/lifestyle/travel/rss 九一星空无限 Sat, 17 Jan 2026 15:40:58 Z en /lifestyle/travel/mike-yardley-adventures-in-county-donegal-ireland/ /lifestyle/travel/mike-yardley-adventures-in-county-donegal-ireland/ Tucked away on the northwest tip of Ireland, Donegal has long been dubbed the nation’s “forgotten county.” No matter where you’re starting from, be it Dublin, Belfast, Shannon or Cork, tripping to Donegal is not a passing-through sort of experience, but a far-flung destination you’ve purposefully decided to visit.    From rugged cliffs, towering sea stacks and quiet coves to charismatic heritage towns and whispers of the past crowning the landscape, wind-whipped County Donegal fast cast me under its spell. Driving up from County Sligo, I called into quaint Ballyshannon for a coffee-stop, and a leg-stretcher in what is Ireland’s oldest town – stepped in distilling and brewing history. The pint-sized town still has a surfeit of watering holes.  From there, I ventured west to reach the truly captivating of spectacle of Slieve League. As the highest accessible sea cliffs in Europe, Slieve League should top your Donegal bucket list, a stunning quartzite marvel that is like a super-sized version of the Cliffs of Moher. Rising as high as 600 metres from the churning Atlantic, that’s three times the height of the Cliffs of Moher, down south. Bunglass Viewpoint is where to head for the money shot of that jutting sprawl - the perfect stop for a mindful moment soaking up the cliffs in all their glory. The mammoth cliff face glows with mineral deposits in tones of amber, white and red. On a clear day, turn around and look behind you – you’ll get a stirring view of Ireland’s iconic table mountain Ben Bulben, stamping its presence on the horizon.  Slieve League Cliffs. Photo / Tourism Ireland There’s a multitude of hiking trails to size up, but if you want to add a dollop of history to your work-out, plump for the Pilgrim’s Path. The 3km walk takes its name from the era of Ireland’s Penal laws in the 18th and 19th centuries, which force Irish Catholic dissenters to convert to the Anglican Church. Many Irish refused to convert, so they met in secret in remote places, such as Slieve League, where they said mass from allotted “mass rocks.” Along the Pilgrim’s Path, you’ll find the remains of a Mass Rock, a makeshift “church.”  Today it’s in ruins, but the name has stuck.  Back in the car, I tootled along the twisting ribbons of road slicing through the ridiculously good-looking rolling pastoral countryside, cross-crossed with dry stone walls, en-route to Donegal Town. The coast serves up some stupendous stretches of bone-white sandy beaches, like Muckross Beach and Fintra Beach. I had both beaches to myself, basking in supreme solitude. They’re close to the cosy village of Carrick, sliced by the River Finn. In salmon spawning season, there’s a spot on the Upper Finn named the Cloghan Salmon Leap, by Ballybofey, which is very self-explanatory. Famed for its stunning natural beauty, this is where to head to see the awe-inspiring sight of salmon leaping upstream. The rushing waters cascade over rocks, and the salmon will defy gravity to leap up the waterfalls as part of their migration.  It is best viewed in late summer and early autumn, after rain.  Fintra Beach. Photo / Tourism Ireland  You’ll also breeze through Kilcar, another village charmer, which is well worth a stop for their local garments, if you’re after some authentic gifts. Kilcar is the centre of the Donegal handwoven tweed industry. Hand-embroidery, knitting and other cottage industries also flourish here, so have a spend-up. Freshly kitted up with a Kilcar woollen beanie, I was ready for another wind-lashed full-body exfoliation, surrendering to the coastal elements with a layover in Killybegs. Donegal heaves with fresh seafood, much of which is hauled to the country’s busiest fishing port, in the village of Killybegs. Despite its petite size, this maritime epicentre hosts an internationally acclaimed annual seafood festival. Build your own seafood trail sampling succulent dishes from a number of restaurants and seafood cafes in the village or simply sit and watch the boats go by.  You’ll struggle to chomp down on fresher seafood chowder, than here.  Backdropped by the Bluestack Mountains and overlooking Donegal Bay, Donegal Town is a vibrant town steeped in historic draws. Letterkenny is the biggest urban centre in the county, but Donegal Town is a storied destination, awash with history’s echoes and alluring hospitality second to none. Donegal Town links a dynamic present with an historical past – the coming to power of the O’Donnell Clan who ruled the roost in these parts for 400 years (1200 –1607AD). They were one of the most powerful Gaelic families Ireland has ever seen. The construction of both Donegal Castle and Donegal Abbey in 1474 saw the area emerge as the ruling seat for this dynasty, who held sway over forty-two castles and nine monasteries within their boundaries. Donegal Castle was used as a base for them to communicate with the Kings of Spain/France and the Vatican.   Donegal Abbey ruins. Photo / Mike Yardley  Before heading to the castle, I took a stroll through the wistfully beautiful ruins of Donegal Abbey, destroyed by the English, overlooking Donegal Bay. In 1632, it was in small huts amongst the ruins that the Four Masters conceived and commenced work on the most famous comprehensive history of Ireland at that time – ‘The Annals of the Four Masters’.  In 1607, after the Nine Years' War, the leaders of the O'Donnell clan left Ireland, and the English victors established the Plantation of Ulster, granting the castle and its lands to an English captain, Basil Brooke. He added a large manor-house wing to the tower house, sticking with the Jacobean style, and using stones from the wrecked abbey. Brooke also planned and built the present-day structure of the town – complete with a central marketplace – The Diamond. Donegal Castle later fell into a ruinous state but was magnificently restored thirty years ago. It’s a landmark experience to wander through the castle and soak up the rich history, which is vividly illustrated throughout its quarters.    Donegal Castle. Photo / Supplied In the eye-catching heart of town, The Diamond no longer bustles as an open-air marketplace, but you can sense the history. The enormous sandstone obelisk in the centre of The Diamond is a memorial to ‘The Four Masters’ who charted Ireland’s history. Surrounding the Diamond are a trove of authentic family-owned stores including the fabulous Magee’s department store. Founded over 160 years ago, Magee’s weaves, makes, and sells luxurious handwoven tweed clothing, with a made to measure service. It’s also a go-to for pottery, linen, crystal. For more great Irish crafts, gifts and home décor, also check out the Irish House and Forget Me Nots. Peckish? Head to the Olde Castle Bar & Red Hugh’s Restaurant. Just across from Donegal Castle and a storybook ninth century church, this traditional Irish bar and restaurant offers the freshest locally sourced seafood and steaks.  Where to stay? Just out of town, Harvey’s Point is a luxury four-star lakeside resort located on the shores of Lough Eske at the foot of the Bluestack Mountains. The hotel boasts palatial accommodation choices, including traditional spacious suites with a dreamy lake view. It’s the supreme sense of light and spaciousness that first impresses, as your senses are constantly soothed and stimulated by the scenic tranquillity, the resort’s grandeur and the sparkling hospitality. The wraparound ambience is enriched by the graceful design elements, from the wood panelling, chandeliers and gallery-worthy artwork to the homely warmth of the roaring open fires.   Harvey's Point Resort. Photo / Harvey's Point  Be sure to feast on gourmet Irish cuisine at the Lakeshore Restaurant. I started with a breast of Pigeon, enriched with pumpkin, beetroot, truffle and pomegranate. Wild Monkfish was my main dish - beautifully accompanied with parma ham, pistachio & black sesame crust, pak choi, sweet potato and cardamom beurre blanc. Dessert prompted some tough decision-making, settling for the most decadently divine Treacle & Date Pudding with rum caramel and ice cream. Harvey’s Point is quite the lap of luxury at the lake’s edge.  Fill your heart with Ireland in the enchanting Emerald Isle. For more touring insights and inspiration, head to the official website.  I flew to Dublin with Qatar Airways, recently crowned the 2025 World’s Best Airline by Skytrax, scooping the supreme honours for the ninth consecutive year. Qatar Airways flies non-stop between Doha and Auckland daily, with onward connections to 170 destinations, including daily flights to Dublin. I flew in Economy and you’ll notice the difference with one of the widest seats in the industry, complete with adjustable headrests. Lap up generous dining, complimentary Wi-Fi and over 8000 on-demand entertainment offerings in the Oryx One system. For best fares and seats to suit.  Mike Yardley is 九一星空无限talk ZB’s resident traveller and talks travel every week on Saturday mornings with Jack Tame.  Sat, 17 Jan 2026 00:46:46 Z /lifestyle/travel/mike-yardley-te-arikinui-pullman-auckland-airport/ /lifestyle/travel/mike-yardley-te-arikinui-pullman-auckland-airport/ As a hardcore aviation-geek, Auckland Airport has quite the glamour-pad to gaze at aircraft while resting up in the lap of luxury. Barely two years old, Te Arikinui Pullman Auckland Airport Hotel is quite the destination to start and end your journey at. Just 100 metres from the international terminal, not only is this one of New Zealand’s most architecturally distinctive hotels, but it delivers one of our nation’s finest 5-star premium hotel experiences. With an increasing number of aircraft departing and arriving late at night and early morning, including Qatar Airways’ Doha services, airport accommodation is in greater demand. I’ve just spent a night at the airport’s most palatial property and across all touch points of customer service and comfort, it’s a superlative place to kick back, catch up on sleep and recharge. If you’re wondering about the name, ‘Te Arikinui’ was gifted to this Pullman hotel by the late Kiingi Tuheitia. It means ‘Supreme Ariki’ or ‘Supreme Paramount Chief’ which chimes nicely with the hotel’s 5-star credentials. Across this 311-room hotel, from the moment you approach its entrance, the thoughtful intermingling of culture and design is ever-present. It’s three-pointed star shape is a distinctive new marker for the nation’s gateway, whether you’re starting or finishing your journey, or simply laying over before your onward travels. Stylish lobby at Te Arikinui Pullman Auckland Airport. Supplied Warren and Mahoney Architects designed the hotel, following on from their previous work on the sister property, the Novotel Auckland Airport, just across the courtyard. A harmonising design element infusing both properties is the Sea to Sky design theme – a nod to the spirit of adventure and discovery by the people of Tainui waka, who arrived at Manukau Harbour around 1350. Kiingitanga, celestial voyages, stories of great taniwha, and references to ancient and precious korowai are all referenced in the cultural design patterns crafted for Te Arikinui Pullman Auckland Airport Hotel. Designed by Renata Te Wiata, a range of materials including aluminium, stone, wall fabric, glass and timber have been deployed in the hotel’s patterning features. The hotel has not skimped on sustainability features, such as a high-performance ‘thermal envelope’ to reduce energy demands, energy efficient lighting, use of FSC-certified timber throughout and recycled materials where these can be seamlessly integrated. Executive room at Te Arikinui Pullman Auckland Airport. Supplied I adored my accommodation’s refined design, underpinned by a sense of simplicity, space, light and ultra-comfort. Push the boat out and upgrade to one of the stunning executive suites on the hotel’s two highest floors. The Executive Suite is tailormade for those desiring that added luxury layer on a hotel stay. When you enter this premium spacious sanctuary, you can kick-back in the suite’s separate lounge area before retiring to horizontal position in the adjoining separate bedroom. Indulge in some personal pamper time in the suite bathtub, which is was nearly big enough to do laps in. The floor to ceiling windows reach out to expansive runway views and Manukau Harbour, while blackout curtains will allow you to drift off into