View TRAVEL: 01 Apr-31 May & 01 Aug-31 Oct 16

Diverse Hawai`i is brimming with scenery,

Did you know that lava makes a noise? It doesn’t

history and boundless energy. To find out

spew or spit like one might think, rather it creaks;

more visit houseoftravel.co.nz/inspire, give us

crackling and tinkering as it rolls laboriously over

a call on 0800 838 747 or come instore today.

*An amenity fee of US$18 per room per night is additional and payable direct upon checkout.

Sales end 30 Nov 15. Ask us about our great value flight deals. Terms & Conditions apply

I NSPI RE // HOU SE OF TRAVE L

ATTRACTIONS CULTURAL IN THE BURBS 20

LAS VEGAS

NEW YORK

LOS ANGELES

LAS VEGAS IS SENSATIONAL AT NIGHT

WHAT MAKES NEW YORK SO COOL?

CALLING ALL HARRY POTTER ENTHUSIASTS!

A spectacle best observed from the

Attractions like The High Line; a 2.3km

2016 welcomes Universal Studio’s The

High Roller Ferris Wheel – the largest

high-level public park built on a disused

Wizarding World of Harry Potter™. With

observation wheel in the world.

train line. Comprising various pathways,

a replica Hogsmeade™, visit the famed

Twenty-eight transparent pods with

it begins in the Meatpacking District and

wand shop, buy a Hogwart's uniform

wrap-around windows offer panoramic

continues with a linear sleeve of lush

and send a letter with a Hogsmeade™

views across glitzy Sin City. In true

parkway. Some zones are flushed with

postmark. Famished after a match of

Las Vegas style, there is even an option

water features, others house outdoor

Quidditch™ – complete with 3D-HD

of an all-you-can-drink bar that keeps

videos, cafés and artwork.

glasses – refuel with a bottle

the drinks flowing for the 30-minute trip.

of Butterbeer™.

WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT IN VEGAS…

AN INSIGHT INTO AMERICAN CULTURE

GET UP CLOSE & KISS A T-REX

With decades of history - as well as

With breath-taking architecture, the brand

The Natural History Museum of

hotels – the Neon Boneyard is home to

new home of the Whitney Museum of

Los Angeles County boasts hands-on

all Las Vegas’ once-used/now forgotten

American Art is a Renzo Piano designed

activities, special exhibits and historic

neon signs. A fascinating junk yard of

building and the address for America’s

displays dating back 65 million years.

yesteryear’s most creative illuminations,

most diverse modern art. Artworks are all

As part of the brand new Dinosaur Hall,

there are more than 200 discarded signs

20th and 21st century American pieces,

visitors stand face-to-face with three real

in this open-air museum.

from the surreal to the subversive

Tyrannosaurus Rex; the only museum

– contemporary to the very core.

with a trio of T-Rex skeletons.

NEW YORK’S LATEST HOT SPOT

SANTA MONICA IN RECORD TIME

WHERE TO FIND A GIANT PRAYING MANTIS WITH FLAMING ANTENNAE?

Venture to Brooklyn. Walk the 486

Santa Monica encompasses a cool

Why Downtown Las Vegas of course!

metre-long Brooklyn Bridge and admire

atmosphere, an iconic beach, pier and

local brownstone architecture. Saunter

glowing Ferris wheel. It's the beachfront city

along Brooklyn Heights Esplanade

with a resort town vibe, where sand-fringed

As well as being the oldest part of the city, Downtown is having a revival. Head here for old-school casinos, the world’s 2nd largest LED screen and Downtown Container Park, built from shipping containers, with bars, galleries, play areas and shops.

I NSPIRE / / HO U SE O F T R AV E L

absorbing Manhattan and admiring the

pathways teem with skaters, cyclists and

neighbourhood’s cool street art. Upbeat

super tanned beach lovers. As of 2016 the

bars, diners and boutiques abound, with

brand new Expo Light Rail from Downtown

such a laid-back atmosphere, it feels

LA to Santa Monica will run between the

more small-town than Big Apple.

beach and the city in as little as 46 minutes.

e h T

DEEP SOUTH

NEW ORLEANS

"There are a lot of places I like, but I like New Orleans better" – Bob Dylan If the Deep South is America's musical heartland, then New Orleans is most definitely its blood supply; jazz may be the default style in this city, but its cousins, the blues and country, don't live too far away. Be prepared to gain a kilo – or two, three, or five – with gumbo, jambalaya and huge helpings of shrimp creole served at every neon-lit brasserie. Music and food – two very good reasons to fall in love with New Orleans. And Bob agrees!

AU STIN

MEMPHIS

"I ’ ll stay in Memphis" – Elvis Presley Music accolades and assassinations, Memphis is well known for both. While not the birthplace of Elvis, it is where he was first discovered; along with 'rock n roll’ itself in the infamous Sun Studios. Trace the origins of all rock’s legends, from Johnny Cash to Jerry Lee Lewis and wind up in Elvis’ Colonial-style mansion, Graceland. Yes he did die on the toilet. From one king to another, the city’s influence stems further than music; venture to Lorraine Motel and pay your respects to Martin Luther King, who was assassinated here.

