Tag Archives: new zealand

Interislander Summer Festival Greymouth Races: Something for Everyone!

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291842-154959-7While the Northern hemisphere is knee deep in layers of snow during the height of winter, the island nation of New Zealand, nestled just beyond Australia in the Southern hemisphere enjoys the best that summer has to offer. Fondly known by its citizens as the Paradise of the Pacific, the landscape of the island comes alive during this season and makes summer in New Zealand a truly magnificent experience.

Summer in New Zealand is never static and is definitely never boring for there is always something happening. The Inter-islander Summer Festival Greymouth Races is simply one such example of the many attractions that has tourists flocking to the Paradise of the Pacific. The most recently concluded races were held a mere five days into the beginning of the New Year.

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An all day event, the races were organized by the area’s Jockey Club and conducted at the Omoto Racecourse in Greymouth and only adults above the age of 18 years must purchase tickets to enter. The added convenience of a number of entertainment items and plans for children allow parents to sit back and enjoy the races in all its glory without worrying about their kids. Therefore, the Interislander Summer Festival Greymouth Races are ideal for a fun day out for the family for its design ensures that everyone, no matter their age, is happy and satisfied.

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This year, the organisers were sure to include special packages such as the Mini Marquee Package so as to make the event a fun filled one which could be enjoyed even with a large crowd. The Mini Marquee Package included being seated in a prime viewing spot in your very own marquee which seats 10 people as well Racebooks for each adult.

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If you wish to attend the races in 2014, prior planning is sure to save you a lot of trouble and help you economize your tour of the country. Select and book Greymouth hotels as early as possible for during the time of the races, it is likely that the prices will rise. If you’re travelling on a budget, keep an eye out for the numerous deals New Zealand hotels offer which will help reduce travel and accommodation costs. However, if you wish to indulge in all that the best hotels in the country has to offer, choose the luxurious options provided for by Millennium & Copthorne Hotels NZ for a memorable tour of the Paradise of the Pacific.

Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
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Gibbston Harvest Festival – Epic Family Time!

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A laidback, sleepy, sheep-farming valley turns into a passionate wine making arena during the annual Gibbston Harvest Festival in Queenstown, New Zealand held in March on the third Saturday of the month. It does not fail to attract everyone from professional connoisseurs to simple wine appreciating enthusiasts to indulge a taste of the exquisite produce made by small boutique wineries, local vineyards and many a fine food establishment that are spread about the area. The festival is celebrated to mark the harvest of wine from Gibbston and to salute and toast the spirit of the community that has turned itself into a high profile winemaking body!

This festival not only celebrates the Central Otago wines and the grape harvest produced by vineyards and wineries in Gibbston, but it also caters towards providing an ideal family day out suited for all ages. Activities such as tasting food and wine, bouncy castles, barrel rolling, face painting and master classes on food appreciation and wine tasting will be hosted throughout the day.

The event is a non-profit fundraiser with profits going to the Queenstown Soccer Club. The ambience is relaxed and there is fun and music galore to keep up the momentum and keep you on your feet. There are generally several food providers and at least twelve wineries participating, while you also have the option of bringing your own picnic food that can be enjoyed in the open air grounds.

Gibbston Harvest Festival offers families a chance to also enjoy the country’s stunning natural beauty and its rich and diverse landscapes. Enjoy fun adventures amidst awe-inspiring mountain landscapes, picturesque lakes and picture postcard like vistas which will let you truly appreciated nature in all its splendour.

Those looking for a convenient base from which to visit this festival can stay at New Zealand hotels in Queenstown such as those offered by Millennium & Copthorne Hotels NZ. This reputed name in the hospitality industry also offers a range of New Zealand hotel deals that let you get the most from your stay, be it a family holiday, couples getaway of independent adventure. In addition you are also offered well placed accommodation that let you explore the country’s various regions and all they have to offer.

Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.

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St. James Theatre & Opera House – Showcasing Excellent Performing Arts

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Be captivated by the magic of music and dance in the grand and exquisite St James Theatre and Opera House, two of the finest stages for performing Arts in the city of Wellington that proudly showcases some exquisite talents in opera, drama and much more. Exhibiting breathtaking architecture with a pleasant old time feel combined with lush, grand interiors, these two locations make popular tourist destinations in the city.

