One of things I really like doing when I travel is learning about the history of the destination. I have a Masters degree in Classical Archaeology and Ancient History, and obviously find it all fascinating. Plus, when you look at the history of the world on a broad scale, it really does link together. You’d […]
Whisky and winter go hand in hand, I often think, and no better way to kick off talking about Scotland’s Orkney Islands than by discussing Orcadian whisky! Did you know there are TWO distilleries in Orkney? They are both located on the mainland but are vastly different.
Scotland holds a special place in my heart, and Scotland’s Orkney Islands do as well. This tiny archipelago at the top of the mainland is home to Neolithic ruins, World War II historical sites, award-winning distilleries, and incredible Norse heritage. The islands are easy to get around; there’s a dedicated ferry service to all inhabited […]
Dunedin, New Zealand is one of my favourite cities simply because there is so much to do, yet so few people visit! The city lies at the head of the Otago harbour, on the eastern coast of New Zealand’s South Island. It’s about five hours due south of Christchurch, New Zealand and about three hours […]
Ah, Queenstown, New Zealand. Playground for the snowbirds, haven for summer wine lovers, and absolutely surreal scenery no matter the season. Queenstown developed on the shore Lake Wakatipu in the 1860s first as a high country farm and later as a gold mining town. Only some of the original buildings remain, one of them now […]
There are few cities as interesting as Christchurch, New Zealand, in my opinion. It suffers more earthquakes on a daily basis than most other inhabited places, it’s a little England plopped into the chilly sub-Antarctic South Island, and it’s only one of eight pairs of cities worldwide with an exact antipodal city. There are other […]
A lot of people consider Nelson, New Zealand to be the gateway to the northern parts of the South Island. To get to the remote Golden Bay, Farewell Spit, and Wharariki Beach, you must pass through the fertile lands of Nelson and Motueka. And a lot of people do go up there; it’s beautiful. However, […]
I’m only a bit partial to Wellington, New Zealand. It’s the first place I moved to when I lived in NZ, and I quickly fell in love with the relaxed, quirky, chill vibe. Wellington attracts a lot of artists, entrepreneurs, and other creative types. Because it’s the capital, it also has a lot of government […]
There are few cities in the world that are as complete in one architectural style as Napier, New Zealand. Following a major earthquake in 1931, the city rebuilt completely in the style of the times, which happened to be Art Deco. Today, Napier is a major stop on tours of New Zealand because of this […]
If you’re seeking exciting cultural activities and geothermal attractions, Rotorua, New Zealand – and the nearby town of Taupo – is where you need to go. The heart of the Bay of Plenty, only 3 hours from Auckland, Rotorua is one of the best places to learn about the Maori culture. It’s also the base […]