NA SHVILLE

"There is a freedom you begin to feel the closer you get to Austin"

"If you can't play guitar and sing in Nashville, you might as well just be a construction worker"

– Willie Nelson, American singer-songwriter

– Patrick Carney, The Black Keys

From thick Texan drawls to barbecued ribs – everything’s delicious in Austin. The city’s rich diversity ranges from bucking broncos to an eclectic music scene, and one which dates back to the hippie-centric 70s. Decades on and beer-soaked nights and live music still rule. As do Austin’s famed barbecue joints, savour hearty brisket and ribs in a city smokehouse. Traditionally barbecue diners are lunchtime traders, many selling-out around noon, so if it’s pulled pork you seek, make sure you arrive early.

Eat, drink and be musical. That should be the Nashville motto. A city where songs are written, Jack Daniels is poured and creamy grits feature on every menu. Music lovers should venture to Lower Broadway, albeit touristy, it’s the avenue of honky tonks and neon lights. Go for the ambience, as well as famed record shops and an endless supply of live music, it smells of tobacco, beer and aspiration. Pull up a stool and succumb to the dulcet tones of a man playing his guitar – he’ll probably be crooning about a ‘good-for-nuttin’ ex-lover.

AIR NEW ZEALAND IS FLYING TO HOUSTON FROM DECEMBER!

To find out more call us on 0800 838 747, visit houseoftravel.co.nz/inspire or come instore today.

A Ta s t e o f t h e S o u t h For all the delicious flavours of the world’s ‘soul food’, cuisine from America’s Deep South didn’t start with such an easy-to-digest past. As the former five states of slavery, dishes from Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and South Carolina were born from years of enslavement. Using the left-overs from whatever their masters ate, workers would craft delicious meals from scraps and inspiration from their homeland. The result was a mouth-watering fusion of meat and spice, seafood, rice and flavour.

JAMBALAYA Creole rice dish, often spicy, with shrimps, chicken, vegetables and herbs.

GUMBO A thick stew-like soup from Louisiana. Consisting of stock, mixed vegetable and meat or seafood.

GRITS Coarsely ground porridge-like maize, commonly served with butter, cheese, bacon or shrimps.

PULLED-PORK SANDWICH Popular in Tennessee, the pork’s cooked extra slow so it easily breaks (and pulls) apart.

CRAWFISH Boiled in huge baskets and served with potatoes and a cob of corn. Eat with your fingers. I NSPI RE // HOU SE OF TRAVE L

SMALL GROUPS = BIG ADVENTURES DELVE INTO RICH CULTURES, HISTORIES AND CUISINE WITH A FULLY-COORDINATED GUIDED TOUR. PROFESSIONALLY LED AND PLANNED TO PERFECTION, YOU’RE IN GREAT HANDS.

1. VAR IE TY IS TH E S P I C E O F LI FE

experience local cultures first-hand. Independently,

moment and memory with others, every giggle

With such a variety of tour-based adventures

you might successfully navigate your way to

and every embarrassment, as well as everything

available (and with the world the size that it is)

Tuscany’s stunning countryside, but in a tour group

from the breath-taking scenery to the unique

there’s a style of trip to unearth every corner of the

you’ll also discover a century-old Tuscan farmhouse –

local cultures. Imagine the incredible people you

globe. Peregrine Adventures offer itineraries that

you’ll step indoors and meet the farmer and his wife,

will meet as you share an extra spicy Sri Lankan

cover cycling tours and mountaineering expeditions,

he’ll pour you Cinzano and she’ll serve a huge bowl

wildlife safaris and trail walks. Forget the ‘fly-by’ approach that’s previously been linked to touring, trips are highly detailed, with in-depth exploration throughout. With an average 15 people per trip, you won’t be fighting for the views or unable to get the attention of your tour guide. In fact, such is the nature of a small tour, you’ll consider the guide a close

of fresh tortellini. Join a G Adventures 'Local Living' tour and you’ll live like a local in unique residences with local hosts. You get greater authenticity and more surprising experiences with a guided tour.

3. FO RG E LA STI NG FRI ENDSH I PS

curry or the friendships formed while chatting with Myanmar monks at the top of Mandalay Hill.

4. SAVE YOURSEL F SOME T IME The itinerary is pre-planned, right down to the finest detail. From what time you need to catch the local bus, to the very tickets you’ll need to board with. Because gallivanting the globe always presents

friend by the end.

