Nelson, New Zealand offers a unique setting for wine lovers and adventurous spirits alike.

Set on the northern tip of New Zealand’s south island, the area offers vineyards, beaches, national parks, and more sunshine than the rest of New Zealand!

If you want a true vineyard escape, Milcrest Estate, centrally located within the region, has it all: luxury accommodations set among vineyards with a scenic backdrop of green hills and perhaps most important, their own wines for you to enjoy.

So, as I tell you about Milcrest Estate and the surrounding region… sit back, relax, and start planning your next romantic getaway right here!

The Accommodations:

Milcrest Estate (in Hope, Nelson) opened to the public in January 2010, offering intimate Bed & Breakfast-style accommodations. Discreetly located away from main roads, this boutique vineyard offers personal attention for a maximum of 4 guests per night (only 2 rooms).

Whether you choose the Pinot Noir Suite or Sauvignon Suite, you’ll enjoy top-notch amenities including a complimentary bottle of wine, goose down duvets, Wi-Fi, and an iPod dock.

Both rooms offer great views of the vineyards and hills.

Unwind at the end of the day with a bottle of wine on your own private patio. The rooms also offer a mini fridge and microwave, the perfect setup for enjoying light appetizers.

Breakfast is served in-room with the choice of a continental (included) or a hot breakfast (nominal fee).

In the summer months, Milcrest Estate also offers guests a barbecue dinner where they serve up local specialties including whitebait, venison, and fresh fish paired with their very own wines.

Coming soon…  a swimming pool! But until then, you can enjoy the bubbling hot tub.

Prices range between US $105-120 per night, depending on the season.

The Wine:

Milcrest Estate currently produces 3 different wines under their own label: Sauvignon Blanc (of course, it’s New Zealand after all!), Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir.

The Nelson wine-growing region is the 8^th largest in the country and because of the amount of sunshine, the region produces some amazing aromatic wines.

Milcrest Estate is situated on an ancient alluvial river plain, allowing great drainage as well as stones that naturally heat the grapes at night.

This is a true microclimate unique to Milcrest Estate, which the Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris, in particular, love.

Check out this wine review by Wine Vault TV:

Planning your stay in Nelson:

If you really want to do the region justice, you’ll need at least a week because there are so many things to do. I’d recommend checking out the official Nelson website, one of the most comprehensive and informative tourism websites I’ve seen.

Other Wineries

There are 10 wineries within 6 kilometers of Milcrest Estate, including Waimea Estate, Fossil Ridge, Brightwater Vineyards, and Richmond Plains for organic wine. Make sure you also check out Neudorf and Rimu Grove, about a 15-minute drive.

Adventure

If you love the great outdoors, make time (as in a few days) to explore Abel Tasman National Park, which is known for its golden beaches, rich estuaries, and rocky hills. Take one of New Zealand’s Great Walks (an easy 3-5 day hike) along the coast or spend a few days hiking the Inland Track. For those who would prefer to be on the water, plan a sailing or kayaking adventure.

Snow bunnies can hit up Rainbow Ski Field in the winter, a 55-minute drive from Milcrest Estate.

Events:

Planning a trip to Milcrest Estate around the time of these festivals or events could be a good idea, as they are in very close proximity:

Nelson’s International Jazz Festival – January

Brightwater Wine & food Festival – February

Rugby World Cup - September, October 2011 (games held around the country)

Getting there:

Milcrest Estate is about a 15-minute drive from Nelson airport, the fourth busiest in New Zealand. There are also vehicle rentals, ferries, and bus services to the region.

If you really want to explore the region and have a limited amount of time, a car rental is probably your best option. However, the Nelson tourism website or Milcrest Estate owner, Terry Milton, can answer any specific questions.

It’s easy to fall in love with the vibrant Mediterranean port city of Barcelona.  Here are a just a few of the reasons:

1. The Architecture: Barcelona is considered by many to be the world capital of architecture and design, and with good reason.

The extraordinary structures of Antoni Gaudi, Barcelona’s most well-known architect, with their mosaics, bright colors and flowing shapes and curves  will be unlike anything you’ve ever seen, as least as far as 19^th century European architecture goes.

The unfinished Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s most famous work, draws the most visitors, but Casa Milá (La Pedrera), Casa Batlló (see photo) and Parc Guell also deserve a visit.  Parc Guell has no entrance fee, and offers a spectacular view of the city, in addition to the beauty of its own grounds.

Work has continued on the Sagrada Familia for the 25 years since Gaudi’s death, and at least another 25 years of work remains before it will be completed.  Pope Benedict XVI will be visiting the church in November to formally consecrate it.  From then on, masses will be held inside.

Aside from Gaudi’s fanciful creations, the streets of Barcelona hold myriads of classically elegant European buildings.  Their stately presence lends a feel of serene stability to the otherwise lively atmosphere of this cosmopolitan city.

2. Al fresco dining: you have the opportunity to savor a leisurely meal or wine and tapas at comfortable outdoor tables at a multitude of restaurants along Barcelona’s wide, palm-tree lined streets.

3. The wine: If you’re traveling on a budget, you’ll be happy to know that Spanish wine can be found for prices cheaper than bottled water.

This glass of Qu Qu’s red table wine cost 1.5 euros, and the shrimp, mushroom and bacon kebab that accompanied it left my taste buds dancing with pleasure.

You can also take the opportunity to try some local wines – wine production has been an important part of Catalonia’s culture for centuries.

The most well-known fermented beverage native to the region is Cava, the Spanish version of champagne.

4. Paella! Need I say more?  If that doesn’t tell you enough, order some – you’ll see what I mean.

5. The coffee shops: My personal favorite is Il Caffe di Francesco: a little treasure tucked away on a little side street about a block away from Casa Batllo.

High ceilings and brick-walled interiors are the backdrop for a mouthwatering selection of pastries and croissants, and the coffee menu …mmm. The Caffe Italiana (espresso, amaretto, chocolate and whipped cream) is divine.  (Address: Consell  de Cent, 347 08001-Barcelona)

6. Montjuic: the views and the dancing musical water fountain that (literally) leaps into action after nightfall.

7. If you happen to be a soccer – sorry, football – fan, there’s Camp Nou stadium, home of Club Barça.

These are only a few of Barcelona’s many attractions. But the only way to truly understand the irresistible charm of this Spanish city is, of course, to experience it for yourself!

* Photos courtesy of Sonya Stoa

The Kabukiza Theater, located in the district of Ginza in Tokyo, had its final kabuki performance last Friday as it will soon be demolished.

The news is sad for both locals and visitors since the 60-year-old theater was one of the most iconic buildings in today’s modern Tokyo. Having had the chance to see this fascinating form of drama at this one-of-a-kind venue, I can understand why the news is shocking for many.

However, kabuki shows will go on. There are plans to build a 29-story tower on site by 2013 with the bottom floors reserved for the new kabuki theater.