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 Napier is situated on the East coast of the North Island of New Zealand, an area which enjoys a wonderful climate and, protected by the central mountain ranges’ high sunshine hours and low rainfall. It’s also one of the first cities in the world to see the sunrise!
Devastated by an earthquake (measuring 7.8 on the Richter Scale) in 1931, Napier was rebuilt in Art Deco style of the time. Today, Napier retains many of the original buildings, lovingly cared for by their owners and the Art Deco Trust, making the Art Deco Walk a must do visitor attraction.
The city also houses The National Aquarium of New Zealand, where along with the sharks and other sea creatures, visitors can see the native Kiwi bird in the Nocturnal house.
Within an hour’s drive of the city are some spectacular surf beaches, bush walks, bird sanctuaries, fishing, adventure sports and much, much more.
 Tours to the gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers, one of only 2 on-shore colonies in New Zealand, is a popular trip (from October to April), especially on old tractors and trailers along the beach!
Hawke’s Bay is also famous for its 60+ Vineyards (A Wine Tour is a great way to spend half a day) and recently Olive trees have been planted, making olive oil a welcome addition to our bountiful fruit and vegetable production. The area boasts some excellent restaurants, offering a chance to taste all this amazing produce! Hawke’s Bay is justifiably known as The Fruit Bowl of New Zealand.
Another unique experience, just a few Kilometres south of Hastings - a guided walk to a hilltop that is New Zealand’s claim to the Longest Place Name in the World, in Maori:
Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapiki maungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu
The hill where Tamatea played his flute in lament of a loved brother who was killed in a battle.
Tamatea was a noted Chief, and ancestor of many Porangahau families. Your Maori guides are his descendents.
 The Green House on the Hill is 5 minutes walk from the heart of the city, yet surrounded by trees in a quiet, woodland setting with views of the sea, city and Cape Kidnappers. We offer friendly, smoke-free accommodation, in our home, for your visit to Hawke’s Bay. We are originally from Somerset, England, but have lived in New Zealand for 15 years, most of that time in this area. Our interests include walking, gardening, travelling, genealogy and the internet. Use your own laptop or ours in our internet hotspot at low cost ( only NZ 10cents per Mb). Still free email access. Also free international and national phone calls!!
The Green House offers a separate guest floor with 2-3 rooms... 1 queen bedded room with en-suite ($NZ 130), sleeps 2 adults (can add cot). 1 queen bedded room (can accommodate an extra bed if required) with small lounge and separate, bathroom facilities (NOT shared!) ($NZ130), We can accommodate 3-4 adults travelling together or a family in this area, please email with your requirements and we'll work out a solution, hopefully!!
 Those planning a vacation in Britain see from afar the whole island as one country, which is understandable as from tip to toe it's less than 600 miles. However typography and history has carved the land into three distinct countries, England, (the southern half,) with Wales occupying the lump that sticks out towards Ireland, and to the north: Scotland.
Many are attracted to Scotland because their forefathers had emigrated along with their family names, and Ancestor Researchers makeup a good proportion of each year's visitors. Then there are the golfers attracted to the wealth of distinctly difficult yet beautiful courses. Another large number of arrivals are for The Edinburgh Festival which every August hosts musicians, actors, dancers and entertainers
from every part of the world.
I'll start my Insider Tips with some comments on Edinburgh in August. Firstly, although August is reputed to be high summer, it is also the month of thunder storms. Edinburgh is well prepared with marquees erected to protect outdoor functions, but you should bring something waterproof too. Also be prepared to pay for your constant entertainment. Yes there are street performers, a Book Fair, exhibitions on this and that, but from the smallest band playing in a pub through concerts, plays, comedians, dancers, to the Military Tattoo you'll be expected to contribute, and contribute generously. Then you'll need accommodation. The cheaper hostels will have been booked up six months in advance. The hotels and the little B&Bs are all out to test your wallet and are booked up well in advance too. However Edinburgh has good rail links to the closeby towns of Dunfermline, Linlithgow, Dunbar etc. where you can find accommodation at appropriate prices.
 Now a similar argument applies to Golf Courses. The world renown links at St Andrews or North Berwick require a healthy bank balance to cover your charges and accommodation. Yet Scotland is full of very interesting and beautiful golf clubs where you will be made feel welcome at a fraction of the price.
Perhaps you have decided to tour the highlands and islands and thought the best way was to hire a car. But Scotland has very few highways. What there are consist of two-way wiggling roads, full of touring buses and caravans throughout the summer. Parallel to these roads are passenger railways which provide fabulous views of the terrain at subsidised fares. Where there is not a railway there will be a bus service, and it is perfectly possible to travel throughout the highlands and islands using public transport.