Small group touring totally eliminates the solitary

time-consuming challenges, from language

nature of independent travel. With guided tours

barriers, to customs, transport and finding

2. T H E IN AC CE SSIB L E M A D E AC C E S S I B LE

you make instant friends the first day of your trip

legitimate pricing, guided holidays work it all out

From traditional foods to customs you wouldn’t

– over dinner (wine helps) while regaling tales

for you – beforehand. And because you have no

otherwise be aware of, group touring ensures you

of previous travelling antics. You’re sharing every

responsibilities you’ll have oodles more time to

I NSPIRE / / HO U SE O F T R AV E L

Some of the

AMAZING OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

DESTINATIONS WE OFFER

Sri Lanka

Morocco

Macedonia work with. More time for the important things –

travel’s leading tour groups don’t know about the

sightseeing, socialising, eating, drinking and above

destinations they visit, isn’t worth knowing. Take a

all, making unforgettable memories.

guided tour and your guides will constantly – and effortlessly – smooth the way. They’re consistently on-

5 . H I CC U P S? W H AT HI C C U P S ?

hand to answer the unknowns for you. From the WiFi

With 6,500 languages spoken worldwide, speaking

access code to knowing which adapter will work,

the local lingo is difficult. Travel independently and

the best places to eat and how much to tip, they’re a

you’ll face all manner of stumbling blocks, from new-

walking travel encyclopaedia at your very disposal.

city navigation, to tricky immigration and laborious

From the first day to the very last, enjoy the added

passport handling, but take a guided tour and you’ll

reassurance that someone else has your back.

gain the expertise of a savvy tour guide. Common pit-falls are avoided; de-coding the subway, finding central (and available) accommodation, ensuring taxi-drivers don’t take both you and your money for a ride, it’s all made easy.

Forget all your pre-conceived ideas about group touring, the advantages are as vast

Myanmar

as the world is large. Experience one and we guarantee you’ll want to book another. To find

6 . KNOW L E DGE IS P OW E R

out more visit houseoftravel.co.nz/inspire, call

With years of experience under their belt, what

us on 0800 838 747 or come instore today. I NSPI RE // HOU SE OF TRAVE L

Oh London, you had me at hello… I

A CITY OF CONTRADICTIONS; OLD YET MODERN, EXHAUSTING BUT RELAXING, OVER-POPULATED YET STRANGELY INTIMATE. LONDON DOESN'T LIKE TO SETTLE, LONDON LIKES TO KEEP THE PUNTERS GUESSING.

t doesn’t matter how many guidebooks you’ve

London’s history reads from its streets like pages

read, how many magazines you’ve absorbed

of a Charles Dickens’ novel. And yet, there’s no

or how many friends have been already

disputing London is a city that forges the layout

– three, four, five times or more – London will never

for all things cutting-edge, whether it’s a new

be what you expect. And even if you've been

fitness craze involving early morning raves (sober

before, the experience will never repeat itself.

ones) in abandoned warehouses, cafés built in

London doesn’t ‘do’ monotony. London likes to

former Victorian bathrooms complete with tiled

change. Continually and unapologetically.

flooring and ceramic walls, or niche underground

With a history so rich you can hear the whisper

movies that take place in forgotten tube stations,

of ancestors escaping from cracks in the brick, to

somehow London makes the quirky cool, when

contemporary happenings that erupt every day,

anywhere else it would be considered bizarre.

London can't decide if it wants to be an historical

If you’re an early-riser (or if the jetlag permits)

landmark, or at the forefront of modern ingenuity.

catch the city in its majestic morning light, before

So it settles on both – in equal measures. From

the mass exodus of commuters disrupt the calm.

Big Ben to London Bridge, the dungeons that

Almost post-apocalyptic – and in a city of eight

loiter beneath and architecture that still bears a

million inhabitants – it’s not often London rests

dusting of blackened ash from an industrious past,

so serenely. Find breakfast in the crease of an

I NSPIRE / / HO U SE O F T R AV E L

ALRIGH' MATE?

COCKNEY SLANG FOR NEWBS

Bread n' cheese = Sneeze Cows n' kisses = Missus (wife) Hank Marvin = Starving Raspberry tart = Fart Brass tacks = Facts Dustbin lids = Kids Cream crackered = Knackered (tired) Ducks n' geese = Police

LONDON TOP 5 eat: Traditional fish and chips. Tastes like home

– until they add the gravy, mayonnaise and grated cheese (and the cheese is red). The big question is, are you brave enough to add mushy peas?

play:

With the interactive exhibits at London’s acclaimed Science Museum. Centrally located on Exhibition Road in South Kensington, admission is free.

see: A West-End show. Book before you go to ensure you get to see the show of your choice, on the day you want.

find: Your way around the city with a rotation

on the London Eye, there’s no better way to scope out the sheer enormity of London.

try:

The original guided terror walk with a hair-tingling twist – London’s Jack the Ripper tour. Follow in the footsteps of London’s Victorian police as they pursued the infamous serial killer.

alleyway or inside bijou cafés serving hot pastries

than mainstream musicals, including immersive

and espresso. Britain may not be renowned

theatre and free improv comedy, it pays to dart into

for great coffee, but in a city of 270 different

a dank London pub down an otherwise derelict

nationalities, you’re bound to find one that

side-street, for that is where the laughter bellows.

