Travel Horizons: Queenstown

Showing posts with label Queenstown. Show all posts

9.10.2020

travel souvenirs — part 13

pendant with Maori design from New Zealand

New Zealand is one of the most gorgeous places on earth, and I have thoroughly enjoyed my two trips there. Like many of you, I'm always looking for something special to bring back when I travel. I remember looking for a gift for Claire all during my first trip but never found the perfect gift ... until my very last day. At the Queenstown airport, waiting for our flight to Auckland, I came across this pendant in the airport's gift shop.

Made of mother of pearl, this pendant is in the form of a koru. One of the basic symbols in Maori art, the koru is based on the shape of an unfurling silver fern frond. It symbolizes new life, growth, strength, and peace. It's also a beautiful piece of jewelry!

Known for its incredible scenery — from the southern alps of the Queenstown area to the northern beaches of the bay of islands — New Zealand offers its visitors fabulous food and wine, adventure sports from sailing to skiing to bungee jumping, and some of the most wonderful luxury lodges in the world.

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copyright (c) 2020 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

7.29.2019

Eichardt's | lakeside luxury in Queenstown

Queenstown, a beautiful small town with less than 16,000 full-time residents, belongs on every itinerary to New Zealand. Its downtown wraps around the shoreline of Lake Wakatipu, and former visitors will recognize this weeping willow tree — a favorite spot for couples to frame photos of their visit.

Queenstown abounds in possibilities for retail therapy (whether you want hand carved Maori jewelry or possum fur sweaters) and thrilling opportunities to engage in bungee-jumping, jet boat rides, or downhill skiing in the winter. It's also an ideal base for helicopter tours of majestic fjords (Doubtful Sound and Milford Sound) and glaciers.

If you want to stay downtown, Eichardt's Private Hotel is my first choice for five-star luxury accommodations. Located right on the lake, I was fortunate enough to have been blocked in one of Eichardt's apartments. Designed by Virginia Fischer, my second-floor living room area had a comfortable seating area with gas-burning fireplace and an unobstructed lake view.

A welcome and totally unexpected bonus was the apartment's washer dryer. I was able to leave Queenstown with enough clean laundry to finish out the trip. (Pro tip: if you wash out clothes in hotel sinks, keep a small plastic 8 oz. container of powdered laundry soap and a rubber sink stopper in your suitcase).

copyright (c) 2019 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

7.23.2019

Minaret Station | remote luxury

There are different kinds of luxury. One type of luxury is about exquisite hotel rooms with the most comfortable mattresses and linens; gorgeous drapes and furnishings; bathrooms with marble counters, deep soaking tubs, and pulsating rainshowers; and panoramic views of alpine mountains or uninterrupted coastlines.

Another vision of luxury eschews being up-to-date in order to offer its guests a full immersion in the history and culture of the place to which they've traveled.

And then there's Minaret Station — I've shown the wooden cabin where I spent one quite glorious day. This is the luxury of living in perfect comfort in a totally remote location entirely off the grid. A simple but comfortable cabin. Plain wooden floors. Spacious bedroom with views onto this mountain valley. A deck whose hot tub shared the same views. A living room with sofabed (if you bring your kids). A bathroom without a square inch of marble ... but dual vanities, a shower with plenty of hot water, and the best water pressure we experienced anywhere in New Zealand. Did I say we were off the grid? The resort generates its own hydroelectric power from a waterfall just behind where I was standing. Oh, and the food was wonderful!

I absolutely loved my much too-short one day at Minaret Station. Very remote, it's just a 45 minute helicopter ride from Queenstown, and getting there is half the fun. If you're an avid travel photographer, put this resort on your bucket list. Arriving at Minaret Station is like landing in a photographic paradise. See more photos in my two previous blog articles here and here.

