Flights To Fancy

Travelling the world in luxury for less a week at a time

Australia is a haven for tourists who like variety in their experience. From natural attractions, culinary adventure, and culture - you can find it here!

New Zealand Road Trip: 7 Day North Island Itinerary

Fash Packing: New Zealand Road Trip 7 Day North Island Itinerary - Title

I have been to New Zealand’s North Island once before, but it was only for three days and I barely had time to acclimatise before I was boarding a plane home. I left vowing to return. While The Hubs was in the South Island for a ski about 20 yeas ago, he has never been to the North, so we were both really looking forward to exploring this wonderfully diverse region on our 7 day New Zealand Road Trip. New Zealand is a small country, but there is much to see and we knew we would never be able to fit everything into our week. We forced ourselves to be really precise with our itinerary and deliberated endlessly to achieve the perfect balance between not doing enough and being in the car for 10 hours a day watching the world whiz by the window. I have no issue creating a run sheet that has every waking hour planned in 15 minute increments but The Hubs needs to have some down time. The FOMO monster raised her ugly head more that once during our planning sessions as I attempted to convince my man that we could indeed squeeze in ‘just one more’ activity and STILL have plenty of time to relax. In the end, we created an itinerary to explore Auckland, The Coromandel Peninsula, Rotorua, Waitomo and Hamilton that suited us both. Read on for all the details …

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Emirates A380 International Business EK418 SYD-AKL

Fash Packing: Emirates A380 Business Class Review - Bar

I love luxury travel but I begrudge paying top dollar for it. This blog is dedicated to experiencing the champagne lifestyle on a beer budget and using your frequent flier points wisely is one of the best money saving hacks there is. That’s exactly what we did for our recent trip to New Zealand. We blew a heap of points to fly across the Tasman on Emirates A380 Business Class for nix. Was it worth it? Read on for all the details …

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Emirates Lounge Sydney International Airport

Fash Packing: Emirates Lounge Sydney International Airport Review - Lounge Chairs

Anyone who has flown out of Sydney International Airport in the last year or so will know major works are on the go. I fly in and out of SYD International (T1) every eight weeks or so and each time I visit it’s different. Just when I think I have it figured out, they go and change it on me again. Airports are normally chaotic at the best of times, but all this construction just adds to the drama. I usually fly in the cheap seats and end up in killing time in Maccas (McDonalds for the non-Aussies!) so I was thrilled to have lounge access en route to our week long road trip around New Zealand’s stunning North Island. I’m no stranger to an airport lounge and I had high expectations that the Emirates Lounge Sydney International Airport would be a cut above the rest. So did it live up to my expectations? Read on for all the details …

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Cafe Midnight Express Auckland: Turkish Treats

Fash Packing: Cafe Midnight Express Auckland - Kofte

Eating out in Auckland is a delight. Choices cover all manner of cuisines and there is something sure to delight every palette. I have always been a fan of Turkish cuisine and when I spotted Cafe Midnight Express Auckland right across from the Sky Tower it piqued my interest and drew me across the street. I quickly checked out the TripAdvisor reviews (#13 of 1736) on my phone and the deal was sealed. Faster than you could say ‘table for two please’ we were seated and perusing the menu. Read on for all the details …

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Strolling Auckland CBD & Viaduct Harbour

Fash Packing: A Stroll Through Auckland CBD & Viaduct Harbour - Auckland Viaduct Harbour View To Auckland Harbour Bridge

Auckland, New Zealand’s most populous city, is under going a transformation in preparation for significant expected growth over the next 10 years. As you walk the city streets, you can’t help but notice the construction surrounding you. Auckland is particularly well suited to walking and we spent a lovely couple of days exploring the Auckland CBD and nearby Viaduct Harbour. As a proud Sydney Sider, I couldn’t help but notice some suspicious similarities with my home town. Coincidence? I think not! Read on for all the details …

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No.8 Bar & Restaurant Whitianga: Hungry Tuesday

Fash Packing by SFH: No.8 Bar & Restaurant Whitianga - Hungry Tuesday

Whitianga (pronounced Fit-ee-enga) is on New Zealand’s stunning Coromandel Peninsula and it’s beautiful beaches draw visitors in their thousands in the summer. We stopped in for two nights on our road trip around New Zealand’s North Island and fell in love with this quaint little town. Despite its size, there are quite a few dining options for when you can drag yourself away from the pure white sand and crystal clear water for the day. We wandered the compact town on a quiet Tuesday night and checked them all out before deciding on No.8 Bar & Restaurant Whitianga. I’m got going to lie; the Tuesday night specials sealed the deal for us. Who doesn’t love a bargain dinner? Read on for all the details …

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Emirates A380 First Class Review: Mind Blown AKL-SYD

Fash Packing by SFH: Emirates A380 First Class Review EK419 Auckland to Sydney - Emirtaes A380

My first time flying Emirates A380 first class was amazing! In today’s age of readily available cheap flights the experience of flying itself has lost it’s shine. The exclusivity and glamour of yesteryear has been replaced by cramped cabins, perfunctory service, shrinking baggage allowances and an ever dwindling list of inclusions. I remember fondly a trip to the UK aged 8 when I was more excited about the journey than the destination. Hundreds of flights (and reviews) later, I don’t feel that same thrill when boarding a plane. It’s almost as mundane as taking the bus and a necessary evil to be endured to get me to where I want to be. This was not the case on my last flight on Emirate Airlines first class. I was looking forward to this flight in a way that I haven’t since I was eight years old. I booked an Emirates A380 first class suite and I couldn’t wait! It’s not lack of desire that has kept me from the pointy end of the plane until now, it’s lack of funds. My bank balance (or lack thereof!) forces me to chose between travelling more comfortably and more frequently. More frequently usually wins and while I have lots of tips for scoring bargain flights, the only thing better than a bargain flight is a free one! Knowing I would never spend the dollars required to experience Emirates first class cabin, I dropped a bunch of frequent flyer points and rekindled my joy of flying. My Emirates A380 first class review will blow your mind. Read on for all the details …

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Emirates Lounge Auckland International Airport

Fash Packing by SFH: Emirates A380 First Class Review - Auckland International Airport Emirates Lounge - Passport

To end our road trip through New Zealand’s North Island in style we chose to fly home first class on Emirates flagship A380. This was my first time flying first class and to say I was looking forward to it was an understatement. One of the bonuses of travelling Emirates first class is that passengers are afforded lounge access. I’ve been in a lounge or two over the years and have found they vary dramatically across the globe. So did we enjoy the Auckland International Airport Emirates Lounge? You bet we did! Read on for all the details …

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