Travel Wires

Have wheels will holiday Let’s kick off 2018 with the ultimate Kiwi summer holiday. According to David Culpan, “Holidaying in motorhomes and caravans is making a serious comeback in New Zealand”. He would say that: Culpan organises the Covi SuperShow for the aforesaid vehicles in Auckland in March. Last year 220 vehicles were sold, up 29 per cent on 2016, worth between $28 million and $30m. That’s a massive increase from $10m-$12m in 2010, and they’re hoping for more in 2018. You may like to think of that next time you’re on a narrow, winding stretch of SH1 on a hot day, praying for the sign saying, “Passing lane 10km ahead”. Maldives mega luxe Forget building your own sand island: get your mates to stump up $65,000 a night and enjoy a holiday on a stunning private island in the Indian Ocean. Guests are transported by private luxury yacht to Coco Prive in the Maldives, where they find an exclusive wine cellar, cocktail bar, indoor and outdoor gym, 40m pool and 30 staff to look after every whim. A spokesman says, “With six beautifully designed villas, it’s the perfect secret escape for those on the lookout for total privacy and solitude. During the day, guests have uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean surrounded by tropical trees including mango, coconut palms, frangipani, sea hibiscus and bright pink bougainvillea. At night, it’s the perfect spot for stargazing due to the island’s remote location and complete lack of light pollution.” Note: $65,000 does not include local GST. The most, the least . . . Before we forget 2017, TripAdvisor has revealed its most and least reviewed attractions, cities and countries. London was the most reviewed city: more than 1 million comments. Eritrea was the least popular country, just nine travellers contributing 17 write-ups. The justifiably famous Lisbon bakery Pateis de Belem received more than 10,000 comments, more than any other eatery. The Hard Rock Hotel in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, got more reviews than any other. Most reviewed attraction: Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia basilica. Japanese travellers are most likely to review. . . . and the oddly sad The UK’s most reviewed hotel was Gatwick Airport’s Premier Inn while the Shaka Zulu African/vegetarian restaurant in Camden received the most comments. Its most reviewed attraction was (surprise) the London Eye. British reviewers submitted 65,725 reviews on February 14 — more than any other day of the year. “Are you coming to bed, love? It is Valentine’s Day.” “Nope. I’m going to stay up and write angry, venting reviews online.” And some say romance is dead.

— travel@nzherald.co.nz