executes the perfect strong black. Tourist attractions abound, but idle days can

London's inexhaustible. You'll give into fatigue way before she does; this is a city that hasn’t slept

be one of London’s most under-rated pleasures.

since Roman occupation. From the well-known

Venture to one of the city’s numerous green spaces

hot spots to the lesser-known gems you’ll stumble

with a hamper of goodies bought just one hour

across en route, there aren’t enough hours in the

earlier from an organic food market. Find a grassy

day to discover every nook, cranny, pop-up bar,

knoll and watch the cricketers bowl, or rent a boat

pub, boutique or beer battered chip shop. But my,

and row across the river, working up the appetite

you’ll want to try!

for an ice-cream. For something a little more sedate, London’s major art galleries and museums

London is a big city with a big list

all offer free admission, while the glitzy West End

of attractions. To find out more visit

is constantly flush with exciting new productions.

houseoftravel.co.nz/inspire, give us a

Scratch a little deeper and you’ll find much more

call on 0800 838 747 or come instore today. I NSPI RE // HOU SE OF TRAVE L

TAKING THE SCENIC ROUTE FIND YOUR SEA LEGS OR HANG ONTO YOUR LAND LEGS, DISCOVER EUROPE BY WHEEL, RAIL OR SAIL.

LEASE A CAR

JOIN A CYCLE TOUR

TAKE THE TRAIN

If you need a car for 21 days or more, car leasing

Enjoy a two-wheeled affair with half a dozen

European rail is exemplary; fast, efficient and

will broaden your European horizons, without

other cyclists – guided bike tours get you off four

the perfect photo-frame for Europe’s most

burdening the purse-strings. Fronted by the

wheels and onto two, with pre-arranged itineraries

spectacular scenery. Take a whistle-stop tour with

French car giant Peugeot, you’ll receive a brand

and structured daily schedules. Discover beautiful

a multi-country pass and select from numerous

new car from the factory, full insurance, roadside

routes, from the Greenways track which links

trains wherever the pass is valid, with the option

assistance and unlimited kilometres. Most

Prague to Vienna, to the flat plains of Holland

to travel on a sleeper train throughout the night

vehicles enjoy GPS and panoramic sunroofs –

which won’t trouble the glutes too much, and

or at high-speed by day. There are scenic routes

imagine the Carpathian Mountains as they loom

everything in between! Accommodation, guides,

if you prefer a more leisurely pace, such as

giant-like over your head. And the best bit? The

food and bike rental is all included, along with

Norway’s Flåm Railway, which journeys to Flåm

paperwork’s finalised in NZ before departure.

a support vehicle to shadow your entire journey.

via the longest and deepest fjord in Europe.

CHARTER A BARGE

CRUISE ON A GULET

MEANDER THE CANALS

For life in the slow lane (and it’s so leisurely you

A traditional boat of Byzantine design, the Gulet

It's the Great British summer so the smell of

can observe bees pollinating as you pass)

cuts a handsome figure as it slices through

barbecue fills the air – along with the nostalgic

choose a luxury barge holiday. Popular across

the ocean. Popular in Turkey, chartered Gulets

scent of freshly-mown grass. You’re weaving

Europe, it’s the French who are at the fore-front

offer freedom and spontaneity; one day you’re

through the vast network of Stratford-Upon-

of this ideal. Boasting some of the continent’s

exploring coves and soaring cliffs, the next

Avon’s canals, part of the picturesque Avon Ring.

prettiest waterways, flanked by lush embankments

you’re admiring sun-blistered stonework in

The evening sun’s glinting off the water and a

and draped in weeping willow, you’ll be sipping

ancient cities. On-board, the ship’s social heart

lone heron watches from the embankment. It’s a

Chablis while admiring the snow-dipped Pyrenees,

is wherever the drinks and conversations

peaceful existence when you meander Britain’s

waving at the locals as you go. Most are fully-

flow. The captain and staff sculpt an itinerary

watery avenues at a leisurely 5 km/h. When the

crewed and all-inclusive, with discreet staff and

detailing the highlights while serving delicious

light diminishes, clamber into a canal-side pub

a captain to charm the lock keepers.

Turkish meze and other local cuisine.

for chilled cider and beer-battered chips.

TO FIND OUT MORE GIVE US A CALL ON 0800 838 747, VISIT HOUSEOFTRAVEL.CO.NZ/INSPIRE OR COME INSTORE TODAY 26

I NSPIRE / / HO U SE O F T R AV E L

OUR PICKS FOR 2016 Wine regions

Foodie faves

Divine dining

Champagne, France

Trdelnik, Czech Republic

The Fat Duck, UK

From grande maisons such as Mumm to the lesser-known vignerons nestled in between, Champagne’s exceptional vineyards are a mere hour’s drive from Paris.

Sweet pastry comprising of rolled dough wrapped around a stick (trdlo), set over flames and topped with caramelised sugar, nuts and spices.

