One of the first ways I learned about New Zealand came in a glass. Specifically, a wine glass. The Marlborough region is known for its signature wine—sauvignon blanc. This refreshing, briny drink put New Zealand on the map, so to speak. But tasting it on its own terroir? That’s really something special. I visited Brancott Vineyward, the first place to grow this famous grape regionally, with chief winemaker Jamie MarfellNot only will a trip here include excellent wine, but you’ll enjoy sweeping views of Marlborough.

Talk about roots: winemaker Haysley MacDonald’s family arrived on this piece of land 800 years ago. For almost a millennia, they’ve worked the land, growing crops and raising sheep and beef. However, in 2003 that Haysley planted the property’s first grape vines. In 2011, te Pā Wines launched to critical acclaim. I have to say, the taste of the wine is just as spectacular as the surroundings. The vineyard stretches down to Cloudy Bay, making it a unique confluence of bounty and beauty. Enjoy some of their bright, briny wine with local seafood, plucked right from the nearby water.

I’ve always thought being a mail carrier would be a great job—you get fresh air, exercise and don’t have to take your work home with you. But in New Zealand, this job gets even cooler—Fern Ritchie delivers mail via boat, and I got to join her. I hopped aboard the Pelorus Mail Boat, a real working mail boat that cruises the breathtaking Marlborough Sounds. This boat has been delivering mail, groceries and crucial supplies to isolated homesteads nestled in the quiet, secluded bays of the Pelorus Sounds. Along the way, we explored hidden bays and coves, learned the fascinating history of the characters who live tucked away from the world, getting up close and personal with local wildlife along the way.

As a born and bred New Englander, I love my seafood. But I’d never seen anything quite like the greenshell mussels of New Zealand. The best place to enjoy them? At Mills Bay Mussels, mere steps from the waters where they were harvested. Big, briny, and fresh from the sea, these Marlborough delicacies are hand graded, packed, and prepared by the family that grows them in the sound. Visit their tasting room & eatery in the Havelock Marina, right at the front of their packhouse. Try them raw, smoked, steamed, grilled, beer battered—any which way you like!

For most of us, clothes are simply things we put on every day. But for Dame Suzie Moncreiff, clothing is an art form. She’s the creator of the World of WearableArt, a museum showcasing a stunning selection of more than 50 wearable art garments. These intricate, imaginative creations come from the World of WearableArt Exhibition, an annual contest celebrating designers from around the globe. While there’s certainly something special about seeing these wearable pieces on a human body, visiting the exhibition allows you to get up close and see these incredible works of art in detail.

New Zealanders are known for their dedication to environmental conservation. That said, in 2016 two Kiwis took things a bit farther when they started a crowdfunding campaign to buy a stretch of Awaroa beach, fearing it could be purchased by developers or owners who would deny locals access to the beach. In a major triumph for people power, the New Zealand public donated over two million dollars, purchased the beach and ceded it into Abel Tasman National Park. Part of the beach’s charm lies in its isolation – you have to make an effort to enjoy the splendour. A one-way boat trip to Awaroa from Kaiteriteri, or Marahau costs about $40, or $25 for the short boat ride from Totaranui at the northern end of the park.

When it comes to riding in a helicopter, experience is key. That’s just one of the reasons I loved flying with Toby Reid, a third generation helicopter pilot with over 13 years’ experience. (Fun fact: Bill Reid, Toby’s father, was Sir Peter Jackson’s personal helicopter pilot during the location scouting of Lord of the Rings and discovered the Mt. Olympus location himself!) Toby took me to both Awaroa Beach, as well as a site fit for Hollywood– Mt. Olympus– featured in the first Lord of the Rings movie. There truly is something otherworldly about this place. It’s quiet, aside from chirping kiwi birds and the sound of distant waterfalls, with craggy-topped mountains rambling down to lush green pastures. No trip here would be complete without visiting the rock formation, Hand of God. It’ll leave you feeling like maybe you really are in Middle Earth.

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