The purr of the engine. The wind in your hair. Nostalgia flowing through your veins. To ride in a vintage car is to step back to a bygone era of chauffeur-driven luxury. A memorable way to discover any destination, it’s the perfect way to immerse yourself in the fascinating Art Deco city of Napier, New Zealand. And you can experience this for yourself on our luxury small group journey The Long White Cloud.

Few know this fascinating city better than Local Expert and Chauffeur John Ellison from Napier’s Art Deco Trust. We had the pleasure of speaking to him to learn more about the experience, the city, and why by vintage car is the only way to ride.

For travel inspiration: New Zealand destination guide

Welcome to Napier

Located on New Zealand’s North Island, Napier is a charming coastal city renowned for its Art Deco architecture, extensive vineyards, and the natural beauty and beaches of Hawkes Bay. The city’s Marine Parade promenade offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, while its lively cafes, boutique shops, and galleries showcase the region’s artistic flair. Napier also hosts several annual events, including the renowned Art Deco Festival, attracting visitors from around the world.

A day forever etched in the town’s history, on Tuesday 3 February 1931 Napier suffered a disastrous earthquake. Almost totally levelling all buildings in the inner city, it claimed over 250 lives. As a result, extensive rebuilding that took place in the 1930’s and by the end of the decade Napier was the newest city on the globe. And it was this rebuild that gave the town its distinctive Art Deco moniker.

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A living testament to the 1930s

“Napier is a snapshot in time. Its special to me as my family roots are here,” explains John. “In 1861 my family emigrated from England and played significant leadership roles in Napier’s growth. They were rewarded with street names in their honour. Many experienced the 1931 earthquake and I enjoy relating their stories as they were told to me.”

With an emphasis on the use of geometric forms, sleek lines, and manmade materials, Napier is an architecture lover’s dream. Nowhere else in the world can you see such a variety of buildings in the styles of the 1930s – Stripped Classical, Spanish Mission, and above all Art Deco, the style of the 20th Century.

A piece of living history, there’s a sight and a story around every corner, and there’s no better way to uncover the highlights of this world-famous town’s 140 art deco buildings and sculptures from the comfort of your luxurious vehicle.

Discover this on: The Long White Cloud

Bookmark for later: 11 of the Best Sustainable Fine-Dining Restaurants in the World

The lure of the vintage car

“When we drive, we take on the 1930’s persona, it’s a joy to be part of,” John says. “Both our dress and our cars represent that era. I enjoy being back driving the type of car I learnt to drive in – changing gears, a manual clutch, no power steering and perfecting the handbrake hill start.

“In our fleet we have four hardtop Packards,  one Packard convertible coupe vehicle and one hardtop Pontiac. The cars are in incredible condition with lots of room inside.

“When taking such a personal tour we quickly develop a rapport and shape the experience around guests’ interests. There’s a lot of fun and good banter on the way.”

A great read for all car lovers: Classic Car Admirers Will Love These Timeless Drives

 My favorite building

“One of my favorite spots in the town is The Public Trust Building,” says John. Arguably the most distinctive building in Napier, New Zealand, it was built in the early 1920’s in the Classical Revival Style. “It wouldn’t be out of place as part of ancient Greece.

“The Public Trust Building defied the earthquake of 1931 coming through unscathed, a testament to its build. Its construction was reinforced with copious quantities of steel, decorated with Latin lettering, bolt patterns, shields, fern fronds and geometric shapes.

“Thrust up approx. 1.5 meters and settled perfectly level, it set the example to reconstruct town and the nearly 93 years since. Though the town didn’t want to replicate this building, they adapted the architectural style to Stripped Classical used extensively in the rebuild for strength.”

Bookmark for later: These Hotels and Experiences Echo Old-World Glamor

Why New Zealand?

“New Zealand is a land of variety,” says John. “Easy to navigate, its a small but sensational country. You’ll enjoy staggering variety of jaw dropping landscapes that change from the North of the North right down to the deep South. Not to mention the friendly, helpful welcome you will get from the locals.”

To complete the picture: This New Zealand Forest Retreat Combines 5-Star Luxury with Sustainability

Each ride in Napier, New Zealand gives something back

Art Deco Trust’s vintage car journeys not only offer a unique Art Deco experience, but each ride contributes to the replanting of some of New Zealand’s most stunning spots, in association with Trees that Count.

Committed to the preservation of New Zealand’s wild places, streamside and retired land plantings are a key focus, assisting against soil erosion and absorbing run off into streams and waterways.

Read more about sustainability initiatives: How We’re Setting the Gold Standard for Sustainable Luxury Travel

The land of The Long White Cloud awaits

If you’re dreaming of seeing the Land of the Long White Cloud (the most common translation of Aotearoa – the Maori name for New Zealand) for yourself, we invite you to be inspired and awed during a 19-day guided tour of New Zealand, The Long White Cloud. Explore Napier in a vintage car, take an overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound, dine with a former All Black and stay in exquisite forest retreats.

