We enjoy escaping to the central coast of California for a little rest, relaxation and lots of wine tasting. Paso Robles is a gem and one of our favorite wine regions to explore.

…additional details coming soon…

Things To Do & See

1) Wine Tasting

The central coast of California is full of fantastic wineries. Unlike other areas of California, wine tasting is still reasonable in this region. Here are some of the wineries we tried during our stay.

A) J. Lohr

B) Adelaida

C) Halter Ranch

Halter Ranch was a pleasant surprise. We enjoyed nearly every wine they poured, so much so, that we nearly joined their wine club! We did elect to ship a few bottles home to enjoy with family and friends. We’ll definitely visit the tasting room on our next trip to Paso Robles. Some of our favorites were: 2013 Cotes de Paso Blanc, 2011 Cotes d Paso, 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2011 Ancestor Estate Reserve.

D) Tablas Creek

This winery came as a recommendation from a Conde Nast article about a wine route in the central coast. The new and modern tasting room serves up five Provence-style wines and is located near some of the best wineries in the area. We thought the wines were fair. However, we would choose to bypass in favor of a few other wineries.

E) Opolo

F) Sculpterra

G) Tobin James

The only rule of this large tasting room located east of town is to “have fun.” The tastings are free and many of the wines available are priced modestly. We definitely will not make a second visit to the tasting room. However, if you are looking for a feel good, fun atmosphere that can handle large groups with fair wine, than this might be your place. In our opinion, the best of the wines we sampled were the Zinfandels (2011 Fatboy & 2011 Ballistic).

H) Hearst Ranch

Located directly across from the Hearst Castle, the tasting room is located in the San Simeon General Store. There was not a single wine that we tasted that we could recommend. We would recommend NOT wasting your time or money in this busy, tourist filled, tasting room.

2) Hearst Castle

3) Breweries

Restaurant Recommendations

The Paso Robles area is full of fantastic fine dining establishments. Here are a couple of restaurants we discovered during our stay that we would definitely recommend to those visiting the area.

1) McPhee’s Grill

Located on the Main Street of nearby Templeton, McPhee’s was within walking distance of our accommodation. We enjoyed a bottle of house (red) wine, a swordfish enchalata, a BBQ chicken pizza, and a blueberry cobbler for dessert. The meal was great, however, the cobbler was a bit tart. Restaurant is worth a visit.

2) Joe’s Place

This busy breakfast joint has a location in both Paso Robles and Templeton. Again the Templeton location was within walking distance of our accommodation. After a short wait, we had a big, filling and hearty brunch. Only open until 2pm, Joe’s is a good breakfast spot.

Accommodation Options

Details coming soon…

Details coming soon…

We are excited to spend a few days in Vacaville visiting some of our dear friends!

A winter ski destination, Mammoth is a cute town located on the east side of Sierra Nevada mountains.

Things To Do

1) Yosemite National Park

We elected to stay in Mammoth Lakes due to the limited accommodation options available in Yosemite National Park. Although lodging is available, note, it is about a two and a half hour drive from Mammoth Lakes to the Yosemite Valley, were many of the key attractions are located.

2) Mono Lake

When flipping through the television a few night’s earlier, we ran across a program on the Weather Channel that outlined some unique destinations around the world — one of which was Mono Lake. This salt water lake has unique calcified spires and has the Sierra Nevada Mountains as its backdrop. If time permits, on your way to Yosemite, it is well worth a stop. There are many vantage points of the lake, the best that we found were:
a) The Flag Pole @ Mobile Station (Hwy 120 just west of Hwy 395)
b) Conway Summit Lookout (Hwy 395, approx 10 miles north of Lee Vining)
c) South Tufa Area (Hwy 120, 5 miles east of Hwy 395)

Accommodation Options

There are many accommodation options available around Mammoth Lakes. Depending on the season, the accommodation costs can be high.

1) Austria Hof

We elected to stay this nice little hotel that is located near the mountain. The accommodations were perfect and within our budget for our quick overnight stay.

Things To Do & See

1) Badwater Basin

2) Zabriskie Point

3) Dantes View

4) Artists Palette

5) Golden Canyon Trail

6) Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes

7) Wildrose / Wildrose Peak

Restaurant Recommendations

Be sure to pack snacks and extra water for any adventure into Death Valley. Having posted the hottest temperature in the world, being stranded without basic necessities could be life threatening.

Accommodation Options

The Inn @ Furnace Creek

We stopped in Bakersfield to visit an old friend of Kevin’s. We did not take the opportunity to explore the immediate area.

From Bakersfield, we made a (very long) day trip to see the giant Sequoia trees in the Sequoia National Park. We planned to spend a few days exploring Sequoia National Park, however, the weather was much cooler than expected and ground was still covered in snow.

Our travels took us to Santa Monica to visit one of Kevin’s previous colleagues, friend, and client.

During our overnight stay, we took an opportunity to explore the Santa Monica boardwalk and walk along Venice Beach. On our way out of town we made a stop in Hollywood to see the walk of fame, the Chinese theatre and view the big white Hollywood sign.

Details coming soon…

Details coming soon…

Details coming soon…

Accommodation Options

Les Lauriers Hotel

We occupied room 8 at this guest house.

The largest island in the Seychelles, Mahe is home to the capital city, Victoria, and almost 90% of the countries total population. This lush green island is located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa has countless pristine white sand beaches and idealistic blue waters. The Seychelles may very well be a slice of paradise!

Accommodation Options

Le Meridien Fisherman’s Cove

The Le Meridien is located on the northwest coast of Mahe, the largest of the 155 islands of the Seychelles. This upscale beachfront resort has stunning views of the Indian Ocean.

The 5th largest (and lesser known) game reserve, Madikwe is located in a malaria free zone near the boarder of Botswana. The park is home to lots of birds and animals, including the “big five.” We found it to be a good alternative to some of the larger, more expensive reserves. Plus it is in a malaria free zone.

We enjoyed our four night stay at The Bush House, which is located on the western side of the park. The hospitality was incredible, the food was terrific, and the game drives were enjoyable. We found ourselves in awe at the animals that visited the lodge’s watering hole throughout the day. We highly recommend The Bush House and hope to return again one day.

Details coming soon…

Accommodation Options

Sheraton Pretoria

Things To Do & See

Day Trips

Cape L’Agulhas – Agulhas National Park

De Hoop

Restaurant Recommendations

1) The Powell House

One of my favorite restaurants in South Africa! My meal (risotto-ratatouille au gratin)and our dessert was SO delicious. We highly recommend the “Eton Mess” for dessert!

Accommodation Options

De Oude Pastorie Guesthouse

Things To See & Do

1) Shark Cage Diving – White Shark Africa

2) Sand Boarding – Billeon

3) St Blaize Hiking Trail

4) Boot Tree Mailbox

Restaurant Recommendations

1) Gannet Cafe

2) Delfinos

Accommodation Options

Bar-T-Nique Guest House

Things To Do & See

1) Tsitsikamma National Park

Located on the coast, Storms River mouth is located inside the national park.

A) Waterfall Hike

B) Bridge Hike & Lookout Point

C) Otter Trail

A five day hike along the coastline that starts from Storms River mouth inside the national park. The huts for the multi-day hike must be booked far in advance (upwards of a year).

2) Bloukrans Bungy Jump

Located within ten minutes of Storms River is the world’s highest bridge bungy jump, which is 216 meters above the Bloukrans River. If you do not want to jump, you can walk the highest single span concrete arch bridge in the world.

We had hoped to jump, unfortunately due to rainy weather we decided not to try. Maybe next time?!

3) Blackwater Tubing – Stormsriver

We thoroughly enjoyed our overnight stay in Addo Elephant National Park. Our favorite part was the opportunity to self-drive through the park and observe the wildlife.

Not only did we see Elephants, but we enjoyed our chance encounters with some of the other wildlife in the park including: flightless dung beetles, black-headed heron, blue crane, rock monitor lizard, leopard tortoise, red-billed oxpeckers, secretary bird, ostriches, black-backed jackals, yellow mongooses, a scrub hare, warthogs, kudus, Burchells zebras, and even a water buffalo. Out of our sightings, one of our favorites was our spotting of a lioness and a spotted hyena interacting during our early morning drive.

We would definitely recommend an overnight stay in the park’s accommodations. This will allow you access to the game park earlier in the morning, to catch the sunrise and potentially some of the nocturnal animals, such as lions. It also provides a nice resting place between drives!

Things To Do & See

1) Self-Drive Game Park

Depending upon the animals that you are keen to view, take a couple of drives at varied times throughout the day. Be sure to take it slow and appreciate the little things. We were lucky to have chance encounters to view a lion and hyena on our morning drive, watch an elephant chase off some zebra in our mid-day drive, and watch a black-headed heron hunt its lunch.

2) Game Drive – Park Organized

The National Park offers organized game drives six times a day. We took the opportunity to do a sundowner drive on our arrival. If we were to ever return, we would bypass the organized drives and opt to self-drive instead.

Restaurant Recommendations

Most of the accommodations within the park are self-catering and offer a braai (South African BBQ). Bring food along, if you plan to cook, as the food options are limited. We enjoyed two reasonably priced meals at the Addo Main Rest Camp Restaurant.

Accommodation Options

All though there are many lodges and guesthouses nearby Addo, we elected to stay in one of the parks accommodation offerings, the forest cabin lodges. We enjoyed the opportunity to enter the park early to start our morning self game drive (at 6am). It was also nice to have a resting place close, in order to take a break (or clean-up) between drives.

The most well known game reserve is South Africa is Kruger National Park. However, we learned from some locals that there are many other game parks in the country that provide you with the opportunity to view the “big 5” animals, in a malaria free area, at a more favorable price.

At the last minute we decided to add a quick overnight stay at the Amakhala Game Reserve during our visit to the Eastern Cape. Although still expensive, we found an option that was a bit lower in price and would still allow us to experience the animals on a game drive in two different private game reserves.

Accommodation Options

Quatermains Tented Camp

We elected to stay at Quatermain Camp, a luxury tented camp located near Amakhala and Shamwari Game Reserves. The large tent had running water in the outdoor bathroom, but no electricity. We enjoyed the introduction to game drives, good meals, the campfire, and some good company during our one night stay. We were lucky enough to experience a game drive in each game reserve and saw lots of animals including: elephants, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, white rhinos, and kudu. We even had a close encounter with an elephant!

It was a great introduction to safaris and one of our favorite experiences during our stay in South Africa.

Knysna is a popular stop along the Garden Route due to its size and proximity to popular attractions. The city can be used as a base to explore some of the nearby towns and popular tourist activities.

Approximate travel times to nearby cities:
Plettenberg Bay: 30 minutes
Storms River: 90 minutes
Mossel Bay: 90 minutes
Oudtshoorn: 90 minutes
George / Wilderness: 30-45 minutes

Things To See & Do

1) Sunset Cruise

We would definitely recommend a cruise of the lagoon to the Knysna Heads, as it is the best way to view the city, enjoy the water and learn a bit about the history of this port town. The Knysna Head are among the most dangerous in the world, due to the shallow waters, reefs, and unpredictable ocean swells. We enjoyed spending a couple of hours on the lagoon in the late afternoon. Unfortunately, the sunset was less than spectacular, but the company was terrific.

2) Township Tour

Rated as the top activity in Knysna, the tour of the local township is led by an friendly and outgoing resident of the community. The tour through the township made stops at a local store, pre-school, hair dresser, and then ended at our guides home for tea, singing, and a lesson on the local drums. The experience left me with mixed feelings — I am highly unlike to take another township tour in the future.

3) Robberg Nature Reserve

Located just south of the town of Plettenberg Bay (aka: Pletts). There are three hiking trails (short, medium, and long) within the reserve that are well worth the trip. We undertook the long hike, which makes a full circle around the Park and was absolutely stunning. The hike took about 4 hours to complete and was one of Kevin’s favorite hikes we have completed, to date.

The Robberg Nature Reserve is about a 40 minute drive from Knysna.

Restaurant Recommendations

1) East Heads Cafe

This open air cafe is located at the end of the road to the Knysna East Heads. It has great views over the lagoon and to the heads and the food was good too.

2) Sorricos

There are a number of restaurants on Thesen Island by the marina, among them is Sorricos. This restaurant has a large menu varying from sushi and seafood to pizza and pasta. We found that Wednesday night is 1/2 price pizza night, which was a real bargain.

