At 15,000 feet, one could see the early winter, snow-padded sheer mountain cliffs plunging down to turquoise lakes. From the Qantas Airways flight windows, the Southern Alps displayed a dazzling extravaganza of light and shade. Queenstown is a small but exotic ski resort, among the world’s finest on New Zealand’s South Island, offering exclusive romantic attractions and some of the world’s most distinguished super luxury retreats with awe-inspiring vistas.
After a champagne welcome at my boutique hotel “The Spire”, I strolled down the promenade along Steamer Wharf and the lake front. The majestic Lake Wakatipu langoured in the changing mauve and deep purple tones of the skyline. On top of the world
The next day, the “Glacier Southern Lakes” helicopter lifted off into the not-too-distant mountains and the advancing deep snow furrows. We landed atop a snow-powdered summit for a champagne toast that had me feeling skittish as we briefly hopped down to the panoramic Blanket Bay, carpeted in brilliant viridian quilt work.
My wild “Dart River Jetboating Safari” thrill saw me hurtle, twist, zip, zoom, leap and somersault 180 degrees along the Dart River’s rocky, silt-and-sand-bedded course, my urban inhibitions ripped away with uproarious glee. We landed at Blanket Bay Lodge, one of New Zealand’s finest country boutique retreats created by the fabled Levi Strauss, with superlative suites and grand fireplace corners.
Further down the lake-edged country roads, another boutique icon of international fame, The Matakauri Lodge and Organic Spa, sits pretty on Lake Wakatipu’s most picturesque fringe. During our return to Queenstown on the chopper, we looked up close some of the new snow formations on the looming, intimidating snow peaks.
Charles Fraser of RD Tours drove me to the unbelievably beautiful Lake Wanaka. On its shores, in the midst of verdant sheep pastures and stately pines, is the distinguished Relais & Chateaux boutique country lodge, Whare Kea Lodge.
Plenty of trails
Wanaka has magnificent walking trails, picture-perfect scenery and unbelievably natural colours. We took off with Mt. Aspiring Helicopters over the shimmering lake into Alpine snow slopes to the Whare Kea Chalet, on a narrow plateau with the imposing mountain rows of Mt. Aspiring and Mt.Cook, almost 9,000 feet high. Lunch back at Whare Kea Lodge was vegetarian perfectness with fresh local produce and mind-stilling views of the placid Lake Wanaka.
My luxury abode in the clouds, reaching out to Lake Wakatipu, was an experience I shall never ever forget. At the Azur Lodge and Villas, my suite deck overlooking 270 degrees of mesmerizing scenery was unbelievably exquisite, with the lake waters and the rapidly forming snowline beyond. An eclectic regal English dinner awaited me at the Remarkables Lodge, where delectable fare and grand Kiwi wines were on offer.
After a champagne welcome at my boutique hotel “The Spire”, I strolled down the promenade along Steamer Wharf and the lake front. The majestic Lake Wakatipu langoured in the changing mauve and deep purple tones of the skyline. On top of the world
The next day, the “Glacier Southern Lakes” helicopter lifted off into the not-too-distant mountains and the advancing deep snow furrows. We landed atop a snow-powdered summit for a champagne toast that had me feeling skittish as we briefly hopped down to the panoramic Blanket Bay, carpeted in brilliant viridian quilt work.
My wild “Dart River Jetboating Safari” thrill saw me hurtle, twist, zip, zoom, leap and somersault 180 degrees along the Dart River’s rocky, silt-and-sand-bedded course, my urban inhibitions ripped away with uproarious glee. We landed at Blanket Bay Lodge, one of New Zealand’s finest country boutique retreats created by the fabled Levi Strauss, with superlative suites and grand fireplace corners.
Further down the lake-edged country roads, another boutique icon of international fame, The Matakauri Lodge and Organic Spa, sits pretty on Lake Wakatipu’s most picturesque fringe. During our return to Queenstown on the chopper, we looked up close some of the new snow formations on the looming, intimidating snow peaks.
