Expat Explorers - travels with my family ideas...insight...inspiration
Get in contact
  • About
    • Meet the family
    • Photo gallery
  • Blog
  • Travel ideas & advice
    • Expat suitcase >
      • Moving to Dubai
      • Moving to Singapore
    • Jigsaw pieces: travel advice
    • Australasia
    • Middle East
    • South East Asia
    • USA
    • Where in the world are we?
  • In the news
    • Freelance work
    • Who said that? Travel quotes
    • Signs that make you think
  • The book
  • Contact us
    • Explorers' Club

Art Deco vineyards: Napier, New Zealand

7/1/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Most towns evolve slowly over time, but after the devastating impact of the 1931 earthquake, Napier was virtually wiped clean. Even the shape, level and site of the beach front was changed in the disaster, when 40sq km of land were raised from the seabed. A few of the wooden weatherboarded buildings survived, but redevelopment in the 1930s meant that the town architecturally took on an Art Deco vibe. The town, which is said to rival Miami as the Art Deco capital of the world, still likes to don its feather boa and cloche hat, and the Art Deco Trust ensures the buildings are preserved.

The vineyards are another draw to the Hawkes Bay area, and coincidentally it is the birthplace of New Zealand wine after French missionaries settled here in 1851, now the Mission Estate. Set in-between beautiful, steep, green rolling hills the connoisseur and the novice will not be disappointed. Many vineyards have cafes, with visas to soften the heart. Travelling with small children we have seen people raise their eyebrows when we mention our love of the vine and wine tasting, but having children doesn’t mean you have to stop your favourite activities. Of course, we haven’t been able to take any long, languishing, inebriated lunches, but a quick stop for some tastings can be educational, and good fun. We stopped at Clearview Estate at Te Awanga, near Hastings, a particularly children-friendly vineyard with chicken scratching around and a playground.

One final stop worth making is at the top of the Te Mata Peak, about 16km from Havelock North. You could just go for the spectacular view the summit commands over Hawkes Bay, or spend some time hiking the various paths that criss-cross over this rugged cliff.

Where to stay: The owners of the Mission B&B are very welcoming, and they know their wines.

Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Get the book

    Picture

    Destinations

    All
    Abu Dhabi
    Advice & Top Tips
    Al Ain
    America
    Argentina
    Arizona
    Australia
    Bali
    Batam
    Belfast
    Burma
    California
    Cambodia
    Chicago
    Dubai
    England
    Expat Life
    Hong Kong
    Illinois
    Indonesia
    Japan
    Java
    Jordan
    Kuwait
    Las Vegas
    London
    Malaysia
    Misc
    Myanmar
    Nevada
    New Zealand
    Northern Ireland
    Oman
    Ras Al Khaimah
    Restaurants
    Salt Lake City
    San Diego
    Scotland
    Singapore
    Southeast Asia
    Travel Musings
    Uae
    UK
    Usa
    Utah
    Wales
    Woodstock

    RSS Feed

    Or if you prefer to receive an email update click here to register.

    Archives

    June 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    June 2019
    April 2019
    July 2018
    June 2017
    May 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    September 2015
    August 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    August 2012
    April 2012
    February 2012
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    August 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.