Nod-land, if your body clock is still catching up on time zones. Lounging it at Te Arikinui Auckland Airport. Supplied If you are feeling peckish, your suite stay includes access to Te Kaahu Executive Lounge, which brims with all those special touches you’d expect from a premium 5-star hotel. Complimentary breakfast, evening drinks with canapés, and refreshments throughout the day are all part of the package. Lounge access is exclusive to guests of the Executive Rooms and Suites. You can also help yourself to the extensive buffet breakfast offering in the adjacent Te Kaahu restaurant, which strikes the perfect balance of nutritional breakfast offerings and indulgent treats. It’s a lavish and sumptuous offering, spanning all food groups, whether you want to virtuously graze from the salad bar or dip deep into the array of hearty dishes like shakshuka. Whether you’re staying in-house or not, Te Kaahu offers a signature dining experience throughout the day and evening. I highly recommend the Savannah beef short ribs! Book ahead. Breakfast buffet treats at Te Arikinui Pullman Auckland Airport. Credit Mike Yardley Te Arikinui Pullman’s effervescent hotel staff are so welcoming and outgoing and the level of service is flawless. After being away from New Zealand for so many weeks, staying here was such a celebratory way to feel right at home – again. It’s a star performer. www.pullmanaucklandairport.com Whether you’re flying across the nation or across the Tasman, Auckland is well served by the low-fares leader, Jetstar. When you book on Jetstar.com, you're guaranteed the lowest fare. With their Price Beat Guarantee, if you find a better fare online, they’ll beat it by 10% - and that includes Jetstar flights you find on other websites. Jetstar ensures its base fares are the most affordable, by giving you complete choice and flexibility over whether to include checked luggage, an in-flight snack or assigned seat. For the best fares, head to www.jetstar.com Mike Yardley is 九一星空无限talk ZB’s resident traveller and can be heard every week on Jack Tame Saturday Mornings. Mon, 12 Jan 2026 02:28:28 Z /lifestyle/travel/the-cheapest-time-to-book-travel-in-2026/ /lifestyle/travel/the-cheapest-time-to-book-travel-in-2026/ In geographically isolated New Zealand, the price pinch on airfares can be felt acutely – especially in the post-Covid era. The Herald spoke to travel industry experts to find out the cheapest times to book a deserving break in 2026, including tips and tricks. Book early and off-peak Whether you’re travelling near or far, travel experts will tell you the same thing: get in fast and don’t do it when everyone else is. “The best tip we can give if you want to book cheaper travel is to book early,” says Dave Fordyce, chief operating officer of House of Travel. “In the last quarter of 2025, most of our Pacific Island bookings were made for winter, and some of the most popular resorts were already sold out for the July 2026 school holidays.” Heidi Walker, general manager of Flight Centre, adds that travellers should fly off-peak if possible. “Steering clear of peak travel windows like school holidays, July, and mid-December to January is the best way to secure sharper fares,” says Walker. “From an airfare perspective, the cheapest time to travel is generally outside those windows. Travelling mid-week – typically Tuesday to Thursday – helps avoid the weekend surcharges, as well as saving on accommodation costs.” If you can only travel during peak times, Walker suggests booking as far in advance as possible, as both flights and resorts quickly run out of capacity. She noted flights are usually available just under a year out. “Talk to your travel expert about available deals and packages, as well as bonus inclusions like transfers or breakfast. Booking early when sales are live could be the best thing you do for your getaway,” says Walker. The same rule applies to accommodation – don’t leave booking hotel rooms to the last minute. Booking.com’s area manager for New Zealand, Melissa Ellison, says: “As a general rule, booking accommodation two to three months before your trip gives you the best rates and availability, or even four to five months ahead if you’re looking at busy destinations like Queenstown, Rotorua, Bali, or Rarotonga.” Australia Go when it’s cold is the message. “Australia often sees lower airfares in winter,” says Walker. Fordyce agrees. “Australian cities, particularly Sydney and Melbourne, are cheapest over the winter months from June to September,” he says. School holidays According to Fordyce, Queensland offers the best value for school holidays when compared to other holiday hotspots. “But it’s still considered peak period and prices reflect that,” he says. “Our tip for the July school holiday period is to book your trip to the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast in the second week of the holidays when Queensland and Victoria students are back at school. “April school holidays are typically cheaper for those wanting a Tropical North Queensland and Whitsundays break, with the weather transitioning from the wet season to dry season. You can expect temperatures to be warm and more humid, but the rainforest is sensational during this time, and it’s the best time for sailing and exploring the reef.” For winter lovers, the July break offers great opportunities for a getaway, says Ellison. “Whether that’s skiing in Queenstown or a warm escape to Fiji,” she says. “The September-October holidays are ideal for Pacific travel, with lower humidity and competitive off-peak pricing before the Christmas rush.” If looking at the Pacific Islands over the school holidays, Vanuatu and New Caledonia could be good options. “Vanuatu is one of the more affordable Pacific Island holiday options, and New Caledonia is great for families, with a good variety of apartment and suite style accommodation on offer,” says Fordyce. “Both destinations had challenges in 2024 [earthquakes and riots] and have been in recovery mode in 2025, but they’re ready and welcoming visitors now. We’re starting to see some competitive deals from resorts in both destinations.” Cruises “We recommend that if you are looking for a great deal, book your cruise early,“ House of Travel states on its website. “Some cruise lines offer great incentives for early booking travellers. There could be things like complimentary room category upgrades, bonuses and discounted prices. Bear in mind that cruise pricing reflects supply and demand, House of Travel noted. “The more demand there is for a particular cruise, the higher the price will be. Demand could be determined by factors such as the destination, seasons & duration of the cruise holiday.” Business travel Kate Rawnsley, from Orbit World Travel, says flexibility and booking in advance will be key for business travellers looking to stretch their budgets in 2026. “Airfares are dynamic, so plan early and book as far out as possible,” she suggests. “If you can be flexible on your travel dates and times and think strategically about how you travel, those small decisions can add up to big savings. “Typically, Tuesday and Thursday flights are cheaper than Mondays or Fridays, and avoiding peak periods such as weekends, school holidays, or when major events like Fieldays in Hamilton or a Coldplay concert in Tāmaki Makaurau are on can save you even more.” Rawnsley adds that while professionals are back travelling since the years of Covid lockdowns and meetings via Zoom, there is a focus on ROI and ways to make trips cost-effective. “Multi-day business trips, where travellers combine multiple meetings, sometimes across several destinations, have become a popular way to maximise value and productivity,” says Rawnsley. “Many are also adding a few extra nights to their business trips to enjoy the destination which is a trend known as ‘bleisure’.” Sat, 03 Jan 2026 01:42:02 Z /lifestyle/travel/mike-yardley-delving-into-derry-londonderry/ /lifestyle/travel/mike-yardley-delving-into-derry-londonderry/ Fuelled by popular culture and history’s long shadow, Derry~Londonderry is enjoying its moment in the sun. The Walled City in Northern Ireland has stamped its mark on the tourist map, appealing to a broad band of visitors. On my recent swing through the island of Ireland, Derry~Londonderry certainly didn’t fail to impress, serving up a heady cocktail of colour, culture, and the echoes of extreme conflict. The official name of this border town has long been the subject of a naming dispute between Irish nationalists and unionists. Generally, although not always, nationalists favour using the name Derry, and unionists favour Londonderry. On my approach to the city, I noticed most highway signs have had the Londonderry name scratched or painted over. And while I was in the “hyphenated city”, most locals I spoke to resolutely called the city simply Derry.   Parking up in Ebrington Square, on the banks of the River Foyle, I strolled across the landmark Peace Bridge, conceived as a project to literally ‘bridge’ the gap between the two communities of the waterside (Protestant) and the cityside (mostly Catholic). This striking S-shaped pedestrian bridge has proven to be a great success in bringing the two communities together, stretching across the river from Guildhall Square to Ebrington Square. Ebrington Square was the site of the British Army barracks until 2002 and have been beautifully regenerated as a public space with a host of attractions. This gathering place beckons like an emblem of reconciliation in this "legend-Derry" city.  Mike by the Peace Bridge. Photo / Mike Yardley  Heading over into the city centre, Derry’s starring attraction is the 400-year-old walls that lasso the old city – one of the finest examples of a fully intact walled city in Europe. When the English arrived in 1613 to establish a Protestant foothold in this strongly Catholic part of Ireland, and flooded the area with Protestant settlers, they soon built this stout defensive wall to keep the Irish out. Cannons used during the siege still stand sentinel around the walls today. The most notable cannon is called Roaring Meg, renowned for the fury of its firing – pivotal in defending the Protestant stronghold of the Walled City from Irish Catholics. You'll find her, beautifully restored, on the walls at the Double Bastion, a fortified platform that overlooks the Catholic Bogside neighbourhood.  The walls form a historic walkway of just under a mile all around the old city, affording superb views over the surrounding neighbourhoods. Definitely strike out on the walls on a guided walking tour with Martin Mcrossan. His commanding passion and forthright patter about Derry’s backstory is compelling. Over the course of an hour, Martin gave us a crash-course in the Siege of Derry, ‘The Troubles’, and the more recent era of peace and reconciliation. His storytelling is woven with balance and humour. We were also introduced into the original catwalk.   Tour guide Martin holds court on the Walls. Photo / Mike Yardley One of the widest parts of the Walls is the Grand Parade. It was this particular area in which the phrase 'catwalk' apparently originated. It is claimed a newspaper writer from London was visiting the area and noted that people walked like 'cats' on this part of the Walls; dressed in their finest garb, parading themselves, giving rise to the coining of the term, catwalk.   Derry is undeniably a place of new-found hope and of increasing prosperity but the trail of tragedy to scar its story is still very raw and conspicuous. For many years, the sprawling neighbourhood beneath the walls, Bogside was the tinderbox of the modern Troubles in Northern Ireland. Most notably, the horrific 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre unfolded here, during a march protesting the internment of pro-Catholic activists. When a British regiment moved in to make arrests, several British soldiers opened fire on unarmed civilians, many of whom were simply trying to get out of the way or help those in need, tragically leading to 14 deaths and more than a dozen injuries.  The catwalk on the Walls, overlooking Bogside. Photo / Mike Yardley  The clash sparked a sectarian firestorm whose ashes took more than 40 years to cool. I strolled around Bogside, paying my respects at the Bloody Sunday site, and viewing the multitude of political murals, that endow the neighbourhood with a raw, emotive edge, like a weeping wound. It was a profoundly moving to experience the neighbourhood that has seen so much horror and hatred. There is no denying that an element of locals still staunchly oppose British rule in these parts, even though both sides have come to the position that "an eye for an eye leaves everyone blind”.  