Charles Fraser of RD Tours drove me to the unbelievably beautiful Lake Wanaka. On its shores, in the midst of verdant sheep pastures and stately pines, is the distinguished Relais & Chateaux boutique country lodge, Whare Kea Lodge.
Plenty of trails
Wanaka has magnificent walking trails, picture-perfect scenery and unbelievably natural colours. We took off with Mt. Aspiring Helicopters over the shimmering lake into Alpine snow slopes to the Whare Kea Chalet, on a narrow plateau with the imposing mountain rows of Mt. Aspiring and Mt.Cook, almost 9,000 feet high. Lunch back at Whare Kea Lodge was vegetarian perfectness with fresh local produce and mind-stilling views of the placid Lake Wanaka.
My luxury abode in the clouds, reaching out to Lake Wakatipu, was an experience I shall never ever forget. At the Azur Lodge and Villas, my suite deck overlooking 270 degrees of mesmerizing scenery was unbelievably exquisite, with the lake waters and the rapidly forming snowline beyond. An eclectic regal English dinner awaited me at the Remarkables Lodge, where delectable fare and grand Kiwi wines were on offer.
Philip Green of Wine Tours led me to Gibston Valley Wines for cellar varietals tasting of their 2001 to 2006 Rieslings and fabulous Pinot Noirs. At the theatrical Peregrine Wines, Greg Hay lead the tasting ceremonies of his crisp Wentworth, 2004 and 2006 single vineyard Pinot Noirs. Olivia Herbert at Amisfield Winery poured me rather liberal portions of their smashing Rocky Knoll 2006 and Amisfield 2001 wonders.
A visit to the tiny and quaint Arrowtown, a one-horse village was exhilarating! A former gold prospecting town, it’s now a sleepy place with a relaxed, unhurried pace with charming leafy overhangs. That night, a six-course wine dinner at the Millhouse Cafe at the internationally renowned Millbrook Golf Resort fortified my passion for wines and Kiwi Pinot Noir. I raised my goblet of the choicest Amisfield 2003 Pinot Noir, to murmur, “You have seduced me forever…”
Things to do
Though Wanaka is a paradise for kayaking, wind surfing, snowboarding, parasailing, mountain biking and horse riding, it is also an ideal romantic destination for young couples, the young-at-heart and honeymooners. The Central Otago Wineries are the best place to do exclusive wine tastings like New Zealand’s most famous Pinot Noir (pronounced “peenoh Nuaar”) red wines and Sauvignon Blanc (“Sovinyon Byaunk”) white wines. Look up wineries like Amisfield Winery, Peregrine Winery, Gibbston Valley Winery and Mt. Difficulty winery, where you can enjoy signature fine dining and wines for lunches.
Chill out and relax at some of the world’s finest spas, at LeSpa at Sofitel Queenstown and enjoy a Mirimiri Maori massage and natural herbal therapies which are among the most effective treatments for relaxation and rejuvenation. Another romantic and unforgettable activity is taking a helicopter ride over the Southern Alps, land on a mountain peak covered with snow, look at spectacular views of the natural surroundings and enjoy a glass of sparkling wine! You can also enjoy exclusive wine and dinner cruises along Milford Sound…it can be the most romantic time you can ever have.
For slower and more easy-paced vacationing, visit the towering Mount Roy, which is Wanaka’s landmark. There are walking trails during the day to reach the summit. From the rose petal-covered luxury bath of your villa at Whare Kea Lodge and Chalet, enjoy the serene beauty of Lake Wanaka and the mountains around, it’s a once in a lifetime experience.
All in all, panoramic Queenstown and spectacular Wanaka offer you unbeatable adventure and exclusive holiday choices this summer, a cool and welcome relief from the heat of Indian summer months!Fact file
Fly direct from Mumbai to Sydney non-stop on the most convenient Qantas flight. From Sydney you can fly Qantas to Wellington or Auckland in New Zealand from where there are domestic Qantas flights to Queenstown. Wanaka is close to Queenstown and both destinations are easily accessible.
