Elisabeth Easther seeks out some shade in the heart of Mt Eden.

Ellie Mitchell spends a night at a well-located hotel in central Auckland.

Hiking, fishing, rugby and a giant kiwi draw Elisabeth Easther to a small community that has big spirit.

There's nothing like a little local knowledge - someone who can point a visitor in the direction of the best pub or offer the inside word on where to find the least crowded beach spot and how to get a good price on tickets for the museum or gallery.

Dana Johannsen flies VX413 across the USA.

The people who design hotels need to help guests see the light.

Megan Singleton suggests a string of California adventures to try.

Labour leader Andrew Little shares his most memorable holiday moments.

Courtesy of MH370 and MH17, last year surely passed all records for the amount of newspaper headlines written around the world about aviation disasters.

Steeped in natural wonders, the south Waikato town pours Elisabeth Easther the best water she's ever sipped.

Keep your cool, enjoy the views and let other drivers get past you, writes campervan-convert Jarrod Wright.

A remarkably thirsty Daniel Richardson flies NZ992 from New Zealand to Samoa.

A Northland beach provides a sharp test of David Rowe's Hasselhoff skills and his 'TWT' awareness.

Greg Murphy shares his most memorable holiday moments.

Highways that hug the shoreline can make for spectacular road trips. Here are 10 of the best around the world.

We drive too fast, we tailgate, we feel obliged to overtake the minute we see an overtaking lane and we mix alcohol - and text messaging - with driving, writes Winston Aldworth.

Elisabeth Easther enjoys the grotto and more at a lakeside retreat in Taupo.

The 'Island of Weka' is full of natural beauty, says Elisabeth Easther.

Less than an hour's drive from San Francisco is Napa's Sonoma County, where Megan Singleton sips, cooks and walks.

An exhibition about the Kiwi overseas experience shows New Zealanders have been exploring the world since the early 1900s.

Our First Home host Goran Paladin shares his most memorable holiday moments.

Regan Schoultz flies VA517 from Sydney to the Gold Coast.

Trying to do the right thing to protect our borders is frustrating for Fergus Blakiston.

It's a grim reality when an estimated eight million people are travelling by aeroplane every day - the person sitting next to you could die at 30,000ft.

Natalie Akoorie checks into the Quality Hotel Oceans Tutukaka.

Meet a dream destination for keen birdwatchers and water sports enthusiasts.

Ewan McDonald flies from Dublin to Dubai on Emirates EK162.

Winston Aldworth flies Air New Zealand NZ124 from Melbourne to Auckland.

Want to earn brownie points for your next anniversary? Megan Singleton has some suggestions.

Fancy treating your love to a five-star stay but not sure how to play the part of the fabulously wealthy? Anthony Peregrine explains how to act like you belong.