His daughter was an air hostess and so he was planning a trip to Australia and New Zealand. I suggested he allow a week at least in the North Island and then try to get to the South Island to Christchurch or Queenstown at best.

How did I suggest he put his week together, well here are some ideas:

Nearly everyone arrives in Auckland so stay a night in the city; go to Bastion Point to see the beautiful harbour, jump on a ferry if you have more time; go to Cornwall Park or up Mt Eden to get a sense of the city and its extinct ( don’t worry) volcanos.

Then pick up a rental car, you can’t beat JUCY Rentals, for value for money, service and smiles. JUCY are very handy to Aspen Hotel a central city hotel offering good comfort on a budget.

Wr recommend:

1. a trip north

2. a trip to the central plateau

3. a trip over to Waiheke Island or drive up one of the 48 extinct volcanos in Auckland City to get a sense of the city; or drive to the West Coast for a contrast between the two coasts Auckland City sits on.

4. A trip to Nelson, drive to Kaikoura for some whale watching

5. Go to Queenstown for the magnificent scenery and if your time allows a visit to Milford Sound.

So in more detail:

Head north ( as far as your time allows) even an hour and a quarter north to Leigh gives you wonderful views of the sea and islands. You can have a swim with the fish at Goat Island.

3 hours north and you will be up in Whangarei where you can see even more beautiful scenery, Tutukaka where there are some great boat trips, or 45 minutes further on to Russell or Opua. Again there are lots of day trips on the water to see the incredibler scenery, dolphins and sea life.

Drive back to Auckland and this time head south to the Central Plateau. Here you can choose Rotorua or Taupo. Rotorua is famous for its bubbling mud pools and geysers. Maori culture abounds in Rotorua too. Taupo has the beautiful views of Ruapehu where you can ski and it famous for its trout fishing. If you are into golf a round at Wairakei is world rated.

Read other blogs in this site for Kaikoura. A blog coming up will tell you more about Queenstown and Milford Sound.

If you head North there are some stunning beaches and views. It’s Down Under’s equivalent of the Amalfi Coast, except the roads are wider. But the views will have your mouth gaping. There is a coastal road if you have got time to meander. If not head straight to the Bay of Islands, see Paihia, Kerikeri and Doubtless Bay. These three places have lots of history, activities and places to stay.

Our 5 top tips for the Upper North Island are:

1. A trip to Paihia – jump on the boat that goes backwards and forwards to Russell and see an old settlement.

2 Do the Fullers Cream trip and see the beauty of the islands.

3. In Kerikeri enjoy the steam ship up the inlet. See the old Stone House, enjoy the lushness of this area before heading half an hour north to

4. Doubtless Bay. On the way drive through Mangonui – famous for its fish and chip shop! This is a quaint historical village doted with coffee shops. Around the bend is the long and beautiful Doubtless Bay and Cooper’s Beach. Further north the Carrington Golf Course is in a splendid setting where you can enjoy a glass of wine from their winery.

5. The finale of your trip up north is to get on a bus and go to the tip of the North Island, along 90 Mile Beach and up to Cape Reinga, where the Maori believe the spirits of the dead leave. See the Pacific Ocean and Tasman Sea meet sometimes producing waves 10 metres high.

If you head North there are some stunning beaches and views. It’s Down Under’s equivalent of the Amalfi Coast, except the roads are wider. But the views will have your mouth gaping. There is a coastal road if you have got time to meander. If not head straight to the Bay of Islands, see Paihia, Kerikeri and Doubtless Bay. These three places have lots of history, activities and places to stay.

If you have a question about your trip feel free to ask us and we’ll do our best to get back to you within a day or so.

Tarlacks from Wisconsin, U.S.A….great room, perfect location,  and helpful friendly staff.

Godart/Defaud from Reunion Island, France….Friendly Reception & team, accommodation very nice. Kelly & Kieran from Sydney, Australia…..fantastic location, handy parking, great brekky served. Jess & Mark from Northern Ireland… .nice clean room, nice breakfast, great shower.

 Nicole from Matamata, NZ…..loved every minute of staying here, the people are amazing, till next time. 

Above is the Sarjeant Gallery in Wanganui. 

