• From Henderson to Hoi An

    From Henderson to Hoi An

    My favourite little restaurant in West Auckland is virtually a hole in the wall but it produces the most delicious, fragrant, fresh, and divinely moreish Vietnamese food served by smiling, fresh cheeked staff with little English. My journey to Vietnam was therefore destined to be food driven as much as by my fascination with different…

  • The ‘Lost Chimpanzees’ of Uganda

    The ‘Lost Chimpanzees’ of Uganda

    Uganda, described by Winston Churchill as “the pearl of Africa” for its beautiful scenery, moderate climate, and stunning wildlife, had long been at the top of my bucket list of countries to visit. As the plane descended into Entebbe across the waters of Lake Victoria, I could feel my sense of anticipation growing – as…

  • Out of the Blue
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    Out of the Blue

    Sun. Sand. Turquoise waters. Barefoot luxury. This is the tropical paradise of Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani, two luxury 5-star resorts  in the Maldives. I was fortunate enough to stay at both on my honeymoon in 2017, and wow… what an experience. First up, Soneva Fushi. After a short layover in Singapore, we were greeted at…

  • Aspirational Journeys

    Aspirational Journeys

    Bucket list, travel Goals, whatever you wish to call it, we all have a list of travel experiences we dream of! In the midst of a global pandemic and lock-down, all we can do at the moment is dream. So sit back, relax and unwind with a cup of coffee (or a wine!) and take…

  • Chasing Aurora

    Chasing Aurora

    Knowing how unpredictable Mother Nature can be, I tried hard not to get too excited about the possibility of seeing the Aurora Borealis in Finnish Lapland. ‘Focus on the destination’ I kept telling myself, but my inner nerd kept screaming ‘but how cool would it be to see charged particles from the sun knocking into…

  • An Old and Original Africa

    An Old and Original Africa

    Nothing quite prepares you for Ethiopia, amongst the most extraordinary and amazing of the 170+ countries I have visited.  Breath-taking beauty, ancient history, rich culture, and the sheer diversity of people are a traveller’s dream, all set against a backdrop of rugged mountains, dramatic deserts and lush countryside.  It was here the first humans roamed,…

  • South Africa’s Top 5

    South Africa’s Top 5

    South Africa is famed for its wildlife safaris and thrilling encounters with the “Big 5” – elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and rhino. But there are also other amazing experiences to be had in South Africa, which is now visa-free for Kiwi travellers! Here are our “Top 5” South African experiences. Boutique JohannesburgJozi to it’s locals,…

  • Culinary Journeys

    Culinary Journeys

    Foodie? Eat and drink your way around the world, exploring a vast range of cultures, gastronomic delights and incredible sights with these culinary destinations! Our top picks? Vietnam, Peru, Italy, Spain, Israel and Quebec City. Israel  The streets of Israel are bustling with an abundance of flavours from a rich web of cultures. Indulge in everything from traditional…

  • The Luxury Palaces of India

    The Luxury Palaces of India

    India’s vast empires and royal history have left a legacy of incredible palaces and mansions. While many structures have been ruined, some still stand to tell the tale of India’s rich history. Best of all, some have been converted into luxurious palace hotels, each with their own unique charm and character.  Every visit to India…

  • Delightful Japan

    Delightful Japan

    My journey in Japan took me through the main island of Honshu from Tokyo to Nagano (home to snow monkeys), before making my way to Kanazawa, famous for its incredible gardens. Takayama was a great place to explore charming narrow streets before heading onto Kyoto, which is a great mix of old meets new with…

  • Italy’s Northern Lakes

    Italy’s Northern Lakes

    It is no wonder Italy is called Il Bel Paese – the beautiful country!  From the northern snow-capped peaks of the Alps and the idyllic hilltop villages of the renowned central Tuscany and Umbria area, to the rugged southern shores of Sicily, lies a plethora of distinctive regions and people. To my mind the Northern…

  • Resort to Luxury

    Resort to Luxury

    Stressful work, hectic family life and the sheer daily grind can all be forgotten on a well-earned stay at a luxury resort, or on a wellness journey. Order that cocktail by the pool, take time out at the spa or simply reconnect with nature and a slower pace of life.  Here are five of our…