Accommodation Options

Knysna Stays

We stayed near town in a self catering apartment at a local guesthouse. The apartment was modern, clean, and had the basic amenities (including a washing machine!). I thought we would have views of the water from our patio, but unfortunately, there were no views.

Oudtshoorn is home to the world’s largest population of Ostriches! Seeing (and eating) an Ostrich is a must when passing through town. In addition to everything Ostrich, there are a number of other things to see and do while in the area.

Things To See & Do

1) Congo Caves

The caves are millions of years old, but were first discovered in 1780 by some Dutch. A visit to the caves must be done through one of the two tour options (Heritage and Adventure Tour) that operate daily. We elected to take hour long Heritage Tour and enjoyed the leisurely stroll through the caverns and learning more about the history of this natural phenomenon. Reservations are required (email: reservations@cangocaves.co.za)

2) Cango Ostrich Farm

A trip to Oudtshoorn would not be complete with out a visit to one of the many ostrich farms. (Chose one of the show farms: Cango, Safari or Highgate.) If you choose you can feed or even ride one of these unique birds, as a part of your tour.

3) Swartbergpas

This pass which links Oudtshoorn and Price Albert provides some of the most spectacular scenery around. Allow ample time and be prepared for a slow going drive over the unpaved road. Return via the paved road, which is longer in distance but shorter in time. (It too is a very scenic and beautiful drive.) Watch the weather and plan your trip accordingly.

4) Karusa Winery & Brewery

The establishment is a winery and one of the few craft breweries that we have encountered in South Africa to date. In addition to wine tasting (no beer tasting) you can enjoy a light lunch. Our favorite wines were the Shiraz/Cab, Grenache Noir/Shiraz/Mourveder, and their 5th Element Syrah/Viognier. Kevin was also a fan of their Zwartberger (amber ale) beer.

5) Cango Wildlife Ranch

Interested in Croc Cage Diving? Then this is for you. The Wildlife Ranch is also home to cheetahs, lions, leopards, and white bengal tigers.

6) Rust & Vrede Waterfall

A waterfall that is located about 11km off the R328 not far from the Cango Caves. We attempted to visit the waterfall on a rainy day and made it all the way to the entrance only to find that it was closed, due to the rain!

7) Wilgewandel Holiday Farm

We did not choose to visit the holiday park, however the key draw is to ride a camel. We drove by and snapped a few pictures of the camels from the road.

8) CP Nel Museum

Located in town, this museum is dedicated to providing history of the Ostrich industry. (We did not visit during our stay.)

9) Meerkat Adventures

Rise early (meets before 6am) and sit in a field waiting for the meerkats to make their appearance and move through their morning rituals. Note: Weather matters. Meerkats do not make an appearance in rainy weather. Due to the weather, the expense, and our time limitations, we did not elect to take this tour.

Restaurant Recommendations

1) Nostalgie

The restaurant specializes in Karoo cuisine. We would highly recommend based our fantastic dinner. We followed a local’s recommendation to eat either lamb or ostrich while in Karoo. We ordered the lamb stew, an ostrich burger, and a bottle of the Fairview (La Capra) Pinotage. We throughly enjoyed all three. The food was so good that we even considered eating there two nights in a row.

2) Karusa Winery

The Karusa Winery & Brewery serves cheese platters, meat platters, and light lunches. The food was good for lunch and we enjoyed sipping a glass of wine / beer by the fireplace on a rainy day.

3) Bello Cibo

The food was average and the atmosphere was just okay. Personally, we would probably not visit again and would try one of the other recommendations we received instead.

Other recommended options, that we did not visit include: Jemimas, The Colony @ The Queens Hotel, Su Casa, and Buffelsdrift Game Lodge.

Accommodation Options

Karoo Sun Guesthouse

We enjoyed our two night stay at this modern B&B. Our hosts were friendly, rooms are spacious, modern, and clean. Although we never used it, the honesty bar and common ares (including pool and grassy yard) were an added bonus.

This quaint town is known for their hot springs. Located a couple of hours drive from Cape Town near the start of Route 62. We used this as our first stop on our road-trip through the Western Cape. We arrived early evening, in order to catch a beautiful sunset. Unfortunately, we did not have ample time to scope out the area’s activities.

Things To Do & See

1) Hot Springs

Located at the Montagu Springs Resort. As a guest of the hotel you can use the hot springs, or elect to go as a day visitor. We can not vouch for this first hand as we elected to forego the obligatory visit to the hot springs during our quick stop in town.

2) Hike

There are a handful of hikes in the area. We were made aware of a handful of hikes that started from Old Mill. Visit the tourist office for maps and additional information.

3) Bird Watching

On the corner of Barry and Bath Street (not far from the information center) there are a set of trees that are home to hundreds of birds. Best to view in the last couple hours of daylight.

4) Cogman’s Kloof Gorge

It was recommended to approach town from the west/south from Ashton. Route 62 will winds through a scenic area and takes you through the center of a rock before landing you in town.

Restaurant Recommendations

1) Four Oaks

Based on a recommendation from our B&B, we ate dinner at Four Oaks. The food was fantastic. We would definitely recommend it for this alone. The atmosphere was a little odd and the owner/waiter had a bit of an air to him. However, the food made it worth the visit.

2) Ye Olde Tavern

A cute little tavern and restaurant located on Church street (directly across from the Church). We enjoyed a pre-dinner drink here, but must admit that the dinner selections looked appetizing.

Accommodation Options

7 Church Street

We stayed in a nice B&B in the center of town. The rooms were spacious and clean. The wifi was good and the breakfast was delicious.

We are busy exploring the beautiful and diverse city of Cape Town. Additional details coming soon…

Things To Do & See

1) Table Mountain

Hike or ride the cable car to the top of the mountain that provides the picture-perfect backdrop to this harbor city. Be sure to check the website for weather conditions and to confirm if the cable car is running, as weather conditions at/on the mountain can vary greatly from the city.

2) Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Situated at the base of Table Mountain, these beautiful gardens were established in 1913 and are one of the best we have encountered in our travels. Enjoy wandering around the gardens, admiring the scenary on one of the many shaded benches, or pack a picnic to enjoy on one of the well manicured lawns. It is well worth the nominal entry fee to enjoy a few hours of peace in these lovely gardens.

3) Boulders Beach

Located about 45 minutes outside of Cape Town, near Simon’s Town, this boulder lined beach is home to one of the only land based colonies of African penguins. For a small fee you can walk on the beach and come within feet of the penguins. A truly unique experience. It is also conveniently located on the way to Cape Point.  There are two entrances to the National Park, the first off of Miller Street and the second is a bit further south off of Bellevue. Access directly to the beach to walk among the Penguins is from Bellevue (parking lot at end of road). Be sure to walk all the way along the beach (ducking under and navigating over a few rocks) to have the most up-close experience. Swimming is permitted, so feel free to pack your towel, swimsuit, sunblock and snacks to make a day of it. To view a significant number of penguins from the boardwalk, either enter from Miller street (with all the tour buses) or take the paved track from the Bellevue side. We arrived early (~9am) and had nearly had the beach to ourselves. However, as we were leaving there were many more people arriving.

4) Cape Point & Cape of Good Hope

Reach the southwest most point of Africa, Cape of Good Hope, on a day trip to visit Cape Point in the Table Mountain National Park. Make the climb from the visitor center to the lighthouse where the two oceans (Indian and Atlantic) meet. Additionally, we enjoyed a nice lunch with a view from the Two Oceans Restaurant.

5) Chapman’s Peak Drive

Enjoy the views along this scenic cliff-side drive that connects Noordhoek and Hout Bay. Be sure to pull off the road at the provided turn-offs to enjoy views over the Atlantic Ocean and Hout Bay. (Note: Have a little cash to pay the toll for a drive on this road.)

6) Lion’s Head Full Moon Hike

Pack your headlamps or torches (aka: flashlights) and make the hour long ascent up Lion’s Head with hundreds of others, on the eve of the full moon. Enjoy the sweeping views, beautiful sunset, cities lights, and the rising of the full moon. Be sure to arrive early, bring a sweatshirt, pack a picnic, and bring along a little patience. An unique experience with breathtaking views that we would highly recommend. If not visiting during the full moon, then make the hike during the day to enjoy the unparalleled, 360 degree views from the top.

7) Cape Winelands

Within a short drive you can find yourself spending a lovely day in Cape Winelands, sipping wine, enjoying the scenery or taking a hike. Easily done as a day trip from Cape Town, or alternatively, choose to stay a few nights in the nearby towns of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, or Paarl.

8) Two Oceans Aquarium

Located at the V&A Waterfront, this aquarium is one of the best we have visited. In addition to an interactive “Nemo” display, you can see jagged tooth sharks, giant crabs, a large moray eel, penguins, frogs, and lots of tropical fish. We agreed that it was worth an hour of our time and would definitely recommend.

9) Robben Island

Located off the shores of Cape Town, Robben Island was a prison that held many of South Africa’s political prisoners during the apartheid years, including former South African President Nelson Mandela. The island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and from the tip has great views back on Cape Town.
A tour to the island includes the return boat trip, a guided tour of the prison, and a short bus tour of the island. A former political prisoner will guide you through the prison. This was the best part of our tour. The tour was crowded, the bus tour is not overly engaging, and the boat ride (especially on the older fishing boat) was not all that enjoyable. Advance reservations are advised and can be made online.

10) Blouberg Beach

The views back on Cape Town are stunning from this long white sand beach. It is no wonder that most postcards of the city are shot from this vantage point. The beach can easily be reached by car in about 25 minutes. It is popular destination on a windy day for kite-boarders. We enjoyed snapping a few photos, walking along the beach, relaxing and soaking in the city views from this vantage point.

11) Signal Hill

Drive to the lookout on top of this small hill. The views of the city are best on the way up the hill (and not from the top). It is one of the only city vantage points that can be reached by car, with little effort or time. We witnessed people starting their paragliding adventure from the top of the hill.

12) Shark Breaching & Cage Diving Tour

13) Clinton Beach & Camps Beach

14) District 6 Museum

15) The Company Gardens

16) South African Museum & Planetarium

17) Bo-Kaap & Noon Gun

18) Hout Bay & Seal Island

19) Sea Point Promonade

20) Brunch (& Live Jazz) @ Winchester Mansions

21) Long Street

22) Sunset Cruise

23) Castle of Good Hope

Accommodation Options

Westin Cape Town

We enjoyed our five night stay at this upscale hotel prior to renting an apartment in town for the remainder of our stay. The Westin is located on Lower Long Street, next to the Convention Center and not far from the V&A Waterfront. The views out to the Waterfront from our spacious room (and the executive lounge) were spectacular.

Balmoral Lodge

We spent a single evening at this residential hotel which was located within close proximity to the Cape Town International Airport. The accommodation was basic, but satisfied our simple requirements of being affordable and close to the airport.

Prevelly is a small beach-side town located near the famous Margaret River Valley wine region in Western Australia. We enjoyed spending our last couple of days in Australia enjoying the wine, fine food, and watching sunsets over the Indian Ocean.

Things To Do & See

1) Margaret River Valley Wineries

A trip to the Margaret River Valley is not complete without wine tasting. Here are some of the wineries that we enjoyed most during our visit:

• Leeuwin Estate — Our favorites were the Art Series Chardonnay, Siblings Shiraz, and the Art Series Cabernet Sauvigion. We also were excited with a program they were offering allowing us to ship wine to our home at no extra cost (shipped from a Napa distributor.) We look forward to enjoying a bottle with our family on our return.

• Cullin Wines — We enjoyed many of the wines we tasted at Cullin, and wish we could have taken a bottle to enjoy at a later date. If my memory serves me correctly, our two favorites where their flagship (and most expensive) wines, the Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvigion.

• Vasse Felix — The winery originated in 1967 and was the first in the area. We enjoyed nearly every wine we tasted and had a fantastic lunch at their restaurant. (Bookings recommended for the restaurant.) Our favorite wines were: Heytesbury Chardonnay, Heytesbury Cab Sauvigion, and the Filius Cabernet Merlot.

2) Margaret River Chocolate Factory

We enjoyed sampling our way through their delicious chocolates. We even purchased a bag for the road, that only lasted two days! It was a good addition to our itinerary and helped satisfy our craving for a sweet treat. Note: There are also locations in Perth and Swan Valley.

3) Lunch @ A Winery

We were impressed by the number of onsite restaurants available at many wineries. We enjoyed the leisurely pace, wine pairing, and delicious food available. (See restaurant options below for a couple of our favorites.)