Northland has the Whangarei Art Musuem

Housed in an Arts ansd Crafts Building in Cafler Park is the Whanagrei Art Musuem. It has an extensive collection of major NZ contemporary artists and heritage Northland related material. Artists include C. F. Goldie, Ralph Hotere, Pat Hanly, a very substantial Adele Younghusband bequest collection plus eight paintings by T. L. Drummond.  The Musuem has regular touring exhibitions.

• Cafler Park Rose Gardens, Walter Street, Whangarei
• ph: 09 430 4240
• Open Tues-Fri 10-4, weekends 12-4
• Admission: Free
• Permanent collection: Selwyn Wilson, Selwyn Muru, Ralph Hotere, Para Matchitt, Buck Nin, C. F. Goldie, Pat Hanly

Waikato Musuem 

The museum is organised into four sections, one of which is Visual Arts. The collection has around 2500 artworks, dating from early colonial New Zealand with a focus on images and artists of the region. Arts Post has three exhibition spaces showing local and new artists.

Rotorua Museum of Art & History

In Rotorua’s historic Bath House building,  set in a large garden that links to the Lake, is Rotorua’s art collection. Among its permanent collection are taonga of the Arawa people, the original inhabitants of the region, a collection of 70,000 photographs of Rotorua’s history and historic souvenir pieces.

Taranaki New Plymouth

Govett Brewster Gallery

Taranaki is the home of many artists. The streets are full of interesting galleries. Govett Brewster is one of the country’s more interesting galleries,  it has a wonderful contemporary collection of NZ art, housing the archives and studio collection of the Len Lye Foundation, which looks after the works of the film-maker, kinetic sculptor, poet and painter. The Gallery holds regular exhibitions of local, national and international contemporary art.

Manawatu/ Wanganui

Sarjeant Gallery

This building set on a hill was built in 1919 from Oamaru Stone; majestic and built in the shape of a cross – worth looking at even if you don’t see the art inside! But while you are there you may as well – the interior is pretty stunning with a central dome that lets lots of natural light in. 

Inside you will find an excellent permanent collection of 19th and early 20th century British and European art. After 1940 the gallery began to focus on New Zealand art, with a strong photographic emphasis. A major feature of the gallery’s collecting policy is to acquire the work of selected important individual artists, including  Philip Trusttum, Gretchen Albrecht, Anne Noble, Laurence Aberhart, Ans Westra and Peter Peryer. 

Wellington  The art gallery is closed for refurbishing. But there are other artistic treats like the Portrait Gallery. The New Zealand Portrait Gallery, is a national organisation promoting the display of New Zealanders through the perceptive eyes of painters, sculptors, caricaturists and photographers.

Don’t miss out on  seeing the Norrie Collection, the art displayed in Government House in Wellington is the home of a remarkable collection of portraits. While Government House is being restored the art has been enjoyed by many.

RY COODER & NICK LOWE are to play at Auckland’s iconic Civic Theatre for one evening only, Monday 16 November.

Listen to these U-tube clips and see what you could enjoy live in Auckland.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2FrFBceLuY ”Jesus on the mainline”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4KmbUCwkyE  “Vigilante Man”

Touring New Zealand for the first time in nearly 30 years the master slide guitarist will share the stage with his long-time friend and musical brother-in-arms, as well as his son, Joachim Cooder on drums, and vocalist Juliette Commagere.

Don’t miss out book your accommodation at the affordable Aspen House Hotel, from $89 an ensuite room, first in best price. Aspen is well located in Auckland City, five minutes from Queen St, the ideal location for shows. If you are a visitor ask us about getting you tickets.

Auckland is the best place to see shows- the venues are more intimate and you can usually get a ticket. Most exchange rates make it cheap too!

Cooder has enjoyed a wide ranging solo career, as well as playing and recording with such luminaries as  The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Taj Mahal & Randy Newman. Last year saw the release of I, Flathead, the final part of his acclaimed Californian trilogy, inclusive of Chavez Ravine & My Name Is Buddy.

Rolling Stone lists Cooder as one of the ten best guitarists of all time, rightly placing him amongst an elite group whose guitar style is instantly identifiable by a single note, in Cooder’s case, a haunting, heart-rendering slide tone.

Keep reading the blog-  we will also profile some of the other galleries in the regions that have impressive permanant art collections too.

Often the actual building the art is housed in, is something to appreciate. Some are beautiful old buildings with interesting modern additions, like Auckland or  the very contemporary designs  of the new Christchurch gallery. The Sarjeant Gallery in Wanganui is a majestic historic house, while Rotorua’s Museum of Art & History, in the old Bath House building.

