MetService Afternoon Weather: June 23, 2025
Is micro cruising for you, Why do European airports lose your luggage and Fiji limiting the number of tourists on reefs.
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NZ Herald
a day ago
- NZ Herald
Where to experience cowboy culture around the world
Australia Stockmen, also known as ringers, are part of Australia's cultural fabric. For generations, they've worked the country's craggy landscapes and vast outback. Stockmen first arrived on the scene in the early 19th century, when European settlers established cattle and sheep ranches. Their adept rustling skills were passed down through the generations and are still in use today. To see modern Australian cowboys put their roping techniques to the test, head to the Mount Isa Mines Rodeo in northwest Queensland. The Birdsville Races , held each September, also have a distinct stockman flair. Mount Isa Mines Rodeo. Photo / Tourism and Events Queensland Italy Italy's cowboys, the butteri, have worked the land between southwestern Tuscany and northern Lazio since Etruscan times, tending long-horned Maremmana cattle. The butteri employ an elegant, quick riding style and carry the traditional mazzarella, a hand-carved wooden staff used to open gates, herd cattle and train horses. While the butteri still ride the open land across central Italy, their numbers are dwindling, leading lawmakers to kick off training programmes to bring new wranglers into the fold. The six-room Tenuta Di Alberese , located in the Maremma region of Tuscany, offers visitors horseback tours with the butteri who live and work nearby. Italian butteri have been riding since Etruscan times, making them Europe's oldest cowboys. Photo / Unsplash Mexico When the Spanish first came to Mexico in 1519, they knew they'd need vaqueros, or cowboys, to wrangle the cattle they brought with them. They quickly trained indigenous men to ride horseback on the range. Those Mexican vaqueros eventually took their skills with them throughout North America, developing the art of lasso (from the Spanish lazo, or rope) and later inspiring their American counterparts. Visitors to the popular tourist town of San Miguel de Allende can get an authentic vaquero experience with a full-day ride at Rancho Xotolar , a working ranch. Bonus: During the tour, you'll also spy ancient Toltec pyramids. Spain Without Spanish vaqueros, there wouldn't be 'cowboy culture'. These original ranch hands worked the Iberian Peninsula's haciendas during medieval times and were responsible for rounding up livestock and branding the animals to aid in identification. Their horseback skills proved so useful that conquistadors often brought them along as they expanded the Spanish empire around the world. Today, you can get a modern-day vaquero fix during the annual El Rocío Saca de las Yeguas. During the event, held every June 26, hundreds of mares are brought to the shrine of the Virgin del Rocío for a special blessing. The animals are then driven to nearby Alamonte for a livestock fair and sale. Saddle up for global adventures as cowboy culture takes centre stage in travel. Photo / Getty Images The Philippines You might not consider Southeast Asia a hotspot for cowboy culture, but in the Philippines, rodeo reigns supreme. Each spring, hundreds of contestants flock to the Mastabe City Rodeo Festival to show off their lasso skills, ride bulls, and take part in the carambola, an attempt to restrain rowdy cows by hand. Many more come out to watch the spectacle, all dressed in their western best. As with many other cowboy hotspots, the Filipino tradition took shape when Spanish colonisers arrived on the scene and brought cattle and horses with them. Locals learned to manage and herd cows and steer by horseback, and that tradition still remains strong. United States
NZ Herald
4 days ago
- NZ Herald
How to save money on your next ski holiday: expert tips
Renting ski gear saves a lot of money when your kids are still growing, but it can sometime work out cheaper when it comes to baggage costs for adults too. 'To reduce costs for excess baggage, rent,' says Leigh. 'You can save a considerable amount while ensuring you're using up-to-date gear that you don't have to service every winter.' And we're not just talking about skis, either – these days, you'll find businesses that rent ski clothing in most resorts. Bringing your own gear can rack up the baggage costs. Photo / Les Menuires Pour Salon, Les 3 Vallées Bigger isn't necessarily better (but it's almost always more expensive) When it comes to Europe, France's ski resorts are often seen as the holy grail – but they can also be eye-wateringly expensive. If you're stuck on the idea of hitting France's snow-blanketed slopes, a brilliant compromise is to base yourself in a satellite village close to a major ski resort. 'Méribel, in the Three Valleys, is famous for being a world-class ski area, and it's got several satellite villages suitable for various budgets,' says Sarah Searson, managing director at Ski World. 