This journey along State Highway 1 show that the nation's backbone is a place of life as well as an inanimate stretch of bitumen, writes Alex Robertson.

Footloose, fancy-free retirees have cash but no one's selling, says Tony Marks.

Penfolds' founder knew nothing about winemaking when he came to Australia in the 1840s, but his spirit lives on, writes Shandelle Battersby.

Tony and Selena Reid fly NZ045 from the Cook Islands to New Zealand.

Shop around online and you can save heaps, says Megan Singleton.

Actress Natalie Medlock talks travel, toilet emergencies and Africa.

Venturing out and exploring the world can be enjoyable regardless of age with organised tours, writes NZ photography legend Marti Friedlander.

Expedia and Egencia have just released their 2014 Global Mobile Index report, a study of how travellers use and relate to mobile devices.

NZ features in five of Lonely Planet's Top Travel Lists for 2015- touted as one of the most 'progressive, inclusive and accepting' destinations for gays and lesbians.

Singapore's cocktail bars are hip and their mixologists savvy, writes Paul Harper.

Dan Ahwa flies from China to France aboard CX261.

Yes, you can avoid the runs when you travel.

Here are five festivals that should be on your (ice) bucket list.

The choreographer and dancer shares her travel memories.

Deadpan comedian Steven Wright once wondered: "Why don't they make the whole plane out of that black box stuff?"

Preparing to battle end-of-school-holidays traffic? Take a break from today's chaos with a cuppa, coffee or meal at one of these on-the-beaten-track cafes.

A city break in this centrally-located hotel leaves Courtney Whitaker impressed.

This coastal town serves up more than scrummy fish and chips, writes Elisabeth Easther.

Nothing brings together a bunch of strangers like communal suffering, writes Danielle Murray.

The 'A Place to Call Home' actor shares his travel memories.

Among the unexpected booms from the Global Financial Thingymajig was a new market of first-class airline passengers.

Patrick McKendry stayed in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to watch the boxing bouts of Kiwis Joseph Parker and Robert Berridge.

Takaka has a bustling arts scene and pretty scenery, writes Elisabeth Easther.

John Lee revisits his student daze in Canada.

Zoe Walker flies across the Pacific to sunny Hawaii.

The new Samsung camera gives control back to the photographer and has the advantages of a smartphone, says Alex Robertson.

The Michelin-starred chef shares his travel memories.

We Kiwis have tended to think of ourselves as adventurous types, but a survey by Qantas suggests we've become a bit more aspirational in our vacation outlook.

This diverse river city offers adventures, galleries, top cafes and more, writes Elisabeth Easther.

It's school holiday time, so if you're heading out of town with your little darlings in tow, here are a few survival tricks you might need up your sleeve.