Rural Coromandel was so much fun Alexia Santamaria's kids want a return trip — immediately.

Danielle Wright traces a well-worn path to the Kitekite Falls, with a history lesson along the way.

A Queenstown hotel and a Marlborough bed and breakfast rated well with TripAdvisor guests.

Grant Bradley flies NZ499 - 'The Nightrider'.

Justine Tyerman finds one of the only flattish walks in the Aoraki-Mt Cook National Park - even Japanese ladies in high heels and Aussies in jandals can manage the Hooker Valley track.

A lazy cruise down the Waikato River is a belated birthday getaway for Isobel Marriner.

A straw poll of Parliamentarians found most were opting for a modest summer break at or near home while the House is in recess until January 29.

A visit to a blueberry farm is entertaining for the whole family, discovers Alexia Santamaria.

Danielle Wright finds a holiday park with 'complete silence' and an award for 100 per cent cleanliness the perfect antidote to Waimarino's Adventure Park thrill-rides.

A 100-year-old sporting event continues to thrive, writes Elisabeth Easther.

Google Maps is famous for getting the commuter, cyclist and pedestrian from A to B; but it is a little known fact that the man who oversaw its development is a Kiwi.

Rustic mountain huts, baches on the beach and a miner’s cottage with vineyard views - Danielle Wright discovers humble holiday homes to book in advance.

The East Coast Bays coastal walk is a lovely summer ramble, discovers Cate Foster.

Danielle Wright walks through history in a picturesque seaside village in the Far North.

Standing in front of a round green door, set into a cheery hillside, I half expect to see Gandalf the Grey and Bilbo Baggins wandering up the footpath.

Catherine Smith falls for Oamaru's Victorian township and modern food.

It may be the butt of many a joke, but Colin Hogg can't wait to get back to the city Aucklanders love to hate.

Justine Tyerman writes of her love affair with a place deep in the Mt Aspiring National Park.

Alexia Santamaria finds there is more than enough to keep both parents and kids happy on a day trip to Hamilton.

Dionne Christian finds activities for all ages in Pirongia and its surrounds.

Colin Hogg finds a southern town steeped in heritage.

For two years we have seen images of Christchurch, a broken city. Ewan McDonald visits a community picking up the pieces.

Head north and hit the Collectables Trail.

So you've been tasked with organising a hen's party ... one option is fleeing the city and swapping novelty cakes and forced craziness for a weekend of fun and pampering.

Sitting in Auckland in 2012, 1950s Britain looks a bit dull - the Beatles hadn't even been formed let alone discovered acid, writes Winston Aldworth.

Ahead of the food and wine additions to the summer Headland Sculpture on the Gulf, Catherine Smith gets a taste of what's to come.

Justine Tyerman learns to love snakes on the Kepler Track.