Owned by Heston Blumenthal, UK's most inspiring celebrity chef. The Fat Duck serves unusual (but Michelin starred) gourmet cuisine, including egg and bacon ice-cream.

Rioja, Spain

Dalmatian Peka, Croatia

Vinkeles, Amsterdam

Spain's smallest province and most famous export. Rioja. Its wine's influenced by the cool Ebro River and a Mediterranean heat that flows off the Atlantic.

Croatia’s signature dish consists of meat (or seafood) and mixed vegetables, drizzled with olive oil and baked until tender under a bell-like dome.

In The Dylan Hotel, with sweeping views over the Keizersgracht, Vinkeles occupies a former Catholic bakery, complete with original baker’s oven.

2 3

Montepulciano, Italy

Custard Tarts, Portugal

Trattoria da Mario, Florence

Widely regarded as Italy’s finest wine, Vino Nobile originates from the hilly vineyards of the medieval town of Montepulciano in southern Tuscany.

Many of Portugal’s cafés and brasseries serve homemade Portuguese custard egg tarts straight out of the oven; so fresh their steaming yellow lids simmer.

Chaotic and cramped, you’ll dine communally. It’s loud, rustic and the daily-changing menu is set; you get what you’re given.

Porto, Portugal

Tortellini alla Bologna, Italy

Sacha, Madrid

Vines 300-years in the making, Porto’s famed for its signature tipple; port. Seek ancient wine lodges that fringe the Douro River for barrel tours in time-weathered caves.

Hearty Italian dinners start with Tortellini alla Bologna; fresh egg pasta traditionally served in meat broth, shaped into parcels and stuffed with meat or cheese.

Madrid’s hidden gem, Sacha is named after the current owner, and son of the original proprietors, Sacha Hormaechea. A favourite with local madrileños.

Mosel, Germany

Aberdeen Angus Beef, Scotland

Borchardt, Berlin

Tumbling off hillsides like a great grape stampede, Moselle River’s vineyards titter on 60-degree slopes. Embark on Moselle Heights Wine Trail for a thigh and taste-bud workout.

Native to Aberdeenshire and Angus in Scotland, this beef has an international reputation for being some of the best you can buy. Served with grilled mushrooms, garlic butter and hand cut chips.

Popular since 1853, the original Borchardt was blasted to the ground during WWII. Since relocating next door, Borchardt still serves German schnitzels, sausage and steak.

4 5

I NSPI RE // HOU SE OF TRAVE L

Up 'n' coming corners of Europe BEACH LOVERS OR HISTORY BUFFERS, EARLY-RISERS OR NIGHT CRAWLERS, NO TWO TRAVELLERS ARE THE SAME. EXCEPT FOR THE ONE QUESTION POSED BY ALL THOSE WHO TRAVEL… “SO, WHERE NEXT?”

FOR:

Culture vultures

YO UR T R AVEL ST Y L E: Culture and history combined, you thrive in locations where the stories leave you wide-eyed. A country 7,000 years in the making, Malta bears the stamp of the Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs and Normans, before the Knights of St John who ruled from 1530 to 1798, finally left the most lasting mark. Malta’s past – specifically in its capital city, Valletta – will astound. It quite literally heaves with liveable, breathable history. Moulded by centuries of savage warfare, including invasions as recent as WWII, Valletta is defined by its great fortresses and a network of secret underground tunnels. Some of these housed British spies and Maltese allies as they plotted against Germany; deciphering enemy code from within Lascaris War Rooms. Malta’s artifacts are seemingly endless, from Valletta to the back-in-time villages that seep with fascinating stories, you can’t help but fall over its antiques.

FOR:

Active relaxers

YO UR T R AVEL ST Y L E: A seeker of cultural highlights, from the local food and drink, to history and traditions. Geography and history have blessed Sicily with both astounding beauty and mouth-watering cuisine; the architecture dappled with Greek and Arabian influence, its food sweetened by North African flavours. But it’s the relatively undiscovered Aeolian archipelago that’s really stirring the interest of travellers. Comprising seven slow-paced islands, Aeolian life still swings to the pendulum of the 1940s. Step onto Lipari and you’ll be greeted by the lingering scent of sage. The dusty streets warm beneath your feet; deserted save for fishermen and local Sicilians retrieving laundry from their balcony. Come nightfall, the European-night glows. Stone houses and cobbled pavements still emanate with heat; the smell of sun-baked terracotta almost as seductive as home-cooked Sicilian cuisine.