4) Sunset Over Indian Ocean

From our beachfront accommodation in Prevelly, we enjoyed watching the sunset over the Indian Ocean from Surfer’s Point. Equipped with our camera, sweatshirts, beach towel and bottle of wine we made the short walk to the popular destination and watch the sunset over the water.

5) Movies at Cape Mentelle

A great date night — a movie, dinner, and wine — all in an open air theatre at the Cape Mentelle winery. If possible, try and reserve a beanbag chair. Bring your own food or buy the gourmet food available for sale. (All alcohol must be purchased on site and can not be brought in.) Don’t forget your jumper (sweatshirt or jacket) as the temperature drops in the evening.

6) Cheese Tasting

We noticed a few signs for cheese tastings in the area, but unfortunately it did not fit into our schedule. If their ice cream in the area any indication, I am sure the cheese is fantastic!

7) Ice Cream!

One of our favorite stops was at Millers Ice Cream Farm, where we could have easily ate a gallon of ice cream. Just thinking about it makes me hungry for some of their ice cream!

8) Busselton Jetty

Located in the neighboring town of Busselton, make the 1.8km walk out to the end of the longest wood slated jetty in the Southern Hemisphere, to the fish viewing aquarium at the end. Or if you prefer, catch a ride on the mini-train. The entry fee to access the jetty was nominal. We enjoyed the walk, views, and learning a bit about the history of the jetty. However, we elected to forgo the added entry to view the fish off the end of the pier.

9) Breweries

Although known as a wine region, the area is also home to a few breweries. Since our time was limited, we only visited Eagle Bay Brewery on our way to Margaret River. If time would have permitted, we would have enjoyed stopping by a few others.

• Eagle Bay — Eagle Bay is a brewery and winery located on the north side of the Margaret River Valley in Eagle Bay. The brewery also had a nice restaurant with sweeping views. (Stop into Wise across the street for some of the best views in the area.)

Restaurant Recommendations

1) Vasse Felix (Cowaramup)

We had a fantastic lunch at the restaurant at the Vasse Felix winery, overlooking the vineyard. We highly recommend adding this as a stop on any itinerary. Advance booking recommended.

2) Eagle Bay Brewery (Eagle Bay)

We enjoyed a leisurely lunch on the patio at the Eagle Bay Brewery (and winery).

3) Sea Garden View (Prevelly)

A small local restaurant with fantastic views over the coast at the Indian Ocean. A great place to watch the sunset and have a casual meal.

Accommodation Options

We did not find too many budget friendly accommodation options in the area. We elected to rent a small self-catering studio (Sea & Soul) in the beach town of Prevelly. We enjoyed the location. Outside of a couple of minor things (like obtaining the wireless password and having the power to the wifi accidentally switched off for > 8 hours overnight), it satisfied our needs.

Details coming soon…

Details coming soon…

Things To Do & See

1) Mt Wellington

2) MONA – Museum of Old & New Art

3) Cascade Brewery

Restaurant Recommendations

The Ball & Chain

Jack Green

Accommodation Options

The port city of the Wild West, is known for is location near the Gordon River UNESCO World Heritage Site, their salmon and trout fishing farms, and their close proximity to the mining capital of Queenstown.

Things To Do & See

1) Gordon River Cruise

The Gordon River is a part of a world heritage site. The river flows through the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. The area is know for its rain forest and is home to the rate Huon Pine trees. These trees are only found in Tasmania and can live for thousands of years. The timber from these trees is now protected, but has been sought after for its durability particularly for boats.  In the 1800s, prisoners were used for logging and boat building on the nearby Sarah Island. We utilized World Heritage Cruises for our trip down the Gordon River, which included a sailing to hell’s gate, a sail by local fishing farms, and a stop at Sarah Island.

2) Wilderness Railway

Nearby Queenstown has a history rich in mining. The Wilderness Railway is a historical steam railway that departs daily from Queenstown for a half day exploring the areas history and scenery. Due to our time limitations, we were not able to enjoy this site, but received a handful of positive reviews and recommendations from other tourists who had an opportunity to experience.

3) The Wall

Located in Derwent Bridge, The Wall is well worth a stop if traveling between Hobart and the west coast. The artist is in the process of hand-carving three meter high wooden panels to display the history of the area.  The craftsmanship is impressive and worth admiring. We had heard about the site and were debating the merits. We decided to make a visit after some encouragement and glowing reviews from other tourists. We were glad we stopped and would definitely recommend a quick stop to anyone passing through the area.

4) Hikes

A handful of the 60 Short Great Walks of Tasmania are located between Strahan and Derwent Bridge and can be visited if traveling between the Hobart and Strahan. Due to time limitations, rainy weather, and bush fires in the area, we did not experience any first hand. A few to look at are as follows: Nelson Falls, Franklin River, Donaghys Lookout, and Hogarth Falls.

Accommodation Options

We spent a couple nights at the Strahan Holiday Park in one of their stationary units. The accommodations were basic. Wifi was available for a steep daily fee through Tomizone.

Cradle Mountain National Park is one of the most visited sites in Tasmania. In the shadow of Cradle Peak, the area is full of wildlife and boast many different hiking tracks of varied levels and duration, including the multi-day Overland Track. It is definitely worth the visit on a trip to Tasmania.

Things To Do

1) Cradle Mountain National Park

The main attraction in the area is the national park.  There are a countless number of hikes starting from various points within the park. Have a stop into the information center and they can help recommend a hike to meet your time allocation and fitness levels.  We enjoyed the Dove Lake Circuit on our first afternoon in the park. On our second day we hiked from the Ronny Creek shuttle stop/parking lot to Crater Lake, Marion’s Lookout, across the Crater Plateau to Crater Peak and then back to the Ronny Creek shuttle stop/parking lot.  Our original plan was to try and do the Cradle Mountain Summit, however, after making our way 1/2 way to the summit we decided to turn back, as I was not feeling comfortable with the very rocky terrain. The scenery and wildlife is wonderful.  Also ask about any ranger led talks or tours, we joined a complimentary evening walk about wombats.

2) Devils@Cradle

Devils@Cradle is a sanctuary for the endangered Tasmanian Devils.  In addition to Tasmanian Devils the sanctuary is also home to other rescued marsupials including a quolls and a pair of wombats. We took one of the evening feeding tours and found it very interesting.  In advance of our tour we wandered around the sanctuary and enjoyed watching the younger devils at play.

3) The Wilderness Gallery

The Wilderness Gallery is located at the Cradle Mountain Chateau accommodations and features an interesting collection of photography.  In under an hour and for a small fee you can browse the ten rooms and enjoy some of the works of art.  Our favorite was a display of photos featuring scenery from Iceland.

Restaurant Recommendations

There are limited dining options in Cradle Mountain. If you are hoping to pack lunches for your hikes, be sure to stop at one of the major cities before reaching Cradle Mountain, as there are not many options.

We heard great things about the all you can eat buffet at the Cradle Mountain Chateau. Unfortunately, we did not have an opportunity to try it first hand.

The Tavern

We enjoyed a pint and a casual meal at the Tavern, which is located at Cradle Mountain Lodge. It appeared to be the most budget friendly option in town.

Accommodation Options

Cradle Mountain Chateau

We found all accommodation options that are located near the park were more expensive than we hoped. We elected to stay at the Cradle Mountain Chateau, and found the room to be nice and enjoyed the proximity to the National Park.

Another option near to the National Park is: Cradle Mountain Lodge.

Located in Northwest Tasmania, Burnie is a beachfront industrial town, with a handful of nearby tourist options.

Things To Do & See

1) The Penguin Observatory

2) Day Trip: Stanley – “The Nut”

3) Fern Glade

Interested in seeing a platypus? One of your best opportunities may be at Fern Glade, which is located just 10 minutes outside of town. Take the short walk (1.2 km with return) down the river and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife. We’ve been told the best viewing times are in the morning and evening hours.

4) Cheese Tasting

5) Makers’ Workshop

Restaurant Recommendations

Fish Frenzy

Located on the boardwalk near the old town, Fish Frenzy is a casual dining establishment that serves up incredible fish and chips. The portions are large. We would recommend to anyone passing through town.

Accommodation Options

Beachfront Voyager Motor Inn

Centrally located in the old town, directly across the street from the beach. We enjoyed the location of this budget friendly accommodation option.

St Helens is located on the northeast coast of Tasmania, in close proximity to the Bay of Fires. There are many sites worth visiting along the drive from St Helens to Launceston.

Things To Do

1) Binalong Bay

The gateway to Bay of Fires, Binalong Bay is a quant beach town with a beautiful beach and a colorful rocky coastline.

2) Bay of Fires

The Bay of Fires extends from Binalong Bay in the South to Mt William National Park in the North. Colorful rocky boulders are scattered along this coastline.

3) Hikes

There are a couple of hikes on the list of 60 Great Short Walks in Tasmania.

A) St Columba Falls

This short hike (1.2km roundtrip) leads you through a rainforest to one of the largest waterfalls in Tasmania. It is worth the 30 minute stop, if you are in the area.

B) Ralphs Falls

Another short hike located in northeast Tasmania. We were advised that a 4 wheel drive was required to reach this destination and thus did not make the trip.

4) Pyengana Dairy Company

The Pyengana Dairy Company is located off of C428, in route to St Columba Falls. Stop in for a free cheese tasting and stay for a tasty lunch at their cafe, or enjoy a scoop of their ice cream on their sunny back patio.

5) Bridestowe

The largest privately owned lavender farm and the only lavender farm in Tasmania. Lavender is in full bloom in December and is harvested in the beginning of January. (The pictures look amazing.) The lavender had been harvested when we visited in early February. In our opinion, it was not worth the stop and entrance fee. However, we might think differently if we were their prior to harvesting or if we were in the market for some lavender souvenirs.

6) Wine Tasting

The Tamar Wine Region is located just outside of Launceston. If driving from the East Coast (St Helen’s / Freycinet Peninsula), your routing can include stops at some of the wineries that specialize in cool weather wines, specifically sparkling wines and Pinot Noir. A couple wineries we would recommend in the eastern Tamar Valley are:

A) Bay of Fires

Bay of Fires is world known for their sparkling wines. However, we also found ourselves enjoying many of their wines, including their Riesling, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Sauvignon Blanc. We would highly recommend a stop at this winery.

B) Brook Eden Vineyard

This small family run winery produces some good cooler climate varieties. We enjoyed the Rosato and their Chardonnay. (Even though I do not like Chardonnay.)

Restaurant Recommendations

Holy Cow Cafe (Pyengana)

The Pyengana Dairy Company is located off of C428, in route to St Columba Falls. After doing a cheese tasting, we had a fantastic lunch at the Holy Cow Cafe. The cafe uses local ingredients from their farm. It was well worth the stop, even if it is just to taste the cheese and enjoy a scoop of their ice cream!

Accommodation Options

There are a handful of motels and B&Bs around St Helen’s and Binalong Bay. We stayed cheaply at a very old motel, Bayside Inn. Let’s just say the price was right, but I was happy to move on.

White Beach is located on the Tasman Peninsula.  This peninsula has some beautiful natural sites and provides a glimpse into the history of Tasmania, as home to the UK’s worst criminals during the 1800’s.

Things To See & Do

1) Port Arthur Historic Site

In the 1800’s Port Arthur was a prison that housed the United Kingdom’s repeat male offenders. Prisoners arrived via boat (from the UK) to Port Arthur to serve their sentence. This large site provides a glimpse at the history, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in partnership with a handful of other sites on the Convict Trail. It is worth a 1/2 day visit. All tickets include a 40 minute guided tour and a 20 minute boat ride, which are worth taking. Schedule your times when purchasing your tickets. The cafe onsite offers some tasty food selections and a nice selection of beverages. Note: All tickets are good for two days.  Also the site hosts a nightly ghost tour for those that are interested.

2) Tessellated Pavement, Tasman Arch, Devil’s Kitchen & Blow Hole

Four natural sites that are located near Eaglehawk Neck on the gateway to the Tasman Peninsula. Each can be easily visited, as they are with in a short walk from a car park. The Tasman Arch and Devil’s Kitchen are located within the Tasman National Park. Parks passes can be purchased from any tourist information site.

3) Remarkables Cave

A short walk will take you to view the entrance of this cave. Definitely worth a stop and the views over the coast line.  Additionally, make a stop at a beautiful (and empty) white beach, Safety Cove State Reserve, in route to the cave.

