Travel news, holidays, destinations and information from New Zealand and around the world

International flights are expected to be disrupted for the next few months while Dreamliner engines are repaired. File photo

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Flight disruption for months after Air NZ pulls out two aircraft

21 Apr, 2018 3:48pm

4 minutes to read

San Francisco's Castro Theatre flies the rainbow flag proudly. Photo / 123RF

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Coolest cinemas around the world

21 Apr, 2018 12:53pm
Quick Read

Have a cultural and entertainment experience at one of these great movie houses.

Take in the excitement of Vivid Sydney. Photo / Getty Images

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Travel deals of the week (+ be in to win)

We bring you some of the best local and international deals going.

Pompeii, Italy - October 1, 2017: Interior of public baths in ancient city Pompeii, Naples, Italy

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Holidays in hell: sulphurous spas banned by the Vatican

21 Apr, 2018 12:00pm
Quick Read

It's hot, smelly and you're bound to get dirty. For your next holiday, why not go to Hell?

Kids explore the pastel-coloured inflatable water park. Photo/supplied

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This 4km sq inflatable water park is blowing up

21 Apr, 2018 9:19am
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This inflatable waterpark is straight out of your wildest dreams.

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What's wrong with this picture?

20 Apr, 2018 6:29pm
Quick Read

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Seeing red in Petra, what to avoid in Jordan's Rose City

20 Apr, 2018 2:57pm
Quick Read

This gruesome, red seacucumber has been dubbed the

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Mysterious horned squid spotted in the Gulf of Mexico

19 Apr, 2018 12:38pm
3 minutes to read

The finders of this unusual critter were quick to pick out these devilish features.

Hungry passengers wait for their flight at the airport cafeteria in Zurich, Switzerland.

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Airport 'smart glass' makes you spend more

19 Apr, 2018 12:00pm
3 minutes to read

The technology meant to increase passenger comfort had surprising effects.

People walk along the riverfront. Photo / Getty Images

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Brisbane: Pleased to meet you

19 Apr, 2018 10:00am
5 minutes to read

Brisbane is often ignored by those eyeing larger Australian cities - but it shouldn't be.

It's safer to fly a plane than it is to drive a car. Photo / 123RF

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Safest seat to take on a plane

19 Apr, 2018 9:24am
2 minutes to read

Nervous about flying? An expert has revealed the best seat to select to stay safe.

Nyhavn Harbour, Copenhagen. Photo / Getty Images

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Ask Away: A short stopover in Copenhagen

19 Apr, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Eli Orzessek finds the answers to your travel questions.

For every hotel guest, there is at least one pet peeve - and often many more. Photo / Getty Images

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What annoys hotel guests the most

18 Apr, 2018 4:30pm
5 minutes to read

For every hotel guest, there is at least one pet peeve - and often many more.

The Southwest Airlines jet 1380 was forced to land after one of the engines exploded, mid-flight. Photo / Scott Olson, Getty

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How safe is flying?

18 Apr, 2018 3:30pm
2 minutes to read

What are the numbers and just how safe is air travel?

The SkyRider new basic economy seating. Photo / Aviointeriors

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The brutal future of airline seats

18 Apr, 2018 12:00pm
2 minutes to read

Brace yourself. This image shows what one company wants to do to economy class on flights.

Mon Repos Turtle Centre is the only place to take part in a legal, organised, guided tour to watch the turtles' life cycle unfold. Photo / Supplied

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Queensland: Turtle territory

18 Apr, 2018 11:00am
5 minutes to read

If you go to Mon Repos Beach you may see turtle babies scurrying accross to the water.

Cruise month

Royal Caribbean's 'Symphony of the Seas' during its presentation in Malaga, Spain. Photo / Getty Images

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World's biggest cruise ship unveiled

29 Mar, 2018 12:06pm
Quick Read

Symphony of the Seas is just days away from setting sail on her maiden voyage.

Top deck of The B, U by Uniworld's river cruise ship. Photo / Instagram, @ubyuniworld

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Craft beer and yoga: Welcome to Cruise 2.0

28 Mar, 2018 3:00pm
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This is what cruising looks like in 2018, and it is, as the kids would say, "lit."

Carnival's Director of Entertainment, Brett Annable, weklcomes guests to the Pacific Jewel's Big Laugh comedy fest.

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Ship inspection: Comedy afloat the Pacific Jewel

23 Mar, 2018 3:35pm
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The Big Laugh is P&O's floating comedy festival, sailing out of Auckland this August

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Craft beer and yoga: Welcome to Cruise 2.0

28 Mar, 2018 3:00pm
5 minutes to read

This is what cruising looks like in 2018, and it is, as the kids would say, "lit."