FOR:

Adventurers

YO UR T R AVEL ST Y L E: Always in pursuit of the unique, you crave to get off the beaten track and to fill your passport with multiple stamps. Your eyes won’t adjust. One-hundred metres below ground and it’s pitch black. This is Bled, Slovenia. You’re kayaking the abandoned chambers of Bled Mine and it’s a black abyss. So quiet only the stalactites murmur. Defined by soaring alpine peaks and pine-green valleys, townships flecked with toy town houses and glacial lakes, Slovenia’s landscape is startling. The rolling pastures – so steep you’ll strain your neck – are freckled with farmers tending to their land, the air so pure it cleanses the soul. Yes, Slovenia is beautiful, but it’s the boom in adventure tourism that’s really putting her on the map. From underground kayaking to skiing in the Slovenian Alps and lengthy treks across the mountains, if it’s a high-octane pursuit you seek, it’s an adventurist’s dream you’ll find. 28

I NSPIRE / / HO U SE O F T R AV E L

IT'S HIP TO BE OLD WHEN IT COMES TO EUROPEAN ACCOMMODATION IT SEEMS THE TRAVELLING MASSES HAVE A HANKERING FOR TIME-HONOURED CLASSICS. YES, THE OLD AND TIME-WORN IS HIP, BECAUSE TRUE CLASSICS NEVER AGE.

Portuguese

United Kingdom's CA STLES

VILLA S

Wake up in a palace; Portugal’s history pouring from every crevice and evoking a sense of by-gone prosperity. Have you awoken as an 18th century lord, or is this a Portuguese pousada? Formed to preserve Portugal’s cultural landmarks, pousadas offer unique accommodation in restored historical buildings. From former convents and castles, to manor houses and monasteries, you’ll sleep amidst Portuguese heritage.

What kind of castle do you seek? Draughty stone defences rebuilt from ruins? Or the beauty and serenity of a fairy tale estate, with perfect turrets and romantic four-poster beds? Perhaps you’d prefer the robust former fortress of a knight? With fire places so large they swallow the room. Castles that stand in a haunting mist, rugged nature rapping at the door. Or maybe you want opulence and fortune, with mile-long driveways and meticulously manicured lawns.

Sun scorched terracotta succumbs to creeping green vines. There's a plate of prosciutto and olives to your left and a line of breeze-kissed citrus trees to your right. Someone’s poured the Pinot already, and the sun is already setting. Welcome to Italy; you’ll find authentic rural living the length and breadth of the country. From converted farmhouses to properties land-locked by vineyards, Italy pips the post for self-catered villa living.

PO U SADA S

Italian

TO FIND OUT MORE GIVE US A CALL ON 0800 838 747, VISIT HOUSEOFTRAVEL.CO.NZ/INSPIRE OR COME INSTORE TODAY

Live like Royalty in a Scottish Castle! Wake up to complete stillness. The morning’s crisp.

NO O N

EVENING

There’s a freshness in the stonework and a grey light

Pull on your gum boots, step outdoors and fill your

Dinner’s roasting nicely by now. While away an hour

tumbles through the window off the countryside. But

lungs. Neighboured by nothing but sweeping hillside

with your Scottish hosts. As renowned story-tellers,

stay in bed a little longer, you have a full 24-hours to

and thistle-dappled fields, long strides and swinging

there’s nothing better than hearing Scotland’s

savour your Scottish-castle stay.

arms will see you arrive in town within the hour.

history regaled and embellished.

MORNI N G

A FTERNO O N

NI G HT

Beckoned by the smell of breakfast, wind your way

Back at the castle retire to the library. Replete with

End the day with a wee dram in front of the fire.

down the spiralling staircase – no doubt an artifact

leather-bound books and a crackling fireplace; lively

A tartan rug draped across your lap and the

from centuries past – for steaming hot Scottish oats

coal shards spitting inside the hearth. The light’s fading

castle’s internal creaks easing you into sleep.

cooked on the Aga.

and evening will be forging its attack within hours. I NSPI RE // HOU SE OF TRAVE L

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TO FIND OUT MORE GIVE US A CALL ON 0800 838 747, VISIT HOUSEOFTRAVEL.CO.NZ/INSPIRE OR COME INSTORE TODAY I NSPI RE // HOU SE OF TRAVE L

Golden sands & screaming fans 1 PLACE GOES TO RIO! ST

2 0 1 6 W ILL SIGNIFY TH E 27TH M ODERN OLYMPIC GAMES SINC E 1 8 9 6, AND TH E VERY FIRST TO BE HE LD IN SOUTH AMERICA.

omprising 10,500 athletes from 206 countries, including 42 sports over 17 days, there will be 45,000 volunteers and 85,000 staff – not

forgetting the 7.5 million tickets on-sale to the public. But it’s not all about numbers. For the days when you’re not attending the games, soak up the fiesta in central Rio. If there’s one city that knows how to put on an Olympic party, it’s Rio de Janeiro.

MORNING Spend the morning at the beach; Copacabana or Ipanema. Albeit touristy, they’re also popular with locals, easy to get to and resoundingly beautiful. Travel as the locals do – light. Take just enough money to buy yourself a coffee and food, throw a sarong over your togs or neck (this will double up as a towel) and venture bag-free to the beach. Stop for a bowl of breakfast acai en-route; layers of frozen acai berry, granola, sliced banana and a drizzle of honey. Tasty as well as fortifying, Brazilians swear by it.