As the character Erin says in the starting words of the TV series Derry Girls, “I come from a place called Derry, or Londonderry, depending on your persuasion.” The hit TV show is perhaps the most famous pop culture product to come out of Derry, following the lives of five teenagers during the Troubles. The Derry Girls mural in the city centre is an essential photo-stop. As is the Derry Girls Experience at the Tower Museum, packed with original memorabilia from the hit show.  Derry Girls mural. Photo / Visit Derry  There’s a stack of museums in the city, showcasing the battle-scarred history steeped in Derry’s story. The Tower Museum walks you through the warts and-all-history with aplomb. I’ve always been intrigued the Spanish Armada’s attacks on Ireland in the 16th century. 24 ships were wrecked along the Irish coastline as they tried to return to Spain, resulting in the deaths of roughly 6,000 men from drowning or execution by locals. The Armada's invasion in Ireland had a lasting impact on Irish history. The failed attempt to overthrow English rule paved the way for future rebellions and uprisings. It also cemented the divide between the Protestant English and the Catholic Irish. A huge amount of artifacts from one of the shipwrecks, La Trinidad Valencera, were recovered from the seabed and exhibited at the Tower Museum. The collection is currently being moved and will take pride of place at the soon-to-be-opened DNA Museum at Ebrington.  I happened to be in town on October 31 and soon discovered why the city is regarded as one of the world’s greatest Halloween destinations, bursting into life or afterlife, deep into the night. Halloween is the modern incarnation of the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain that has been celebrated on the island for over 2,000 years, with October 31 marking the last night of the Celtic calendar, marking the end of summer and beginning of the new year. Celts believed that it was on this day that the worlds of the living and the dead were at their closest and that spirits could move between them. The Celts would light fires to scare off the roaming spirits and disguise themselves in costumes to confuse them – traditions that have survived into modern-day Halloween customs.  Parade spectacle for Derry Halloween. Photo / Tourism Ireland Derry stages a multi-day Halloween festival, culminating with the most fantastical parade on October 31, consuming the city in a sea of costumes. The mood is electric. The lengths the locals —of all ages— go to to get suitably dressed up in elaborate costumes and Hollywood-worthy make-up is quite staggering. The carnival-like vibe spreads across both sides of the River Foyle, with a lavish fireworks display, food stalls and a Halloween-themed fairground, being all part of the revelry. I’ve never sampled a Halloween night, quite like it! A frightfully good night is had by all. It’s a bigger bash than Christmas.   Halloween parade in Derry. Photo / Visit Derry Beloved by locals and visitors alike, the decade-old Walled City Brewery is a beacon of hospitality in Ebrington Square, constantly showered with awards. This independent gastropub is housed in the old Pay Office of the British Army barracks, and if you need a palette change from Guiness, you’ve come to the right place. The craft beer is outstanding, with the hipster brewers pumping out a huge range of signature brews – including hoppy IPAs, refreshing wheat beers, and silky stouts. Complement the craft beer adventure with some tasty bites at The Kitchen restaurant, which showcases local produce. I started with cauliflower croquettes, before settling into a massive main of pork fillet and crispy belly.   Just down from Walled City Brewery, The Ebrington Hotel combines opulence, modern luxury, and historic charm in a landmark building dating back to 1842. With stylish rooms, top-notch amenities and sparkling customer service, it’s a winning perch in a prime location to savour the city.  If it’s a traditional pub you’re after, Derry abounds with spirited possibilities. Head to Peadar O’Donnell’s, home to three different bars (including the Gweedore Bar and Gweedore upstairs). The home of trad music in the city, O’Donnell’s boasts an epic whisky collection and the vintage interiors are captivating. I also enjoyed the fire-engine red establishment of O’Loughlins, where the craic flows warmly. For all the city has endured, the spirit and charisma of the friendly locals shines strong.  O'Loughlin's Pub in Derry. Photo / Mike Yardley  Fill your heart with Ireland in the enchanting Emerald Isle. For more touring insights and inspiration, head to the official website.   I flew to Dublin with Qatar Airways, recently crowned the 2025 World’s Best Airline by Skytrax, scooping the supreme honours for the ninth consecutive year. Qatar Airways flies non-stop between Doha and Auckland daily, with onward connections to 170 destinations, including daily flights to Dublin. I flew in Economy and you’ll notice the difference with one of the widest seats in the industry, complete with adjustable headrests. Lap up generous dining, complimentary Wi-Fi and over 8000 on-demand entertainment offerings in the Oryx One system. For best fares and seats to suit.  Mike Yardley is 九一星空无限talk ZB’s resident traveller and talks travel every week on Saturday mornings with Jack Tame.  Fri, 12 Dec 2025 23:40:49 Z /lifestyle/travel/mike-yardley-delving-into-ireland-s-hidden-heartlands/ /lifestyle/travel/mike-yardley-delving-into-ireland-s-hidden-heartlands/ It’s been eleven years since I last filled my heart with Ireland – a shamefully long break in transmission. On my latest visit to this most enchanting of destinations, my road trip began with a jaunt through Ireland’s “Hidden Heartlands.” Far beyond the heavily trafficked haunts like Dublin, Galway, or Killarney, this interior patchwork of counties beats to a slower pace across Ireland’s central plains. Steeped in nature, resolute village life, and bucket loads of history, it is quite the revelation to get off the beaten track and dabble with the authentic charm, artisanal verve, pastoral beauty and homely hospitality that underpins this lesser-known realm. From Dublin Airport, I settled into my pure-electric Mercedes SUV rental car, dashing northwest through Counties Meath and Cavan to reach County Leitrim. It was the first time I’d extensively road-tripped in an EV, so overcoming my range anxiety was an immediate challenge. But with a comprehensive network of EV charging stations scattered across the country, a little bit of forward-planning soon dealt to that. Feeling rather virtuous, treading such a light footprint, my first port of call was the colourfully named town of Drumshanbo. If the name sounds vaguely familiar, chances are you’re a Father Ted fan, like me. One of Father Jack’s students was grimly referred to as the perpetrator of the fictional Drumshanbo massacre. It put the town on the map. There’s even a mural in honour of the TV show on the main street! Snugly surrounded by soft rolling hills, Drumshanbo’s real claim to fame is its namesake gin, produced by The Shed Distillery. Even if you think distillery visits are becoming two-a-penny, The Shed is in a league of its own. Just over a decade old, PJ Rigney and his team of distillers are spirit-producing powerhouse, headlined by Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin. Fusing oriental botanicals with local Irish ones and Chinese gunpowder tea, in medieval copper pot stills, their gin is simply sublime. I took a distillery tour which has been gorgeously designed, underscoring PJ’s globe-trotting curiosity, which inspired the enterprise. Alongside whisky tasting, finish off with a refreshingly exotic Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish gin and tonic at the Honey Badger Bar, in the distillery’s majestic Botanical Glasshouse. And you’ll love the gift shop, too. The Shed Distillery. Photo / Mike Yardley  Lording over the landscape, the Iron Mountain, looming like an emblem to the area’s rich mining history. Just across in County Roscommon, I headed to the Arigna Mining Experience, which brings to life over 400 years of iron and coalmining history, including what was Ireland’s first and last coal mine. (It closed 35 years ago.) In what was one of the narrowest coal seams in the western world, the underground tours are led by a former miner, complete with striking light and sound effects. Kids love it – I was happy to see daylight, again! Just minutes from Arigna, I dabbled with one of the numerous megalithic sites peppering Ireland. Like roadside curiosities, they speak to the nation’s vast back-story reaching back 8000 years. I popped into Knockranny Woods for a sample of Ireland’s rich prehistoric heritage, home to a remarkable example of a megalithic court tomb. Dating back 5000 years ago to the Neolithic period, this ancient stone structure provides a fascinating glimpse into when farming was first introduced to Ireland and the burial chambers of these farmers. Many of the stones used for these constructions have actually been repurposed to bolster surrounding stone walls in nearby paddocks! I also pulled over to explore St. Lasair’s Holy Well, opposite Kilronan Abbey (the saint dates back to the 6th century). Every parish in Ireland has its holy well, with specific healing properties and a Patron Day for the local saint that the well honours. St. Lasair’s Holy Well is a star specimen for pilgrims, dating back to the 17th century. Pope John Paul II visited the well. It’s considered a hot spot for curing bad backs, which entails crawling in a figure of eight around the legs of the altar. Someone has kindly laid matting under this slab to prevent muddy knees. Many locals swear by its healing powers, while I also noticed that quite a few students had left a pen by the well, ahead of exams, in the hope of divine intervention spurring them to academic success! As the sun dipped and bathed the bucolic landscape in its gilded glory, I turned off the highway at the grand, crenelated entrance gate to Kilronan Castle. Nestled within 40 acres of scenic woodlands and overlooking the serene Lough Meelagh, the estate is home to a grey stone castle with turrets, chimneys and stately arched windows. The original castle was built in the 1600s by the O’Rourke clan. The stately property you see today was constructed 200 years ago. After falling into decline (the roof was even removed to avoid high taxes), the property was fully restored just over 20 years ago, blending the best of old-world charm with new-world elegance.  Kilronan Castle exterior. Photo / Supplied  Its fully restored interiors combine opulence with modern comfort, headlined by regally styled accommodation. Each of the 84 bedrooms is designed to offer the ultimate in luxury relaxation. My suite was elegantly designed with an imperial flair; from silken fabrics adorning the four-poster bed to antique furnishings in polished wood, complemented by ambient lighting and soothing views over the woodlands and Lough Meelagh. After enjoying a twilight stroll through the picturesque grounds and formal gardens, I took a seat for dinner in the acclaimed Douglas Hyde Restaurant, which is named of honour of Ireland’s first president – Roscommon’s most famous son. This is a fine dining affair, anchored by an array of truly divine dishes, paired with unrivalled service and dreamy decor. Don’t go past the Irish Skeaghanore Duck, accompanied with Confit Yam, Morelle Mousseline, Blaukraut Red Cabbage, Hazelnut Crumb, Truffle Potato Apple & Cassia Bark Velouté.  It's an exceptional authentic Irish dining experience from an award-winning kitchen, with high-quality, locally sourced ingredients to the fore. Post-dinner drinks? The Library Bar provides an elegant, intimate setting, while the atmospheric Dungeon Bar, is a delightfully escapist space to unwind and absorb the history of Kilronan Castle. The level of hospitality is second to none – hearty, attentive and faultless. Sample a night or two of indelible castle magic.  