Wellington, Cape Winelands—a Must Visit Indeed!

Wellington, tucked away near the scenic banks of River Kromme (right at the edge of the Groenberg Mountains) is less than an hour’s drive from the thriving Cape Town. Standing to the east of this beautiful tourist location are the majestic peaks of Hawequa Mountains—which provide a beautiful backdrop for a valley that sprawls across like a giant wine-yard. Yes, more than 90 percent of the country’s vines (and the best of the lot) are nurtured in Wellington’s vine-cutting nurseries—before being transported elsewhere for replanting.

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Wellington, earlier referred to as Limiet Vallei (or Frontier Valley), Wagenmakersvallei or Val du Charron, was the point of commencement of wagons in the days gone by –before they rolled out on their long and daunting journey. Here, you may like to indulge in its spirit of viticulture, which dates back to the times of French Huguenots, in the late 1600s.

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The vineyard tours in this area are not as large as in other parts of the continent, but they never fail to inspire and awe the tourists who choose to walk through the same. Your affordable car hire services inWellington help you savour the delights of the cellars and sample the vines and fruits of the region. If you love berries, then Wellington is certainly the place for you. Here, you can indulge yourself in raspberries, youngberries, strawberries, gooseberries and many more treats. Berry picking and walks through berry farms are on the cards of most visitors in the region.

How would you like to join them for a great time ahead?

Experience Wellington’s History Come Alive

Replete with breathtaking viewpoints from hilltops, pristine golden sand and beautiful shores along the coast, Wellington boasts of being the perfect getaway destination. New Zealand’s capital also holds the reputation as the coolest city in the entire world. The downtown part of Wellington jostles with activity and boasts of a vibrant cultural scene. Museums, galleries and boutiques add to the overall charm of the city. The culture, scenic beauty, art and history are the major pull of Wellington! Car hire services in Wellington allow you to explore the city leisurely and are tailor made to suit your needs.

Wellington’s museums preserve some of the rich heritage artifacts  One of the city’s most prominent museums is the Te Papa Tongarewa located on the city’s spectacular waterfront. 

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The museum stands testimony to New Zealand’s rich history. Just a glance would bring you en face de with the whole of New Zealand! The museum conjured its own unique environment and features a treasure trove of artifacts from the Maori culture. Te Papa also incorporates outdoor areas with native bushes, wetlands and artificial caves.

Booka car of your choice by visiting the website and filling out a form with details of your itinerary. Renting a car saves you the hassle of relying on public transport for your travels. You also do not have to worry about renting private cabs that cost a fortune.

'Ride the Rhythm' in Dunedin

A vibrant tourist hub, Dunedin is one of the finest exemplifications of history blending with the contemporary. This is reflected in its museums, cafes, bars and restaurants. Built in the Victorian style of architecture, many buildings form the centre of attraction here. Dunedin is best explored using car rental services. They add a great deal of convenience to your travels. Courtesy its great network of roads, Dunedin is an ideal place for a road trip!

A reason to visit Dunedin this year is because the eagerly anticipated ‘Ride the Rhythm’ event makes its return! 

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This show has been voted by New York’s Time Out Magazine as one of the most electrifying live shows in the entire world today! Ride the Rhythm-2014 is going to be a thrilling high-action party quite like its predecessor which saw sensational equestrian performances, drama and action that left the crowd spellbound. This year’s celebrations would conjure an equally electrifying atmosphere. Forget not to bring your dancing shoes as Bjorn Again’s action laden world-class show would have you leaping out of your seats!

Make use of rented cars for commuting in and out of Dunedin. Car agencies offer top class services in lieu for extremely cheap rates of rental. Moreover, additional discounts in the form of redeemable coupons render your getaways further cheaper! It is advised to make an advanced reservation to avoid last minute hassle.  

The Sun and Sands of Ohope Beach

Ohope Beach – New Zealand’s most attractive beach is located at a short distance from Whakatane and lies in the backdrop of scenic hills and the seas beyond. This golden beach stretches across 11 kilometres of smooth sands and is known for its safe swimming waters and close proximity to the delights of the great Pacific Ocean. The most famous attraction of Ohope Beach is its West End –that lures surfers and beach lovers from all across the world. West End acts as an access point to Otarawairere Beach—which ranks high on the list of picturesque beaches belonging to the Bay of Plenty.

