Hobbit-esque travel
If wacky travel is your forte, then you must check out Woodlyn Park, located on the North Island of New Zealand.
Woodlyn Park is a working farm and home to the popular “Billy Black’s Kiwi Culture Show,” where you will see a sheep shearing demonstration and get to know the different varieties of bush animals. The owner decided to build on the idea of his cultural heritage show and added on various motels, housed in relics of New Zealand history.
The Plane Motel is set in a 1950’s Bristol Freighter that was one of the last allied planes out of Vietnam. The plane features two self-contained rooms that each sleeps four…one in the cockpit and one in the tail of the plane.
The Train Motel is housed in a 1950 train cart and features three separate motel rooms. If sleeping in a train does not fit your style then why not try out a night in the Waitanic…a grounded WWII Patrol boat that was built in Auckland in 1942.
My favorite is the newest edition to Woodlyn Park, the Hobbit Motel. Built into the side of a hill and featuring oversized furniture…this place really lets your inner Frodo free.
Woodlyn Park is located only two minutes from the Waitomo caves, home of the infamous glowworm…and many guests that come to see this natural wonder decide to crash at Woodlyn…so advanced reservations are recommended. All this wackiness starts at the bargain price of $75 per night.
For more info visit www.woodlynpark.co.nz
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Ghan-away
It’s sad to say, but train travel has lost its lure…nowadays we want speed, the fastest way from point A to B.
Australia’s transcontinental Ghan train may not be fast, but it brings the glamour back to train travel. This five star hotel on wheels, takes you from Adelaide to Darwin with a stop in the red center of Australia, Alice Springs.
The nearly 2,000 mile journey takes two night to complete, but you do so in the comfort of beautifully appointed cabins with 24 hour room-service. The berths are arranged like a personal lounge by day and then transform into a luxury suite at night. From the restaurant or lounge car you can enjoy the Australian outback as it passes by like a classic film.
If you are considering taking this once in a lifetime journey, check out the Whistle Stop Tours which are excursions perfectly timed for the mid-journey train stop in Alice Springs.
One way service on the Ghan starts at $1,300 per person for the two night journey with meals included, excursions start at $20. For more info visit theghan.com.au
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Intercontinental Bora Bora
Ever suffer from “best room syndrome”? You know….it’s when you arrive at a hotel, check into your room and wonder…..”Hmmmm, maybe there is a better room than this….maybe I should request a room change?”
Well if you are lucky enough to stay at the Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa, “best room syndrome” is a thing of the past.
Every room at the resort is the same…a one bedroom overwater bungalow. The only variation is their location over the water. The rooms at the end are the most expensive and the ones closest to land are the least expensive.
When staying there on my honeymoon last year, we got upgraded to an end bungalow. Although it was nice not having neighbors, the walk was extremely long from land, and the ocean was too deep to stand in…..so all locations in the resort have their ups and downs.
Some other features of the resort include: a Thalasso spa (deep sea marine water spa), free boat shuttle to the main land (the resort is located on the strip of land surrounding Bora Bora), an innovative eco-friendly silent air-conditioning system, and complimentary day rooms for those checking in early or checking out late.
Even though the resort is expensive (prices range from $700-$1,800), it is worth every penny for the “room equality” peace of mind.
For more information Click Here
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