I'd just like to point out that you can't really relax in a hammock with cocktail on the southern NZ beaches. They are better suited to sport, BBQ, beachcombing or watching animals. Even in summer you should have windproof clothing to hand, and it is also essential to protect yourself from the high UV levels with long sleeves, hat, suncream etc.

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About half an hour's drive south of Dunedin, this is a large beach lying around a small estuary. Great for beachcombing, picnics, surfing and fooling around.

www.seenindunedin.co.nz/attractions/local_beaches.html

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This is the cityside beach in Dunedin, quite short but always with impressive surf. At one end is the open air salt water pool, great for swimming when the surf's up, also good for toddlers and small children.

There's a promenade behind the beach with a couple of good bars and cafes. There are more impressive beaches further up the peninsula but for convenience and all-round utility you can't beat St. Clairs.

www.seenindunedin.co.nz/attractions/local_beaches.html

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The crossing is a day-trip across the extinct volcano of Mt. Tongariro. It requires some effort, but the rewards are worth it once you reach the moon-landscape and startling colours of the upper crater. To the south lies the still active cone Ngauruhoe, and to the north lake Taupo, which is a caldera resulting from one of the largest ever supervolcanic eruptions. The descent through tussock and native bush rounds off the trip nicely.

www.tongarirocrossing.org.nz

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Travelling through Central Otago in summer, especially around Cromwell, Queenstown, and Roxburgh, there are plenty of opportunities to stop and buy fruit.

Browse through the boxes and search out succulent apricots, peaches, nectarines, raspberries, gooseberries, apples or plums to refresh your journey. It's worthwhile buying a large chilly bin (cool box) for storage if you're driving.

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There are many Maori stories about how the country, natural phenomena and fauna were created, and reading up on them before you visit the country can enrich your journey.

Ranging from creation myths to stories of love and loss, these often humorous tales will enhance your understanding of the spirituality invested in the landscape by the Maori.

Maori Myth and Legend" by A.W. Reed is a nice introduction.

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South-west New Zealand, or Te Wahipounamu, is one of the country's three UNESCO world heritage sites and to properly experience it you need to go bush.

There's a track for every level of experience, check with the DOC (Department of Conservation) for detailed information. Whether squelching through dense beech or podocarp rainforest, scrambling across scree slopes above glacier valleys, striding over tussock-clad alpine passes, or gazing at the incredibly clear night sky from your tent, there is a memorable experience waiting for you.

Self-sufficiency is the keyword - take only what you need and bring everything back out. Leave your need for creature comforts behind and embrace nature.

Great tracks include the Rees-Dart (forest/sub alpine), the Hollyford (rainforest) and the Young valley (sub alpine).

www.fourcorners.co.nz/new-zealand/world-heritage/
www.doc.govt.nz/templates/ByRegionLanding.aspx?id=35796

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There are many levels of accommodation in Bamberg - the Bamberger Weissbierhaus, a brewery with guest rooms, is recommended.

Obere Königstrasse 38,
96052 Bamberg.
Tel: 0951 25503

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These are former slate mines which have developed amazing and ever-changing natural colouring through the constant dripping of mineral rich water. The caves were rediscovered in the early 20th century and became a tourist attraction. This part of Thüringia is also well worth exploring for its attractive forests, rivers, walking tracks, culture and hospitality.

www.germany-tourism.de/ENG/destination_germany/master_tlregion-id143-fs2.htm

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The stuttgart television tower was the first tower of its kind in the world and has recently been completely refitted. It is the unofficial symbol of the city, as you can see it from almost anywhere. For details and a webcam see the website, which is in German and English. The view from the top is great.

Jahnstraße 120 (U-Bahn station: Waldau);
tel: 0711 23 2597
www.fernsehturm-stuttgart.de

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Stuttgart is second only to Budapest for the number of mineral baths in the city. Teenagers go to Leuze, while those wanting to relax visit MineralBad Cannstatt, which has an extensive sauna area upstairs. Many baths have specialised treatment pools, (eg. for high blood pressure). When it gets hot, Stuttgarters head for the nearest open air pool. Perhaps the best is Freibad Rosental in Vaihingen, with a large freeform stainless steel pool landscape, springboards, and a children's pool. There are play areas, sunbathing, grills, food stands and plenty of opportunities for people watching.