A FT ERNOON Beached-out by lunchtime, spend the afternoon exploring Rio’s highlights; Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain and the Lapa Steps. There are multiple tours that will cover all three in one day. Time it properly and you’ll be standing at the top of Sugarloaf just before sunset. Cocktail hour calls for Caipirinhas, followed by a traditional Brazilian Churrascaria, Brazil’s famed barbecue restaurants. Expect an endless supply of prime meat, all served table-side from enormous skewers. For the budget-conscious, Rio also boasts ‘pay by weight’ self-service buffets. Serving anything from traditional Moqueca (seafood stew) to sugar-laced desserts – Brazilians are notorious sugar fiends. You’ll be issued a ticket at the door and once you’ve loaded your plate, the staff will weigh it and charge you per kilo. 32

I NSPIRE / / HO U SE O F T R AV E L

elsewhere in BRAZIL PARATY Nestled between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, Paraty is a pretty maze of cobbled streets and colonial houses with wooden doors and coloured shutters. Wander to the jetty for an exotic island-hopping cruise, stopping for fresh coconut sliced open by a local. ILHA GRANDE Paradise. Beach, sand and lush green mountain jungle. Enjoy beach walks accompanied by curious scuttling crabs and return for hearty pots of white fish stew in restaurants with beach tables and romantic fairly lights twinkling in the palms.

Olympics aside, Rio is a year-round stellar destination for sport and you can’t visit Brazil pastime. Viva la futbol! Matches are commonly

32 VENUES ACROSS 4 ZONES

played at Maracanã Stadium. Arrive early so you

BA RRA : The heart of Rio

can savour a beer outside, the surrounding streets will be throbbing with excitable football fans.

COPACABANA: Open-air sports & stunning scenery

Inside the stadium alcohol isn’t permitted, but the

MA RACA NÃ : Iconic venues & samba spirit

constant banging of drums, singing, chanting and

DEO DO RA : ‘Elegance & calm’ meets ‘fast & loud’

ear-deafening roars will be more than enough to leave your head spinning. Home time? No way! If it’s 11pm, the Cariocas

GET IN TRA NSFER: Book in a transfer with an English

nightlife. Be warned, you’re unlikely to get home

speaking guide who will tell you all the ins and outs of the city so you're ready to go!

before sunrise, but fortunately it’s an excellent way to

Y ELLOW METERED TA XI : Agree on a fixed-price

see the sun begin its daily ascent over Copacabana.

beforehand. Don’t pay more than $R55.

An addictive mix of energy and world-class

GET AROUND

sporting talent. Go Rio! To find out more visit

TRA I NS: 3 train lines will serve Maracanã and

houseoftravel.co.nz/inspire, give us a call on

Deodoro stadiums; the Santa Cruz line, Deodoro and Japeri line.

are only just going out. Time to experience Brazilian

0800 838 747 or come instore today.

URUGUAY Stay on a traditional cattle ranch in Uruguay. Learn how to saddle-up your horse Gauchostyle and live like a cowboy. Spend up to five hours per day scouring the plains, herding sheep and rounding up the animals. ARGENTINA Tango, steak and football! Experience Buenos Aires with its nod to colonial Europe, cobbled streets and grand architecture that hints at a former, long-forgotten wealth. And then there are the delicious empanadas, crescent shaped and baked until golden... irresistible.

KNOW before you GO

AND NIG H T

without acknowledging the nation’s favourite

elsewhere in SOUTH AMERICA

BUSES: Air conditioned buses with dedicated bus lanes and new stations are under construction – taking visitors to and from Barra.

TRAMS: Rio’s new tram system comprises 6 lines connecting all the main attractions, including Santos Dumont Airport and the city's financial district.

MET RO: Metro lines 1 and 2 already facilitate the entire city centre, with line 4 underway. This will get passengers from Barra to the city centre within 34 minutes.

Official partner of the New Zealand Olympic team I NSPI RE // HOU SE OF TRAVE L

h t e S av

E T A D e

v e e d i w d l r Wo ? t x e n o t Where

! p i r t r u o y e r i p s n i o t s ent

C U LT U RA L SUNDANCE FIL M FEST IVAL , UTAH 21-31 Jan HONG KONG ART S FEST IVAL 19 Feb-20 Mar CAPE TOWN CARNIVAL 12 March

WORL D CULT URE FEST IVAL , NEW D EL HI 11-13 Mar HANDA OPERA, SYD NEY 24 Mar-24 Apr VERONA OPERA FEST IVAL , ITALY Jun-Aug BAL I SPIRIT FEST IVAL 29 Mar-3 Apr

✔

LE T US S O R T IT O UT F O R YO U ! TA LK TO U S A BO U T O UR GR E AT VA L U E PAC K AG E S A N D T I C K E T S.