7.19.2019

Matakauri Lodge | moody waters

Did I ever say that Queenstown was beautiful? Obviously a rhetorical question, Queenstown is indeed beautiful, both when it's bright and sunny ... and when it's dark and cloudy. As many a landscape photographer will attest, clouds like those in the picture above make for dramatic photographs. I captured this image at dawn. The thick clouds meant no rosy sunrise colors, but the texture of these cumulous clouds hanging low over the water was a special early-morning treat.

Our first night in Queenstown found us at Matakauri Lodge. About 7 minutes outside of town, the lodge is located in a beautifully secluded location right on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. If you love a bathtub-with-a-view, this is a hallmark of Virginia Fischer interiors.

There are two secluded Virtuoso lakeside resorts in the Queenstown area — Matakauri and the equally beautiful Blanket Bay. Matakauri is close to town while Blanket Bay is about 45 minutes away at the northern end of the same lake. The lodges are quite distinct; Matakauri's elegant feminine decor contrasts with Blanket Bay's elegant hunting lodge ambience. I've spent one evening at both lodges and loved each one ... for different reasons.

You can't make a wrong choice in Queenstown. No matter where you stay, you'll enjoy the gorgeous views, luxurious accommodations, and incredible food.

7.16.2019

Queenstown | for scenery and adrenaline rushes

Queenstown is my favorite place in New Zealand... and I say that having never made it to Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound. Inclement weather during two separate visits caused the cancelations of our helicopter flights through these breath-taking fjords. But even so, I love Queenstown.

If you want gorgeous scenery, nothing beats this town set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. A small resort town, it has everything a nature lover could want. I've always enjoyed the beautiful setting — the lake and the snow-capped restaurants — and Queenstown has great restaurants and many opportunities for productive retail therapy. Shop for possum wool sweaters (warm and so soft), and do drop into Waka Jewelers to browse the hand made carvings and jewelry. Walk upstairs to visit the small gallery and see the owner/artist at work.

Or if you're after an adrenaline rush, nothing is quite so exciting/terrifying than taking the plunge off the Kawarau Bridge. 43 meters above the water (141 feet), I've visited the bridge twice to take in the experience. No, I've never jumped — nor has has any of my fellow travelers, though one of our group was tempted to give it a try — but I was quite satisfied to experience vicariously the sheer terror of the experience. Or for more conventional thrills, there's downhill skiing during the winter months (summer in the Northern hemisphere).

Coming up in my next blogs, three fabulous (and so different) luxury lodges in and near Queenstown.

5.27.2019

postcard from Minaret Station

I took a short hike this morning before breakfast through the mountain valley in which Minaret Station is found. With just four cabins set in the midst of 60,000 acres, Minaret Station is both the largest and the smallest Virtuoso resort in the world. It is utter luxury to live in total comfort, enjoying meals, in the midst of such raw and natural beauty. So remote, we helicoptered in yesterday ... but so close, it's just 20 minutes from Queenstown.

Never knew about Minaret Station, but it's now on my radar as the best adventure travel resort in New Zealand ... and one of the most spectacular settings in the world. Thank you, Minaret Station, Southern World, Tourism New Zealand, and Virtuoso for making this visit possible.

5.24.2019

early morning light at Kinloch

In the midst of a trip to New Zealand, we've been so constantly on the move that I haven't had a chance to post. Ten hotels in ten nights is not a trip I'd recommend for leisure travelers, but it's an excellent if intense way to learn more about one of my favorite destinations in the world.

I captured the above image this morning at Kinloch Manor while walking back to my villa after breakfast. It would be an ideal accommodation for families or couples traveling together — two bedrooms, a large living room, and a kitchen. The villa was truly overkill for me as I was the only occupant in the room, but I truly appreciated having a washer and dryer! Being able to begin the second half of my educational tour with a clean set of laundry is pure luxury.

Tomorrow morning we check out of Wharekauhau and fly to Christchurch ... and on Sunday to Queenstown, home of New Zealand's most fabulous alpine scenery.