4) Hikes & Walks

There are a handful of hikes on the Tasman Peninsula on the list of 60 Great Walks in Tasmania. We only had time to do one of the shorter walks, but wish we would have had more time to do one of the longer treks.

A) Waterfall Bay

This hike starts from the parking lot at Devil’s Kitchen in the Tasmania National Park. This short hike (~3.5 round trip) is a relatively easy hike across the cliff side, with a handful of viewing points to a waterfall. In the warm summer months, viewing the waterfall is highly unlikely, however the coastal views are beautiful. It took us about an hour to do the full hike.

B) Bivouac Bay

This is about 10km round-trip hike (3 hours) along the southern coast of the Port Arthur Peninsula. Unfortunately, we did not have ample time to complete this trek during our stay.

C) Cape Huay

A 9km round-trip hike (4 hours) with great views of Cape Huay. Unfortunately, we did not have ample time to complete this trek during our stay.

D) Cape Raoul

A 14km round-trip hike (5 hours) with stunning views of coastal seascapes. This was our top pick for a hike on the Port Arthur Peninsula, unfortunately, we did not have time!

5) The Dog Line

The dog line is a part of the convict trail history. A line of fierce dogs guarded the Eaglehawk Neck to prevent prisoners from escaping from Port Arthur. The nearby beach on Pirates Bay, is beautiful and worth a viewing.

6) Coal Mines

The Coal Mines is a part of the Convict Trail grouping that is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site has history as a part of the punishment for convicts.  The Coal Mines Historic Site  is highlighted as one of the 60 Great Short Walks in Tasmania. (Download the free app!)

Accommodation Options

Stormy Bay B&B

A great little B&B on the west coast of Port Arthur Peninsula boasting fantastic views over Wedge Bay. We enjoyed watching the sunset from the patio while enjoying a glass of port and the good company of other guests. Our host Bev and Gary where very welcoming and hospitable.

We are excited to call Melbourne “home” for the next four weeks. We are looking forward to exploring the city, trying some of the great restaurants, and enjoying a few tennis matches at the Australian Open!

Things To Do & See

1) Queen Victoria Market

2) South Melbourne Market

3) Shrine of Remembrance

4) Royal Botanic Gardens

5) National Galleria of Victoria (NGV)

Restaurant Recommendations

1) ChinChin

We thoroughly enjoyed our lunch at this tasty and trendy spot. The restaurant has a modern Thai flare. Our favorite dish was the Massaman Curry.

2) Queen Victoria Night Market

Every Wednesday night (from 5 to 10pm) during the summer you can enjoy live entertainment as you eat and drink your way through the Queen Victoria Market. Enjoy everything from paella to burritos and crapes to satay.

Located a couple of hours south of Auckland, Hamilton is not typically a prime tourist destination. The highlight of our stay was reconnecting with some new friends that we met while traveling in Thailand. There are a number of great sights that can be reached within a short drive of Hamilton. Plus the Hamilton Gardens are a very pleasant way to spend a few relaxing hours.

Things To Do & See

1) Hamilton Gardens

If your travel plans take you through Hamilton, then be sure to make a stop at the Hamilton Gardens. This attraction is free and there is always something in bloom. We enjoyed a leisure walk through the gardens one morning. It is also a great place to take a walk or enjoy a nice picnic.

2) Raglan

Raglan is home to black sandy beaches and some it touted as some of New Zealand’s best surfing. This cute seaside town is about a 45 minute drive from Hamilton. The main street is lined with cafes, shops, and restaurants.

3) Bridal Veil Falls

Look for the turn off to Bridal Veil Falls on the way to/from Raglan. An easy short trail leads you to the top of the waterfall. If you have time follow the path and stairs to the additional viewing points.  All though, all view points are lovely. We think the top view point is the best for photos! (The one at the top of the stairs, prior to heading down to the middle and low view points.)

4) Matamata

If you are a fan of Lord of the Rings then consider a visit to Matamata to view the rolling hills and take a tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set.  There are many tour options available. You may also want to check out Wairere Falls, while you are in the area.

Restaurant Recommendations

The Helm

We had the opportunity to meet up with some new friends at the Helm. They have a great outdoor patio, serve a good selection of beers, and also have tasty $5 pizzas on Sunday afternoons/evenings.

Accommodation Options

There are a lot of accommodation options in Hamilton. Our motel was on Ulster Street, not far from the main downtown area, and there were lots of motels, hostels, and hotels located in close proximity.

Camelot on Ulster

We stayed in one of the studio units. This motel was perfect for us as it was affordable, comfortable, recently renovated, had a small kitchen and provided free unlimited wifi access to guests.

National Park is located near Tongariro National Park. There are many hiking tracks located in the park including one of the best trails in New Zealand, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.

Things To Do

1) Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Rated as one of the top tracks (trails) in New Zealand and one of the top hikes in the world. This 19.4 km trail runs through an active volcano region. The weather is often not conducive and can chance quickly. Be prepared with good gear (rain gear, sunscreen, water and snacks), and allow a couple days in your schedule in case the weather does not coorporate. The terrain is diverse but beautiful. Nearly all hotels/campsite have a partnership to provide transportation to/from the crossing.

We used ROAM shuttle service from Whakapapa Village when we completed the crossing.  They offer a shuttle in the morning at 7am, 8am, and 9am and offer pick up service at 3pm, 4pm, and 5pm from the end of the trail. However, our accommodation in National Park also offered a shuttle service that departed at 7:30am and 8:30am.

2) Hiking

In addition to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, there are lots of additional hiking tracks in Tongariro National Park of varying lengths. See the following PDF , visit the New Zealand Department of Conservation website, or visit the Tongariro National Park website for additional details on available hiking options.

3) Other Options

During the winter months, we are told that skiing in the area is fantastic. Additionally, visit the Tongariro National Park website for additional options on available activities in the area, including mountain biking, whitewater rafting, and skiing.

Accommodation Options

1) The Park Travellers’ Lodge

A slightly more budget friendly option for those needing a non-camping place to sleep. The rooms were basic with en-suite bathrooms.

NOTE: There are a couple of other towns within close proximity to Tongariro National Park. On our first visit to the area we stayed in Whakapapa.

A large city located in “thermal valley” of the North Island of New Zealand. In addition to thermal pools, the a Redwood Forest with mountain biking and hiking is just minutes away. Many other sites can easily be reached within a short car ride.

Things To Do

1) Redwoods Forest (Whakarewarewa)

Located a few minutes outside of town, the Redwood Forest has a handful of well marked hiking tracks that range in duration from 30 minutes to 8 hours. Also is touted as a premier mountain biking destination with a number of dedicated trails.

2) Thermal Pools / Polynesian Spa

There are a number of thermal pools and spas in the area. The Polynesian Spa was located on the lake within a short walk from city centre. A number of different types of pools, including private pools and spa treatments were available. The spa is open daily from 8am to 11p. Although we talked about visiting on multiple occasions, we never actually made it to any of the  thermal pools!

3) Hiking

There are a handful of options for hiking in the area. We enjoyed the one and half hour (5.5km) stroll around the Blue Lake. The lake is located about 8km outside of town across the street from a Top 10 Holiday Park.  See the New Zealand Department of Conservation website for some additional hiking options in the Rotoru area.

4) Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Park

At 10:15 daily there is a presentation followed by an induced eruption of the Lady Knox Geyser, which draws large crowds. To avoid crowds, consider completing the 75 minute track through the park to view the volcanic features before heading down the road to the view the geyser eruption. Our favorite geothermal attraction in the park was the champagne pool.

5) Waimangu Volcanic Valley

Located 20 minutes from Rotorua and 0 minutes from Taupo , Waimangu is the world’s youngest geothermal system. Waimangu has a number of geothermal features including hot springs, volcanic craters and steaming cliffs. There are a number of nature walks available, as well as a cruise on Lake Roromahana. Unfortunately, we did not make it to visit this attraction, so we can not provide first hand details on the experience.

Accommodation Recommendations

Quest Serviced Apartments

Located in the heart of the city, the Quest Serviced Apartments were wonderful. They were clean, spacious, and quiet. We were thankful for the kitchen in order to cook our Christmas feast, and some of the small things (like the iPod docking station, good selection of tv stations to watch some movies, and the washer/dryer)!

Whakatane is located on the Bay of Plenty on the east coast of the North Island. Our main reason for visiting was to do a day trip from Whakatane to the White Island to see the only active marine volcano in New Zealand.

Things To Do

1) White Island Day Tour

PeeJays offers a day trip to the White Island to walk on the active volcano. The best part of the trip was the wildlife, specifically dolphins, we observed on our way to/from the island. The departure depends upon the weather (and tide) and takes 90 minutes to reach the White Island.

2) Scuba Diving

Although we are not divers, we heard that there are diving options in the area, specifically, day trips to the White Island.

3) The Strand

The Strand is the main street of the town. The street is filled with shops and restaurants. We spent a few hours browsing some of the shops trying to find some good deals, in order to replace some of our worn-out clothes.

4) Walks

See the following website for some ideas on walks around Whakatane.

Restaurant Recommendations

Poppy’s Cafe

We stopped in for a beverage and found that this cafe offers free wi-fi. (We did not observe any time or data limits, which is very rare in New Zealand.) The food looked great. We enjoyed the caffeine pick me up and being reconnected with the outside world for an hour!

Accommodation Options

Whakatane is a larger city with many accommodation options. We stayed at the Livingston Motel. It was clean, had free wifi and was a short drive from the city center.

Thames is located on the southwest corner of the Coromandel Peninsula. The Peninsula can be seen from Auckland on a clear day and is well worth a visit for a day or two. With only a day to spare in our schedule, we made a last minute decision to spend a day exploring the peninsula by car.

Things To Do & See

1) Coromandel Town

We only passed through the town of Coromandel. However, there appeared to be a cute main street, with a number of restaurants and lodging options. Additionally, see this website for some addition hiking/tramping options near the city.

2) Whangapoua Summit Lookout

As you drive towards Whitianga (on SH25), there will be signs for a lookout, with a small parking area. (About 15km outside of town.) Climb the few steps to the lookout, where you will have a great view of Coromandel town (to the west) and the Whangapoua Harbour (to the east). This is well worth a stop!

3) Cathedral Cove

A major tourist site located on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula, near the town of Hahei. Two (busy) beaches / coves are joined by walking under a picturesque cathedral archway. From the carpark at the end of Grange Road, it is about a 1.5 hour (w/return) walk to the coves.

4) Hot Water Beach

An interesting phenomenon, that is a major tourist attraction. Hot water streams run underneath this beach. Thus 2 hours on either side of low tide, you will find hoards of people with a spade digging shallow holes in the sand in search of the hot water, to create their own hot water pool. Be careful, as the water can be VERY hot. There is no map to exactly where the hot water is located, but if you dig a few inches deep and do not find it…change locations and try again. People tend to congregate in one area, where people have struck the hot water.  You can rent a spade to dig, we used our feet to clear away sand — but never found our own hot water spring. Instead, we dipped our feet in ones that were abandoned by other beach goers.

Restaurant Recommendations

The Mussel Kitchen

The Coromandel Mussel Kitchen came highly recommended from our accommodation hosts in Thames. Unfortunately, we passed through early in the day (shortly after eating breakfast) and missed out. We will be sure to give it a try the next time we visit the Peninsula.

After driving through Coromandel Town, it appeared that there were a number of dining options available.

Accommodation Recommendations

Tuscany on Thames

We enjoyed our overnight stay at this motel. It was clean, spacious, and had a number of nice amenities, including a kitchen, free wifi, a spacious bathroom with a spa tub, pool, and pay laundry facilities. Our host was very gracious and provided us with a number of recommendations for restaurants in town and things to see/do on the Peninsula.

Located on the northeast coast of the North Island at the entrance to Hokianga Harbour. The city became a popular tourist site in 1955-1956, when a bottlenose dolphin, named Opo, would visit the harbor and play with the locals. (For more of the story, visit this website.) In addition to hiking and gorgeous sunsets, the town is close to the Waipoua Forest, which houses Tane Mahuta (the largest Kauri tree).

Things To See & Do

1) Hiking

There are number of hiking tracks located within close proximity of Opononi. We did the following hikes during our stay in the area.

A) Arai Te Uru Heritage Walk

This short and easy walk provides you with lookout views over the Tasman Sea and the Hokianga Harbour. Trail is located about ten minute drive south of Opononi.