To the west of Edinburgh is the City of Glasgow. It has to be said that although there are theatres, concerts, opera and galleries in Glasgow, these are a dressing on what is an industrial centre where the industry has left, leaving many social problems on the streets. Drunkeness, drugs and violence are readily witnessed in Glasgow. Yet the city does have many visitors that remain unscathed, but one should be aware of the risks.
Down the River Clyde from Glasgow and out to sea are two easily accessible islands that provide vacation destinations every bit as good as the well known Isle of Skye and Isle of Mull. The Isle of Arran has high mountains and a road running around the coast. This is a favourite with climbers, geologists and outdoors enthusiasts. There are two large, cheap Youth Hostels on the island, many well priced bed-and-breakfast houses, a whisky distillery and a beer brewery. That sorts everyone out! There is also a fine castle, beaches, forests and good restaurants.
To the north of Arran lies the Isle of Bute. Here the countryside is predominantly pasture in small fields, lanes, woods and highlands in the north. The Arran mountains across the water provide simply stunning scenery. There is an ancient castle, spooky prehistoric standing stones and a Gothic Stately Home, Mount Stuart House, open to the public. Bute attracts hikers, bikers, anglers and yachtsmen. There is also bountiful birdlife, deer, seals, hares and goats. There are four golf courses, all inexpensive. Hotels and restaurants are affordable, and there is a bus service over a minor ferry into the Argyll highlands with routes to the other islands of the west.
 Both Arran and Bute have good local bus services and frequent ferries to the mainland linked to the airports and Glasgow by train.
I hope this guides you in your planning and if the Edinburgh Festival is not important to you we find the best weather in Scotland is in June and September.
 This article is by Dag and Olga the owners of The Port Royal Hotel & Russian Tavern at Port Bannatyne in the north of the Isle of Bute. The tavern is a seashore village inn with five guestrooms, serves fresh seafood landed just outside, fine Russian specialities, local Real Ales poured directly from the casks on the bar, and Russian wines, beers and vodkas.
Curlews, oystercatchers and seals share the beach, while wild deer and hares graze the golf course at the rear of the inn.
For menus and independent reviews please visit: http://www.butehotel.com
 Oshkosh is a great destination year round, but the summer time is the very best. We are surrounded by Lake Winnebago, Fox River and the Wolf River.
If fishing, boating, waterskiing, jet skiing or just soaking up the rays along the waterfront or at our many parks along the lake, this is the place for you.
 EAA (Experimental Aircraft Assoc.) is well known world wide by pilots, aircraft enthusiasts and big names like John Travolta who visit Oshkosh every year for one week from July 28-Aug. 3. There are 800 exhibitors plus nearly 1,000 forums, workshops and seminars plus an out of this world air show.
 CountryUSA, a 300 acre festival park has been billed as one of the largest and most beautiful festival parks In the Midwest. They offer seven oversize stages, including a gigantic 150’ Superstar Mainstage. The festival is five days from Jun 25-29
LiFest is 5 days of great music, speakers, activities, comedy, fun, food and faith.
Both music festivals are uplifting and a great time for all.
 Grand Opera House in our downtown square was built in 1883 and is the oldest operating theater building. The grand has been restored to its original splendor and brings in a variety of national and international touring artists.
 Leach Amphitheatre is located on the shores of the Fox River and is an excellent place to spend your summer evenings.
Enjoy watching music every Thursday night from bands such as Bo Deans, Night Ranger, Todd Rundgren, Gin Blossoms, Alice Cooper and many more for as little as $5.00 per person.
 Oshkosh Speedzone Raceway is a premier 1/3 mile clay semi-banked oval track that draws fans and drivers from all over the Midwest. Fasttrak Late Models, Modifieds, Grand Nationals, Street Tocks and four-Cylinders compete with regular scheduled events every Friday night.
Brayton Bed and Breakfast located downtown Oshkosh which means we are within walking distance to many of these fine events, restaurants, bars and other local attractions such as shopping and museums.
We are not your typical B&B since we do not showcase antiques, lace, ruffles and country motif. Instead we offer deep tones that make you feel warm and at home but pampered with two person soaker tubs, flat screen TV’s, a wine and cheese social each afternoon, desserts in the evening and a full breakfast that won’t leave you hungry.
 Balfour is a busy summer resort area surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty on the shores of Kootenay Lake, in the valley of the Selkirk Mountain ranges, midway between the historic city of Nelson and the picturesque village of Kaslo.