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Attracting more than 18,000 votes in a poll conducted by the Green Party, Ohope Beach won the award of ‘New Zealand’s Best Beach’. In fact, Whakatane District has also been awarded the distinction of being New Zealand’s Sunshine Capital –as it ended up recording the highest hours of sunshine in the year 2012. This is a good enough reason to get out and explore the beauty and many attractions of this favoured tourist destination.

Beaches, surfing opportunities, sunshine and great aquatic opportunities make Ohope a treasured destination for people of all ages. The Ohiwa Harbour and Port Ohope are home to hundreds of seabirds and provide great opportunities for sailing, kayaking, fishing, water skiing, swimming, windsurfing and many other attractions.

So, what are you waiting for, gear up to head towards the beautifully secluded bay of Otarawairere, walk around in the quaint environs of Kohi Point or bask under the sun, on the beautiful coastline of Ohope.

Weekend Itinerary in Dunedin

Touted as Edinburgh of the South, Dunedin isn’t exactly a known tourist destination, but that shouldn’t deter you from exploring this wonderful yet under-rated city. Dunedin, located in the southern part of New Zealand’s South Island has plenty of destinations worth checking out. The city flaunts its Scottish Heritage in a profound way. This can be gauged by the names of the streets, pubs and cafes located here.

Here are some ideas to enjoy your weekend while you’re here:

Spend half a day on horseback on the beaches of Aramona. View wildlife as you gently trod on like Clint Eastwood in the Dollars Trilogy! This is one of the best ways to observe New Zealand’s faunal population. Up next, visit Dunedin’s only castle, the Larnach Castle and enjoy a guided tour. Follow it up with a wildlife cruise on the city’s picturesque harbour with Monarch Wildlife Cruises.

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 Enjoy a lazy Sunday by paying a visit to Cadbury World, perhaps the closest real life example of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. This museum is dedicated entirely to chocolates, right from the history of chocolates, to their preparation! Visit the gift shop to buy a handful of treats before you leave.

Dunedin is best explored using car rental services as they add comfort and convenience to your travels. Book a car of your choice from a myriad of options catalogued on the website. You can rent out of 4WDs, luxury cars, sedans and many more.

The Gondola Ride Reopens

Christchurch has shown tremendous resilience post earthquakes that rattled the city in 2011. Some of the attractions of the city went out of operation and have since then relocated to other parts of the city. Some of the attractions have reopened and one of them is the Gondola.

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The Gondola has been revamped and the travellers will get to ride in the newly fashioned cable cars. The Gondola has been a famous and popular form of witnessing the beautiful city from a top. Suspended above in the middle of the sky, you get to see birds fly around you as you hold on to your breath to click away the spectacular sights. The Gondola ride takes you through all the sights on a kilometre stretch.

The best way to reach to the Gondola venue is upon availing car rental facilities in Christchurch. It is convenient and affordable and if you are travelling with kids, it calls for a quality and fun family day in the city.

The ride takes you through the Port Hills in the east and to the west you will get to see the Southern Alps and experience pure air! Furthermore, you will be able to witness the time tunnel which is a reconstruction of the history of the city and the Port Hills. You can also capture the beautiful sight of magma pouring out of the subterranean forces.

This trip is indeed one of the most beautiful attractions of the city and since it has opened again, there is another reason to celebrate your travels in the country.

Queenstown: New Zealand's Favourite Lake Resort

Nestled on the shores of the majestic Lake Wakatipu and overlooking the towering Remarkables Range, Queenstown is New Zealand’s favourite lake resort. It offers a wide spectrum of attractions and activities that attract tourists all year round. The biggest pull factor is the awe-inspiring scenery and the pristine views. Also, if you’re looking for a great adventure trip, then Queenstown is the place to be!

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The alpine resort has numerous walks along stunning scenery. You can tread on any of the popular walking tracks and soak in some breathtaking views of the entire town. Try the Queenstown Hill walk, which at first might seem challenging, but the rewarding views from the summit are incredible!
Also, the lake front of Queenstown has plenty of things on offer. Grab yourself a place to sit while the sun’s out and be entertained by the buskers that frequent this area. If it’s a weekend, preferably Saturday, visit the Queenstown Arts and Craft market at Earnslaw Park.

Outdoor sports enthusiasts can engage themselves in skiing, hiking, sky diving, kayaking and many other forms of adrenaline pumping excursions! Thus, Queenstown is a one-stop tourist destination.

Make use of car rentals while you’re in Queenstown. They allow you to leisurely explore the lake-side resort without hassle. No longer do you have to worry about erratic public transport schedules or expensive taxi services. All you have to do instead is log on to the website and book a car of your choice from innumerable available options!