B) Hokianga Coastal Track

Starting from the same parking lot as the Arai Te Uru Heritage Walk. We did an out and back hike to Waimamaku Beach. This track follows the cliff coastline providing stunning views over the Tasman Sea and the Harbour.

C) Kauri Walks

There are a number of walks located in the Waipoua Forest, many of which are to view the giant Kauri trees. The largest (Tane Mahuta), second largest (Te Matua Ngahere), seventh largest (Yakas), and an intertwined (four sisters) Kauri are all located in this forest. The largest is a short walk from the main road. The others can be reached from the Kauri Walks Carpark.

D) Waiotemarama Walk & Waterfall 

We took the 15 minute (30 return) hike from the carpark to the waterfall. When approaching from the south, the car park is located on the right — we almost missed it!

2) Waipoua Forest Walks

There are a number of walks located in the Waipoua Forest, many of which are to view the giant Kauri trees. The largest (Tane Mahuta), second largest (Te Matua Ngahere), seventh largest (Yakas), and an intertwined (four sisters) Kauri are all located in this forest. The largest is a short walk from the main road. The others can be reached from the Kauri Walks Carpark.

Accommodation Options

We stayed one night at the Opononi Lighthouse Motel. The model provided us with basic necessities, including a kitchen with hot-knobs.

Located in the Northlands on Doubtless Bay, just minutes from the port town of Mangonui, Cable Bay is a quaint little beach-front town. We enjoyed our day trip exploring Ninety Mile Beach, Te Paki Sand Dunes, and Cape Reinga from Cable Bay.

Things To Do & See

1) Aupouri Peninsula

One of our favorite days on the North Island was the day we spent exploring the Aupouri Peninsula. Some of the highlights from our day exploring include:

A) Watching Cars Drive Down Ninety Mile Beach

Recognized as an official highway, keep your eyes open for cars driving down Ninety Mile Beach! This sandy beach stretches out along the west coast of the Aupouri Peninsula from Kaitaia to Cape Reinga. Although named ninety miles, the beach actually is only fifty-five miles. It is safe to drive on the beach only within an hour or two of low tide. Signs posted will warn of the dangers and recommendations are for only 4 wheel drives to proceed, however you will find many locals taking to the beach in their automobiles. The easiest access point for those wanting to view the beach is to use the south access point – follow signs.

B) Sand Surfing @ Te Paki Sand Dunes

Although referred to as sand surfing, it is closer to sledding than surfing. Revert back to your childhood, rent a board ($15 NZD) at the base and spend a few hours sledding down the hills. We would recommend trying the bunny slope first, then once you get the feel make your way to the large hills. It is a lot of work climbing the hills to sled, so remember you will most likely only stay for a few runs. Be aware, the stand can get quite hot!

C) Seeing the Tasman Sea & Pacific Ocean Collide @ Cape Reinga

Cape Reinga is the northern most point of New Zealand. From the parking lot take the stroll down the hill to the lighthouse, where you can look out into the vast ocean and see the Tasman Sea to the west meets the Pacific Ocean to the east. If you have time, the Te Paki Costal Path veers off to the west (left) that descends down to one of the beach coves, Te Werahi Beach…or you can choose to follow it further all the way to Te Paki Stream, which is 25 km away.

D) Frolicking on the beautiful white sands beaches of Rarawa Beach

We enjoyed playing on the white sands of this empty beach. Outside of a surfer (and their truck) the beach was empty when we arrived. However, this beach is on the tourist bus route, and as we were leaving three buses pulled in!

E) Eating Ice Cream in Te Kao

Pull of the road at the only shop in Te Kao and enjoyed a very reasonably priced and tasty cone of ice cream. Kevin enjoyed the local New Zealand favorite Hokie Pokie, while I went with my favorite cookies and cream. It is definitely worth a quick stop.

F) Dipping Our Feet in the Clear Waters @ Taputaputa Bay

Located on the east coast of the peninsula between Te Paki and Cape Reinga. Follow the sign posted to the Bay. The road winds and descends quickly down to this bay. The clear waters roll into this white sandy beach (with large rocks). There is also a camping area off this beach.

NOTE: Be aware that the tour buses hit many of these destinations, thus it is wise to try and time the sights accordingly. To do so, check the tide schedule — the buses drive on ninety mile beach — thus if low tide is in the morning they will drive up the beach first, followed by Te Paki Sand Dunes, Cape Reinga, Te Kao, and then Rarawa Beach. If low tide is in the afternoon, the routing of the buses will be reverse.  We recommend doing the drive yourself, however, if you do not have a car, then consider taking one of the buses that departs from Kaitaia, such as: Harrisons, AwesomeNZ, or Sand Safaris.

Restaurant Recommendations

1) Mangonui Fish Shop

Located in Mangonui, the Mangonui Fish Shop is touted to have the best fish and chips in New Zealand. Although the staff was not overly friendly and the prices were very high, the fish was good. We enjoyed the sweet potato chips over the standard chips.

Accommodation Options

Golden Sand Apartments

Located directly on the beach, these two bedroom apartments provided everything we needed for our short stay, including free wifi, a fully equipped kitchen, washer/dryer, and a patio with a great front row view of the Bay. We would highly recommend these apartments and would definitely stay here again.

Located about two hours north of Auckland, Whangarei is situated near the east coast of the North Island. The small beach towns of Tutukaka and Manapouri are located within a short drive. (Note: Tutukaka is home to some of New Zealand’s best diving.) Although our planned destination was the coastal towns, we found more lodging options in Whangarei.

Things To Do

1) Cruise To Poor Knight’s Islands

We took a day trip to Poor Knights Islands through A Perfect Day. The trip departs from the Tutukaka Marina and gives you a couple hours for to snorkeling, swimming, paddle boarding, sea kayaking, or just enjoying the sunshine from the deck of the boat.  It was early in the season, thus the water was quite cold by US standards, thus we used the provided wet-suits. We saw lots of colorful fish. The best part of the trip was the ride around the islands to see some impressive arches, including the tallest arch in the southern hemisphere. Overall, we enjoyed the day on the water.  The same company (Dive Tutukaka) runs a daily trip to the island for scuba diving — the dive site which is on Jacques Cousteau list of best dive sites in the world.

2) Hiking

There are a number of fantastic hikes along the Tutukaka Coast. See the Tutukaka Coast NZ website for additional details on some of the trekking options in the area. We would highly recommend the following hikes. Do not forget to pack a lunch and take your swimsuit if you want to enjoy some of the beautiful beaches in the area.

A) Matapouri Bay to Whale Bay

This circular loop allows you to enjoy the beaches at both Matapouri Bay and Whale Bay. There are fantastic lookouts on this loop. We did not complete the full loop, but instead started at Matapouri Bay, made our way to Whale Bay and then doubled back to take in the views over the water.

B) Whale Bay

This path runs from a car park via well maintained track to the beach at Whale Bay. We enjoyed sitting and soaking up the sun on this pristine beach. Note, the Matapouri Bay to Whale Bay intersects this path. If you are just interested in the beach then this short 15 minute path (30 return) is a good selection.

Our B&B host also recommended the Tutukaka Headland Lighthouse walk. However, we did not have time, plus we were did not time things properly with the low tide.

3) Other Activities

There are lots of other water-based activities available in the area including kayaking, surfing, and fishing. We would recommend vising the Tutukaka Coast website for an outline of all available activities in the area.

Restaurant Recommendations

We ate at a couple of the restaurants located in the Tutukaka Marina. See the Tutukaka Coast website for additional dining options on the coast.

1) Schnappa Rock

Located right next to the dive shop/boat trip, this is a perfect place to enjoy happy hour and/or a meal following your day at sea. We enjoyed the food, selection of beers on tap, and the live jazz music on the patio.

2) Marina Pizzeria

Located in the marina, this pizza joint has a nice patio. The pizza was average and the drink selection was limited. (There was only one beer and one cider on tap, plus a limited wine selection.)

Lodging Options

Lupton Lodge

We stayed in this fantastic B&B, which was located about 10-15 minutes from the Tutukaka Marina. The breakfasts were wonderful, internet was free, and the accommodations were clean and comfortable. Plus the property had a great patio, pool, and game room. We would definitely recommend to anyone passing through the area.

After 12 days in RVs with our friends from home, we took a few days to re-group in Auckland. We used a good amount of the time playing catch up and planning for our remaining three weeks in New Zealand. (Note: We found free wifi with unlimited data hard to find in Auckland!) Despite the fact that we spent most of our time playing catch up, we did enjoy a few of the activities the city has to offer. Our favorite was our day trip to the Waiheke island.

Things To Do

1) Auckland Sky Tower

At 328 meters tall, on a clear day you can see for miles over Auckland in all directions. For an additional $4 NZ you can return within 24 hours and take in the view at a different time of day.  The tower also offers those seeking an adrenaline rush the opportunity to take a sky walk and/or sky jump.

2) Waiheke

Located a short ferry ride from Auckland, the island of Waiheke is covered with gorgeous hidden coves and beaches. (See Fullers website for times and ticket prices.) The island is also home to some wonderful small wineries. We enjoyed the wine and food pairing, followed by lunch at the Peacock Sky Vineyard. We enjoyed it so much that we even purchased a couple of bottles for the road.

We spent our first couple hours on the island hiking. We followed the coastal route trail from the ferry port around to the north until we reached Owhanake Beach. From there we followed the road back into the cute town of Oneroa.  It is easy to reach Oneroa from the ferry terminal, as it is only about at 10-15 minute walk. There are a few other potential walks around the town. However, further exploration of the island would require a car or a tour.

If you have extra time in your schedule, you might enjoy spending a night on Waiheke.

3) Shopping on Queen Street

Queen Street is full of shops. Whether you are making purchases or just window shopping, a leisure walk down Queen Street will take you through the main street of the city. The public library is located just one block off of Queen Street, at 46 Lorne, and it one place where we took advantage of free wi-fi access.

Restaurant Recommendations

Depot Eatery

We enjoyed a light dinner at the Depot, including sliders, tacos, and potato wedges. We also enjoyed a small craft of some of the “on tap” wine.

Accommodation Options

Quest On Hobson

We stayed in a serviced studio apartment located in the city. The apartment was quiet and clean. We enjoyed the small kitchen and the convenience of an in-room washer and dryer. Quest has multiple serviced apartment locations throughout the city.

Whakapapa is a small village located near Tongariro National Park.  The area is know for hiking during the summer and skiing during the winter. During the warm months a paid shuttle service is available to the start of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and during the winter a shuttle runs between town and the ski village.

Things To Do

1) Tongariro Alpine Crossing

Outlined as one of the top one day hikes in the world and the best in New Zealand, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a 19.4 km hike across an active volcano field. Keep an eye on the weather, as it may take multiple days before the weather will be good enough for the hike. We are told the best weather for attempting the hike is in February or March.

Be sure to pack at least 1.5 liters of water (per person), food/snacks, sunscreen, and take good rain gear (as rain is common). A shuttle service is available from nearly every accommodation and city for around $35. The shuttle service runs at fixed intervals to drop off at the start and pick up at the ending point. Note: It is advised that the crossing will take 6-8 hours. It took us 5.5 hours to do the crossing, plus 1 additional hour to do the Tongariro Summit.

We used ROAM shuttle service from Whakapapa when we completed the summit.  They offer a shuttle in the morning at 7am, 8am, and 9am and offer pick up service at 3pm, 4pm, and 5pm from the end of the trail.

Note: We turned back on our first attempt due to torrential downpours. (We planned to do an out and back and parked at the car park at the starting point. However, we turned back much earlier than we had planned due to the weather.)

We have also been told that another option is to show up at the end point parking lot and that there is a shuttle that would take you to the starting point (for a fee).  This would allow you to have your own car to depart when you finish the crossing.  The shuttle runs at specific times in the morning.  Also while waiting for our shuttle there was a shuttle that offered to take people back to the starting point.

2) Hiking

In addition to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, there are lots of additional hiking tracks in the National Park of varying lengths. See the following PDF , visit the New Zealand Department of Conservation website, or visit the Tongariro National Park website for additional details on available hiking options.

A) Whakapapa Village

There are multiple hikes that can be started from Whakapapa Village, see the New Zealand Department of Conservation website for details.

B) Near Whakapapa

There are multiple hikes that start within 30 minute drive of Whakapapa. See the New Zealand Department of Conservation website for additional details.

3) Skiing

During the winter months, we are told that skiing in this are is fantastic.  There are 30 ski runs, ski rental facilities, and a shuttle that runs from town to the ski resort.

