FROM THE TRAVEL EDITOR

It’s by no means an original statement with which to begin this week’s magazine, but can you believe it’s already December? The year has flown by for me, thanks in part to some wonderful travel experiences.

It started with the Lindis in Canterbury’s Ahuriri Valley, where I was blown away by the spectacular landscapes and stunning architecturally designed luxury lodge. Then our borders opened and I wasted no time in getting a taste of international travel again, hopping on the first available flight to Fiji.

Since then I’ve enjoyed luxurious trips to Queenstown and Perth, rediscovered my love for New York, and — coming full circle from that first trip of the year — been awestruck by another of New Zealand’s naturally beautiful destinations, Fiordland.

It’s hard to pick a favourite moment from this year of travel — I’m delighted to say there have been too many to narrow it down to a winner. But, in a rather unfair case of “do as I say, not as I do”, this week I’ve asked my Travel team mates to reminisce on their best trips of the year (see p22-23). When time whizzes by like it tends to these days, it’s sometimes easy to forget just how far we’ve come, and how far we’ve been.

I hope you’ve had some great adventures this year too — whether near or far — and that next year you’ll have the opportunity to spread your wings some more.