Links
Places to stay
North of Auckland
www.takouriver.com
Magic Cottage and Takou River Lodge offer absolute seclusion in a self catering cottage right on the banks of a river in the Bay of Islands. Surrounded by 5 acres of sub-tropical gardens. Fish in the river, swimming and boating and within earshot of the sea at Takou Bay.
www.petiteprovence.co.nz
Good place to stay if driving North on the West Coast as it breaks the journey. Close to Matakohe kauri museum and numerous beaches. Beautiful views, wonderful organic food especially the dinner, bed and breakfast package. Lovely place for a rest.
West of Auckland
www.pihabeach.co.nz
Russell
www.thewhitehouserussell.com
1840 house in the centre of Russell.
Whangarei
www.luptonlodge.co.nz
Nelson
www.janeevans-artist.co.nz
Jane Evans is one of New Zealand's most vibrant painters and she has a luxury cottage to rent next door to her studio. A beautiful place to stay.
Near Nelson/Blenheim
http://grampianvilla.co.nz
Grampian Villa is a beautifully restored Victorian villa. Situated in the historical dress circle of Nelson inner city and is only 5 mins walk to cafes, restaurants and shops.
Christchurch
www.orari.net.nz
Orari Bed and Breakfast, centrally located.
www.langdonhouse.co.nz
A 5 star property set in a park like garden within the Christchurch city boundaries.
Dunedin
www.capteady.co.nz
We have not actually been to this establishment but have met the owners and spent a lot of time at Portobello on the Otago Harbour.
Picton
www.mccormickhouse.co.nz/links.htm
McCormick House. A great spot to be based to explore the wine region.
West Coast of South Island
www.reefcottage.co.nz
Reef Cottage, Reefton This used to be the building where gold was kept during the gold rush in 1887 and one room has the ensuite in the huge gold safe. Quirky, very inexpensive in an interesting, less traveled area or New Zealand. Fishing, gold fields, best coffee on the coast.
Other parts of the world where we loved staying
Rome, Italy
www.oakleyromeroom.it
We have not stayed here but we had the owners , an interesting young couple, staying with us. Looks like a good part of town too.
Sydney, Australia
www.regentscourt.com.au
Regents Court Great people, special place. Sydney's equivalent of a Brownstone. Beautiful serviced
apartments and light breakfast is delivered to room. Rooftop garden with olive trees, fountains with views all over Sydney. Get food from the deli over the road, eat at one of the tables on the roof and watch the bats fly about. We always stay there.
Cairns, Australia
www.rainforestgrove.com
We have not stayed here but would like to and we know the hosts are wonderful as we met them in Fiji. The only tropical rainforest resort accommodation in the city of Cairns.
Victoria, Canada
www.dashwoodmanor.com
Stay in Vicotria's Finest Bed and Breakfast, Dashwood Manor Seaside Heritage.
Shanghai, China
www.shedi.net.cn/outEDI/Ruijin
Low rise hotel where the windows open and set in acres of lawn and trees in the French Concession. Villas #1 and #3 are the most atmospheric. One of Shanghai's most hip bars is in the grounds.
Selcuk, Turkey
www.kalehan.com
Really good value, small hotel in Selcuk, close to Ephesus, Pamukale. Friendly, helpful hosts. Beautiful furniture and carpets.
All Blacks Hotel abnomads@egenet.com.tr If you are on a budget and are keen to meet lots of kiwis and Aussies. Best views in town of storks nesting. We did not stay there but would if we were younger and broke.
Istanbul , Turkey
www.hotelambassador.com
The Ambassador is in the historic district. The roof dining area overlooks the Blue Mosque. Great position, great breakfasts, friendly, helpful staff.
Cappadocia, Turkey
www.esbelli.com.tr
Esbelli Evi in Urgup. You need at least a week in this region. Some of the rooms are in caves and others are built of stone, all are wonderful and full of interesting details. A wonderful place to stay, photographers heaven.
Rhodos, Greece
www.marcopolomansion.web.com
Marco Polo Mansion. A thousand year old Turkish house in the old city. Epi, the wonderful host guided us around the narrow, cobbled streets when we arrived on Good Friday and the whole of Rhodes was out in a parade. Great breakfasts, best position in Rhodes. A world heritage city.
Scotland
benbheula@aol.com
Loch Goilhead, Argyll.Ben Bheula B&B. We have not stayed there, but wished we had. We were in an awful place on the next loch. The Dinhams were guests of ours so we called in for a visit.
Singapore
www.hotel1929.com
Another place we have only visited, but will stay in one day. Quirky, small hotel in refurbished Chinatown. Lots of cheap eats and aging hookers near by so plenty to watch on the street.
USA
www.theinnatdupontcircle.com Washington DC. The Inn at Dupoint Circle. Despite the fact my room was a fourth floor walk up, I enjoyed every minute of my stay here. All the other guests were really interesting, well served by public transport, good walking at night. Loved the breakfast & hospitality.
Germany
www.pension-ampark.de Berlin, Pension am Park. A quiet part of central Berlin, overlooking a park, well served by public transport. Spacious room with balcony. Helpful, knowledgeable host, spoke English.
Belgium
www.hotelbel.com/terreien.htm Brugge, A small hotel on the banks of a romantic canal. Walkable to the centre and enroute passed many great bars and chocolate shops. Helpful staff. Another world heritage city.
Madrid, Spain
www.anasguesthouse.com
Ana has two guest houses , right in the middle of the Gaudi House area. A great place to stay and includes breakfast.
Granada, Spain
www.palaciodelosnavas.comGorgeous. In the heart of the historical district. In a street full of tapas bars. Includes a great breakfast.
London, England
www.millershotel.com
Amazing place in Notting Hill, stuffed full of antiques. Millers gin also part of the deal.
Other sites of interest
www.fistulatrust.org The Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia, co-founded by Dr Catherine Hamlin AC, treats 1,200 women suffering obstetric fistula every year. This Australian Fund supports this work to help some of the most destitute women outcasts in one of the poorest countries in the world.
Donations to the Fistula Trust can be made at hamlinht@xtra.co.nz
www.earthlovefund.com An site one of our guests has for musicians and artists who care about the environment.