See the beauty of the world with these tours. Photo / 123rf
The ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix is back, returning to Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter this February. Taking place over Valentine’s Day weekend, the event will see New Zealand’s Black Foils face elite international teams in ultra-fast F50 catamarans. This year, the Wynyard Point grandstand has been expanded to 10,000 hold spectators daily and offers close-up views of the racing alongside top-notch hospitality options. Several ticket types are available, including the luxurious option of watching from your own boat right up near the action. Those happy to view from further away can catch the action for free from North Head. With boats hitting speeds of up to 100km/h, the energy at Wynyard Point promises to be high-octane. Tickets are from $199 for adults and $110 for children via tickets.sailgp.com.
Culinary-led travel is shaping up as one of the defining trends of 2026, and Ponant Explorations is setting the pace by bringing Michelin-star dining to sea. Since 2016, the cruise line has partnered with Ducasse Conseil to deliver French haute cuisine on select voyages, where a Michelin-starred chef joins guests on board for live demonstrations and two gala dinners.
Standout journeys include the Icelandic Mosaic voyage with Jean-Philippe Blondet in June 2026 and the Island of Beauty and Italian Shores sailing with Dominique Lory in July. These cruises turn dining into the destination, pairing dramatic landscapes with world-class food. Further voyages with Relais & Chateaux and Cuisine et Vins de France deepen the experience, while Cristeta Comerford adds storytelling through cuisine. For Kiwis who travel to taste the world, this marks a bold new chapter where gastronomy leads the journey. au.ponant.com/cruises/themes/gastronomy
After a long pandemic pause, TarraWarra Museum of Art in Healesville, Australia, returns to the global stage with TarraWarra International 2026, a major exhibition that places contemporary art at the centre of urgent global conversations. Opening on March 21, 2026 and running through July, System Release brings together 10 leading artists from Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia and Mexico for a bold exploration of what happens when familiar systems begin to fracture.
Curated by Dr Emily Cormack, the exhibition reframes collapse as possibility, inviting visitors to engage with ideas shaped by First Nations knowledge, collective intelligence, and relationships between humans, other species, and the environment. With major works and new commissions, including artists who have exhibited at the Venice Biennale, this marks a significant cultural moment. twma.com.au
Mondrian Gold Coast introduces the Nourish & Flow wellness escape, a restorative coastal experience designed for travellers who want to reset, recharge and move with intention. The package combines a luxury overnight stay with a curated Synergie Skin gift pack, access to CIEL Spa’s Himalayan Salt Room, magnesium pools, a fully equipped gym and guided movement sessions that include Mondrian Moves Sunday yoga, Mindful Mondays, or Pilates in light-filled spaces with ocean air drifting through. On non-class days, guests can follow self-guided workouts using Technogym Visio. Every element encourages balance, mindful nourishment and renewal by the sea. The experience is bookable now through to November 30, 2026. mondrianhotels.com/gold-coast/offers/nourish-and-flow
Watching an albatross glide effortlessly above the ocean is one of those moments that stays with you long after a trip ends. Otago Water Taxis and Tours delivers that experience on its Harbour, Albatross and Wildlife Cruise, showcasing one of New Zealand’s most iconic wildlife encounters from the water.
Step aboard the sightseeing vessel Adagio and explore Otago Harbour, where Northern Royal Albatross soar near Taiaroa Head and fur seals, sea lions and little blue penguins appear along the shoreline. The cruise combines breathtaking coastal views with engaging commentary on the harbour’s wildlife and history, turning each sighting into a deeper connection with the place. otagowatertaxis.co.nz
