While driving several hours towards Auckland we again started to talk about Napier and suddenly became aware of our very special relationship we maintain with that region. As a matter of fact, it’s our fifth trip to New Zealand and our fifth visit to Hawkes Bay. We started to ponder: Really? Shall Napier truly be …
After five sunny days in Whitianga we set out for Hawkes Bay / Napier, our “Christmas destination” for this year. The weather forecast is rather underwhelming and we face 425 km on the road inclusive the uncertainty to find an accommodation on site. As we arrive in Napier by early evening we take our chance …
Leaving Matakana there is – what we call – ‘perfect travel-weather’: heavy clouds and light showers escort us throughout the whole day, until we arrive in Coromandel-Town. We move in into the ‘upper studio’ of the Indigo Bush Lodge and are excited about the first – and the last – rays of sunshine which get …
Coromandel – all agree it’s one of New Zealand’s most fascinating summer destinations. Partying on one of the beaches, especially on New Year’s Eve, is very popular and a rite of passage for many teenagers. But we were keen to spend some days in the Indigo Bush Studios. A beautiful accommodation outside of Coromandel, designed …
It is a short drive from Auckland to Matakana, another gorgeous wine region with more than 30 boutique vineyards and great restaurants. An easy drive – as long as you are not travelling with all the other hundreds of Aucklanders. But that is doable. We didn’t expect to find such a beautiful spot, I have …
It is our fifth trip within 10 years to New Zealand, and you could call it almost travel-routine. Yet that’s not the case. The arrival at “the other end of the world” remains a special event: it’s the hazy feeling of “farer-away-is-not-possible”, which is surely known to each European traveller visiting New Zealand. It’s slowly …
“Kinda too small, too cosy, too unspectacular…”, that’s what I always think when I am hitting the Marina in Auckland, the Viaduct Harbour neighborhood. It’s just too small for such a big city – but incredible comfy. This time we headed to Sofitel, a beautiful Auckland Hotel, directly on the Waterfront. It appears business like, …
What do you consider a perfect accommodation? Surely, everyone’s opinion is bound to be subjective. But I like fancy places with atmosphere and character. Places, which are located perfectly and where I can sleep, hence, which are calm at night. Places, which are fun to spend rainy days at and make you wish to come …
It is raining as we leave Wellington in direction of Napier. The Easter holidays are over and we are glad we managed the short skip to the North Island. There are only four days left until our flight to Hong Kong will leave and still another 730 km to drive up to Auckland. And pretty …
The weekend was not the easiest one, for individual travellers without any pre-bookings as we are! It was not only the Easter weekend, but an Easter weekend with the Omaka Classic Fighters Airshow! What a challenge! However, a fully-booked region remains a fully booked region. A situation in which – also we – need to …
Kaikoura is indeed a fanncy, vivid little town in Canterbury, located on the east coast of the South Island, north of Christchurch and south of Blenheim. There are many things to do, but try to go swimming with the dusky dolphins. Really. It is amazing and incredibly great fun! Again we have chosen an apartment, …