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Ship inspection: Comedy afloat the Pacific Jewel

23 Mar, 2018 3:35pm
2 minutes to read

The Big Laugh is P&O's floating comedy festival, sailing out of Auckland this August

Travel video

Landscapes for rememberance

23 Mar, 2018 3:35pm
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Fiji Zipline

23 Mar, 2018 3:35pm
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Fiji Zipline

23 Mar, 2018 3:35pm
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Headless chicken sea monster discovered

23 Mar, 2018 3:35pm
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Horned vampire squid discovered

23 Mar, 2018 3:35pm
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Jet Airways, the largest private full service Indian carrier that uses as secondary hub Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, to connect Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore with Amsterdam and Canada Toronto Pearson Airport. JetAirways operates a fleet of 107 aircrafts. (Photo by Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

How safe is it to fly?

23 Mar, 2018 3:35pm
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Ship Inspection: the Celebrity Solstice departs New Zealand

23 Mar, 2018 3:35pm
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South African Safari

23 Mar, 2018 3:35pm
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Woman walking on Lynn Canyon Park suspension bridge, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

What to see in Vancouver

23 Mar, 2018 3:35pm
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Children on Vanuatu's Tanna Island, famous as the home of one of the world's most accessible active volcanoes. Photo / Supplied

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Vanuatu: The tree amigos

6 Nov, 2015 12:00pm

3 minutes to read

Queensland Escapes

Get the sand between your toes on a deserted beach on Magnetic Island. Photo / Tourism & Events Queensland

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Queensland: Magnet for day-trippers

7 Apr, 2018 12:00pm
5 minutes to read

Townsville. Photo / Tourism & Events Queensland

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Townsville: All creatures great and small

31 Mar, 2018 2:00pm
5 minutes to read

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Cairns: Green heart

22 Mar, 2018 2:00pm
5 minutes to read

A tropical swimming lagoon on the Esplanade in Cairns with an artificial beach. Photo / Getty Images

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Cairns: Look beneath the surface

16 Mar, 2018 12:00pm
5 minutes to read

Brisbane River at night, Queensland, Australia. Photo / Tourism and Events Queensland

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36 hours in Brisbane

7 Mar, 2018 12:00pm
4 minutes to read

Unmissable Gold Coast Events

6 Mar, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

The Superman Escape accelerator coaster. Photo / 123RF

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Queensland: Batman rules

6 Mar, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Sunshine Coast, like a local

4 Mar, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast is a quieter alternative to the Gold Coast. Picture / Tourism & Events Queensland

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Queensland: Hello Sunshine

4 Mar, 2018 5:00am
6 minutes to read

Brisbane: Like a Local

27 Feb, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Rotorua Holidays

Redwoods Treewalk in Rotorua. Photo / Supplied

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Rotorua: Family favourites

8 Feb, 2018 12:00pm
7 minutes to read

A place where the whanau can enjoy a whole lot of adventurous fun during a weekend break.

Tikitapu is full of people on floaties. Photo/Stephen Parker

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Thousands flock to Flochella at Rotorua's Blue Lake

5 Feb, 2018 6:27pm
4 minutes to read

Thousands have flocked to Tikitapu for the Flochella festival

Attractions like the Waikitie Hot Pools have earned the city a spot on the New York Times Places to See list. Photo / supplied

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Rotorua's world-class, says NY Times

11 Jan, 2018 2:59pm
2 minutes to read

2018 is the year for the world to visit the North Island's "hub of Maori culture".

Brittany and husband David Keogh had a lot of fun during their Riverjet experience.

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Rotorua: Break away from your routine

25 Nov, 2017 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Rotorua is an ideal place for city-dwelling couples to spend a few days relaxing.

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Room check: The Sudima Hotel

6 Nov, 2017 8:00am
2 minutes to read

Jason Reeves checks into the Sudima Hotel, Rotorua.

OGO is from the inventors of Zorbing, but this place has the longest, fastest 'track', with bonus spa pools. Photo / Supplied

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Five things to do in Rotorua

13 Oct, 2017 10:22am
5 minutes to read

There are so many things to see and do in Rotorua, writes Jason Reeves.

Accommodation

The resort faces one of the world's largest, and most untouched, marine ecosystems, the Great Astrolabe Reef. Photo / Kokomo Private Island Fiji

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Aussie billionaire's $137 million Fiji resort

4 Apr, 2018 2:30pm
6 minutes to read

Lang Walker is developing Kokomo Private Island Fiji with an eye toward sustainability.