Note: Additionally, visit the Tongariro National Park website for additional options on available activities in the area.

Accommodation Options

1) Whakapapa Top 10 Holiday Park

We passed through Whakapapa with our friends in RVs. We enjoyed our couple night stay at the site and found the facilities to be good.  The park also offers tent sites, powered campsites, and some motel type options.

2) Skotel

Located in the Whakapapa Village, we enjoyed dinner and drinks at the hotel. The manager Wayne was fantastic.

3) Chateau Tongariro

This upscale hotel greets you as you pull into the Whakapapa Village.

NOTE: There are a couple of other towns within close proximity to Whakapapa and Tongariro National Park. On our second visit to the area we stayed in National Park.

We used a Whanganui campsite as an overnight stopping point on our journey between Wellington and Tongariro National Park.

Things To Do

For additional information on things to do while in Whanganui, please visit the city’s tourism website.

Accommodation Options

We passed through Whanganui in RVs with 12 of our friends from home. We stayed in the Whanganui River Top 10 Holiday Park, in our RVs and were happy with the facilities provided at the campsite. In addition to powered campsites, the Holiday Park also has offers tent sites and motel type options. The campsite was located outside of town and had a nice view of the Whanganui River.

Picton is located on the Marlborough Sound and is the main port city that connects the South Island to Wellington on the North Island. Although we were only there long enough to sleep, do laundry, and board the Inter-Islander ferry, the town is supposed to have a nice seafront with shops, cafes, and restaurants.  Other activities available in close proximity include: diving, fishing, sea kayaking, Marlborough Wine Trail, and the Queen Charlotte Track.

Motueka is located on the northern coast of the South Island and is in close proximity to Abel Tasman National Park. We spent a soggy day sea kayaking and hiking in the National Park with our friends.

Things To Do & See

Abel Tasman National Park

Abel Tasman National Park was named for the first European explorer to spot New Zealand.  The national park is the smallest in New Zealand, but is home to walking tracks, pristine beaches, and a marine reserve. A popular activity in addition to hiking and swimming, is sea kayaking.  While sea kayaking in early December, we spotted lots of seals preparing for their mating season. We even had some seals swim near us and under our friend”s kayaks! Unfortunately, we had a very cloudy, wet, and rainy day. We were lucky enough to witness the beautiful colors the park is known for at the tail end of the day, when the sun finally broke through for a short stint.

Accommodation Options

We toured the South Island in RVs with 12 of our friends from home. We stayed in our RVs at campgrounds and were pleasantly surprised by the facilities at most of the campsites.  During our time in Motueka, we stayed at the Motueka Top 10 Holiday Park.

A road closure due to a rock slide resulted in an unplanned night spent in Makarora! Our planned destination for the night was Franz Joseph Glacier. We attempted to make the best of the situation and enjoyed ourselves at the local campsite. The road re-opened in the morning and we were on our way to Franz Joseph for our helicopter ride and walk on the glacier.

Milford Sound is just one of the many beautiful sites of the South Island. This fjord region is located in the southwest corner of the South Island off the Tasman Sea. There is no easy way to reach Milford Sound, other than via the lengthy drive, but it is well worth a visit. It is also one of the many locations in New Zealand where you can count on being off the cell phone grid! During the summer you can take advantage of the added hours of daylight!

Things To See & Do

1) The Milford Track

This 52.5 km, multi-day track is through the Fjordland National Park. We did not have the time available to embark on this track that takes you through mountains and forests and near rivers and waterfalls. It has been referred to as “the finest walk in the world” and is one of the more popular walks in New Zealand.  The Milford Track website provides additional specifics on this walk.

2) Sea Kayaking

Some of our friends had an incredible time kayaking Milford Sound with Rosco’s Milford Kayaks. They were lucky enough to have a beautiful clear day, and could not say enough about the sights and sounds they experienced.  They were definitely dead tired at the end of the day!

3) Cruise

An alternative to kayaking on Milford Sound is to take a cruise out on the Sound.

4) Routeburn Track

Another multi-day hike is 32 km long that takes you through New Zealand’s Southern Alps. We did not have the opportunity to tackle this trek, but have seen it referenced in multiple different places as one of the great treks on the South Island.

5) Milford Foreshore Walk

This easy 30 minute walk starts from the car park near the end of road. We watched the fog clear from the sound from this vantage point one morning prior to leaving town.

6) Key Summit Track

This 3.4 km (3 hour) return track is just one section of the Routeburn Track. This hike provides “panoramic views over the Humboldt and Darran Mountains.”

7) The Chasm Walkway

This short walk is located half way between the Homer Tunnel and Milford Sound. The 15 minute (w/return) walk leads to you two powerful waterfalls.

8) Hiking

We have mentioned a handful of specific hiking trails above. However, there are many additional options available. Please visit the New Zealand Department of Conservation for additional details on other hikes available in the area!

Accommodation Options

We toured the South Island in RVs with 12 of our friends from home. We stayed in our RVs at campgrounds and were pleasantly surprised by the facilities at most of the campsites.  During our time in Milford Sound, we stayed at the Milford Lodge. In addition to powered campsites the lodge has tent, dorm, lodge, and chalet accommodation options.

Queenstown is the adventure capital of New Zealand! The adventure junkie will love this city (and go broke) taking advantage of all the different options.  Queenstown is well worth a visit, even if you are not interested undertaking an adventure sport!

Things To Do & See

1) Bungy Jump – AJ Hackett

There are many options for bungy jumping in Queenstown.  You can do the jump that started it all off the Kawarau Bridge, or seek out a higher jump at one of the other locations (Nevis Bungy or Ledge Bungy). Alternatively, you can take a ride on the bungy swing! (Nevis Swing or Ledge Swing). They even offer combo packages to do multiple!

2) Central Otag0 Wine

The area right outside of Queenstown is known as the Central Otago Wine region and is know for producing some great wines (pinot noir) with amazing backdrops.  One of our favorite wineries that we visited was Peregrine. We also told about Gibston Valley Cheese, which is located in the wine valley, where you can tasting local cheese!

 3) Shotover Jet

Take an adventure filled ride, skimming over the water and through the narrow canyons.  Some of our friends enjoyed the adrenaline rush associated to the ride on the Shotover Jet.

4) Sky Diving, Hang Gliding or Paragliding

We attempted to sky dive on our first visit to Queenstown in 2004. Unfortunately, we were not able to jump due to the weather conditions.  However, on a clear day you are likely to see people floating high up in the sky enjoying the sights over Queenstown.

5) Hiking

Surrounded by mountains (The Remarkables) and water (Lake Wakatipu), Queenstown is an ideal playground. There are countless options for hiking in and around Queenstown, see the New Zealand Department of Conservation website for options and additional information on walking tracks.

6) Gondola

The gondola is located a short walk from the city center.  The ride up will provide you with breath-taking views over the city and Lake Wakatipu.  Once you reach the top you can enjoy the views over a drink or meal. Other activities are also available in the area, such as a luge, walking tracks, and mountain biking paths. We did not ride the Gondola on this visit, but did on a previous visit.  We enjoyed the views from the top at sunset.

7) Day Trips

Many people use Queenstown as a home base and do day trips to further explore the South Island.  There are many options available, however be prepared for a very long day of travel! On our first trip to Queenstown, we enjoyed a day trip to Doubtful Sound for a boat cruise on the fjords. Other options include Milford Sound, Mt Cook, or hiking on the some of the famous tracks (e.g. Routeburn Track) In our opinion, a trip to the sounds is worth an overnight stay.

Accommodation Options

We toured the South Island in RVs with 12 of our friends from home. We stayed in our RVs at campgrounds and were pleasantly surprised by the facilities at most of the campsites.  During our time in Queenstown, we stayed at the Queenstown Top 10 Holiday Park Creeksyde. In addition to powered campsites, the holiday park also had self contained motel-type rooms and was within walking distance from the town center.

Lake Tekapo is located on the South Island about 3 hours southwest of Christchurch on the route to Queenstown. After picking up our RVs in Christchurch, we arrived at a campsite after dark. We were pleasantly surprised by the stunning views of the turquoise lake, mountains, and beautiful flowers that we awoke to the next morning. Lake Tekapo is just one of the many gorgeous views we encountered while on the South Island.

Accommodation Options

We toured the South Island in RVs with 12 of our friends from home. We stayed in our RVs at campgrounds and were pleasantly surprised by the facilities.

Lake Tekapo Holiday Park

Wake up to an incredible view of the turquoise lake and mountainous backdrop. Bathroom facilities available with nice hot showers. ($2 for 10 minutes.)

Details on Phuket coming soon…

With breath-taking views of the Andaman Sea, Khao Lak might be the perfect location for a beach vacation. It’s close proximity to some of the best diving locations in Thailand and the beautiful beaches make this a fantastic location to spend a few days. Khao Lak can easily be reached via car; The city is located just over an hour from Phuket International Airport.

Things To Do

Many outfitters offer day trips to the nearby islands. The most popular activity appears to be scuba diving. Due to the weather (a tropical depression), we had multiple rainy days and elected to “vacation from our travel” in Khao Lak.

Restaurant Recommendations

During our stay in Khao Lak we enjoyed our hotel’s breakfast buffet. There appears to be many dining options in the town of Khao Lak, unfortunately we only tried one during our time there.

1) Green Pepper

Locate in town, this modern outdoor restaurant had good Thai food. We throughly enjoyed the company of some new friends over dinner!

2) Phen Restaurant Thai Food

Located directly on the beach just north of the JW Marriott. A great location to hear the waves crashing and enjoy the ocean breeze. The Thai food (Pad Thai and Green Curry) was tasty and was a more budget friendly option than eating at the resort.

Accommodation Options

There are a wide range of accommodation options (from budget to five star) in town. We utilized points to stay at an upscale accommodation and loved the property.

JW Marriott Khao Lak

An outstanding beach front property located on the Andaman Sea. One of the best pools we’ve seen. Every room has a pool view and many have direct pool access from the patio. Staff is friendly and attentive. Exccellent breakfast buffet!

Details on Chiang Mai coming soon…

Details on Chiang Rai coming soon…

Details on Bangkok coming soon…

Details on Hong Kong coming soon…

Shenzhen shares a border with Hong Kong and is known for its bargain shopping. (Be prepared to negotiate!)

If you have a little time and are traveling between China and Hong Kong, making a stop in Shenzhen could save you money. Fly into Shenzhen and then cross the border either via ferry or walk across the border at one of the two metro stations. Typically domestic flights in China are significantly cheaper than an international flight to Hong Kong…not to mention, a nights’ lodging is also significantly less. Within a couple of hours you can easily cross the border and arrive safely into the heart of Hong Kong.

Guide to Yangshuo, China is a work in progress; additional details coming soon…

Things To Do

1) Li River On Bamboo Rafts

Enjoy a ride down the Li river on a bamboo rafts. An alternative to the long more touristy Li River Cruise, each motorized plastic bamboo raft seats 4-6 passengers. Board the bamboo rafts in Yangdi and enjoy the one and a half hour sailing to Xpingping.

2) Explore The Countryside

Rent a bicycle or scooter to explore the scenic countryside.

Restaurant Recommendations

Kelly’s Place

Accommodation Options

C-Source

A reasonably priced upscale accommodation located in the heart of Yangshuo. Tucked away in a cove of West Street, next to a French restaurant / brewery. (Yes, an odd combination) Rooms were modern and simple. The only down side was the hallway noise from other guests that woke us in the wee hours of the morning.

Guilin is a smaller Chinese city sitting on the Li River with carst landscaped hills. The city is the transportation hub for the area, with an airport and main railway station.

Things To Do

Consider buying one of the many “through tickets” which provides entrance to multiple of the Guilin sites. The ticket can be purchased at the ticket office of any participating attraction. Note: Upon purchase of a “through ticket,” a “slip” is provided for each site. Take the “slip” to the ticket office at each location to gain entrance to the attraction.

1) Reed Flute Cave

Located just outside of the city center, this is the cities top attraction. Take a trip into the natural limestone cave that is illuminated by colored lights. Many different natural shapes can be spotted in the rocks with a little imagination (and the help of the signs posted in both Chinese and English). Entry into the cave is in groups of about 40 people lead by a guide. The guide makes multiple stops broadcasting details via a speaker. Tours in English are limited. We joined a Chinese tour and still enjoyed the cave formations and lighting. (Note: You can pretty much move at your own pace once in the cave.)

