Elisabeth Easther gets a taste of the 'Fruit Bowl of the South'.

New Zealand has been named World's Best Luxury Destination for 2013 in the Chinese Luxury Travel Awards.

This West Coast gem is wild at heart, finds Elisabeth Easther.

Elisabeth Easther finds a Far North town steeped in history.

Elisabeth Easther checks out the cheery Daffodil Capital.

Winston Aldworth flies JQ296 to the South Island.

Pamela Wade finds a farm turned into a fantasy setting.

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.

Justine Tyerman learns the finer points of wine tasting at a trio of Gisborne vineyards.

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.

The Dullsville reputation is busted by a museum with wow factor and a cool city centre.

If the Far North is on your list of places to go, here are a few suggestions to add a bit more excitement to your break, including dolphins, spirits and the deep blue sea.

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.