WHERE I’D RATHER BE . . .
SHORT HAUL
It’s the first long weekend of the summer (yay!) and it’s getting me in the mood for camping holidays. First up, I’ll head north to Kerikeri, one of my favourite Bay of Islands’ towns for a long weekend getaway. kerikeri.co.nz
Eating: My way around the Old Packhouse Market. Held every Saturday and Sunday, it has more than 100 stalls selling the region’s best food, drink, arts and crafts. theoldpackhousemarket.co.nz
Drinking: Award-winning, fully certified organic rosé, gewurztraminer, blanc de barrique and chambourcin wines at Ake Ake Vineyard. akeakevineyard.co.nz
Staying: At Aroha Island, an eco-sanctuary and campsite across the water from downtown Kerikeri. It has beautiful views across the estuary and is home to rare North Island brown kiwi. arohaisland.co.nz
MID HAUL
Camping on the California coast at Big Sur, a few hours’ drive from San Francisco along the newly reopened Pacific Highway One, where there are plenty of national and state parks well set up for campers. visitcalifornia.com
Eating: Provisions from Big Sur Deli. The deli has been family owned and operated for more than 30 years, and offers some of the best produce in the region. bigsurdeli.com
Drinking: At the Big Sur Taphouse, where guests can sample craft beers and wines from Monterey County. You can buy snacks from the deli and eat them in the Taphouse. bigsurtaphouse.com
Staying: Glamping at Ventana, an Alila Resort in Big Sur, where the luxurious safaristyle tents nestle among soaring redwoods in a 20-acre canyon. ventanabigsur.com
LONG HAUL
In the beautiful Lake District National Park, in England’s North East, an area that boasts 12 of the largest lakes in England and 3105km of public walking rights of way. lakedistrict.gov.uk
Eating: At the Cottage in the Wood, a 17th century property hidden in a mountain forest near Keswick. An exceptional fine-dining menu and wine list showcase small-batch local producers. thecottageinthewood.co.uk
Drinking: At the Wasdale Head Inn, in a region that has England’s tallest mountain and deepest lake. The pub has been serving punters for more than two centuries. wasdale.com
Staying: In a camping barn, found on farms across the Lake District — simple accommodation, often in heritage buildings, sleeping up to 18. dmslakedistrict.co.uk