Destination Queenstown, South Island, New Zealand

This is not a paid post.

Framed by the Remarkables mountains that seem to carry on forever, Queenstown hugs the shores of the clear blue waters of Lake Wakatipu. Whatever you have heard or read about the “Adventure Capital” of New Zealand, it will astound you more than you can imagine.

The clear blue waters of Lake Wakatipu

Many flock to this South Island town for an adrenalin rush. Jumping off a bridge, paragliding, mountain biking or holding on tight on a jet boat on the Shotover River, billed as “the ultimate in water sports excitement”, were not high on my agenda. So I was pleased to discover that this delightful historic alpine town pulsated energy and danced to the beat of a city with many sides to its character.

It has a superb gastronomic scene with plenty of enticing restaurants. Ferburger is a Queenstown institution and serves arguably one of the best burgers you have ever eaten. There is always a line but the wait is worth it.

Queenstown

The tranquil waterfront is the ideal spot to meander and take in the awesome scenery. It is also a good place for people watching, and enjoying a glass of pinot noir, for which the Central Otago region is renowned, at one of the many bars or cafés.

If you find you are consuming too many calories, do not worry. There are several outstanding walks, from the challenging Tiki Trail  which leads from the base of the Skyline gondola to the summit of Bob's Peak, to a sedate saunter through the stunning Botanical Gardens.

TSS Earnshaw

For those of you whose idea of exercise is a trip to the shops Queenstown will not disappoint. The streets surrounding the waterfront are packed with boutiques and stores as well as some interesting art galleries.

Wine buffs will want to venture further afield and take a trip through the Gibbston Valley to sample the best numbers of the area. For those that yearn for a bit of quiet solitude there is good trout and salmon fishing. Golfers will adore this place.

Street in Queenstown

Following an action-packed day, I relaxed on a leisurely cruise aboard the 100-year-old steamship TSS Earnshaw. The beauty of Queenstown passed before my eyes as the “Lady of the Lake", as she is known as, sailed to Walter Peak where we sampled a taste of farm life.

After seeing sheep and deer as well as Scottish Highland cattle, we enjoyed a buffet dinner. This was followed by a trip to the shearing shed to watch farm dogs round up the sheep and a farmer, which was a first for me, shear one.

Compact and gorgeous, the spiritual home of bungi jumping will have your heart pumping and you do not have to be sporty!

By Daralyn Danns

Getting there

Which city you fly into in New Zealand will depend on where your tour starts from and therefore, which airline you choose. Highly recommended are Cathay Pacific cathaypacific.com and qantas.com The service and inflight experience is spot on. Ensure that the flight you book is operated by the company and not just code-sharing

The tour was part of the Grand Pacific Ultimate Small Group Tours which I booked through Trailfinders (trailfinders.com) as I did the flights

The advantage of travelling aboard the Ultimate Coach is that instead of carrying the normal 48 passengers, it only carries 20. You sit in comfort in leather fully-reclining seats so no neck ache at the end of a long day. (Distances are vast in New Zealand.) There is plenty of personal storage. It is much easier being in a small group, no hanging around waiting for people, no long queues for the loos, overall much cosier

Spotlight on Parterre fragrances

This is not a paid post. Products are press samples.

Whiskey is not an ingredient in a scent that would attract me to wearing it, but I was beyond surprised when I tried A Tribute To Edith, one of Parterre’s three new exciting fragrances.

With a heart of rose encased with geranium and yarrow with touches of liquor underpinned with sandalwood, I am sure Edith Piaf would be thrilled with this tribute to her La Vie en Rose.

It is certainly a modern interpretation of rose. Parterre is one of the new British perfume brands that wants to give the French a run for their money. It was not that long ago that people could not comprehend the British producing sparkling wine that would rival champagne. Now the world has sat up. Could this be the brand that puts England on the map for fragrances? Husband and wife team David and Julia Bridger hope so.

At Keyneston Mill, on the River Stour in Dorset they have turned a 50-acre estate into a perfume heaven. It is billed as the largest private botanic gardens in the country dedicated to aromatic and scented plants some of which are used to create their own scents.

It is playground where you can spend your day sauntering round the gardens, attend a talk from perfume or horticulture experts, see an exhibition or sip a cocktail. 

What is especially thrilling about the Parterre fragrances is that they have been formulated by the renowned nose, Jacques Chabert, the perfumer behind Chanel Cristalle and Guerlain Samsara.

Allured by the prospect of working with the people who actually produce the raw materials and develop fragrances around their oils, he and the team have created the first three Parterre scents.

The other two fragrances launched are Run Of The River, a zappy citrus laced with notes of bergamot mint, violet leaf and lemon thyme and Root Of All Goodness, a warm, heady cocktail of bergamot, ginger, vetiver, leather and amber. (Prices start from £95, available exclusively at Fortnum & Mason).

If you like to wear sophisticated, chic scents that stand out from the crowd you should check them out.

By Daralyn Danns

Spotlight on Rita Hazan New York Root Concealer Touch-Up Stick, £20, Selfridges and Rita Hazan New York True Colour Ultimate Shine Gloss, clear £21

This is not a paid post. Products are press samples.

Rita Hazan is the go-to colourist of celebrities including Beyoncé, Katy Perry and Jennifer Lopez. Her salon on New York’s 5^th Avenue is a magnet for those in the know as they can be assured they will get their tresses coloured to perfection.

Like most successful hairdressers, she has launched her own product line which is now stocked in Selfridges. 

One of my hero item’s from the range is the Root Concealer Touch-Up Stick. With this crayon it is easy to get into the temples and around the hairline. You can also use it to cover up any odd grey hair that pops up. It is also great for filling in sparse eyebrows. Ideal to keep in your bag for an emergency. Comes with a handy wand so if you apply too much you can blend it in easily.

My other favourite is the True Colour Ultimate Shine Gloss in clear (£21). It does not matter if you are 23 or 93, if you colour your hair you know that after a few shampoos it begins to fade and loses its shine. Dull, lifeless tresses are certainly ageing. This gentle in-shower colour-enhancer gloss helps to give some shine back to lacklustre tresses. (There are also coloured versions.) You need to condition after use. It left my hair looking healthier so I was really pleased.

By Daralyn Danns