Kilronan Castle suites. Photo / Supplied Pointing the car north, I jaunted up to neighbouring County Sligo and its namesake town, as the ravishing countryside was lashed by morning rain. Sligo is charismatic, colourful and compact – the sort of place that instantly appeals. I love how so many Irish towns still have highly appealing high streets, studded with attractive stores – many of which are inter-generational going concerns that have been passed down the family. Sligo is stacked with such specimens, with gorgeous shopfronts and old-school customer service that is gentle and welcoming. Lyons department store is a cracker, as is Mullaney Bros Drapers and Wehrly Watchmakers. Sligo is also a hot-spot for traditional music, with many pubs staging “trad nights” featuring free-form jam sessions with charming, chatty locals. I gave the hospo scene a good shake and a lot of craic! Walker, Gracie’s Bar, Foleys and Hargadon’s would be my picks.  Hargadon’s is everything an Irish pub should be, complete with a roaring peat fire and uneven flagstone floors. Be careful if you are doing a jig! Mullaney drapers in Sligo. Photo / Mike Yardley  Many Irish folk refer to Sligo as “Yeats Country,” thanks to its association with the famed Irish poet, W.B. Yeats, who spent much of his childhood here. Literature lovers should visit the Yeats Memorial Building, located in the heart of town, celebrating Yeats’ life and work. From there, you can also take a Yeats-themed tour, visiting landmarks like the graveyard of St. Columba's Church, where Yeats is buried, or Lough Gill, which inspired some of his most famous poems. As is the case across much of Ireland, the past butchery of the British scars the streetscape in melancholy. Sligo Abbey is a case a point, a 13th-century Dominican friary in the heart of the town, that was destroyed by the imperial British. Though much of the abbey is now in ruins, it’s still an achingly atmospheric place to explore, with its stone cloisters, Gothic windows, and ancient tombstones. If you’re up for more megalithic marvels, just south of town, take a stroll through Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery. It presents a remarkable array of some thirty megalithic passage tombs, one of the biggest prehistoric graveyards in Europe that dates back nearly 6000 years. The ruins of Sligo Abbey. Photo / Sligo  Just west of Sligo town, Benbulben Mountain towers over the landscape like a giant. Part of the Dartry Mountain range, Benbulben offers fantastic hiking opportunities, particularly the Benbulben Forest Walk, which is a cracking trail that lassoes this iconic tabletop rock formation. It has an otherworldly quality, its edges seem to have been sliced away, with large claw marks scarring the slopes. The near-vertical structure towers above the land and keeps its people living in its shadow, protecting them from the wild winds. It’s essentially a monstrous pile of shells, layers and layers of limestone that have been compressed for millions of years under the sea, rising up from the ocean floor. It's like a waymarker on the Wild Atlantic Way, a dedicated touring route stringing together the wild and woolly wave-bashed wonders of Ireland’s Atlantic coastline. My destination was Strandhill, the county's most popular seaside resort. The beach is a beaut, even if the only way you can get into its waters is on a surfboard. Don’t even think about swimming here, but watching the convulsion of crashing waves is quite compelling – even meditative. The Atlantic is like a wild animal. When I was done gazing at the thunderous breakers, I treated myself to some serious canoodling with seaweed at the Voya Seaweed Baths, a globally acclaimed local spa where you relax in hand-harvested seaweed and hot seawater, renowned for its rejuvenating properties. 25 years ago, Neil Walton and his family founded this bathhouse, combining their passion for sports recovery, knowledge of aquaculture, and the age-old seaweed bathing traditions founded by their Irish forefathers. Steeped in Celtic tradition, seaweed baths have a remarkable ability to remove toxins from the body and accelerate the healing process. Over a century ago, Ireland’s west coast was dotted with over 100 seaweed bathhouses. Voya Seaweed Baths on the waterfront in Strandhill. Photo / Supplied I met up with Neil who remarked how many Irish rugby players frequent his establishment. He also told me about a Wall St rich-lister, who regularly flies in to Shannon Airport and choppers up to Sligo, simply to take a soak in his seaweed. The hand-harvested wild seaweed is meticulously selected, using sustainable practices. I took a seaweed bath and after customising myself to the unmistakably and rather potent briny smell, I could feel my body melt into a cocoon of oily, gel-like ocean goodness. What is it about seaweed therapy? Apparently, it’s the absorption of seaweed’s iodine content—an essential mineral—as well as its anti-radiation, anti-bacterial, and anti-pollutant properties. The detoxifying seaweed baths utilise the natural power of the seaweed to deeply moisturise your skin, increase circulation and promote healing. I felt ten years younger. Fill your heart with Ireland in the enchanting Emerald Isle. For more touring insights and inspiration, head to the official website.  I flew to Dublin with Qatar Airways, recently crowned the 2025 World’s Best Airline by Skytrax, scooping the supreme honours for the ninth consecutive year. Qatar Airways flies non-stop between Doha and Auckland daily, with onward connections to 170 destinations, including daily flights to Dublin. I flew in Economy and you’ll notice the difference with one of the widest seats in the industry, complete with adjustable headrests. Lap up generous dining, complimentary Wi-Fi and over 8000 on-demand entertainment offerings in the Oryx One system.  Mike Yardley is 九一星空无限talk ZB’s resident traveller and talks travel every week on Saturday mornings with Jack Tame.  Fri, 05 Dec 2025 23:54:40 Z /lifestyle/travel/mike-yardley-summer-holiday-hits-across-nz/ /lifestyle/travel/mike-yardley-summer-holiday-hits-across-nz/ The great New Zealand summer calendar is generously sprinkled with some sure-fire seasonal hits to add a bucketload of fun to your family holiday. I’ve rounded up a selection of signature events and exhibitions, strung across the nation, that you may well want to thread into your domestic summer holiday plans.  String Auckland and January into one sentence and it’s tennis that springs to mind. Yes, the ASB Classic at Stanley St. But there’s another prime-time sporting spectacle waiting in the wings later in summer – SailGP. After this year’s debut, SailGP Auckland will roar back into town, with high-octane racing action in front of some of the world's most passionate fans on the 14th and 15th of February, off Wynyard Point. Elevated allocated Grandstand seating in the shoreside Race Stadium ensures fans are close enough to smell the salt as the high-tech, high-speed flying F50s do battle just metres from downtown Auckland on the Waitematā Harbour. SailGP on the water in Auckland. Photo / Supplied Sticking with the water, head to the Auckland War Memorial Museum for this summer’s banner exhibition, Sharks, created by the Australian Museum. It opens in a fortnight, running until April. The exhibition blends science, storytelling, and immersive design. It’s a chance to see sharks in a way you never have before, with lots of cutting-edge technology including a 360-degree view of the underworld, through the eyes of a Hammerhead Shark.   For something completely different in Auckland – art lovers will be swooning over the American pop art at Auckland Art Gallery. Their big summer exhibition is Pop to Present: American Art from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The exhibition has just opened and runs to March, with over 50 compelling works including Jackson Pollock’s iconic drip painting and pieces from luminaries like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.  If you’re heading to the Capital, add this to your do-not-miss list. Wellington Museum is playing host to Fat Freddy’s Drop, Based On A True Story. The 20th Anniversary Exhibition opened last week and explores the creative process, community, and cultural impact of Fat Freddy’s landmark album, which went straight to number one and remains the longest-charting album in New Zealand history, clocking up over two years in the Top 40. Immerse yourself in the music, magic and memories of a true Wellington original.  It might well be our favourite Kiwi summer headliner for families, the TSB Festival of Lights. It transforms New Plymouth’s Pukekura Park into a lavishly illuminated night-time wonderland. It opens December 20, for five weeks of free art, nature, music and good vibes. 36 nights of lights. Free to the public, the TSB Festival of Lights is New Zealand’s favourite, and longest-running light festival, with a host of massive lighting installations. Check out the lights from a different perspective, floating aboard a ‘glow’ rowboat, available to book each night. Over 150,000 people flock to the annual festival – half from out of town.   The TSB Festival of Lights. Photo / Supplied I also have a major soft spot for New Zealand’s summer beach carnivals, including the big daddy, the Caroline Bay Carnival, which celebrates its 115th outing this year. Opunake, Waihi Beach, Whitianga and Kaiteriteri all stage beach carnivals in the first half of January. Picton has joined the pack with their annual Maritime Festival which unfurls across the Picton foreshore in mid-January, with a stack of summer fun from raft races and live music to fireworks and food stalls. Then there’s Katikati’s Avo Fest, right in the nation’s avocado capital on January 10. Think avocado ice cream, tasty food, delectable drinks, live bands and cooking demos with celebrity chefs.  But Timaru’s big bash is in a league of its own, running from Boxing Day for a fortnight, with a daily and nightly programme of family fun, live entertainment, fairground rides, talent quests and competitions. There’s a traditional, down-home vibe to the carnival that hits the sweet spot like an ice-cream sandwich.   For a complete change of scenery, if you happen to find yourself on the wild West Coast in late January, make a date with Driftwood & Sand. Staged annually at Hokitika beach, this incredibly creative festival, transforms the beachscape, as participants compete to construct the most artistic, whimsical and wondrous sculptural pieces, washed up from the Tasman Sea. The size and audacity of some of the sculptures is absurdly good. The next festival is held from January 21-25.   Hokitika beach driftwood. Photo / Supplied Speaking of the West Coast, there’s nothing quite like the annual horse races at Kumara. The legendary Kumara Gold Nuggets Raceday returns on January 10 with live bands, local kai, kids’ entertainment and a best dressed showdown. The atmosphere is buzzing, the racing action is thrilling, and the winner takes home real gold nuggets. My father’s horse, Treybon, actually won the feature race a year ago. It’s a family-friendly race day, festive and frothing with West Coast spirit.  Towards the latter part of summer, wine buffs should make a date with the Marlborough Wine & Food Festival, New Zealand's longest-running wine and food festival, now in its fourth decade. It’s next outing is set down for February 14. Blenheim accommodation will book out, so lock in your in plans, pronto.   Trip you way around the country with the low-fares leader. Jetstar’s domestic network encompasses Auckland, Hamilton, Queenstown, Dunedin, Christchurch and Wellington. When you book on www.Jetstar.com, you're guaranteed the lowest fare. With their Price Beat Guarantee, if you find a better fare online, they’ll beat it by 10% - and that includes Jetstar flights you find on other websites. As the low-fares leader, only pay for you want by tailoring your inclusions on meals, baggage and seat selection. Join Club Jetstar for member-only fares and exclusive sale access. Christchurch to Auckland one-way fares start from $65.  Mike Yardley is 九一星空无限talk ZB’s resident traveller and can be heard every week on Saturday Mornings with Jack Tame.  