Many parks  near the Galleries also contain interesting sculpture and art. The Domain near Aspen House has a beautiful sculpture walk. Albert Park has attractive gardens and sculpture.

Entry to most public art galleries is free, you might need to buy a ticket to special exhibitions.

 The Auckland Gallery is under going a major refurb and re-build -see how impressive it will look above. The art is over the road in the New Gallery. Right now and until November 1  there is a wonderful Rita Angus exhibition.

 ‘Picturing History: Goldie to Cotton’ goes until February 2010.  The Gallery is on the corner of Wellesley and Lorne Streets – just up form Queen St and opposite the main library. You walk through Albert Park from Aspen to get to the gallery.

It is open every day 10-5 except Christmas Day. Admission is free. Permanent collection: 14,000+ works, Durer, Rembrandt, Degas, Hogarth, Ralph Hotere, Colin McCahon, Rita Angus, John Pule, Peter Peryer.

That much loved performer, Andre Rieu is coming to Auckland and performing at the Vector arena on two nights, Satruday 24 October and Sunday 25 October. Treat yourself to an unforgettable evening of music.

Stay at Aspen Hotel and let us organise a taxi shuttle to take you door to door. Or if you are up for it it’s only a short walk down to the arena.

Andre Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra are kicking off a tour here. Known as the King of Waltz, Andre performs in sold-out venues all over the world.

The chart-topping Dutch violinist and conductor has sold more than 25 million albums globally, and his 2008 Australian Tour broke classical concert records, packing stadiums with thousands of Aussie fans.

Aspen House Hotel is a smart budget hotel handy to the arena. With on site secure and safe parking our friendlyt staff will do whatever they can to make your stay as comfortable and pleasant as possible. With very affordable rates Aspen House  gives all guests a FREE continental breakfast.

Call 0800 4 ASPEN or 09 379 6633 and find out how affordable Aspen is. Located beside a charming inner city park Aspen is close to Queen St and shopping.

Many bands are touring the world to promote their albums, Nickelback is promoting its latest album Dark Horse to a sell out tour in the US.

NICKELBACK has sold an incredible 30 million albums worldwide. Their 2005 album release “All the right reasons” spent a staggering 112 consecutive weeks in the Top 30 of the Billboard Top 200, was certified 8-times platinum in the U.S. and has sold more than 11 million copies worldwide.

November is starting to become a busy summer season for Auckland hotels providers so grab a cheap room now. When you have got your ticket call Aspen on 09 379 6633 or 0800 4 ASPEN and get an ensuite room or a smart newly refurbished room with shared facilities.

If you are watching your pennies then Aspen has a room for you. Located a short walk to the arena but in a quiet and convenient part of the City you’ll get a FREE continental breakfast at Aspen. Safe and secure parking on site means no worries about your car and no parking hassles since Vector is a short walk away.

The band are performing one show only as part of a worldwide tour to promote their album, The E.N.D. This album recently went to No 2 in the NZ Music Charts.

Aspen has two kinds of accommodation to suit your pocket. Smart ensuite rooms and newly renovated rooms with shared bathrooms. Whatever you book you still get the Aspen FREE continental breakfast.

 Aspen has a large lounge with comfortable seating to relax and watch tv, make a coffee, chill before heading down to road to Vector. With secure parking on site Vector is close to lots of restaurants and 5 minutes from Queen Street. Beside a pretty Auckland park Aspen is a comfy affordable hotel in the centre of the city.

Don’t miss out on hering this iconic grunge band from Seattle play their top hits Better Man and Alive.

If you have booked your ticket then don’t miss out on a bed in Auckland City. Aspen House Hotel is one of the most convenient locations to the arena. With secure parking on site you can enjoy the large lounge area, make a coffee and watch the big screen before you head off to the Stadium. We can book shuttles to Mt Smart to share with other guests to make it more affordable.

Aspen has two kinds of rooms – ensuite rooms or smart newly refurbished rooms with shared facilities. Whatever your pocket there is a room for you at Aspen, single, double, triple or quad. If a group of you are going book the quad quickly and get even better value for money.

Aspen is the only hotel that offers a FREE continental breakfast to guests. So don’t delay once you have got your ticket ,jump on the phone to 0800 4 ASPEN or call (09) 379 6633 and get a room at an affordable rate