Villa Traveller

Archive for the ‘Villa Holidays’ Category

We’ve just returned from a hectic trip to New Zealand, visiting relatives and staying in the Waikato region.  Cambridge is a beautiful town, known as “The Town of Trees & Champions” – and we can attest to the spacious layout with an English-style village “green” where they play cricket and where there are weekly and monthly markets.  The wide streets feature many local trees but it’s also interesting to find many trees that are familier to those travelling from the UK.

We toured around using Cambridge as a base and were enchanted by the quiet roads and the spacious streets in the towns and villages we encoutered.  The area around Cambridge is famous for the number of horse studs and stables – as well as the world-class rowing facilities available on Lake Karapiro.

One sunny afternoon, we had a cruise on Lake Karapiro – it lasts about an hour and takes you along the southern reaches of the lake.

Lake Karapiro is 24 kms long, it is the longest of the eight hydro lakes on the Waikato River, the Waikato River being New Zealand’s longest river at 425 kms long.  The Karapiro Cruiser is the only function boat of its kind on Lake Karapiro therefore making this an exclusive unique experience to patrons of the Karapiro Cruiser.

We visited Matamata and Morrinsville soon after we arrived in Cambridge.

A nearby farm was the location for the Hobbiton set in Peter Jackson‘s Lord of the Rings film trilogy. The New Zealand government decided to leave the Hobbit holes built on location as tourist attractions, since they were designed to blend seamlessly into the environment. During the interim period filming Return of the King and The Hobbit they had no furniture or props, but could be entered with vistas of the farm viewed from inside them.^[1] A “Welcome to Hobbiton” sign has been placed on the main road. In 2011 parts of Hobbiton began to close in preparation for 2 new movies based around the Lord of the Rings prequel novel The Hobbit.

New Zealand is famous for its coffee shop culture and we enjoyed eating out in many local establishments, all individual and serving some beautiful food.  One interesting place, close to Matamata is the Kaimai Cafe and Store – situated at the foot of the Kaimai Ranges.  This specialty cheese maker (you can buy the cheeses from the store) offers a beautiful menu based on their range of home-made cheeses.  The building itself is “industrial” – in other words, you could be in an ante-room for the cheese production (oh, yes, you really are!) – but don’t be put off by that.  The quality of the food is great.

 

Free breakfast at IKEA through Monday

http://blogs.trb.com/5h ago

There are stores in Sunrise and Orlando. Three ways to keep up with the latest deals: “Like” our Sentinel Deals page on Facebook. Follow Doreen Christensen on Twitter@PrettyGoodIdeas and get mobile alerts: Text DEALS to 23539. Who doesn’t love a good deal.

Bod for tea – That was the week that was

http://bod-for-tea.blogspot.com/5h ago

Tuesday Heather at Stay At Home Mum Loving It wrote a fab beginners guide to Orlando and Walt Disney World which anyone considering going should head over and read. It’s a great summary of must dos. I’m planning a tips post on travelling with a toddler soon too.

Here are a few articles we found when we started searching about holidays in trouble-torn Greece.

 

Greece turmoil fails to deter UK holidaymakers | Travel – eNews24 …

enews24.co.uk2/15/12

Steve Mills, a director of the company, said this was “positive for Greece considering the turmoil, and in marked contrast to Egypt where the percentage considering a holiday has declined from 8% down to 6%.” Travel website HomeAway … more welcome than ever.” More are worried about travelling to Athens where riots took place on 11 and 12 February, but a poster called yojimbo7 said holidaymakers would probably have no problems, as long as they stay away from protest areas.

Go On Holiday To Greece And Support The Local Economy …

melyoung.posterous.com2/12/12

The view also seemed to be that the Greeks were now to blame for all the ills of the world. What nonsense. The economic problems in the world are to do with major faults in the global economic system. Greece has simply …

 

On the Spot: How will Greece’s economy affect tourists? : family …

familyholidaysinspain.info2/6/12

Greece’s financial problems are serious; it needs tourist dollars more than ever, so you may find deals — but maybe strikes too. Sparkling bays surround the Greek island of Patmos. The situation in Greece is an unhappy one.

Travel Q&A: How will Greece’s financial problems affect tourists …

great-vacations.net2/11/12

Q What is the anticipated effect of the financial problems in Greece on tourists this summer? A That’s not an easy question to answer, because negotiations over Greece’s financial fate are continuing, and the outcome will …

3br – Bahama Bay holiday apartment "605 Lucya Loop"

Abacus is very beautiful three bedrooms villa , ideal for family get- away to Orlando .The comfortable & luxuriously appointed villa offers 2 well maintained baths , one connected with master size bedroom offers huge Jacuzzi tub . The unit features 2…
List Price:
Price: 80.00

4br – Marina Villa,Egypt. North Coast,Rent Villa,holiday

Create Life- Long Memories While Staying at our Private Stunning Luxury Villa for Rent in the Beautiful Resort Marina Egypt :

May I, Mohamad Habib, presents you my beautiful, privately owned, unique villa in Marina Egypt, at the North Coast.

…
List Price:
Price: 0.00

4br – Minho & Costa Verde holiday villa: Moledo

Beautiful freestanding luxurious villa, with garden and private swimming pool, quietly located in the village of Modelo and within 3 km distance to Moledo beach.

The vila is located in one of the most beautiful places in Portugal, Moledo do Minho,…
List Price:
Price: 316.00

3br – Regal Palms Luxury Townhome – Wi Fi Home

Regal Palms is a luxury private gated community just 15 minutes from the entrance to Disney. A perfect location for a great family holiday. Here you can combine the benefits of luxury living with a resort atmosphere.

Regal Palms boasts a two acre pool…
List Price:
Price: 110.00

5br – 5 Bedroom Maui Home Newly Remodeled Great Location

This is the perfect place for your next vacation, family reunion or Holiday Celebration. Come enjoy the quiet of a residential street just a short walk to restaurants, shops and some of Mauis best beaches safe for the whole family. Each level has…
List Price:
Price: 400.00

1br – Le Torri vacation home rentals Tuscany Florence

Video on- line – Wi- Fi free in apartment!

Le Torri villa holiday rentals apartments is a medieval house of 13th century, located in the beautiful Chianti area on the top the hills with a best view.

The gorgeous medieval accommodation is administrated…
List Price:
Price:

3br – Oceanfront Luxury Home Daytona Beach

NO COLLEGE GROUPS. NO SMOKING INSIDE OR OUT. MINIMUM AGE 25. Race week and bike weeks already booked.

00 standard week, 00 holiday week; 00 special event weeks (plus taxes and cleaning)

Recently completely remodeled! Everything new!…
List Price:
Price: