Planning a New Zealand Wine Vacation - Tour Lesser Known Wineries

In recent years New Zealand has become a popular destination for the world's wine buffs. The major wine regions of Marlborough and Hawke's Bay, and the neighboring areas of Wairarapa and Wellington, enjoy thousands of visitors every year.

But with stunning wineries stretching from the northernmost tip to the bottom of the South Island, why not explore them? Tourists will enjoy some amazing wine experiences if they dare to venture off the beaten track.

New Zealand may be a relatively new wine destination, but its most popular ports can tend to get crowded. It may seem appealing to visit New Zealand's largest wineries, but you may think twice when you're bumping elbows with other tasters at the bar. Contrast this with the serenity and personalized service of smaller vineyards, and you may be tempted to try the path less traveled.

If you're looking for this kind of relaxed wine vacation, there are a few New Zealand regions you may like to consider.

Northland is often overlooked by wine tourists. It's the smallest of New Zealand's wine regions, and its location on the northernmost tip of the North Island is a little out of the way. But it's worth the effort to visit this picturesque region.

Croatian immigrants planted New Zealand's first grape vines in Northland in 1819, but this region's wine industry all but died out until recently. Thanks to current interest in New Zealand's wines, the area has enjoyed a resurgence.

The beautiful coastal districts of Kaitaia, Bay of Islands, and Whagarei make up the Northland wine region. It enjoys New Zealand's warmest weather which makes it the perfect place to grow cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and chardonnay grapes, and to attract sun loving travelers.

A journey on the Northland Food and Wine Trail is the perfect way for gastronomes to experience all this region has to offer. The 74 food and wine experiences on the trail are all clearly signposted to help travelers find their way. Many stops like Ake Ake Winery, Omata Estate, and Cottle Hill Winery combine excellent wine and fine food for a truly indulgent experience.

For the ultimate foodie's delight, consider visiting Northland in September. Every year wineries and restaurant join together for The Northland Lunch, an annual degustation meal featuring amazing dishes created with fresh local produce and matched with the perfect Northland wines.

Central Otago is one of New Zealand's fastest growing wine regions, but few international tourists ever make it far enough south to see it. It's a shame, because this beautiful mountainous area is paradise for wine lovers.

Central Otago is famous for elegant pinot noirs, but it's also worth sampling the chardonnays, sauvignon blancs, rieslings, pinot grigios, and gewürztraminers. You'll find wonderful examples of these varieties at Felton Road Wines, Peregrine Wines, and Two Paddocks, the winery owned by movie star Sam Neill.

Central Otago is conveniently located near New Zealand's adventure capital, Queenstown. Bungy jumping, skydiving, kayaking, and hang-gliding are huge industries here, and the perfect way to get the adrenalin pumping. Wine tasting in the nearby Gibbston Valley is the ideal complement to these heart-racing activities. Or venture further away from the city to explore vineyards at Wanaka, Alexandra, and the Cromwell Basin.

Central Otago's food and wine is celebrated with an annual festival in February. Enjoy award-winning wines and tasty treats while soaking up the sounds of local jazz bands. The beautiful surroundings of the Queenstown Gardens make this festival a must see for locals and tourists alike.

New Zealand's wine industry is thriving, from the north to the south. So don't just focus on the big names in New Zealand's heart. There are unexpected joys to experience by wine tourists that dare to be different.

Motorhome Holiday Ideas - Five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England

Hiring a motorhome gives the driver unparalleled freedom of movement, without the logistical hassle of having to arrange hotel accommodation. This means that no part of the natural landscape is off limits. There is perhaps no better way of making the most of this freedom than heading for official Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), which are designated as areas of high scenic beauty and have official protection from development.

In England, AONBs are recognised as such by Natural England, an independent public body with the task of protecting and improving the country's natural environment. This organisation encourages the public to visit the countryside and get more involved in their surroundings.

If you are a motorhome enthusiast and are planning to hire a motorhome this summer to visit the English countryside, here are five great ideas for destinations. All are official Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

1. The Cotswolds

Often referred to as the 'heart of England', the Cotswold Hills run from south-east to north-west through six counties, including Oxfordshire, Warwickshire and Gloucestershire. Famous for its quaint towns and villages, constructed from the local yellow limestone, the Cotswolds is the largest AONB in England and attracts visitors from across the world.

2. The Malvern Hills

The most popular free tourist attraction in the West Midlands are the Malvern Hills, which straddle the counties of Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Hereforshire. The area offers stunning views toward the Welsh Mountains and across the Bristol Channel and is ideal motorhome country, with plenty of campsite facilities and areas to park. As well as the countryside, the historic cathedral cities of Worcester, Hereford and Gloucester are all within easy reach.

3. The Northumberland Coast

Stretching from Berwick-Upon-Tweed to Amble, this AONB is arguably the most stunning coastline in all of the British Isles. The windswept Northumberland coast is an ambler's and beachcomber's heaven, with mile upon mile of dramatic beaches and rocky coves.

4. The North Wessex Downs

Encompassing the uplands of the Berkshire, North Hampshire and Marlborough Downs, this entire area offers tranquil English countryside in its most untouched state of nature. Upland habitat abuts downland and dramatic ancient forests. The area is sprinkled by charming rustic villages and farmhouses and offers the nature-lover an incredible wealth of lovely walks. A birdspotter's paradise.

5. The Tamar Valley

One of England's last unspoilt drowned river systems, the Tamar Valley draws nature lovers from around the world to the confluence of the Tamar, Lynher and Tavy rivers on the Devon-Cornwall borderlands. The area has been farmed for centuries and the ancient remnants of agricultural practice through the ages dot the landscape. Abandoned tin mines are scattered throughout the Valley and are well worth a visit.

Cheap Discount Cigarettes

In earlier times, cigarettes were hand rolled products comprised of indigenous nicotine leaves. This resulted in endless bouts of coughing and swallowing of tobacco leaves. Modern cigarettes have come a long way. The use of filters, processed tobaccos and tight tobacco fills has made cigarette smoking a pleasant and hassle free experience. Smoking cigarettes is not encouraged since nicotine is highly addictive. However, the irony is, people are more than willing to buy cheap discount cigarettes.

Nicotine is a powerful, central nervous system stimulant and is classified as a drug. However, cigarettes are not considered to be drugs and are used by a large number of people. Dependency and its habit-forming nature result in enormous cigarette consumption everyday. For this reason, a number of smokers opt for cheap discount cigarettes. This saves a considerable amount of money in the long run.

Consumption of cigarettes is a compulsive habit for most people. This trend of regular and ever-increasing consumption increases a manufacturers production proportionately. Most cigarettes are at par in relation to price. For this reason, cheap discount cigarette attract customers to different brands.

When a customer decides to buy cheap discount cigarettes, it is advisable to consider the freshness of these cigarettes. There have been instances when people have had to settle for stale cigarettes. Most cheap discount cigarettes are available in bulk quantities. For this reason, users are likely to buy them to eliminate the chance of running out.

Cigarette smoking provides pleasure at ordinary times and comforts the user in times of worry, anger and other tensions. Sale of cigarettes to minors is a punishable offence. However, cheap discount cigarette offers are attractive to this vulnerable lot. For this reason, manufacturers have strict guidelines pertaining to sale of cheap discount cigarettes.