You'll find grocery with liquor store, post office and video rentals, both fine dining and fast food, two pubs, a bakery with coffee shop, fishing tackle and gift shop, gas station and mechanic, and clothing shop. Boat launch and kayak or canoe rentals are close by.
Kootenay Lake is the largest inland lake in BC. It's 156 km (97 mi) long and ranges from 2 km (1.24 mi) to 6 km (3.72 mi) wide, and the water is some of the cleanest and clearest on the planet. This is an ice-free lake and provides excellent year round fishing. Dollys and Rainbows live here - Kootenay Lake is home to the world famous Gerrard Rainbow Trout. Fly fishing is exceptional, particularly in the spring on the south arm.
 The Lake, slender sliver of serenity, fringed with ancient rock, waterfalls and glacial streams and laying between the snow-clad Selkirk and Purcell Mountains, Kootenay Lake is a dream come true for sailing. Late-day winds that blow down the lake are a boon to Kootenay Lake sailors. The Kootenay Lake Sailing Association promotes recreational and competitive sailing on the lake. Annual events include the Gray Creek Regatta, held each Labour Day weekend at Gray Creek, just south of Crawford Bay, and the Kokanee Cup Lake Race, at Pilot Bay in mid-September.
Mountain biking enthusiasts will particularily enjoy the Kootenays. Whether you prefer a full-speed gravity grind or a gentle cruise through nature, the Kootenay Rockies is your path to biking heaven.Tour the open road or cycle a scenic trail that takes you past clear lakes, hanging glaciers and wildlife.
For the golfers, Balfour's own beautiful 18-hole golf course is just across the highway up the hill. A prestigious, 18-hole, Les Furber-designed facility complete with a driving range, putting green, a full fleet of rental carts, and a new clubhouse. Players will find the front nine carved neatly through a forested region with sand and water hazards strategically placed; while the back nine uses the mountains to provide elevation from tee to green and a breathtaking view across Kootenay Lake to the Purcell Mountains.
 Many wonderful hiking opportunities exist in the area. A particular favourite for those new to the area is the Old Growth Hike just below Kokanee Glacier. This hidden and new trail wanders through forest of large cedars in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park. There is a nice viewpoint, a very large split boulder, and remnants of the tramway system which used to haul ore from the Molly Gibson Mine to the terminus of the tramway. Amazing old cedars (one is 600 years old), stairways, and bridges cross the creek. Crossing an avalanche slide, you can see a waterfall on the mountain side.
If you choose to continue up the mountain, sitting mostly above 1,800 metres in elevation, the park has glaciers – Kokanee, Caribou, and Woodbury – which feed over 30 lakes and are the headwaters of many creeks. Kokanee Lake is 1,200 metres in length and 400 metres wide; surrounded by precipitous cliffs and rock slides, its an alpine jewel.
Other scenic lakes in the park include the gem-coloured Sapphire Lakes, milky Joker Lakes and popular Gibson, Kaslo and Tanal Lakes, which offer good fishing for rainbow and cutthroat trout. With 85 km of well-marked trails, this park is appropriate for campers, hikers and climbers with all levels of outdoor experience.Hiking to Kokanee glacier, you will be following a well used trail with idyllic lake plateaus, fishing in Kokanee Lake, alpine flowers, and 100-yr-old mining cabin. These hikes are amoung the many dozens of beautiful hikes of varying difficulty in the west Kootenays.
After a day filled with swimming, biking, boating, hiking or golf, take the short drive to our beautiful hot springs for a relaxing soak and watch the sun set on the sparkling surface of the lake between the soaring mountains.
 MurrayPond B and B is just moments from the west Kootenay Lake ferry terminal, the junction of highways 31 and 3a, and the many amenities that Balfour has to offer for your holiday stay. The tastefully decorated Clematis Room has a king size bed and the Honeysuckle Room has queen size bed, both with premium mattresses and quality linens. A table and chairs are by the window, where you can write or read with a view overlooking the garden and lily pond. Wireless Internet, cozy electric fireplace, TV with DVD/VCR, bar fridge, coffee-maker and hair dryer are also provided. The Clematis Room has a private entrance and patio with its afternoon sun and shade from a maple tree. The Honeysuckle Room is upstairs with mountain views and a separate bath and shower in the en suite.
A full breakfast is served every morning and changes daily. We use local ingredients when ever possible. All breakfasts are served with fair trade organic coffee, black or herbal teas and a selection of juices. For more info, please visit www.murraypond.com.
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