Sat, 29 Nov 2025 00:16:35 Z /lifestyle/travel/air-nz-faces-complaints-over-treatment-of-disabled-passengers-on-regional-flights/ /lifestyle/travel/air-nz-faces-complaints-over-treatment-of-disabled-passengers-on-regional-flights/ A Napier woman claims she was left “black and blue” after being forced to slide down aircraft stairs during a round trip to Dunedin. Disabled passenger Rachel Adams, 52, was flying with Air New Zealand last month when she was told she would have to “get on [her] bum” and slide down the steps to get off the plane. Air New Zealand said its crew made a “decision they believed would ensure everyone’s safety at the time” due to weather conditions, and had apologised to Adams for falling short of expectations. However, Disability Rights Commissioner Prudence Walker said there had been a dozen complaints alleging unlawful discrimination against disabled passengers in the past two years and noted inaccessible planes and inadequate support were all too common experiences for such travellers. “It’s not just about complying with the law, it’s about treating people with dignity and respect.” Rachel Adams says she suffered large bruises down her arm, stomach, back and leg from the manoeuvre. Adams had travelled with her family from Napier to Dunedin on October 21, planning to fly via Wellington. With severe weather cancelling the first flight and requiring a transfer in Christchurch, their pre-booked seats were reassigned to a separate row for mobility assistance. Their ATR 72-600 arrived in the Garden City amid strong winds. As standard practice, Adams was told to wait until other passengers had disembarked before cabin crew informed her there would be no ramp or mobility hoist available due to the conditions. “What got me was that the ground crew, who were wonderful to me, wanted to go and get the hoist ... but the cabin crew said it was too windy,” she told the Herald. “They said, ‘You’ve got to get down somehow’.” According to Adams, one of the pilots insisted she would need to get down the stairs unaided. With no alternative offered, she was told to “get on [her] bum” and slide down the steps, narrowly avoiding hitting her head on galley equipment in the process. Adams said she suffered large bruises down her arm, stomach, back and leg from the manoeuvre. Air New Zealand apologised and offered Adams 200 Airpoints Dollars after her complaint. Photo / Mark Mitchell “I got black and blue ... I was mortified,” she said. “I don’t think anybody else would have had to slide down the ramp that day.” Adams said other aircraft were using hoists despite the winds and didn’t understand why her flight was treated differently. Issues persisted during their return to Napier on October 30. Cabin crew allegedly told Adams ramps weren’t available at gate 7 after they landed in Christchurch, and a hoist was sourced only after the rest of the passengers disembarked. Adams lodged a formal complaint with the airline on October 31 and received an apology and 200 Airpoints Dollars, but said “a refund would’ve been better”, noting that the attitude of staff and the way the situation was handled did not meet her expectations. As a resolution, she wants clearer answers from the airline about why mobility equipment was withheld and why seats booked in advance can be reassigned without explanation. Air New Zealand chief safety and risk officer Nathan McGraw told the Herald the weather in Christchurch “meant it was unsafe to use a ramp or mobility hoist to disembark customers” from the aircraft. Air New Zealand said strong winds at Christchurch Airport made it unsafe to use ramps or a mobility hoist. Photo / George Heard “During adverse weather events, conditions can change rapidly and our team made the decision they believed would ensure everyone’s safety at the time.” McGraw said it had “reviewed the events with the crew involved to ensure we continue to learn and improve how we support customers with accessibility needs”. “We have been in direct contact with Ms Adams and offered our apologies for her experience. We appreciate her taking the time to share her feedback with us.” Walker said air travel was already stressful, “but for disabled people it can be a nightmare”, with assistance needed for boarding and disembarking, seating and luggage. Airlines therefore had a responsibility under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Human Rights Act to make it as accessible as they could. “Disabled people travel for work, want to explore and want to connect with loved ones. We deserve to do so with the support we need,” she said. “The way that airports, airlines and staff provide for and respond to our needs can make all the difference.” Elderly disabled passenger Bruce Gordon shared separate concerns about treatment from the airline in a recent Facebook post. Gordon, who is profoundly deaf and walks with a cane, said Air NZ relocated him from a window seat he paid extra for at the rear of an ATR to a middle row so a staff member could sit in his seat. He was left feeling “embarrassed and hurt” after being made to wait until all other passengers had left before he was permitted to disembark due to his disability. After submitting a complaint, Gordon was told it could take weeks to find out whether he would receive a refund. “Time will tell if they even bother to contact me.” Air New Zealand told the Herald it had also moved to compensate Gordon following his complaint. Tom Rose is an Auckland-based journalist who covers breaking news, specialising in lifestyle, entertainment and travel. He joined the Herald in 2023. Tue, 25 Nov 2025 02:11:02 Z /lifestyle/travel/mike-yardley-singapore-airlines-and-changi-airport/ /lifestyle/travel/mike-yardley-singapore-airlines-and-changi-airport/ Changi Airport Singapore consistently scoops global accolades as a world-beating aviation hub. Skytrax has crowned it the 2025 World’s Best Airport, yet again. Wherever I happen to be travelling to, it’s always an added pleasure to fly Singapore Airlines, knowing that I will be basking in the brilliance of some titillating transit time at Changi. It’s an unrivalled aviation oasis where a leisurely layover becomes effortlessly pleasurable.  Terminals 3 and 4 showcase a glittering array of world-class shopping and dining offerings. There is also the free movie theatre, and access in Terminal 1 to a transit hotel pool and shower. Aerotel doesn’t require you to actually book accommodation, just a $25 fee for rooftop pool and shower pampering. Singapore is famously a city in a garden and Changi flies the flag with its Cactus Garden, Sunflower Garden, Water Lily Garden, Discovery Garden and, best of all, the Butterfly Garden in Terminal 3. This whimsical escape from transit limbo, is aflutter with a thousand pretty insects and a glass nursery where you can watch them hatching live from their cocoons. Terminal 3 also boasts the world’s tallest slide, which your kids will love.   In Terminal 2, check out Dreamscape, a mash-up of vertical gardens and fishponds beneath an LED ceiling that morphs from blue sky to an underwater realm. It’s pleasantly and soothingly mesmerising. If you’re flight schedule entails an extended layover, there are also free sightseeing tours, but you need at least five hours until your connecting flight to qualify for a spt. There are currently four timed tours available, including of Singapore's south coast, city centre, Singapore River and Marina Bay Sands as well as a heritage and culture tour (book a few days ahead to guarantee a space).  Dreamscape at Changi Airport T2. Photo / Supplied But the crowning attraction at Changi, accessible from all terminals, is undoubtedly Changi Jewel, the show-stopping pleasure dome of retail and entertainment, with its stunning 40 metre long indoor waterfall, Rain Vortex – the tallest such water feature in the world. Water cascades down through a glass roof to a forest garden, switching between ethereal mists and thunderous downpours in a lush green theatre of terraced gardens. At night, the waterfall is at the centre of the sound and light show. If you’re travelling with kids with energy to burn, take them to Canopy Park inside Changi Jewel. It encompasses a hedge maze, a mirror maze, topiary walk, petal garden and “foggy bowls” area. Suspended eight metres above all this is a trampoline-style walkway. Bounce away!  Interior of Changi Jewel. Photo / Supplied Jewel is also home to the Changi Experience Studio with interactive displays about the airport’s history for aviation geeks. And it’s comprehensively equipped for transiting tourists with a baggage-storage service, advance check-in kiosks and a paid lounge. If you're looking for unique souvenirs, my recommended terminal shopping stops are TWG Tea and Bacha Coffee Boutique, Pokémon Center Singapore, Bengawan Solo, and Eu Yan Sang.  For many Kiwis flying long-haul, it’s hard to put a price on space, comfort and indulgence. I recently reacquainted myself with Singapore Airlines Business Class, on their A350-900 aircraft, which are typically deployed on the Auckland and Christchurch routes to Singapore, and the backbone of SIA’s long-haul fleet. These very popular workhorses are so blissfully quiet and better suited to cushioning turbulence.  Business Class seating on the A350-900 is all about thoughtful comfort. Handcrafted from Scottish leather and diamond-stitched, the seat transforms into a full flat bed, with a cushioned headboard, linen, duvet and pillows. Each seat is 25 inches wide and has a generous seat pitch of 50 inches. If you’re a travelling as a couple, the centre divider between the centre seats can be fully lowered to create a double bed. Designed to provide more personal space and privacy, the Business Class seats are arranged in a forward-facing, four abreast (1-2-1) configuration, providing every passenger direct aisle access (that’s quite the godsend when answering a call of nature to answer, deep in the night).  Business class seating on the A350. Photo / Mike Yardley  I generally find myself catching up on work when flying long-haul, and the A350 Business Class seat easily converts into an office with its well-positioned reading lights, in-seat laptop power supply, and USB ports. The KrisWorld entertainment system is loaded with over 1800 movie, TV, music and gaming selections, plus live news and sports channels (over 400 movies alone!). Equipped with noise cancelling headphones, the high-definition seatback monitors are supersized at 46cms, from which I settled on the new release Superman and The Naked Gun, before settling into the hit TV series, Outrageous. The complimentary in-flight WiFi worked a trick, too.   Attentive, graceful, personable service is a shining feature of Singapore Airlines, from the moment you to step aboard and are offered a bubbles or a Bellini. The in-flight dining service features a stirring menu, anchored by signature dishes crafted by the airline’s International Culinary Panel, which famously begins with their legendary Chicken Satay canape. All premium class guests can pre-select their main course up to 48 hours before flying from the ‘Book the Cook’ menu. But when flying from New Zealand to Singapore, definitely grab the opportunity to savour the airline’s Guest Chef Programme.   Marlborough Salmon for starters on Singapore Airlines. Photo / Mike Yardley  Since March, Singapore Airlines has partnered with distinguished New Zealand chef and restauranteur Sid Sahrawat, to design a distinctly Kiwi culinary experience for flights departing Auckland and Christchurch. Complementing the International Culinary Panel, the Guest Chef Programme collaborates with acclaimed local chefs to create limited-time menus that showcase regional ingredients and flavours. Sid’s menus sport the finest New Zealand ingredients, while also drawing inspiration from his Indian cultural roots. He executed this fusion with customary finesse. My appetiser was Marlborough Smoked Salmon and Prawns with Cucumber Gazpacho, with fresh red chilli and radishes adding some extra zing. The main course? Pan-roasted Snapper with Vindaloo Sauce and Tandoori Roasted Kumara. What a combo! The dish also included some crispy kale dusted with curry powder – signature Sid. I couldn’t say no to his divine dessert – Chocolate and Manuka Honey Bavarois with freeze-dried raspberries and finished with hokey pokey honeycomb candy. This is dining in excelsis at 35,000 feet.  I jetted my way to Singapore, Nepal and India with the award-winning flag-carrier. All of my flights ran to time, all checked bags were faithfully waiting for me on the carousel and the in-flight experience was impeccable. If you’re toying with upgrading to Premium Economy on Singapore Airlines, you’re absolutely in for a treat. I flew home from Singapore in this cabin, which is a great opportunity to graze from the Book the Cook menu. It features a stirring selection of exquisite dishes, including New Zealand Beef Fillet and Spring Lamb Loin.   