Best way to reach is via taxi. The metered rate is approximately 20RMB from the city center. The taxi will offer to sit and wait; or you can bargain with one of the taxis waiting to pick up a fare at the exit. (Expect an initial offer price of 30RMB and you can negotiate down at least to 25RMB). Additionally, city bus #3 runs between Guilin and the caves (~2RMB pp each way).

2) Diecai Hill (Folded Brocade Hill)

This park area has two small hills (Bright Moon Peak and Crane Peak) that offer beautiful views over Guilin and the Li River. Climb the couple hundred steps to the top of each. Bright Moon Peak is on the route for tourist groups, however, you are likely to have Crane Peak to yourself. Admission is included in many of the “through pass” options.

3) Elephant Hill

This small area off of the Li River has a hill that vaguely looks like the profile of an elephant. Lots of tourist groups make the stop to snap photos from the shoreline. You can walk to the top of the hill for some not so interesting views of the city. Overall, this stop does not warrent much time. Admission is included in many of the “through pass” options.

4) Seven Star Park

If you have time to kill in Guilin, you can spend a few hours wandering this park area. There are a few nicely manicured and picture worthy areas. The site itself does not warrant a special trip. Admission is included in many of the “through pass” options. Admission to the Seven Star Cave is extra.

5) Fubo Hill

Due to our time limitations we did not visit Fubo Hill. We were able to see this hill from Diecai Hill. This attraction is offered as a part of one of the “through pass” options.

6) Li River Cruise

Many tourist opt to arrange a cruise on the Li River from Guilin. A trip on the Li River is definitely a highlight while in the area, however, we would recommend basing yourself in Yangshuo and taking a bamboo raft down the river. (See details in our recommendations for Yangshuo.)

Restaurants

1)New River Cafe

Located less than a block from the Sheraton Guilin, this cafe offers a fair selection of Chinese and Western food options throughout the day. The staff was friendly and spoke good English. We stopped in and enjoyed an early dinner.

Accommodation Options

Sheraton Guilin

The Sheraton Guilin is located directly off the the Li River with easy access to all of the key sites in Guilin. This upscale hotel is a little dated, but still a great accommodation option while in the Guilin area.

Boasting a stunning city skyline, Shanghai is the most cosmopolitan city in China. Not only was it the most tourist friendly city in China, but it also was the cleanest! We would recommend adding Shanghai to any China itinerary.

Things To Do

***Note: This is a work in progress, additional details coming soon.***

1) Shanghai World Financial Center

2) The Bund

3) Bund Sightseeing Tunnel

4) Nanjing Road

5) Shanghai Museum

6) Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Hall

7) People’s Park

8) Old French Concessions

9) Oriental Pearl Tower

Restaurant Recommendations

As a major metropolis, Shanghai provided the most diverse cuisine options of any location we visited in China. A great opportunity to diversify and try something new!

Accommodation Options

There are countless options in Shanghai. The subway system makes it easy to traverse the city, although travel time should be considered. We elected to stay in Puxi, and found it was easy to get to navigate the city and reach key tourist attractions.

Courtyard By Marriott Puxi

The main train station, along with two subway stops can be reached within a five minute walk. Staff was friendly. The spacious rooms were clean. The concierge lounge serves breakfast and evening drinks/hors d’oeuvres for those with Marriott elite status or anyone that chooses to upgrade their room to the Concierge floor.

As one of the acient capitals of China, Xi’an top tourist attraction is the nearby Terra-Cotta Warriors. The large city is easy to navigate through the combination of taxis, tuk-tuks, subway, and foot. Like many other cities in China, Xi’an had a heavy pollution haze during our visit.

Things to Do

1) Terra-Cotta Warriors

Bus 306 departs from the east side of the mail railway station about every 5 minutes. The journey time varies based on traffic. Pay the 7 yuan on the bus and get off at the final stop. Note: Bus 914, which is labeled with Terra-Cotta Warriors will also get you there at a much higher price (30 yuan).



The Terra-Cotta Warrior Museum is the premier site to visit in Xi’an. The site is expensive and full of tourist trying to elbow their way towards the railing for a good snapshot of the warriors. Building 1 has the largest number of warriors on display. Building 2 has a handful of warriors on display in glass enclosures, which provide visibility to some of the more granular details of these historical works. Be prepared to be pushed and elbowed!

2) Xi’an City Walls

Rent bikes or walk on the re-built historical city walls. A full lap around the walls is 14km and will take approximately 4 hours to walk. Enter from any of the major gates (North, East, South or West). The views are nothing extraordinary or special.

3) Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

Located southeast of the city walls, this pagoda dates back to the Tang Dynasty in the seventh century. Unfortunately, we only caught a glimpse of this towering pagoda from our train as we left town.

Accommodation Options

Sheraton Xian North City

Located about 2km north of the city walls, 3km from the main railway station, and just steps away from Longshouyuan stop on line 1 of the subway. A large five star hotel is popular with tour groups and has 3 (expensive) restaurants onsite. Not to mention a Concierge lounge if you are a Starwood Platinum member or upgrade to the Concierge Floor. Below is the hotel information in English & Chinese:



SHERATON XIAN NORTH CITY HOTEL
西安赛瑞喜来登大酒店（城北）
32 Wei Yang Road, Xian, Shaanxi 710014, P. R. China
中国陕西省西安市未央路32号 邮政编码：710014

Datong heavily investing in city improvements in order to help increase tourism. As a result, a significant amount of construction work is underway to build, re-build, and/or enhance the city.

Western tourists are rare, so be prepared to have your picture taken and be observed by the locals. Basic Chinese phrases and a Chinese / English translation app comes in handy here!

***Note work in progress; additional details coming soon!***

Things To Do & See

1) Hanging Monastery

2) Yungang Grottos

3) Nine Dragon Screen

4) Huayan Monastery

Restaurant Recommendations

Accommodation Options

Howard Johnson

Travel & Transportation

1) Train

The train connects Datong with multiple cities including Beijing and Xi’an. We elected to make the 6 hour trip via a day train from Beijing. However, overnight train options also exist. After stopping in Datong, we took an overnight train to Xi’an.

2) Taxi

Transportation via taxi is fairly easy, however, most of the taxis we encountered did not utilize the meter. Including when our hotel hailed a cab on our behalf. (Rate was agreed upon prior to departure.)

Guide to Beijing, China is a work in progres; Additional details coming soon…

Things To Do & See

1) The Great Wall Of China

2) Summer Palace

3) Forbidden City

4) Tiananmen Square

5) Chinese Acrobat Show

6) Pekking Duck

7) Night Market

Restaurant Recommendations

Accommodation Options

Renaissance Capital Bejing Hotel

Guide to Prague, Czech Republic coming soon…

Stuttgart is home to the second largest beer festival in the world, Volksfest! We enjoyed Volksfest in the company of our friends. Stuttgart is also know for the manufacturing of luxury automobiles such as Mercedes and Porsche, and is home to their respective museums.

Munich is home to Oktoberfest. Our limited time in town was spent with our friends enjoying this legendary celebration! Prost!

Guide to Salzburg, Austria, coming soon…

Guide to Vienna, Austria coming soon…

we’re currently in Bratislava, Slovakia…

Guide to Budapest, Hungary coming soon…

Guide to Krakow, Poland coming soon…

A very pleasant and walkable city that has charm enhanced by hundreds of gnomes throughout the city.

The capital of Poland is large and spread out making it the least walkable of Poland’s big cities.

Travel Guide to Gdansk, Poland

Bunratty was a great home base for exploring central Ireland. The town is situated directly off the N18 motorway, about halfway between Shannon and Limerick. The proximity to the motorway makes it a good starting point for day trips. The town is home to the Bunratty Castle & Folk Center, a handful of restaurants/pubs, a gas station, and a number of B&Bs.

Things to See & Do

1) Bunratty Castle & Folk Center

Located in the heart of Bunratty. Visit website for additional details.

2) Day Trip – Cliffs of Moher & Eastern Coast (Clare)

(Distance: ~45mins from Bunratty)
Located on the eastern coast of Ireland are the Cliffs of Moher. The cliffs are a tourist attraction and are quite beautiful. One can walk along the coast in either dierction from the Vistor’s Center for varied views of the Cliffs. Weather can change quickly, pack rain gear! From the Cliffs drive north and explore the coastline and little citites. (Could be combined with a visit to Galway.)

3) Day Trip – Galway

(Distance: ~1 hour from Bunratty)
A larger (more industrial) city located on the Esst coast of Ireland. Many day trips can be made from Galway, including to the Cliffs of Moher, and a boat trip to the Aran Islands. The city has a decent cathedral and has a number of pedestrian streets lined with shops, restaurants and buskers. We found a fantastic french cafe & crepe shop called Java’s Creperie & Cafe. We would highly recommend their tasty crepes; Note they accept cash only.

4) Day Trip – Blarney Castle & Stone (Cork)

(Distance: ~1.5 hours from Bunratty)
The Blarney Castle is home to the famous Blarney Stone. Work you way through the castle to the top, where you will have the opportunity kiss the stone. A nice gentleman will support you while you lay down and lean backwards to kiss the stone. (Or you can pass like we did … due to a germaphobia!) The grounds of the castle are beautiful. There is a lot to explore (caves, gardens, trees.) Find the most photographed tree on the property.

5) Day Trip – Ring of Kerry (Kerry)

(Distance: ~1.5 hours from Bunratty)
Making this day trip from Bunratty is doable, but makes for a VERY long day of driving. Recommend staying in a town along the ring to help reduce your driving time. This route is well marked, just follow signs. We went counter-clockwise (with the buses), as reocmmended by the locals, and had no issues! There are countless places to stop and see along the way and snap pictures of the scenic views. Some of our favorites were off the Skeilligs Ring (turn off the Ring of Kerry to head towards Portmagee & Valentia Island.

• Skelligs Cliffs Lookout: Follow the signs from Portmagee to the best cliffs. Then continue up the hill for some wonderful views.
• St Finian’s Bay: Quit cove with beautiful views. Great location for a picnic.
• Skelligs Chocolate Factory: Offers free tastings with a great viiew over St. Finian’ls Bay.
• Derrynane Beach: A beautiful sandy beach with rock formations. Located just after Waterville, turn off main road and follow signs to the Derrynane House and Beach.

Top rated item to see is Skelling Michael. Boats leave from Portmagee, Ballinskellig & Darrynane. Limited seating is available. Book in advance. (Leaves @ 10am returns @3pm)

Restaurants

1) Durty Nelly’s

Located directly at the base of the Bunratty Castle, this establishment has history dating back to 1620. Serves up a good pint of Guiness, some tasty food, and has very friendly staff. (Serves food later than any other establishment in town.)

2) The Creamery

Located across the street from the Bunratty Castle, the Creamery is one of the more affordable options in town.

Lodging Options

Bunratty is home to a significant number of B&B options. We enjoyed our stay at one of the local B&Bs that we found through Booking.com.

Bunratty Grove Guesthouse

This house is located on the Low road, about a mile and a half from the Bunratty Castle & Folk Center. The property has nine rooms at a modest price. The rooms were clean and had an ensuite bathroom. A full irish breakfast was served each morning in the dining area. The wireless internet connection was dependable. Our host Joe, was very friendly and helpful. We would definitely recommend this B&B.

Things to See & Do

1) Guinness Storehouse

A visit to Dublin is not complete without a trip to the Guinness Storehouse. A self guided tour starts at the base of the seven story pint glass. Visit floor four to learn how to pour the perfect Guinness. Alternatively, visit floor seven for a 365 degree view over the city.

2) Guinness Connoisseur Experience

For the devout fan of Guinness, take the opportunity to do the Guinness Connoisseur Experience. Offered three times daily, for a maximum of 16 guests per sitting. This experience takes place in a special Guinness bar on the 4th floor, where you will spend just over an hour learning more about the history of Guinness, tasting four different Guinness beers, and pouring your perfect pint. (Note: Each person must pay the general entrance fee plus the additional cost for the connoisseur experience.) We were lucky enough to be the only two on our connoisseur experience.

3) St Patrick’s Cathedral

The largest cathedral in Dublin, St Patrick’s has been in existence since the fifth century. The current church was rebuilt in the early 13th century, and the spire was added in 1749. The entry fee to the cathedral is pricey. Free tours are offered at varied frequencies. A beautiful park is located adjacent to the building.

4) National Museum

Provides a comprehensive glimpse at pre-historic life in Ireland. A good way to pass some time on a rainy Dublin afternoon. Admission is free.