3.31.2018

New Zealand | don't know where to begin?

Sally Forth comic strip, March 31, 2018

Sally Forth is one of a handful of comic strips that I read regularly. In today's episode, Sally asks her family, "What is the one thing you'd like us to do together as a family?" After a moment's pause, Hillary answers, "New Zealand." Ted is immediately turned on by the idea of visiting the beautiful place where the three Hobbit movies (An Unexpected Journey, The Desolation of Smaug, and The Battle of the Five Armies) were filmed. Sally responds with two practical concerns, the cost of air and where to begin.

"I don't know where to begin" is not infrequently the first hurdle encountered when contemplating our bucket list. Start with Google? 46 million websites come up when searching New Zealand, 3.6 million responses for New Zealand travel, 2.68 million options for New Zealand tours, and 1.79 million answers for New Zealand tourism.

How can anyone evaluate so many options? My answer to the Forth family ... find a travel advisor with experience planning travel to New Zealand, who has relationships with multiple destination management companies there. Instead of starting with millions of choices, I'll begin planning your trip with a half dozen vendors curated in terms of their expertise and reliability. Once I know your budget and the kinds of experiences you want to have, I'll know exactly where to begin.

A knowledgable travel advisor will save you time and money. New Zealand has some of the most gorgeous lodges in the world, and you can benefit from Virtuoso amenities that will provide added value during your stay. Even if your budget is more modest, our on-the-ground partners will know the best moderately priced options for your stay — as well as providing assistance if needed with looking for "bulk" air.

New Zealand is one of the two most gorgeous places I've ever been, Norway being the other. To whet your appetite, here are some articles I wrote about my April/May 2009 trip with Swain Destinations.

Kauri Cliffs | New Zealand golf and beach luxury
what to do in Queenstown, New Zealand
Napier, New Zealand | the Art Deco city
morning mist at Huka Lodge
black sand beach near Auckland
New Zealand | incredible scenic beauty
Virginia Fischer | New Zealand luxury lodges
more New Zealand Luxury Lodges

copyright (c) 2018 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

6.14.2017

one of the world's two most beautiful places

Travel writing is a funny thing... I typically lose interest in most articles a few paragraphs in, this perhaps being the reason these blog articles of mine are just a few paragraphs long. But I just read one of the best-written travel pieces I've ever come across. Alton Brown's account of his trip to New Zealand was so wonderfully told that it makes me want to go back. Incidentally, AFAR magazine has far more than its share of great travel writing, so if you're looking for a magazine to inspire some life-changing travel, you won't have to look afar (bad pun intended).

New Zealand is one of the two most beautiful places on earth. It is home to some of the most wonderful luxury lodges anywhere — Otahuna, Kauri Cliffs, Huka, and so many more. I'd go back in a second! Just the experience flying into Queenstown, down a mountain valley surrounded by ice-capped peaks, makes the entire trip worth it. (Be sure to select window seats, even if it means not sitting together).

Alton Brown's experiment was this: he would only eat at establishments recommended to him by total strangers. This forced him to interact with local New Zealanders (whom he found incredibly outgoing) and eat at some places you'd be unlikely to find in the usual tourist guide. Read the article for the full scoop.

If New Zealand is on your bucket list, we can help you plan a bespoke trip with our travel partners who truly know New Zealand and can take care of everything. Definitely visit both the north and south islands, and plan to see the mountains and fjords near Queenstown. Helicopter, anyone?

So what is the other most beautiful place? Be watching for an article, soon!

copyright (c) 2017 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

6.01.2009

New Zealand | luxury boutique hotels

Mollies is the archetype of a boutique hotel, but it's not for everyone. If you're looking for a large, comfortable business hotel in Auckland in a convenient location with a highly efficient concierge desk, your best bet is probably the Westin. But if you're a discerning traveler who seeks unique and personal experiences, I highly recommend Mollies. This hotel was originally a home built for the first Mayor of Auckland. It was later converted into a boarding house and, ultimately, into a luxury boutique hotel by Molly (the mother of the current owner). The hotel is decorated with antiques, and the wall treatment is Venetian plaster.