Stay at premium deluxe country luxury hotels and resorts like the Millbrook Golf Resort where you can try some golfing and learn the game from experienced instructors. Then there is Eichhardt’s Private Hotel, the fantastic Matakauri Lodge, Sofitel Queenstown, The Spire (a boutique hotel), the beautiful “The Remarkables Lodge”, the Whare Kea Lodge and Chalet in Wanaka, Others are Azur Lodge, Blanket Bay Lodge near Queenstown and Lime Tree Lodge, Wanaka Stonehouse Boutique Lodge and Criffel Peak View Lodge all in Wanaka. These are some of the best lodges, resorts and hotels in the world, where you can relish fine wines and dining, world class suites and comforts.
Vegetarian cuisine can be easily requested at all these premium hotels, lodges and resorts. Fine international cuisine is offered at all accommodation places.
A visit to the tiny and quaint Arrowtown, a one-horse village was exhilarating! A former gold prospecting town, it’s now a sleepy place with a relaxed, unhurried pace with charming leafy overhangs. That night, a six-course wine dinner at the Millhouse Cafe at the internationally renowned Millbrook Golf Resort fortified my passion for wines and Kiwi Pinot Noir. I raised my goblet of the choicest Amisfield 2003 Pinot Noir, to murmur, “You have seduced me forever…”
Things to do
Though Wanaka is a paradise for kayaking, wind surfing, snowboarding, parasailing, mountain biking and horse riding, it is also an ideal romantic destination for young couples, the young-at-heart and honeymooners. The Central Otago Wineries are the best place to do exclusive wine tastings like New Zealand’s most famous Pinot Noir (pronounced “peenoh Nuaar”) red wines and Sauvignon Blanc (“Sovinyon Byaunk”) white wines. Look up wineries like Amisfield Winery, Peregrine Winery, Gibbston Valley Winery and Mt. Difficulty winery, where you can enjoy signature fine dining and wines for lunches.
Chill out and relax at some of the world’s finest spas, at LeSpa at Sofitel Queenstown and enjoy a Mirimiri Maori massage and natural herbal therapies which are among the most effective treatments for relaxation and rejuvenation. Another romantic and unforgettable activity is taking a helicopter ride over the Southern Alps, land on a mountain peak covered with snow, look at spectacular views of the natural surroundings and enjoy a glass of sparkling wine! You can also enjoy exclusive wine and dinner cruises along Milford Sound…it can be the most romantic time you can ever have.
For slower and more easy-paced vacationing, visit the towering Mount Roy, which is Wanaka’s landmark. There are walking trails during the day to reach the summit. From the rose petal-covered luxury bath of your villa at Whare Kea Lodge and Chalet, enjoy the serene beauty of Lake Wanaka and the mountains around, it’s a once in a lifetime experience.
All in all, panoramic Queenstown and spectacular Wanaka offer you unbeatable adventure and exclusive holiday choices this summer, a cool and welcome relief from the heat of Indian summer months!Fact file
Fly direct from Mumbai to Sydney non-stop on the most convenient Qantas flight. From Sydney you can fly Qantas to Wellington or Auckland in New Zealand from where there are domestic Qantas flights to Queenstown. Wanaka is close to Queenstown and both destinations are easily accessible.
Stay at premium deluxe country luxury hotels and resorts like the Millbrook Golf Resort where you can try some golfing and learn the game from experienced instructors. Then there is Eichhardt’s Private Hotel, the fantastic Matakauri Lodge, Sofitel Queenstown, The Spire (a boutique hotel), the beautiful “The Remarkables Lodge”, the Whare Kea Lodge and Chalet in Wanaka, Others are Azur Lodge, Blanket Bay Lodge near Queenstown and Lime Tree Lodge, Wanaka Stonehouse Boutique Lodge and Criffel Peak View Lodge all in Wanaka. These are some of the best lodges, resorts and hotels in the world, where you can relish fine wines and dining, world class suites and comforts.
Vegetarian cuisine can be easily requested at all these premium hotels, lodges and resorts. Fine international cuisine is offered at all accommodation places.
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