5) National Gallery

Art work from European and Irish artist. Entrance to the gallery is free. A good indoor activity when its raining in Dublin.

Dublin is home to a number of sites that offer free admission. The following site provides a sampling. Visit Dublin
 

Restaurants

1) The Porter House

Located on the edge of the Temple Bar district, this restaurant is also a microbrewery. Give one of their ten (or so) beers on tap a try, or opt for the taster, and try multiple. They are know for their stout beers, but also make some good ales and lagers.

2) Bar Pinto

A busy tapas bar located on the end of the Temple Bar district. A good location for a light meal.

3) Mama’s Revenge

Located directly across the street from Trinity College (near the museums) is this little burrito joint. A finite menu of burritos and quesadillas are available for take-away or sit down. Order at the counter and see the burrito made before you eyes. Be sure you have Euros available, as this is a cash only establishment. Our vote for best burrito in Dublin.

4) Boojum

A close mirror of the US based Chipotle restaurants, Boojum serves up large burritos that are assembeled in front of you. We found the chicken lack something, however, not a bad choice if your in the mode for quick Mexican food. This is a cash only establishment.
 

Lodging Options

1) Westin Dublin

Fantastic location in the heart of Dublin. Situated across the street from Trinity College and within a short walk from the Temple Bar district. It is everything you love about a Westin, including the heavenly bed and stylish room decor.

The small Isle of Mull is hilly and lush. It is easy to drive around and explore this island on the few roads (mostly single-track). The island is also a good location for a day trip to the islands of Staffa & Iona.

A pristine landscape of green hills and mountains with great hiking and lots of roads to explore.

As the capital of the Scottish Highlands and very near Loch Ness, this larger city in northern Scotland is a good hub for exploring castles, lochs and scenery in the Highlands.

A charming city on the eastern coast of Scotland, which is home to the oldest and most prestigious University in Scotland. The city is best known as the home of golf. The Royal & Ancient Golf Club was founded in 1754, and the famed Old Course and Club has been host to many British Open Golf Championships.

St Andrews was named for Saint Andrew the Apostle, and the cities history is filled with religious strife and turmoil.

Be sure to visit the fantastic St Andrews city website for additional details and links to the top things to do and see on your visit.

Things To See & Do:

1) St Andrews Castle*

The castle was originally built in the 12th century and rebuilt in the 14th century.  The castle was home to the bishops (and archbishops) and was the location of many historical events that shaped Scottish history.

2) St Andrews Cathedral & St Rules Tower*

The impressive remains of the St Andrews Cathedral stand out on the coastal point of the town. Set amongst a vast graveyard, the Cathedral was built / re-built on 3 different occasions. During the Scottish Reformation, the impressive church was destroyed and appeared much as it does today. Free admission to explore the church grounds. Worth the price of admission to climb to the top of St Rules Tower for the great views over St Andrews. St Rules Tower, pre-dates the cathedral as the first church built in town.

3) British Golf Museum

A couple hour detour that provides the detailed history and evolution of golf. Outlines the initiation of golf in Scotland in the 16th century, the evolution of clubs/balls, and the spread of golf beyond Scotland in the late 19th century. Be sure to print a 2 for 1 admissions coupon from the museum’s website.

4) West Sands Beach

A three mile sandy beach near the Old Course that is best know as the filming location of the running on the beach scene in Chariots of Fire.

5) West Port Gate

The surviving city gate that was rebuilt in 1589. The gate is at the entrance of the city on South Street (at Bridge Street).

6) Blackfriars Chapel

Located on South Street, this is a small bit of remains of a chapel from the 16th century.

7) Fife Coastal Path

A paved path that stretches the length of the Fife coast. Exploration can be made from St Andrews via the path. The path follows along the coast, and within the city limits will take you from the West Sands Beach on the north (across from the Old Course), by the British Golf Museum, St Andrews University, The Castle, and The Cathedral.

8) Himalayas Putting Green

For a nominal fee (~2 GBP) one can play a round of miniature golf on the St Andrews Ladies Putting Green, which is located next to the Old Course. Unfortunately, due to the Women’s British Open being hosted at the Old Course during our stay, the greens were closed.

9) St Andrews Botanical Gardens

*Be sure to check out the Scotland Explorer Pass. Covers admission costs to a number of sights across Scotland. Comes in 3 day pass (within 5 days) and a 7 day (within 14 days). Might save you a few GBP!

Restaurants

1) Glass House

Serves up a two course lunch (until 5p) and early dinner (5-7) for a fixed price.  Lovely location on North Street, featuring modern Italian fare.

2) Doll House

Serves up a two course lunch (until 5p) and early dinner (5-7) for a fixed price.  Located on Church Street, the restaurant specializes in Scottish and French fare.  We had a delicious meal followed by a sticky toffee pudding (with vanilla ice cream) that was absolutely scrumptious.

Lodging Options

St Andrews is home to a host of different bed and breakfasts. Visit the St Andrews B&B website to view local B&Bs.

Strathkennis B&Bs
Approximately 3 miles outside of St Andrews, makes a good location exploring the area as long as you have a car. The town has a handful of B&Bs and is home to the Strathkennis Tavern. We had a nice 3 night stay at the Hawthorne House on Main Street.

Edinburgh is home to the Royal Mile. The city center is best explored on foot. It is a popular tourist destination and offers a lot of different options including: hiking, gardens, castles, palaces, monuments, cathedrals, whiskey, and restaurants.

Things To Do & See

1) Edinburgh Castle

Any trip to Edinburgh should include a walk along the royal mile. Situated at one end is the Edinburgh Castle. One of the top tourist attractions, the castle is swarming with people. Purchase the Scotland Explorer Pass or alternatively purchase tickets online, to avoid the queue. (It is one of the priciest attractions in Scotland.) We would recommend an audio guide to help provide additional history and detail on the castle.

2) Holyrood Palace

A well done audio guide is included in the entrance fee. The audio guide will take you on an hour and a half tour of the palace (room by room), and provide you with some details on Scottish history and the royalty. Be sure to visit the gardens.

3) Holyrood Park

Wonderful hikes with views back on the city center. One of the most popular is the hike to Arthur’s Seat. The hiking paths can be crowded on weekends when the weather is favorable. If headed towards Arthur’s Seat, follow the path to the left that curves up around the mountain (much easier ascend than the one that goes right towards Salisbury Crags). Pick up a map from the little hut across the street from the Holyrood Palace. For a less crowded experience, hike along the top of Salisbury Crags.

4) The Whiskey Experience

Scotland and scotch are synonymous. No trip is complete without a scotch tasting. If your time in Scotland is limited to Edinburgh city center, this might be a good option for you. Reservations can be made in advance online. (Must be booked at least 24 hours in advance.) Or just stop by to take the tour. We did not have a chance to do while in town, due to the line, but it was recommended by a friend (and on TripAdvisor).

5) Princess Street Gardens

Located right off of Princess Street, these gardens are beautifully maintained and offer some great views back up on the Edinburgh Castle. Enjoy a picnic or just a moments rest.

6) National Gallery

The National Gallery is located off of Princess Street (next to the Princess Street Gardens). The Gallery features paintings by Scottish artist, along with some impressive more well known European artists. Entrance to the gallery is free.

Day Trips From Edinburgh

There are many day trip options from Edinburgh. We elected to stay in the city center for a few nights to explore the sites on foot. We then rented a car to explore the country-side, but found that we could make a base in Edinburgh (outside the city center where parking was available and free) and explore some of the nearby sights and towns as day trips. Note: We purchased the 7 day Explore Scotland Pass, and thus we utilized it as a basis to determine which sights to see (There may be other sights worth seeing that are not included in our list.) We saved a lot of money (and saw more sights that we would have) by purchasing the pass. It covers sights such as the Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle, Melrose Abby, Iona Abbey and the St. Andrews Castle & Catherdral. Visit the Historic Scotland website for additional details.

1) St Andrews

The home of golf is located about an hour Northeast of Edinburgh. Although we elected to stay in the area for a couple of days, this sights could be easily be done on a day trip from Edinburgh. See the St Andrews destination summary for additional details.

Stirling & Doune

Located about an hour northwest of Edinburgh are the cities of Stirling & Doune. Both cities are home to a historic castle that is worth the a visit. The cities are also between Glencoe & Edinburgh, and can be paired with the scenic drive down A82 into Glencoe. Or alternatively, can be visited on the return (to Glasgow or Edinburgh) from the western islands of Skye and Mull.

• Stirling Castle: Set up on the hill from Stirling, this castle is considered the entry point to the highlands. The military assumed use of this castle and modified many of the historical buildings. Restoration has been in progress since the 90s to try and restore some of the buildings to their glory days. Take one of the free guided tours to provide you background and history of the castle. Home of King James V, check out the wood carvings. Also, visit the tapestry shop (until 2014) to see the creation of a tapestry in progress.
• Doune Castle: The location where the Monty Python & the Holy Grail was filmed. The free audio guide provides details on the history as well as what scenes were filmed at the castle.

3) The Scottish Boarder Towns – Melrose, Dryburgh, Smailholm, & Jedburgh

Located about an hour southeast of Edinburgh are the towns of Melrose, Dryburgh, & Jedburgh. Each is home to a historic Abbey. Entrance and a free audio guide is covered by the Scotland Explorer Pass.

• Melrose Abbey: One of the most well know Abbeys, Melrose was home to the White Canons (follows St Benedict) for a few hundred years. Like most Abbeys (and Cathedrals) in Scotland, the historical battles between England and Scotland cause much damage to the historical structure. By far, one of the busiest Abbeys.
• Jedburgh Abbey: An impressive Abbey that was home to the Augustinian Black Canons. This Abbey is worth the trip to see the impressive remains. Jedburgh is also a nice town for a afternoon refreshment or meal. (The Queen Mary Scott home is also located in town.)
• Dryburgh Abbey Sir Walter Scott was buried at this Abbey. It is near a river just on the outskirts of town. Our visit on a summer Saturday afternoon coincided with a wedding. We were able to observe the wedding party (and bag-pipper) but not all the Abbey had to offer.
• Smailholm Tower: On a clear day this tower boast beautiful views across the country-side. Sir Walter Scott spent his childhood on a farm nearby. If a fan of Sir Walter Scott, then the exhibit (and hour long audio-guide) is good. Otherwise, if you are in the area, have the Explorer Pass, and it is a nice day then make it a quick visit for the views.

Restaurants

There are countless pubs and restaurants in Edinburgh. The Grass Market area has a wide selection of options. Here are a few other options we encountered during our stay.

1) The Southern

A specialty burger place located just outside of city center. (Located halfway between city center in the Alba House B&B.) We tried the Pioneer burger (rosemary mushrooms, bacon, and Swiss cheese) and the Bohemian burger(chili Gouda, sliced turkey, rocket and prosciutto). Served some of the tastiest burgers we had while in the UK (and Ireland), and sweet potato fries!  Also offer up a good selection of Scottish beers on tap.

2) Amber

This restaurant is located downstairs from the Whiskey Experience on the royal mile. We enjoyed a late (light) lunch here one afternoon…and watched a rain shower pass.

Lodging Options

1) Alba House

A terrific bed and breakfast located near the center of Edinburgh.  The rooms were spacious, clean, and had a dependable wireless internet connection.  Our host was wonderful and very helpful.  We also enjoyed the morning feasts.  We would definitely recommend!

2) Dalmahoy (by Marriott)

Located outside of the city center, the Dalmahoy has a fantastic fitness center and free parking.  It was the perfect location to base ourselves in order to do day trips around Edinburgh.  There is also a park and ride a few miles away, which offers service into the Edinburgh city center. Outside of the hotel, golf course/fitness center, and couple of onsite restaurants, there is not a lot of other services located close by.

Copenhagen is a very livable city…we stayed here for 5 days and explored the city on foot.

Known for its green parks, Gothenberg is Sweden’s second largest city.

Tallin is a quick day trip from Helsinki so we jumped on a boat to walk around the very historic city that’s been occupied by both the Russians and the Germans.

Guide to Stockholm, Sweden coming eventually…

As Norway’s largest city, Oslo still feels very manageable…

Balestrand was an amazing little town that we enjoyed for it’s size and charm. The hiking on the mountains above the town were the highlight.

We landed in Bergen without a place to stay. So our first mission was to find a room (while trying to stay dry).

Guide to Akureyri, Iceland coming eventually…

While not particularly stunning in itself, Reykjavik is a a charming city that provides access to the visual wonders of southern Iceland.