'Les Menuires is another great option – it's ideal for beginners, with affordable options and great access to the Three Valleys.' Skip the popular resorts and try a local one nearby. Photo / Les Menuires Pour Salon, Les 3 Vallées Bring on the bundle Booking a lift pass and ski hire through your tour operator can save you serious amounts of cash. For example, if you book via Ski World, which specialises in European and North American ski holidays, the company guarantees you'll pay at least £50 less than if you booked these extra components yourself. The best bit? Your ski pass will usually be delivered to your chalet or hotel, which means more time on the slopes. Book a ski bundle pass to make your ski days more convenient. Photo / Les Menuires Pour Salon, Les 3 Vallées Think outside the box when it comes to destinations Newsflash – yes, France and Switzerland have some of Europe's most famous resorts, but they're also some of the most expensive. For the ultimate combo of world-class resorts and wallet-friendly prices, consider Italy. 'If you're looking to save money on a European ski trip without compromising on quality, Italy is a top choice,' says Katy Ellis, Head of Freshtracks Holidays at the Ski Club of Great Britain. 'Resorts in the Italian regions of the Dolomites and the Aosta Valley – including Sauze d'Oulx and Gressoney – offer affordable accommodation, great-value food and drink and access to huge ski areas.' Other wallet-friendly ski regions include Austria's Ski Amadé region, which comprises 28 ski areas, many of which offer fantastic value for money. And if you fancy heading even further off the beaten track? 'More adventurous travellers might consider Eastern Europe, where places like North Macedonia can offer excellent value, especially for activities like cat skiing,' says Katy. Consider lesser known ski destinations like Italy, Australia, and Eastern Europe when planning your trip. Photo / Ski Amade Throw out the date-related rulebook 'Absolutely not' was once the standard reply if you were to ask your travel agent or ski hotel whether you could travel on dates outside the traditional Saturday-to-Sunday package. Luckily, there's now much more flexibility, and taking this approach can mean much more bang for your buck. 'My top tip is to travel midweek rather than during weekends, to save on flights and transfers, or to at least consider flexible trip lengths rather than sticking to the traditional seven-night Saturday start,' says Dan Fox at leading tour operator SkiWeekends. Book a midweek trip and skip the weekend buzz. Photo / Tamara Hinson Don't dismiss chalets Don't make the mistake of assuming all ski chalets are ridiculously swanky – yes, there are countless ones with cinema rooms, butler service and private heli-pads, but in recent years it's become easier to find chalets perfect for skiers who prioritise value for money. 'Catered chalets can sometimes appear more expensive upfront, but the price will include meals, drinks and a wonderfully sociable atmosphere,' says Fox. 'In Europe, resorts like Avoriaz, Val d'Isère and Les Gets offer fantastic ski-in/ski-out chalets which are all within easy reach of Geneva - one of the most affordable and convenient entry points for a European ski trip.' Try the chalets in Avoriaz, Val d'Isère and Les Gets for a cheaper accommodation. Photo / Avoriaz Avoid (school) holiday hell If you're not travelling with kids in tow, you'll want to avoid school holidays, when prices rocket. If you're heading to New Zealand's ski slopes, this means avoiding pretty much all of July. If you're considering Europe, January and March are great options. 'You'll avoid the main European school holiday dates and you'll certainly make big savings,' says David Robertson at ski specialists Action Outdoors. 'The best bit? The slopes are much quieter, the snow will almost certainly still be great and you can snag yourself some excellent deals on accommodation.' Block out the expensive school holiday dates on your calendar to avoid higher rates and crowded slopes. Photo / Ski Amade Bring on the picnic While knocking back glasses of fizz on the balcony of a mountain restaurant sounds rather lovely, doing so isn't cheap, which is why we recommend a DIY approach – which is especially easy to champion in Europe. 'Most European resorts, especially those in France, will have a 'salle hors sac' – an indoor picnic room,' says Robertson. 'Wherever you are, eating lunch at a resort restaurant can easily run to over $280 for a family of four, so do what the French do and bring a picnic with you.'
NZ Herald
5 days ago
- NZ Herald
MetService Afternoon Weather: June 23, 2025
Lorna Riley talks micro cruising, European airports and Fiji reefs with Ryan Is micro cruising for you, Why do European airports lose your luggage and Fiji limiting the number of tourists on reefs.
