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As people retire they want to spend time with family and friends and savour the important things in life. One such pleasure which is available without the time commitments and pressures of working is taking holidays and visiting the places which people never had the opportunity to see during the rest of their lives. There are an innumerable number of destinations to choose from and the world truly is your oyster. I wanted to take this opportunity to recommend somewhere I recently had the most fascinating time – namely Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand. It is an ideal destination for retired individuals, couples and even groups due to its sedate pace, natural beauty and wealth of activities on offer. It would take me years to go through everything you could possibly do in the region and we all have our own personal preferences and interests but I have picked out a few of the highlights of my recent trip.
Wineries
If you are a wine lover, then this location has you covered. There are around 70 wineries across the area many of which allow for tours, tasting and even provide top quality food. Hawke’s Bay boasts the oldest wine region in all of New Zealand and due to its climate being very much like that of Bordeaux in France it is perfect for producing top quality wines. It is known as New Zealand’s largest producer of red wine including Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes. This really is a wine lover’s paradise. You could choose to spend a half day at one unwinding and enjoying the local produce or even go on a wine tour spending your time across various locales and make a few days of it.
Gannet Colony at Cape Kidnappers
If you are more of a nature lover or an avid photographer, then you really must see the Gannet Colony at Cape Kidnappers. It is located only half an hour’s drive away from Napier and Hastings and so it will not take long to get to. Upon reaching your destination you will be greeted by the largest gannet colony in the world. I recommend that you come to visit it between the months of November and February as this is when it is at its most populated. It is a great opportunity for photography and just an extraordinary sight to see.
Cycling Trails
If you are feeling like you would like to explore the region at a slower pace whilst breathing in the fresh air and being able to actually touch and feel the landscape, then cycling tours across the area cannot be missed out on. Being able to cover hundreds of kilometres of premade bike trails will let you become an explorer and stop and go as you please. They vary in difficulty so you don’t need to fear that they will be too adventurous for you as many of these are ideally suited to people of retirement age or families with younger children or grand kids. This is one of the best ways to take in the natural beauty of the region and you can experience majestic coastlines, winding hills as well as the abundant vineyards dotting the area.
Architecture
The city of Napier is famous for its large number of Art Deco buildings. Due to it being severely damaged by an earthquake in the 1930’s it had many new buildings constructed which fit the relevant art style of the time. This has led to Napier becoming a glorious destination to find stunning architecture. In fact, the city is famous for having the largest concentration of buildings built in this style of anywhere in the world. Spend the day (or more) pottering around the city taking it all in whilst being able to enjoy the local cuisine and bars along your journey.
Quality Living
Whatever you want to do in the region you will certainly be enjoying the good life. The standard of living in the area is very high and there are various places to find luxury accommodation in Hawkes Bay. Everywhere is very accessible and it is easy to get around. Pace of life here is very laid back so you won’t need to fear about hiring a car as it is certainly not somewhere to worry about driving around in. Even if you want to spend most of your time relaxing in your holiday home or around your resort you will find luxury living easy to find and it is the perfect place to simply unwind and savour a time of relaxation.
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