Designed for the famous John Fuller and Sons Ltd by Mr. Henry Eli White Architect, a talented structural Engineer, the St James Theatre makes the first steel framed concrete coated arched theatre in the whole of the southern hemisphere. With a unique resistance to earthquake damage the theatre was known for intelligent and magnificent architecture that boasts an Edwardian Facade. The large domed auditorium has also been a highlight of the theatre. With a ‘Theatrical Rocco’ style originated from Louis XIV, the auditorium boasts modelled plaster work decorated with box fronts, grand parapets, proscenium and the gallery has fantastic clear vision from each and every seat. The theatre had its grand inauguration on December 1912 and started off as a picture house. Over the years the theatre underwent many ups and downs but today stands strong and hosts a number of live shows as well.

The Opera House was the work of Melbourne Architect William Pit and was originally known as the Grand Opera House. Inaugurated two years after the St. James Theatre, this building is also a display of grand architecture highlighted by its lavishly decorated public rooms and auditoriums that makes it an icon of the 1900’s. The Opera House apart from being a popular historic building is also famed for its many spooky stories that claim that the building houses a number of ghosts. All this only adds to the mystery of the venue making it all the more intriguing and worth paying a visit.

Copthorne Hotel Wellington Oriental Bay presents an ideal choice for the traveller in search of a Wellington New Zealand hotel. Overlooking one of the most charming harbours in the world and offering modern comforts, it is an exceptional hotel Wellington has to offer.

Royal New Zealand Ballet – Tutus on Tour – A Realm of Spectacular Ballet Performances for your Enjoyment

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Deemed as one of most challenging dance forms in the arts field, ballet is a performance dance that requires discipline, flexibility and amazing work ethic. Possibly one of the reasons why the performing arts of ballet is widely appreciated by layman and experts alike, ballet is a genre of dance that is often arduous to master. Honing the intricate skills of ballet demands one’s utmost dedication and commitment as its poised style and tiers have become a highly technical form of dancing, especially over the recent years.

A performing art that has gained much interest, techniques of ballet have been known to be extremely powerful, touching the hearts of the audience. Having the innate ability to sway the feelings of the spectators, most often the performances move people to tears while others make people feel a sense of ecstasy. However, no matter what the performance entails, tragedy or drama, one element remains the same; the spectacular movements of the ballet performers.

An important event to the New Zealanders, the 2011 Tower Tutus on Tour will undoubtedly attract many people around the world, as the performances exude elegance, class and grace. This year, the main concentration of the performances will be about families. Encapsulating a sense of family-friendly entertainment for everyone to enjoy, it is bound to be a perfect time for adults and children alike to enjoy.

An event that is organized biennially, the Royal New Zealand Ballet will travel around the country between February and April. In hopes to visit both cities and towns, the people of New Zealand will be able to witness the dancers in all their glory whilst they perform the two productions planned for the tour: Pinocchio and Verdi Variations.
A children ballet, Pinocchio is a classical piece that children will love as it will prove to be a brilliant show-piece of a traditional children’s story. A story that comes to life, the ballet performers will present an entertaining and amusing tale that will engage the audience in an unforgettable ride.

A sparkling piece, Verdi Variations will be a stunning performance of incredible duets and dramatic solos. A grand performance, it promises to be an impressive performance filled with dazzling tiaras and exquisite tutus.

A night of breathtaking performances, the event will be held in town halls, school gymnasiums and community theatres in over 40 cities and towns. Lovers of classical ballet are bound to have an amazing time, astounded by the grace and poise of the choreographic movements.

For those who are interested in witnessing such remarkable performances when the tour hits Queenstown on March, there are many hotels nearby that should be considered. One such Queenstown hotel is Millennium Hotel Queenstown. Guest staying in this luxury hotel Queenstown offers will have the most comfortable settings of elegantly decorated rooms and will be in close proximity to the entertainment and shopping destinations in the area.