Set on a huge curved bay on North Island’s east coast, beautiful Hawke’s Bay offers much more than an excellent Syrah or Savignon Blanc (although this is its main drawcard). The warm, dry climate is also conducive to a number of outdoor activities including cycling, walking the forest trails of the Ruahine and Kaweka Forest Parks, getting up close and personal with the largest gannet colony in the world at the scenic sandstone headland of Cape Kidnappers, or heading up to Te Mata Peak for panoramic views of the entire area. For a wind-down, pop into the Chocolate History Museum or stroll the streets of Napier – the town boasts phenomenal Art Deco architecture.