Ready to ride a velogemel? Photo / Switzerland Tourism Media
Ready to ride a velogemel? Photo / Switzerland Tourism Media
Each week in travel, we check out some of the latest happenings from Aotearoa and beyond to inspire your next adventure.
What on earth is a velogemel?
There are many winter activities we know and love. Classics inlude skiing, snowboarding and sledding – popular all over the world. But in Switzerland, a unique wooden contraption peppers the snow every February. The wooden velogemel is a single-track and steerable winter apparatus that resembles a bicycle and sled. Made by Christian Buhlmann from Grindelwald, it once served local people in their everyday lives, from postmen doing their rounds to children making their way to school. In the modern era, winter enthusiasts use this to race in the snow. Velogemels can be very tricky to master at first, but the annual sledging races are revered by locals. The Velogemel World Championships take place in Grindelwald every February. Next year’s edition will be held on February 2, 2025 at Bussalp, above Grindewald, and anyone who wants to can take part, either solo or in teams of three. Visit: grindelwald.swiss.
Switzerland's iconic wooden velogemel is celebrated every year through the Velogemel World Championships. Photo / Switzerland Tourism Media
The Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) is pushing the boundaries of art and dance once again with their 2025 programme, directed by Ty King-Wall. RNZB promises a stunning year of ballet, showcasing both traditional pieces and original works. The 2025 programme starts with Tutus on Tour, a world-class RNZB performance touring seven regions of NZ from February 21 to March 22, 2025. RNZB will also share a stage with Scottish Ballet for their performance at the Auckland Arts Festival later in March, and in Wellington across March 14-15. In April, Kiwis will see the return of the incredibly popular The Firebird, choreographed by Loughlan Prior, half of an exclusive double bill with My Brilliant Career. Later in the year, ballet fans will can enjoy Home, Land, and Sea from July 24 to August 9. The grand finale for 2025 is everyone’s Christmas favourite, The Nutcracker,from October 30 to December 20. To explore more of RNZB’s 2025 programme, visit indd.adobe.com.
The Firebird by the Royal New Zealand Ballet. Photo / Stephen A’Court
Explore the ‘Roof of the World’
Tibet is the perfect destination for travellers who want to explore two of the Himalayas’ most amazing trekking experiences: the North Face of Everest and the most sacred mountain in the Himalayas, Mount Kailash. Aside from being one of the most anticipated destinations for the trekking community, Tibet is also a unique destination for adventurers who want to discover beautiful landscapes and natural escapes. It is often referred to as the “Third Pole”, with four major rivers on the subcontinent fed by Mt Kailash, but it is more often dubbed the “Roof of the World” because of its highest points. Luckily for Kiwi adventurers, World Expeditions is pioneering a novelty experience for trekkers going to Tibet in April 2025, starting with three deals: the 22-day Kangshung Face, the 18-day Journey to Mount Kailash, and the 13-day Lhasa to Kathmandu via Tibet’s Everest Base Camp overland adventure. Visit: worldexpeditions.com.
Mount Kailash in Ngari Prefecture, Tibet, China. Photo / Getty Images
Yoga at Perth Zoo
Zen in the Zoo is a partnership between The Hike Collective and Perth Zoo that offers a gentle walk through the rainforest and a 45-minute beginner-friendly yoga session in the calming presence of elephants. This experience blends elements of breathwork, yoga, stretching and sound healing, offering a unique way to experience calm and tranquility. Because this is not your typical visit at the zoo, the tour is focused on exploring the beautiful landscapes, such as the rainforest, savannah, and Australian bushland, while practising mindfulness and wellness. If you wish to continue the zoo visit and meet the animals, general-entry zoo tickets can also be purchased from the ticket office on the day. Visit: hikecollective.com.au/st_tour/zen-in-the-zoo.
Try The Hike Collective's unique Zen in the Zoo experience at Perth Zoo. Photo / The Hike Collective