Premium Economy on Singapore Airlines. Photo / Supplied The KrisWorld entertainment system brims with over 1800 movie, TV, music and gaming selections, plus live news and sport. Equipped with noise cancelling headphones, the high-definition touch screen monitors are supersized at 33cms, from which I devoured so much content. The in-flight WiFi worked a trick too – complimentary for KrisFlyer members. Premium Economy seating has a full leather finishing and a calf-rest and foot rest for every seat, so you can recline and stretch out. Be sure to request an amenity kit, which includes a pair of roomy slippers, lightproof eyeshades and a hydrating lip balm. It’s a class of its own.  Singapore Airlines proudly connects New Zealand to the world via its award-winning hub, Changi Airport via its daily services from Auckland and Christchurch. There are over 120 destinations across the combined SIA and Scoot global network, including 15 European destinations. singaporeair.com  Mike Yardley is 九一星空无限talk ZB’s resident traveller and can be heard every week on Saturday Mornings with Jack Tame. Mon, 24 Nov 2025 21:51:44 Z /lifestyle/travel/mike-yardley-bites-and-sights-in-paris/ /lifestyle/travel/mike-yardley-bites-and-sights-in-paris/ Beckoning as a homeland to incredible food, world-class wine, iconic cultural landmarks, and infused with a bohemian spirit, Paris is the epitome of a tourist mecca. Home to over 140 museums and 30,000 bakeries, you’ve got so many alluring visitor experiences to weigh up than you can poke a baguette at.   Taking top-billing on my latest visit to the irrepressible French capital was a jaunt to the freshly restored Notre-Dame Cathedral. A place of worship that has been open to all, free of charge for 860 years, the revered religious beacon is looking resplendent after the horrors of the devastating 2019 fire. A wallet-waving spectacle financially powered by French luxury goods billionaires who raced to outdo each other, stumped up NZ$1.5 billion within days of the blaze. Over a billion dollars has been spent renovating France’s most famous church in a five-year-long tour de force, with many milestones still being celebrated (the church has a very hefty surplus for its long-term maintenance kitty).  Interior splendour of Notre-Dame Cathedral. Photo / Mike Yardley  Just a fortnight ago, the first post-fire wedding was held in the cathedral, which suitably saw a carpenter who helped rebuild the landmark tie the knot. As my guide remarked, as I gazed at the buttery limestone grandeur of this hallowed landmark, “this is the closest thing to time travel.” Eight hundred years of grime and soot from burning candles has been removed from its interior, peeling back the layers to gloriously reveal its original creamy stone lustre. The sublime stained-glass windows, also covered in a sooty patina, haven’t looked so vivid for generations.   The herculean project saw 2,000 oak trees gathered from forests across France, hewn into beams with axes and pegged into great trusses by hand using medieval tools. Over a thousand cubic metres of limestone was hauled into place, chiselled into leaping arches and grinning gargoyles. 4,000 square metres of lead was rolled, crimped and moulded into ornamental roofing. The restoration project was a bonanza for revitalising traditional specialist craftsmanship. It truly is a sight to behold. Since reopening last December, over 15 million people have poured through its doors and the entrance queues can billow. Head there at the very start of your day and you’ll be straight in. I headed there for 8am mass, which is a 30 minute long express service. But savouring this building in the morning crowd-free calm is all the more rewarding.  Notre-Dame Cathedral. Photo / Supplied Strolling the Seine, I then ventured on foot past a parade of Parisian landmarks, from the Louvre to the Eiffel Tower, as autumn’s fiery hues torched the riverside plane trees. A great way to bundle together a swag of epic attractions and activities at the one low price is to order up a Go City Pass. With over 100 attractions, excursions, tours and experiences on offer, there’s a variety of pass options to choose from, to suit your schedule. I plumped for the Go City Explorer Pass is ideal for flexible sightseeing. gocity.com  Adding to the appeal of my explorer pass, Go City encompasses a spree of hospitality experiences. Settle in for a lazy brunch or late lunch at traditional brasserie, Au Vieux Châtelet. It is everything you want in a traditional French brasserie: think cosy wood interiors, ornate trimmings and classic home cooking done right. I opted for a national classic, croque monsieur – a toasted sandwich with molten gruyère cheese, smoked ham and Dijon mustard, topped with a buttery béchamel sauce. This mainstay has been on the menu for decades. Gruyère is the essential element to a cranking croque monsieur because it melts smoothly and evenly, delivering that gooey and stretchy consistency. Alternatively, for a bit of extra indulgence, go for a croque madame (very similar, but with a fried egg to crown the dish). Pair that with a cassis-flavoured kir royale Champagne cocktail, and life is good!  Just off the Champs Elysées at the Arc de Triomphe end, armed with my Go City Explorer Pass, I popped into Bistro Marbeuf for another signature snack – French Crepes. This elegant wood-panelled bistro is the ideal spot to savour this traditional sweet snack in the heart of Paris. You can choose from various flavours, but after much testing, my preferences would be butter and sugar, or banana or chocolate. The crepes are accompanied with orange juice and coffee. The perfect mid-morning pick-me-up.   Classic crepes at Bistro Marbeuf. Photo / Mike Yardley  For added indulgence, just around the corner, pop into Ladurée’s flagship venue on the Champs-Élysées. Its pastel-toned décor mimics the hues of its celebrated macarons. The boutique, patisserie and dessert bar is a calorific carnival of colour and exquisite food art. Inspiring many discerning foodies on a trip to Paris is Ladurée’s pastry workshops, headlined by their emblematic creations. You need to book well in advance for their classes, which run for nearly three hours!   For a change of scenery, I headed up to the beloved hillside neighbourhood of Montmartre, crowned with the bulbous creamy dome of Sacré-Coeur Basilica. With its steep, winding, cobbled streets and unmistakable village vibe, Montmartre is a distinctively different pocket of Paris. Place du Tertre is the beating heart of Montmartre. Artists and painters have peddled their wares in this square for centuries. Busloads of tourists have changed the atmosphere, but if you come off-season—when the air is crisp and the streets are bare—you can almost feel what it was like when up-and-coming Picassos and Renoirs lived in the houses that today are consumed by souvenir shops and cafés.   Sacré-Coeur Basilica. Photo / Mike Yardley  This quintessentially Parisian square is also where you will find La Mere Catherine, one of the oldest Paris restaurants still in operation, founded in 1793, when the monarchy was overthrown and Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were guillotined. Embraced by the Go City pass, I reflected on that red-letter year as I tucked into a quintessential three-course meal, headlined by free-range chicken, fries and salad. Feeling intrepid, for my appetiser, I ordered up the Burgundy snails. Forking them out of their shells, these pint-sized gastropods resembled curled-up mushrooms – and tasted not unlike squishy fungi. No, I’m not sold on them, but I have finally lost my ooh-la-la French mollusc virginity. A sweet and happy ending awaited, as I devoured a knock-out dessert - fudge chocolate cake with custard cream.   Where to stay? Book-ended by the Palais Royal and the Louvre, Grand Hôtel du Palais Royal has one of the most prestigious addresses in Paris, right in the heart of the stylish first arrondissement. Enter through the majestic limestone façade and you’ll be in a sophisticated haven infused with designer style, from its black marble reception and busts of French writers to cozy boutiques and sexy dark lounges with walls wrapped in abstract artwork. The rooms are refined, the restaurant exquisite and the service polished.   Grand Hotel du Palais Royal. Photo / Supplied After enduring a 28 hour trek from New Zealand, and arriving into Paris as the city woke up, the delightful hotel receptionist generously offered me a cup of coffee and early access to the spa, so I could shower, change and freshen up to greet France. Just across the street from the imperial Jardin du Palais Royal, this is where Emily Cooper would frequently lunch in the Netflix hit series Emily in Paris. Throughout the hotel, vivid green accents and fresh plants bring a sense of those royal gardens indoors.   With 59 rooms and suites the hotel feels unmistakeably intimate, homely and bougie. My gorgeous suite overlooked Place de Valois, cast as the location of Emily Cooper’s office, in Emily in Paris. My suite featured oak parquet floors, silk curtains, rustic arched shutters, retro carpets, a cream brushed cotton sofa with Jacobean floral cushions, mesh leather chairs, a cloud-comfortable king-sized bed with two flat-screen TVs, a Nespresso machine, and fully stocked minibar.   Grand Hotel du Palais Royal accommodation. Photo / Supplied The Venetian marble bathroom was sumptuous, complete with soaking tub, walk-in rain marble shower, nickel mirror lamps, Diptyque products, and fluffy bathrobes & slippers. The hotel’s Le Café 52 is another divine and art-filled space, with mirrored walls, steel blue tables, rattan chairs, linen sofas and blown-glass vases. The buffet breakfast offering will have you bouncing out of bed, whether it’s the smoked salmon avocado toast, the fresh croissants and pain au chocolat, or homemade detox juices.  Grand Hotel du Palais Royal is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. There are 650 boutique hotels and resorts in the SLH collection, spanning over 90 countries. Enjoy exclusive rates by joining the SLH Club and savour independently spirited and unforgettable luxury hotel experiences. slh.com  I flew to Paris with Qatar Airways, recently crowned the 2025 World’s Best Airline by Skytrax, scooping the supreme honours for the ninth consecutive year. Qatar Airways flies non-stop between Doha and Auckland daily, with onward connections to 170 destinations. Experience an unrivalled standard of Business Class in your very own personal suite with privacy doors. QSuite is available on the daily Auckland service, delivering first-class luxury to the Business Class cabin, including double lie-flat beds. I flew in Economy and you’ll notice the difference with one of the widest seats in the industry, complete with adjustable headrests. Lap up generous dining, complimentary Wi-Fi and over 8000 on-demand entertainment offerings in the Oryx One system. For best fares and seats to suit, qatarairways.com  Mike Yardley is our resident traveller on Jack Tame Saturday Mornings.  Fri, 21 Nov 2025 23:37:06 Z /lifestyle/travel/mike-yardley-flying-qatar-airways-to-doha/ /lifestyle/travel/mike-yardley-flying-qatar-airways-to-doha/ As a long-time plane geek, I am totally in awe of ultra-long-haul routes. Auckland to Doha remains ranked as the third longest commercial route in the world, proudly serviced by Qatar Airways. Its daily services typically take 16 hours and 45 minutes from Auckland to Doha, while the homebound leg from Doha to Auckland averages 15 hours and 15 minutes. It’s a great way to get to Europe, because from Doha, high frequency connecting flights will have at your final destination just a few hours later.  Since June, the Qatar Airways Auckland services have been operated by Boeing 777 long-range aircraft, configured with 42 Business seats and 230 in Economy. If you’re not at the pointy end, rest assured that ultra-long-haul in Economy on Qatar Airways is more than manageable. Qatar Airways provides Economy guests with one of the widest seats in the industry, complete with adjustable headrests. With the generous seat recline, I had no trouble stretching my legs completely out in front of me, with unobstructed access under the seat in front of you.  Qatar Airways Economy Class. Photo / Supplied With a voluminous library of on-demand entertainment, the Oryx One system serves up over 8500 content options at your fingertips. Plus, the live sport function is a recent addition. Just over a year ago, Qatar Airways launched the world’s first Boeing 777 flight equipped with Starlink, ushering in a new era of in-flight connectivity. The entire 777 fleet is now installed with Starlink, delivering high-speed, low-latency internet. The service is free for all passengers and available gate-to-gate. I was suitably engaged for hours, before taking my trusty magnesium tablet and clocking up 8 hours of sleep, in-flight. Along with being well-fed and watered, the marathon flying experience didn’t leave me feeling rung out.   