What do primates and humans have in common?  Apart from a love of bananas, space travel and playing drums, we all descended from one ancestor. And according to evolutionist Charles Darwin it wasn’t Adam, Eve or King Kong. In 2009 the scientific world celebrates Darwin’s work. You too can get into the evolutionary  groove on a New Zealand holiday that blends wild, raw and primordial adventures with modern luxury digs. Read more »

Bellydancing: via Wikimedia Commons | 

Kiwis are nocturnal birds, and you can be too on a New Zealand hen’s holiday party before the Big Day. Whether it involves poles, bellies, touring, pampering or clubbing, most of these adventures have three common ingredients – dancing, wine and bubbly - the perfect blend of fun for dainty ladies and daredevilesses alike. Read more »

Scrapbook Kit: Bastet985 via Wikimedia Commons | Quilt: Quiltpatch via Wikimedia Commons

You’ll be in stitches with a visit to craft-central New Zealand. Learn for yourself how to mosaic like a Michelangelo, or buy up on supplies for your next scrapbooking project. Best of all you get to mingle with fellow crafties, swap ideas and buy original pieces to wow the folks back home. Read more »

Getting high on a holiday is great fun, as long as it’s legal of course. Altitude affects attitude, as the rush of soaring above the earth lifts the spirits and adrenalin levels — get a bird-like peace floating in a balloon or tingle with thrills jumping from the clouds. There’s a holiday to reach the heights of any desire… Read more »

Put down the knife! It’s time to let someone else do the slicing and dicing for you on a multicultural selection of food and wine holidays across New Zealand.

Do your soufflés fall flat and your mash turn to mush?  You can learn from the best and eat scrummy food too at the Food Show in Wellington from 8-10 May 2009. Watch internationally renowned cook, Donna Hay, whip up a ‘no time to cook’ demonstration feast, and witness the battle of the steak knives as Ramsey wannabes compete for the Chef of the Capital title. Return to the InterContinental Hotel Wellington for a whirlpool, sauna and some good ole TexMex food at the Arizona Bar and Grill.

Get your rocks off in Rotorua with a traditional Maori Hangi feast where The Heritage Hotel offers culinary fare of the more European kind at Chapmans restaurant, including smorgasbord and à la carte menu, as well as exceptionally stunning views of the geothermal wonders of this special city.

You might spot a wobbly hobbit while on a personalised Gourmet tour of Central Otago’s wineries.  At a maximum of 10 people, your guide takes you to an underground wine cave and the ‘Big Picture’ experience – an innovative way of exploring wine via visual and aroma cues – and a great way to stimulate your appetite for the cheese tasting and gourmet lunch platter (technically known as ‘getting the munchies’). Over 7 hours, you’ll soak up the beauty of the Kawarau Gorge, Otago Goldfields, and Lake Dunstan. With senses and tummies satiated, it’s time to sleep like a sloth at Peppers at the Beacon hotel on Queenstown’s Lake Wakatipu. Ok, maybe after a sauna and massage.

Easter eggs, bunnies and shows may have come and gone, but does that mean chocolate should  feel neglected and unappreciated for the rest of the year? Why not show how much you care with a tour of Cadbury World in Dunedin, complete with its irresistable five-storey high chocolate fall and Wonka-like gift shop. Take your newly adopted goodies back to the Cable Court Motel, where you and the family can devour and concoct chocolate creations to your heart’s content.