Auckland, New Zealand is a Really Pleasant City

Auckland, New Zealand is a really pleasant city. There’s nothing spectacular about Auckland. It’s not the worlds most beautiful city. It’s not the most exciting city on Earth. There’s nothing that screams out at you that you can’t miss. But Auckland, New Zealand is a really pleasant city to be in because it’s just that…pleasant. […]

Why You Should Visit Tauranga, New Zealand

I have been to New Zealand numerous times and actually spent a few months in 2003. However, until my recent cruise with Azamara Club Cruises I had never heard of Tauranga. Apparently, Tauranga is the 4th most populous “city” in New Zealand as many people have fled Auckland because of the sky-high real estate prices […]

Hobbiton is one of the Coolest Things in New Zealand

I have never seen any of the ‘Lord of the Rings’ movies. I have never seen any of ‘The Hobbit’ movies. I have never read any of the books either. I don’t like science fiction or fantasy. That said, I went to the Hobbiton movie set as a special day and night time tour excursion […]

Picton, New Zealand and the Surrounding Area is Worth a Look

Picton, New Zealand is a cute little town. That’s really the best way to describe it. Of course, Picton is also a very important port town that connects the South Island to Wellington and the North island of New Zealand. Picton itself is also the gateway to both the Marlborough wine region and the beautiful […]

A Daytrip to Cape Kidnappers, New Zealand

Cape Kidnappers is a place that sounds made up. In fact, in actually looks like a place that’s made up as well! However, I can assure you it is a real place and it is a beautiful place even when the weather doesn’t cooperate with you! As an excursion from the Azamara Quest, I did […]

Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula, New Zealand

Dunedin, New Zealand is unlike most settlements in Australia and New Zealand as it was settled by Scottish as opposed to English immigrants. Originally they were going to name it New Edinburgh but settled on Dunedin; which is actually a derivation of Edinburgh’s Gaelic name. Today, Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula are teeming with life […]

Why Geiranger is the Best Fjord in Norway

I had long heard tales about Geiranger and Geirangerfjord. I had heard of its beauty and amazing landscapes. It was said that it was the best of the fjords. I haven’t seen all of the fjords in Norway but I’ve seen a lot of them and all of the supposed top fjords. With that said, […]

Flam is More Than a Railway

If you’ve heard of or been to Flam, Norway then it’s probably because of the railway or as part of the well-trodden Norway in a Nutshell tour that is so popular out of Bergen. I had previously done that tour twice and hence did the Flam Railway twice as well without ever taking the time […]

Bergen, Norway is Simply a Nice Place

Bergen, Norway is the gateway to the fjords and probably the most beautiful city in Norway. It rains some 250 days a year and is very expensive. The people are nice, the food is good and there’s a lot to see and do. There’s nothing stressful or outlandish about Bergen itself at all. So after […]

A Unique 4 Days in Edinburgh, Scotland

I just had a unique 4 days in Edinburgh, Scotland. After flying in from Lisbon, Portugal with my best friend for a few days of touring around Edinburgh itself, I boarded the Azamara Quest in Leith. I then went to the 3rd round of the Open Championship at St. Andrews and went to my favorite […]

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