If you plump for the pointy end, you’ll basking in the pampered embrace of Qatar Airways’ legendary Business Class product, QSuite with those sliding doors. This truly is a world-leading product, where the best of First Class has been deployed to Business Class. Best of all, those flying double beds. Yes, if you’re a couple travelling together, your seats convert into a lie-flat double bed, with privacy sliding doors, sealing you off in your own cocoon of comfort. QSuite also pioneered the quad, a private space fully adaptable to your family or fellow travellers’ requirements. Every seat, whether you’re travelling solo or with company, has its own slider door. The trimmings keep coming, with soft feathered pillows, a velvet duvet and pyjama set.   Qatar Airways QSuite Business Class. Photo / Supplied Qatar Airways has every reason to feel like it’s on top of the world – and deservedly so. The Doha-based carrier, with one of the world’s youngest aircraft fleets, has scooped supreme honours at the 2025 Skytrax Airline Awards, crowned World’s Best Airline, for the ninth consecutive year. Flying daily non-stop between Doha and Auckland, Kiwis enjoy visa-free entry into Doha. Beyond Doha, Qatar Airways flies to over 170 destinations worldwide. qatarairways.com  One of the great things about flying long-haul through Doha is Hamad International Airport. Routinely ranked as one of the world’s greatest airports, not only is it breath-takingly efficient with its leading-edge deployment of the latest technology, but the terminals exude a welcome, relaxed atmosphere of stress-free calm. Your ears won’t be assaulted with the constant cacophony of public address announcements, as is the case at many major airports. Hamad Airport is my idea of aviation haven. But don’t for one moment mistake this for soulless boredom. The terminals are abuzz with enticements, headlined by its museum-worthy artworks.   The iconic Lamp Bear by Urs Fischer is just the beginning on the self-guided art tour featuring over 30 pieces scattered throughout the airport. Discover works by artists like Ahmed Al Bahrani and Jean-Michel Othoniel. One of the most recent public art installations is the delightful wildlife sculpture collection located at the Orchard, a glass-domed garden, with similarities to the Changi Airport’s Jewel.   Hamad International Airport's Lamp Bear. Photo / Mike Yardley  This lush, indoor tropical paradise spans over 6000 square metres, boasting more than 300 trees and 25,000 plants sourced from sustainable forests. With its glass ceiling, tree-top bridge, grassed areas, and timber teepees, it’s a refreshing escape from typical airport environments, whether you want to stretch your legs or grab a bite in the surrounding retail and dining precinct. Hamad International Airport has elevated airport dining to new heights with some luxury brand credentials entering the hospitality space too. There’s the Fendi Café, Ralph’s Coffee Shop by Ralph Lauren, the Harrod’s Tea Roo and for five-star luxury, the Louis Vuitton Lounge by Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno. The latest arrival is the Lancôme Café De La Rose from Paris’s Champs-Elysées. Dive into this trippy, next-level airport experience.  Mike Yardley is 九一星空无限talk ZB’s resident traveller and can be heard every weekend on Saturday Mornings with Jack Tame. Thu, 20 Nov 2025 22:13:23 Z /lifestyle/travel/metallica-at-eden-park-drives-auckland-hotel-prices-above-1000-a-night/ /lifestyle/travel/metallica-at-eden-park-drives-auckland-hotel-prices-above-1000-a-night/ Travellers to Auckland may find it difficult to secure last-minute accommodation as hotel room rates soar ahead of Metallica’s concert at Eden Park tonight. Few hotel rooms are available as thousands of metal fans swell the city. Yesterday, Auckland Council’s cultural agency said Tāmaki Makaurau is expected to be heaving, with 40,000 visitor nights booked and the city’s hotels at 100% capacity before the massive show. The World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education (WIPCE) is another major event running in Tāmaki Makaurau and drawing huge numbers. The conference is expected to attract nearly 3800 international delegates and add a further 16,000 visitor nights over the course of the five-day event, according to Auckland Council’s cultural arm, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited. Popular travel agency website booking.com only has seven hotels available for a single person staying for one night from today in Auckland at the time of writing. The cheapest rate was $1399 at Proximity Apartments close to Auckland Airport. The most expensive hotel available was Horizon by SkyCity, offering its superior king room for more than $10,000. Using the same filters, hotel price comparison website Trivago currently shows 12 hotels available. According to the listing, the cheapest rate tonight is at the Waitākere Resort & Spa, from $924, and the most expensive hotel is again at Horizon by Sky City. Cheaper options are available on Airbnb, with some room rates under $200. Last week, Annie Dundas, director of destination at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, said: “It’s not every week you get to say Metallica and WIPCE in the same sentence, but that’s exactly what makes Auckland such an exciting, world-class events city”. “From metal militia to educators, everyone contributes to the vibrancy of our region and the strength of our visitor economy. The energy they bring before, during and after these events, is felt in our streets, our hotels and our hospitality venues.” Similar Auckland Council events have injected millions into the local economy. Tātaki Auckland Unlimited said major events hosted in the city contributed to an $89 million boost in GDP. Wed, 19 Nov 2025 00:43:49 Z /lifestyle/travel/mike-yardley-dipping-into-the-dazzle-of-doha/ /lifestyle/travel/mike-yardley-dipping-into-the-dazzle-of-doha/ As a quick hit to recharge when travelling to or from Europe, Doha makes for an eye-opening stopover in the heart of the Middle East. The capital of Qatar pulses with all the flamboyant bling of Dubai, overlaid with deep pockets of old world Doha, where tradition, heritage and culture abound. Doha seems to have nailed the sense of urban intermingling – the fusion of cutting-edge modernity and traditional vibes.  My favourite quintessential experience is to savour golden hour aboard a traditional Dhow cruise on Doha Bay, as the slumping sun gilds the skyline. Pearl diving was the mainstay of the Qatari economy right up until the 1930s when Japan pioneered cultured pearls and revolutionised the lucrative pearl trade. Dhow boats were traditionally used by pearl divers, so a leisurely float aboard one of these wooden cuties provides a tangible link with the past.  Dhow and the West Bay skyline. Photo / Supplied When you’ve had your fill of gazing at West Bay’s futuristic skyline, studded with so many edgy designs and distinctive buildings, there’s plenty more starchitecture to explore on-foot. I’m a self-confessed building nerd and Doha’s rollcall of boundary-busting architects who have left their calling card here is formidable. I M Pei, Norman Foster, and Jean Nouvel lead the line-up.  Step out on the 7km-long horseshoe-shaped Corniche promenade, that connects old Doha with West Bay. It’s an impeccably landscaped waterfront playground, packed with cutting-edge public amenities like open-air gym equipment and phone-charging stations. Like so many public spaces in Doha, outdoor air-conditioning is becoming the norm, with highly effective cooling vents taming the desert heat in highly trafficked places.  In a city of stacked with museums, you really are spoilt for choice. But if you have time only for one, my suggestion would be the Museum of Islamic Art. It’s a chiselled jewel, designed by I M Pei, of Louvre glass pavilion fame. The museum has an illusory quality of floating on the water. Pei was determined to encapsulate the essence of Islamic architecture in his design. The building’s bright white cubes reflect in the sea by day and are illuminated by night. The curved openings in the top tower resemble the eye slit of a burqa while the museum’s ceiling is a traditional geometric pattern. Calligraphy, Islamic patterns, jewellery and textiles from three continents comprise its vast collection. Reaching back 1400 years, the museum charts the artistic flowering of Islam. The biggest unmissable is the necklace that once belonged to Shah Jahan, builder of India's Taj Mahal, studded with huge diamonds and emeralds. The British didn’t get their hands on that one.  Museum of Islamic Art and West Bay lights. Photo / Supplied Twenty minutes north of downtown Doha, I headed by metro to Lusail, home to the gleaming stadium that is nicknamed the Lantern. It was here that Lionel Messi raised the FIFA World Cup in 2022. Qatar continues to cultivate its credentials as a superhost for global sport occasions – and surely it’s only a matter of time before they bag the Olympic Games, unless Saudi Arabia beats them to the punch. Lusail is Qatar’s newest and second-largest city. There’s serious starchitecture here too, like the crescent-shaped Katara Towers with the country’s first six-star hotel; the Marina Twin Towers, which look like giant Lego blocks; and the French-inspired Place Vendôme Mall. Lusail is also a byword for vroom-vroom!   The F1 Qatar Grand Prix is just a fortnight away from being held. The purpose-built racetrack, known as the Lusail International Circuit, is highly regarded by F1 fans, particularly for its 1km long main straight, which throws up plenty of high-octane thrills. But when the big boys are not in town, you can score some track-time on the circuit, whether you want to run, cycle, skate, walk – or best of all, ride the souped-up go-karts.  Channel you inner Lando Norris and hit the tarmac.  Lusail International Circuit. Photo / Supplied Speaking of racing, for something more traditional from Qatari culture, why not pay a visit to Al Shahaniya racetrack for camel-racing? Held every Friday from October to February, it’s a wild experience and highly competitive. Originally, children would be used as jockeys for the camels, but robots have been used instead since 2004 for health and safety reasons. The robots are controlled remotely by the camel herders who often drive alongside the track. How’s that for the complete combo of old and new?  If you want more camel time or to try riding one of these graceful ships of the desert, camel riding is on offer in the heart of old Doha at the sublime Souq Waqif. As are Arabian horses. The atmospheric marketplace is also home to the falcon souq. Not only can you buy a falcon here, but it’s also go-to for falcon accessories such as landing pads and GPS guidance systems for the birds. They even have an on-site falcon hospital. I was quite taken aback to see two lovely old men carrying their sick falcon through the arrivals hall at Hamad International Airport.   Camel racing in Doha. Photo / Supplied Beyond the wildlife, Souq Waqif is a bustling blend of sights, sounds, and scents that captures the heart of Qatar's rich culture. It’s a sprawling, atmospheric stone complex of restored buildings, riddled with winding alleys, bursting with spice stalls, perfumeries, handcrafted goods, outstanding dining venues and superb local art. For a great keepsake, pop into the Souq Waqif Art Centre, to see one of the resident artists at work and peruse their traditional Arabic design pieces.  One of the most iconic breakfast spots in Doha, Shay Al Shomoos, is located at Souq Waqif’s airconditioned walkway. The restaurant is run by Shams Al Qassabi, who was the first woman to establish a business in Souq Waqif. One of the most popular items at this the breakfast spot is the traditional dish, regag.  But if there’s one signature dish you have to try during a visit to Qatar, it’s undoubtedly machboos. The dish, made of rice, meat, onions and tomatoes, mixed with spices, is the national dish of Qatar. Most importantly, it’s incredibly delicious.  Lamb shank Machboos. Photo / Time Out Destination dining? Snag a booking at Parisa. This gorgeous Persian restaurant in Souq Waqif has mosaics along the walls, ornate chandeliers, and a mirrored ceiling that took three-and-a-half years to finish. On the food front, signature dishes include watermelon salad, kashko bademjan and lamb kebab. Delicious.  