Leuze: Am Leuzebad 2-6;
tel: 0711 216 4210

MineralBad Cannstatt: Sulzerrainstraße 2;
tel: 0711 216 9241

Freibad Rosental: Rosentalstraße 21 Stuttgart-Vaihingen;
tel: 0711 216 4837

General information: www.stuttgart.de/baeder (in German)

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This stylish, airport-themed cafe/bar near the Hauptbahnhof is located in a former Lufthansa city terminal, and is one of Stuttgart's best lounge bars. Coffee, lunches, cocktails, wine, spirits and boutique beers are served. DJs play several nights a week, mainly jazz, lounge, and soul. Take a seat at the long bar and observe passers-by, or make yourself comfortable in one of the lounge areas.

Lautenschlagerstr. 14;
www.bravo-charlie.de

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Come here for the best döner kebab (€3,50) in the city. Freshly baked pita bread, grilled lamb, yoghurt, grilled vegetables and salad. Takeaway or eat, standing up, on site. The "Alaturka teller", a mixed plate of salads, meat, vegetables and börek for €7,90, is easily enough for two people.

Olgastr. 100, Stuttgart Süd.

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There will be a huge screen set up in the Schlossplatz (main square) which is where most German fans will congregate, but there are many alternatives. Go to a bar, cafe or beer garden to watch World Cup games.

The best atmosphere is generally to be had in Italian bars and cafes, which will obviously be bursting at the seams when Italy plays but otherwise a lot quieter.

At Mezzogiorno, a restaurant on the grounds of the city university, you can watch games on a big screen from the comfort of a leafy beer garden. The pizzas are recommended. You'll also be near to the Theodor-Heuss str, which is where Stuttgart's Germans, Italians, Brazilians, and Spaniards will parade when (if) their team wins.

Mezzogiorno: Kriegsbergstraße 55;
tel: 0711 295089
S-Bahn: Stadtmitte

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Within the wine-growing region of Württemberg, Stuttgart city has considerable areas of vineyards above the Neckar River, which are incidentally also lovely for walking. Rainer Schnaitmann and Weingut Gert Aldinger, both of Fellbach, a town near Stuttgart, are two vineyards that win prizes nationally, while Kessler, of Esslingen, is Germany's oldest Sekt (sparkling wine) producer.

Around 6-10 € spent in any supermarket will get you a good local wine from Remstal, Fellbach or Untertürkheim. Weinhaus Stetter serves a large range of local wines with appropriate food at reasonable prices, in genuine "Swabian" surroundings.

Try Bernd Kreis' wine store if you want advice - they speak English – and if you need to drown your sorrows post-World Cup, don't miss the autumn wine festivals: Weindorf, in Stuttgart 30.08.2006- 10.09.2006, and Fellbacher Herbst, in Fellbach, 6.10.2006- 9.10.2006.

Also look out for the Weindorf World Cup, from 09.06.2006 'til 09.07.2006, when there will be a wine and food festival held in the Schillerplatz, just off the Schlossplatz (main square)

Weinhaus Stetter: Rosenstr. 32 (U-Bahn Charlottenplatz);
www.weinhaus-stetter.de (in German)

Weinhandlung Bernd Kreis: Münzstrasse 10 (U-Bahn Charlottenplatz);
www.wein-kreis.de (in German)

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One of the best places to try real Swabian food. Speciality is kidneys with spätzle (swabian noodles), but you can also get a good Rostbraten mit Bratkartoffeln (steak with sauce, onions and roast potatoes). They serve local wine and beer, and the prices are moderate. When the weather is fine there is mostly room outside on the terrace, otherwise it pays to reserve a table. Open for lunch and dinner.

Immenhofer Straße 33, Stuttgart Süd;
tel: 0711 602704

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