Staying at Mollies is an event. Guests gather in the drawing room for cocktails and canapes every evening at 6:30 p.m. and stay for a brief and extremely well-done operatic performance at 7:30 p.m. While I’m not a particular fan of opera, this was highly enjoyable, short and sweet, with performances of classic opera arias that should be familiar to most. (Frances Wilson, the owner, is a noted opera coach). The setting is conducive to conversation between guests, and you will get to know some interesting and sophisticated fellow travelers.

My Junior Suite at Mollies was everything you would expect from that room category, a comfortably sized corner room with a separate sitting area and a small balcony. The room has all the expected amenities, and the bathroom is large with a double vanity, jacuzzi tub, and a very large walk-in shower. From April through December, Virtuoso guests are virtually guaranteed upgrades to a Villa (suite); just book through a Virtuoso luxury travel consultant. The top room category are the Premium Villas which are larger with great views and your own baby grand piano in the room. The most requested room at Mollies is #8.

The Spire Hotel is a small luxury boutique hotel in Queenstown with ten suites. My suite was spacious with a large patio overlooking the village church. Beautiful contemporary interior design features a very comfortable Eames reading chair facing a gas fireplace and the immense wall-mounted Panasonic plasma TV. The room has the latest in electronics, all controlled by a high-tech remote control that completely baffled me! The room has a gas fireplace, large dressing area, and a large bathroom with soaking tub, walk-in shower, and dual vanities. The Spire is upscale, visually appealing, and will not disappoint. Rates include breakfast, free internet, and free airport transfers. The hotel prides itself on great service; the manager is always ready to recommend the best places to eat and shop (and to drive guests there), and the hotel’s own dining room is superb.

luxury boutique hotel (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2009 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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4.28.2009

what to do in Queenstown, New Zealand

I knew that Queenstown was something special from the very moment our Air New Zealand flight began its approach into the Queenstown airport. Descending through a mountain valley, I could look out the left window and see near-by mountains almost close enough to reach out and touch. Then banking to the right right across a lake, the flight began its final overwater approach to the Queenstown airport flying through another mountain valley. This was one of the most beautiful and dramatic landings I have ever experienced. (Note: if at all possible, fly into Queenstown on Air New Zealand and not Qantas. NZ has newer planes with GPS installed and can make the landing in bad weather more often than Qantas).

Queenstown is a stunningly beautiful four-season resort offering alpine sports in the winter and outdoor activities all year long. Situated on beautiful Wakatipu Lake (see picture above), this small village with less than 20,000 residents is host to millions of travelers a year. It offers miles of picturesque hikes, great shopping, fine dining, and memorable hotels and B&Bs for guests.

What to do in Queenstown? You may have heard of the AJ Hackett Kawarau Bridge Bungy, the world's first bungy jump and an activity sure to induce an adrenaline rush. (This is the same Bungy Jump featured in last season's The Bachelor. You may remember Jason and Molly jumping off this 43 meter bridge together). No chance I would ever do something like this; it was thrill enough to watch others give it a try!

The two signature activities offered in Queenstown are a helicopter ride through the Milford Sound and a speed boat trip up the the Dart River. Be aware, however, that these activities require good weather conditions. 100 mph winds in the Milford Sound made it impossible for us to to take the helicopter ride, and bad weather conditions also ruled out the Dart River trip. Lesson to be learned: plan to spend three days in Queenstown, and schedule these activities for your first day. If weather conditions make them impossible, you'll have two more chances to have these ultimate experiences.

Be watching this space for a future review of the luxury hotels of Queenstown.

what to do | Queenstown, New Zealand (search here on Google)

copyright (c) 2009 by David J. Ourisman. All rights reserved. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
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