I NSPIRE / / HO U SE O F T R AV E L

✔ ✔ ✔

WHIT E NIGHT S FEST IVAL , ST. PET ERSBURG 27 May-02 Aug ED INBURGH TAT TOO FEST IVAL 05-27 Aug

v KEY x

✔

S P O R T I NG L A S V E GAS 7S 04-06 Mar LA SP OR TS WEE K 05-09 Apr

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WHI ST L E R WO R L D SK I & S N OW B OA R D F E STIVA L 08-17 Apr UE FA E U R O 20 1 6 , FR A N C E 10 Jun-10 Jul WI MBL E DO N , LO N D O N 27 Jun-10 Jul RI O OLY MP IC GA M E S 05-21 Aug MALAYSIAN G R A N D P R I X 22-24 Sep RYDE R C U P GOL F, M I N N E S OTA 27 Sep-02 Oct M E L BOU R N E C U P 01 Nov

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M U S ICA L

F E S T IVA L

H O RI Z O N FESTI VA L, BULGA RI A 12-17 Mar

SNOWDAYS, BANFF 15 Jan

SO UTH BY SO UTH WEST, AUSTI N 11-20 Mar

RIO CARNIVAL 05-10 Feb

BY RO N BAY BLUESFEST 24-28 Mar

ST PAT RICK S DAY, D UB L IN 17 Mar

COACHELLA, PALM SPRINGS 15-17 & 22-24 Apr

BORYEONG MUD FESTIVAL, SOUTH KOREA 15 Jul-24 Jul

NEW O RLEA NS JA Z Z FESTI VA L 22 Apr-01 May

BURNING MAN, NEVADA 29 Aug-05 Sep

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TH E G REAT ESCA P E, BRI G H TO N 19-21 May

OK TOB ERFEST, MUNICH 17 Sep-03 Oct

FUJ I RO C K, JA PA N 22-24 Jul

L A TOMAT INA, VAL ENCIA 17 Sep

SA LZ BURG FESTI VA L 22 Jul-31 Aug LA KE O F STA RS, MA LAWI 23-25 Sep

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DAY OF T HE D EAD, MEX ICO 31 Oct-02 Nov YI PENG LANTERN FESTIVAL, CHIANG MAI 24-26 Nov

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

Take a perfectly timed trip and experience an unforgettable global event. Find something fun and let us help you get there! TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT HOUSEOFTRAVEL.CO.NZ/INSPIRE, GIVE US A CALL ON 0800 838 747, OR COME INSTORE TODAY.

GENERAL CONDITIONS: Valid for new bookings only as specified or until sold out. For travel commenced and completed as specified • Prices are correct as at 16 Oct 15 – costs may vary due to subsequent, tax, surcharge increases, currency exchange rates and or unforeseen circumstances • Min/max stays apply • Prices are per person share twin in NZ dollars subject to availability at time of booking, based on payment by cash or cheque • Booking deposits and payment requirements may apply • Bedding configurations may vary • Credit card fees will apply • Some closeouts apply • For travel outside the dates specified, ask your local House of Travel consultant • Amendment and cancellation fees apply • Accommodation ratings are based on House of Travel ratings and are a guide only to the overall quality of the property • Flights are additional unless specified otherwise. Ask us about the best available flights to your chosen destination. Further terms and conditions may apply. See www.houseoftravel. co.nz/inspire for more details. CROWD PLEASERS & NEW TEASERS: Valid for new bookings only from 20 Oct-15 Dec 15 or until sold out • All travel must be commenced and completed by 31 Mar 2016 • Bedding configurations may vary on twin & family share options • Advertised prices are per person share twin or family share (2 adults & 2 children aged 2-11 years). Online payment is by credit card only • FOR THRILL SEEKING FAMILIES: Village & Dreamworld Theme Parks Family passes are based on 2 adults & 2 children (aged 3-13 Years) • FOR CHILLED OUT BEACH BUMS: Minimum stay applies for Aruba Surf Resort (4 nights) • FOR AN ADVENTURE IN THE TROPICS: GBR Helicopters scenic flight departs from Green Island • FOR ANIMAL LOVING FAMILIES: Family price is based on 2 adults & 2 children (aged 4-15 years) • Please ask your House of Travel consultant for full details. HAWAII'S OUTER KINGDOM: Valid for sales to 30 Nov 15 or until sold out • Kauai: Aston Poipu Kai - an amenity fee of US$18 per room per night is additional and payable direct upon checkout. GREAT OUTDOORS: Offers valid for sales to 30 Nov 15 or until sold out • GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS: Rental car is based on an Automatic Group B Hertz Rental Car (Ford Focus or similar). This includes Loss Damage Waiver (LDW), Liability Insurance Supplement (LIS), taxes, local surcharges, airport fees, unlimited mileage and Vehicle License Fee (VLF). It excludes: Deposit, fuel charges, some vehicle insurances, one way rental fees and any additional charges • DENALI NATIONAL PARK: based on departures 08-10 Sep 16 • YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK: based on departures 28 Apr-14 Oct 16 • MIGHTY FIVE UTAH TOUR: based on Monday departures Apr-Oct 16.

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