Latest from Travel Opinion

Quality's not written in the stars

"What are hotel star ratings based on?" a colleague asked the other day, after staying in a 5-star hotel she wasn't particularly impressed by. Jim Eagles investigaes.

Enter through the gift shop

Graham Reid celebrates the pleasure of cheap kitsch souvenirs.

Winston Aldworth: A big, little slogan

'No passport required' is true enough, though the overall message of Auckland's new campaign slogan seems dusty to me.

Winston Aldworth: The capital curse

If you've made a few landings at Wellington Airport, there's a decent chance you've experienced at least one hairy approach.

Winston Aldworth: The closed corrida

Last week's discussion of bullfighting proved to be - wait for it - something of a red rag...

Bullfighting: A brutal spectacle that's an acquired taste

In Spain, they love bulls so much they torture them publicly, kill them slowly and cheer loudest when their ears are cut from their still-warm bodies.

Winston Aldworth: Where's my jetpack?

As a junior member of Auckland Observatory in the 1980s, I was pretty much convinced that in the world of the future I'd be as likely to holiday on the moon as on the Coromandel Peninsula.

Jim Eagles: Security set to loosen its belt

I think we'd all agree that the two biggest factors taking the romance out of flying are airport security and tight seating on the planes.

Winston Aldworth: Tales from the vomitorium

The in-flight puker is surely a greater menace than smelly fellow passengers or arm-rest hogs, writes Winston Aldworth.

Winston Aldworth: Thumbs down

Safety is only one factor in hitchhiking's decline, writes Winston Aldworth.

Cap on Gallipoli numbers necessary

Would we have been as accommodating of the annual throng as the Turkish people have been?

Winston Aldworth: Another faulty Palmy slur

Winston Aldworth goes in to bat for some of New Zealand's much-maligned regional centres.

Dita De Boni: Put on that happy face

When it comes to transtasman carriers, Dita De Boni has a firm favourite.

Winston Aldworth: A special opportunity

Last week was a special one for jet lovers. The arrival of Boeing's Dreamliner in the skies above New Zealand set planespotters' hearts racing.

Dreamliner's new windows on the world

It's the plane the world has been talking about for years... and now it's almost here.

Jim Eagles: A world of memories

Herald Travel Editor Jim Eagles signs off after eight years in the job and recalls some of his favourite travel memories.