Summer Hotspots in Hamilton Central
Make the most of the sunny days and long nights by enjoying some of these fabulous summer hotspots in Hamilton Central. Gothenburg – 17 Grantham Street With awesome Waikato River views and a beautiful outdoor terrace, Gothenburg is the perfect spot for a long lunch or tapas and evening drinks. Patrons – 29A Hood […]
Hamilton Gardens Newest Garden
Words Vicki Ravlich-Horan One of the most intriguing churches in Palermo (Sicily) is San Giovanni degli Eremiti (or Church of Saint John of the Hermits) with its distinct red domes. This now deconsecrated church began life in the 6th century alongside a Benedictine monastery. When the Moors conquered Sicily, it became a mosque, only to […]
Let’s Split
Words and images by Vicki Ravlich-Horan My first night in Split was not ideal. Delayed flights ending in lost luggage meant I arrived around 9pm needing to buy the basics – toothpaste, deodorant and clean undies! Luckily this is Europe and even on a Monday night the town was still buzzing. With the essentials sorted […]
Bold, Beautiful Bali
Words and images by Sandy Crooks Stepping out of the airport in Bali, you feel that whoosh of the tropics – warmth, noise, smells. For me, this is the point where my shoulders drop and tension seeps away. Bali is a place of such richness – colours, customs, flavours. No matter how many times I […]
Audi Day out – Whangamata edition
Words and images Vicki Ravlich-Horan After a week of relentless rain, the sun came out for our second annual Audi Day Out. This is the day that my Instagram feed belies reality and will have you believe I swan around the region driving luxury cars, meeting great people and eating delicious food! We meet at […]
Everyday Food & Fun
Words Denise Irvine, Images Ashlee Decaires Everyday Eatery head chef Jono Smith likes to stretch himself and his kitchen team with different flavours and ideas, and he says the cafe’s monthly Supper Club provides the perfect opportunity for this. Everyday Eatery, in the entry precinct of Hamilton Zoo, Rotokauri, typically does breakfast, lunch and cabinet […]
Fresh Village Vibes
Words Vicki Ravlich-Horan images Brydie Thompson “It’s a really exciting time for us!” says Blair Graham, manager of The Historic Village. This excitement stems from the recent arrival of three fantastic new hospitality offerings. “The community told us they wanted more choice when it comes to food and hospitality options at The Village, and we’ve […]
Hot in the City
As the cold months descend, it’s time to find some heat elsewhere. No, we don’t mean abroad, we mean in your food, and Hamilton Central has a huge array of options to help you spice things up. Here are just a few. Gothenburg – 17 Grantham Street The kings of fusion in the Tron, Gothenburg’s […]
Revisiting Rotorua
Words Vicki Ravlich-Horan When the team at the Regent Rotorua invited us to spend the weekend, I didn’t have to be asked twice. I love hanging out in Rotorua, as there is so much to do. In fact, a weekend is not long enough, unless it is one of many planned. The Regent, conveniently located […]
Taste of Tours
Words Vicki Ravlich-Horan What started as a fun trip with an old friend to Sicily has turned into a new business – Taste of Tours. It’s no secret that I love to travel. Combine it with great food and wine and a big dash of storytelling and it’s the perfect recipe for me and, it […]