Qatar Airways has every reason to feel on top of the world. The multiple award-winning airline has been crowned the 2025 World’s Best Airline by Skytrax, scooping the supreme honours for the ninth consecutive year. Qatar Airways flies non-stop between Doha and Auckland daily, one of the world’s heroic ultra-long-haul flights, currently ranked third longest in the world. Kiwis enjoy visa-free entry into Doha. Experience an unrivalled standard of Business Class in your very own personal suite with privacy doors. QSuite is available on the daily Auckland service, delivering first-class luxury to the Business Class cabin, including double lie-flat beds. I flew in Economy, and you’ll notice the difference with one of the widest seats in the industry, complete with adjustable headrests. With the generous seat recline, I had no trouble stretching my legs completely out in front of me, with unobstructed access under the seat in front of you. Beyond Doha, Qatar Airways flies to over 170 destinations worldwide. qatarairways.com  Mike Yardley is our resident traveller on Jack Tame Saturday Mornings.  Fri, 14 Nov 2025 23:21:34 Z /lifestyle/travel/mike-yardley-fresh-temptations-in-singapore/ /lifestyle/travel/mike-yardley-fresh-temptations-in-singapore/ Singapore never fails to serve up an electrifying experience, constantly refreshing and enhancing its enticements. After paying my respects to Singapore’s beloved water-spout mascot, the Merlion, overlooking Marina Bay, I ventured over to the jaw-dropping botanical blockbuster of Gardens by the Bay, armed with my Go City Explorer Pass. Like being handed the keys to the city, you can take your pick from a feast of experiences, from food tours to big-bang attractions like Singapore Zoo and Gardens by the Bay. You’ll save up to 50% on sights and attractions with a Go City in over 25 destinations. To check out all available Go City experiences, and a pass to suit, head to gocity.com. Boasting over a million plants from 19,000 species, Gardens by the Bay is an architectural frenzy of aerial walkways, supersized steel trees and mega-conservatories. The giant domed cloud forest and flower conservatories engage all senses, tripping you across the planet’s botanical wonders. Jurassic World: The Experience has ramped up the escapist wonder of mist-shrouded Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay. The cinematic verve of the Jurassic World film franchise has added thrill-factor, with life-sized animatronic dinosaurs nestled within the landmark cooled conservatory.   Cloud Forest featuring Jurassic World. Photo / Gardens by the Bay Highlights include an awe-inspiring 8.5-metre-tall Brachiosaurus, and a face-to-face moment of fearsome intimacy with a Tyrannosaurus rex. While you’re there, keep an eye out tiny Compsognathus, or “Compys,” hidden throughout lush garden pathways. More than 72,000 plants thrive in Cloud Forest, with more than 50 species with lineages that can be traced back to the Jurassic period, such as ferns, cycads and conifers. These plants once thrived alongside dinosaurs and even served as food for them. Gardens by the Bay is also swooned over at nightfall with the Supertrees Grove unleashing an electrifying choreographed light and sound show. It’s a great appetiser for Marina Bay’s free nightly light and water theatrics, Spectra.  Take a stroll through Kampong Glam. Once the seat of Singapore’s first sultan, the neighbourhood's colourful shophouses are home to a jumble of cafes and boutiques wedged among decades-old perfumeries and fabric merchants. In 1989, the government moved to protect the heritage-heavy neighbourhood, gazetting Kampong Glam as one of Singapore’s first conservation areas — forever preserving its five-foot timber-shaded ways, pastel façades and verandas that drift from Arab Street to Baghdad Street to Haji Lane.   Bussorah Street, Kampong Glam. Photo / Supplied Nowadays, amid the district's transformation, it’s not unusual for the mosque's daily loudspeaker calls to blend with belted karaoke bar ballads drifting through the alleyways – a duet that perhaps sums up the spirit of this pocket-sized precinct. Two of my favourite spots? Situated on Bussorah Street, the award-winning. Beirut Grill plates mezze, charcoal-inflected shish taouk and lamb shanks beneath a view of the mosque’s golden domes. On Beach Road, the Coconut Club turns humble nasi lemak into coconut-perfumed rice, and slow-cooks marinated for 12 hours over charcoal chicken in a restored shophouse. A short stroll away on Kandahar Street, Cichetti slings supple, leopard-spotted Neapolitan pies and trattoria plates in one of the quarter’s most handsome rooms.  Thread the narrow seam of Haji Lane into your stroll. Once lodging for Haj pilgrims and brokers, Haji Lane is now a hipsters’ hotpot, with a riot of indie boutiques and cheerful wall art. Only a few metres across in sections, it’s reputedly one of Singapore’s tightest streets. Look up for old timber louvres, and down for tiled five-foot ways that kept traders shaded long before the advent of air con. If you’re strolling down Orchard Road and feeling peckish head straight to the venerated Food Opera dining court at Ion Orchard shopping centre. It has a trove of the city’s best food stalls – including hawkers who have been in business for half a century, like Sergeant Hainanese Chicken Rice and Thye Hong Fried Prawn Noodles.   Colour of Haji Lane. Photo / Supplied Italy has gelato, Singapore has the ice-cream sandwich. And Orchard Road is home to a couple of old-school street carts that have operated for more than 30 years. Expect local flavours such as durian, red bean, yam and sweet corn, spooned between wafer biscuits or slices of pillowy pandan bread. Need decaffeinating? Check out the super-cute and super-chic Ralph Lauren café, Ralph’s Coffee, on the corner of Orchard Ave and Scotts Road.  Singapore Zoo has long been regarded as one of the world’s best. It needs little introduction. But if you’re heading out there, add River Wonders to your wildlife journey, which is embraced by a Go City Explorer Pass. The two venues form part of the Mandai Wildlife Reserve and River Wonders mixes the entertainment factor with a strong focus on raising awareness about endangered species and protecting river ecosystems.  Highlights include the Mississippi River exhibit which transports you to heartland USA, complete with snapping alligators and frolicking turtles. The Amazon Flooded Forest is a showstopper, headlined by manatees. Their slow, graceful movements through the water had an almost therapeutic effect. But my favourite attraction was the Giant Pandas Forest – home to Kai Kai and Jia Jia. They seemingly work the crowd, posing for admirers like professional models. What a life they lead, lounging around and happily chomping down on bamboo. So calm, so serene, and drop dead gorgeous.  Giant Pandas at River Wonders. Photo / Supplied A truly great hotel needs to feel like home, a place you’re not only reluctant to leave but one that you could happily move into. If you’re Singapore-bound, let The Fullerton sprinkle its stardust on you, where location, service, style and soul are all immediately apparent. Despite nearing its centenary, the Fullerton building, retains its classic allure in a highly connected world. Taking a stroll along the Singapore River at night, the building which originally served as the General Post Office before becoming an iconic hotel, glistens like a wedding-cake on the waterfront. With its stately Doric columns, coffered ceilings and cornices, this masterpiece of neo-classical architecture was the largest structure ever built in Singapore, 97 years ago. This showpiece hotel is anything but pickled – it hums with a playful buzz. After being chauffeured from the airport in the hotel limousine, I was whisked straight to my room, where the sign-in formalities were swiftly attended to.   Fullerton Hotel, Singapore. Photo / Supplied Stylish and soothing and with a ringside seat on the waterfront, my spacious Marina Bay suite with terrace was the meticulous blend of heritage, luxury and comfort, with a cream and caramel colour palette, heavenly bedding, sumptuous bathroom loaded with Diptyque toiletries, Nespresso coffee and fresh tropical fruit, delivered daily. But to step out onto that expansive terrace for the dazzling view across Marina Bay is worth waking up to – and staying up late to revel in the lights. Push the boat out and enjoy access to the Straits Club, for a plethora of indulgences including a classic afternoon with freshly baked scones, and a lavish nightly selection of sublime canapes and cocktails.   Mike and the lights of Marina Bay. Photo / Mike Yardley  After an early morning stretch of the legs on the riverside trail, I was ready to retox with a champagne breakfast, where a lip-smacking buffet of assorted goodies, strung across pedestals, complemented the eggs benedict, I ordered off the a la carte menu. Other headline dining experiences include Town Restaurant, which offers a sublime Spice Odyssey buffet dinner extravaganza. There’s a stack of seafood on ice like baby crawfish, scallops, prawns, clams and black mussels. Don’t miss the ghost pepper buffalo wings with blue cheese aioli, or the Masala fish curry.   Town’s Signature Laksa is absolutely sensational – a fusion of lobster balls, purple scallops, quail eggs, fishcakes and beansprouts. The array of options is head-swirling, but you must reserve some belly room for dessert. Their cakes are like gifts for the gods, running the gamut from ondeh-ondeh cake and raspberry lychee bandung to pistachio joconde and chocolate chiffon cake. I also treated myself to a superlative three-tier English afternoon tea at The Courtyard. Artfully executed finger food included burrata cheese and parma ham sando; smoked salmon tarte, caramel banana mousse; black forest choux and strawberry pistachio tarte.  Afternoon tea at the Fullerton. Photo / Mike Yardley The atmospheric Post Bar is another alluring spot – an effervescent haunt for mingling and mixology. If you’re partaking in some cheeky nightcaps, don’t forget to enjoy the signature Merlion Cocktail – a tequila-based drink with honey ginger syrup. After a long-haul flight, my body was gagging to be pressed for pleasure. In the dimmed light of The Fullerton Spa, I savoured a 90 minute signature Asian Heritage massage, which is intensively applied. My limbs felt so relaxed, I felt as if I might levitate after having so many kinks ironed out from my travel-weary body. Across the hotel, staff are unfailingly obliging and engaging, catering to your every whim, including sharing with you a plethora of heritage nuggets and anecdotes, that permeate the building.   Take time to immerse yourself in the Heritage Gallery, which offers so many charming insights on the importance role this building has played in the Singapore narrative.  But within this jewel-box of hospitality, my runaway favourite haven was the knock-out infinity pool lording over the Singapore River, backed by the statuesque grandeur of those Aberdeen granite pillars, and flanked by loungers. Every time I called by for a restorative dip, it took an age to tear myself away from this insatiable happy place. fullertonhotels.com  I jetted my way to Singapore with the award-winning flag-carrier, Singapore Airlines. All of my flights ran to time, all checked bags were faithfully waiting for me on the carousel and the in-flight experience was impeccable. The illustrious full-service carrier has not only fostered a world-beating reputation for its exceptional customer service and in-flight product, but also its innovation, across all classes. You’d struggle to find a better Economy class experience in the skies.  Premium Economy on Singapore Airlines. Photo / Singapore Airlines  If you’re toying with upgrading to Premium Economy on Singapore Airlines, you’re absolutely in for a treat. The KrisWorld entertainment system brims with over 1000 movie, TV, music and gaming selections, plus live news and sport. Equipped with noise cancelling headphones, the high-definition touch screen monitors are supersized at 33cms, from which I devoured so much content. The in-flight WiFi worked a trick too – complimentary for KrisFlyer members. It’s a class of its own. singaporeair.com  Mike Yardley is our resident traveller on Jack Tame Saturday Mornings.  Fri, 07 Nov 2025 23:51:49 Z