New Zealand

Here are some of my favourite photos of the Bay of Islands to inspire you to join their October walking weekend

Take a couple of days off and head to the serene seaside town of Raglan, just west of Hamilton

I loved this B&B with ocean views and your own suite spa pool

This place is the grooviest thing to hit Rotorua in probably forever. Check it out to stay, or head to the rhino bar with chandeliers for a drink or dinner.

If you’re looking for a romantic weekend escape, about 2 hours north of Christchurch, here it is.

What is more perfect than eating a freshly caught crayfish on the beach with a bottle of local sauvignon blanc?

The chance to see enormous sperm whales just off the Kaikoura coast makes feeling sick worth it!

For a new concept in spa treatments, try one of these body scrub cocktails. Yes: mojito, pina colada or cosmopolitan from Bernard Cassiere who makes products for Sothys. You’ll be left soft and tiddly….

I’ve come back to Christchurch two years after the February 22, 2011 earthquake to see how the city is doing. Here is my photo essay which I’ll be adding to over the next couple of days…

Air New Zealand gets Bear Grylls onboard to lead passengers through the latest safety briefing demo. Here is a sneak peek…

If you’ve never been to the birthplace of New Zealand, Waitangi should be on your bucket list. Whether it’s on the official day of celebrations or at any other time during the year, it’s a great place to visit.

I was there for the big reveal today as Air New Zealand unveiled it’s Hobbit plane to transport passengers to Middle Earth. Have a look…