New Zealand

Best of Travel from Around the World

All hotels are not created equal. Most of them are at least ok and lots of them are way more than that. The same goes for attractions, restaurants, museums, and the other sites we travelers visit as we make our way around the world. For this issue of Ranch & Coast, I wanted to share my own “Best Of” — my personal favorite worldwide travel experiences. That sounded like fun until I started making lists of candidates. Then lists of lists, broken down by category, continent, and country, until I gave up. Decades of roaming defied organization. In the end, I closed my eyes and let my mind wander over Europe, then Africa, the U.S, South America, Asia, and the South Pacific. Every time I felt myself smile, I opened my eyes just long enough to make a quick note on a nearby pad. Here’s the result.

Great Spring Gardens

Great Spring Gardens Add these patches of paradise to your travel plans Posted on May 1, 2019 Remember the interminable rain that spoiled our plans and dampened our moods this past winter? Well, it’s payback time. San Diegans are being rewarded with spring gardens that are more beautiful than I can ever remember. All around me,…

Going Kiwi With Kids

Going Kiwi With Kids New Zealand offers fun for the whole family Posted on March 1, 2018 “Do we have to leave? I really want to stay here with Cooee,” pleaded the youngest in our family as we loaded the car for the drive to Christchurch Airport. And with this, all of her nine-year-old self…

Kiwi Connection

Kiwi Connection — Having an Authentic New Zealand Experience Posted on April 28, 2017 The sparkling blue lakes, glittering white glaciers, and majestic fjords of New Zealand are deservedly world-renowned. I’ve lived there, and over the years have explored nearly every nook and cranny. But it’s still so breathtakingly beautiful to me that I frequently…

Romantic Rendezvous

Romantic Rendezvous Check in somewhere special with your beau Posted on Feb. 1, 2017 Love is in the air and on the calendar. It’s a great time to think about romantic places to visit with the special person in your life. Scenic, natural surroundings are generally best for amor — except, of course, if you…

Walking the World

Walking the World Posted: Oct. 6, 2016 Walking — the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other — through a scenic location always lifts my spirits and puts a smile on my face. And I’m not alone. Everywhere I travel in the world, there is a growing enthusiasm for…

Dine

Saying “Kia Ora”

Saying “Kia Ora” Introducing New Zealand’s Abundant Wine Regions Posted: Oct. 3, 2016 Exploring New Zealand and its regions has become a must-do travel excursion for the international epicurean. Paired with the island’s abundance of fresh seafood, lamb, venison, and produce, it’s time to say “kia ora” (Maori for hello) to their excellent…

New Zealand’s Must-Have Experiences

New Zealand’s Must-Have Experiences Even though it’s only about two-thirds the size of California, New Zealand is chockablock with wonderful things to do and see. In fact, the hardest part of planning a trip to New Zealand is picking and choosing between the many delicious options. I’ve been a frequent visitor and sometime resident of…