After leaving a large amount of pepperoni by an open window, Nick Burchill returned to his hotel room to discover a flock of seagulls causing chaos. Photo / Getty Images

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Hotel lifts guest's ban after 'seagull excrement tornado'

4 Apr, 2018 10:05am
4 minutes to read

The incident resulted in a man being banned from a hotel for 18 years.

Sofitel Ponte 16 Macao. Photo / Thomas Bywater

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Room check: The Sofitel Macau

3 Apr, 2018 9:00am
2 minutes to read

Thomas Bywater checks into the Sofitel Macau, Ponte 16.

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Room check: The Sofitel Darling Harbour

2 Apr, 2018 11:00am
3 minutes to read

Eli Orzessek checks into the Sofitel Darling Harbour, Sydney.

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Room check: The Airport Motel @ Rainbow Point

27 Mar, 2018 3:00pm
3 minutes to read

Stephanie Holmes checks into the Airport Motel @ Rainbow Point, Taupo.

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Room check: The Sinalei Reef Resort and Spa

27 Mar, 2018 9:30am
3 minutes to read

Michael Burgess checks into the Sinalei Reef Resort and Spa, Samoa

Guests relax by the pool in the yard of their Airbnb rental in Cozumel, Mexico. Photo / AP

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Reading between the lines of Airbnb listings

26 Mar, 2018 3:00pm
4 minutes to read

Here's how to prevent Airbnb aches and pains, with tips from frequent guests.

It turns out that you can actually use any card to turn on the lights and power in your hotel room. Photo / 123RF

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Hotel hack causes internet meltdown

21 Mar, 2018 9:47am
2 minutes to read

The dark days of using your key card to turn on the power in your hotel room are over.

The Glasshouse, Kauri Mountain Point, Whangarei Heads.

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Room check: The Glasshouse, Whangarei Heads

20 Mar, 2018 7:00am
4 minutes to read

Stephanie Holmes enjoys the luxury of The Glasshouse, Whangarei Heads.

The Mercure Hotel, King George Square, Brisbane.

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Room check: Mercure Hotel, Brisbane

16 Mar, 2018 10:00am
2 minutes to read

Belinda Feek checks into the Mercure Hotel, King George Square, Brisbane, Australia.

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Room check: Ormlie Lodge, Taradale

15 Mar, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Katrina Johns checks into Ormlie Lodge, Taradale.

In Amsterdam, you can even spend the night in a crane. Photo / Supplied

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World's weirdest hotels

14 Mar, 2018 4:00pm
5 minutes to read

Eli Orzessek looks at some of the strangest places that Booking.com rents out.

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Room check: The Four Seasons Hotel

13 Mar, 2018 9:00am
3 minutes to read

Stephanie Holmes checks into the Four Seasons Hotel, Boston, USA.

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Tips for booking safe accommodation

9 Mar, 2018 3:40pm
5 minutes to read

As more women embrace solo travel, safer accommodation options are emerging.

About the size of a large espresso machine, the Plum machine preserves two opened bottles of wine for weeks at the perfect serving temperature. Photo / Bloomberg

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Your next hotel room might offer wine on tap

9 Mar, 2018 3:30pm
5 minutes to read

The Plum machine preserves two open bottles of wine for weeks at the perfect temperature.

Relax in the hot pools at Tekapo Springs. Photo / Sarah Daniell

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Lake Tekapo: Night light rules apply

6 Nov, 2016 8:00am

7 minutes to read

Travel Opinion

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Travel bugs: The Laos ointment incident

18 Apr, 2018 8:00am
4 minutes to read

A weekly ode to the joys of moaning about your holiday, by Tim Roxborogh.

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Travel bugs: Jumping from a moving train

13 Apr, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

A weekly ode to the joys of moaning about your holiday, by Tim Roxborogh.

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Winston Aldworth: Heavy ship

11 Apr, 2018 6:00am
Quick Read

At 362m, the Symphony of the Seas, is longer than the Sky Tower is tall.

Tips for Travellers

Christmas in Paris can be a magical experience. Photo / Getty Images

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Ask Away: A Christmas you won't forget

28 Mar, 2018 9:00am

3 minutes to read

New Zealand artist Dick Frizzell. Photo / Brett Phibbs

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Culture trip around the world

28 Mar, 2018 7:00am
Quick Read

Dick Frizzell shares his favourite galleries around the world.

Boat tour on Chicago River. Photo / Adam Alexander Photography

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Chicago: You're in good company

27 Mar, 2018 8:47am
Quick Read

Famous names abound in Chicago's museums and skyscrapers.

Holidays in Australia

Upulo Cay, Great Barrier Reef. Photo / Tourism & Events Queensland

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