Increasingly, we want to know that the places we stay are not just doing no harm, they’re actively doing good: for their natural environment, for wildlife conservation, for staff and local communities. One of the leaders in this field is New Zealand’s magical Te Waonui Forest Retreat, which guests visit on Luxury Gold’s 19-day The Long White Cloud journey.

Designed with sustainability in mind from top to bottom, it’s visitors’ first stay after their entry point of Christchurch; tucked away on the west coast of the country’s South Island, it’s an exclusive and atmospheric base for visiting the Franz Josef Glacier.

To find out more about how this five-star hotel manages to seamlessly combine luxury with sustainability, we spoke with Richard Hayman, one of the architects that originally worked on the forest retreat. 

Green at Heart

Shrouded in dense, unspoiled green forest with snow-capped peaks visible just above, you’ll enjoy a private balcony and terrace here – perfectly for listening to the call of native songbirds. New Zealand, it goes without saying, is a world leader in sustainable tourism; but even on a scene this dense with innovative retreats, this hotel stands out.

“I remember day one when we first found the site, walking through the native bush and seeing these fantastic trees which have never been felled,” says Richard. “I thought, wow, building in this space is a real privilege. So we tried to keep as much of that bush atmosphere as we could.”

Sustainable and stylish

Te Waonui Forest Retreat was designed as “passively” as possible, he explains; that is, every attempt was made to make it low-emission and energy efficient for its entire lifetime. This involves using low-carbon, easily available timber, overhanging and slats keeping heat from the sun out of the building without the need for air-conditioning. “We tried to have very high insulation levels, no energy heat pumps, lots of overshadowing in terms of the building design keeping the sun out,” says Richard. “We were very careful about sourcing non-rainforest hardwoods and timber.”

Inside the building, LED lighting and use of natural light keep things energy-efficient, cleaning is chemical-free and recycling policies are stringent throughout the property. Furniture and fittings make use of local materials, such as New Zealand natural wool carpets, organic cotton and even possum-skin cushioning. Sensor lights automatically shut off when no one’s in the room, while water is saved via flow restrictors in showers. All staff are highly trained in sustainable methods of catering, cleaning and service.

A Truly Luxurious Forest Retreat

That’s not to say you’ll feel like you’re doing a PhD in sustainability; this is a luxe holiday hideaway at heart. As well as those birdsong-filled balconies, there’s a fine dining restaurant open to views of the virgin forest and peaks outside; rooms have luxury bedding and designer furnishings. And there’s plenty of local character: “Look out for Kiwi touches in terms of art and materials,” says Hayman. “The drapes are inspired by our native alpine parrot bird, the Kea ‒ the underside of its wing has bright oranges and reds against a khaki feather. The bar is inspired by coal and by glow worms.”

One of his favourite features are the ethically-sourced bamboo keycards, which can also be used as luggage tags. Clean and green power is also hugely important. “In New Zealand we are lucky enough to have some very clean and green electricity; ours is hydro-, wind- and solar-generated power from our provider Meridian. Where we do have to use natural gas, we’re looking at ways to reduce that or increase efficiency,” says Hayman. And projects are constantly reviewed, and ongoing. One recent movement saw 375 punga ferns planted around the property to restore parts of the native forest.

Incredible Nature on Your Doorstep

This area of New Zealand is special, say the team. It’s wild, it’s irrepressible, and guests are given the privilege of interacting with it all, close up. “Te Waonui Forest Retreat is a great place to remind you of how elemental nature is,” says Hayman. “Our guests can get involved in that to a greater or lesser extent depending on how adventurous they are. Bush walks, kayaking on the lagoon, spotting white herons, climbing, even helicopter flights up to the glacier. it’s a chance to get up close to the most rugged environment in New Zealand.”

Three more Luxury Gold accommodation choices that champion sustainability:

Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo, Peru

Acknowledged by the United Nations as the World’s First ‘Climate Positive’ Hotel Brand, Inkaterra immerses guests in a planet-friendly lifestyle. From solar panels for power to local education initiatives, as well as fittings from local craftspeople, textiles from local Alpaca wool and recycled-fabric slippers, this lodge close to bucket-list site Machu Picchu has an entirely carbon-neutral ethos.

Visit on: Grand South America.

Pilgrimage Village, Hue, Vietnam

 

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This unique stay started as a craftsman’s village, where owner Le Van Truong could help connect expert local makers with visitors to Vietnam and boost the local economy. Now it has traditionally styled houses and pool villas for guests to stay over; and the team has made sustainability top priority, from sensors to shut off any unused lights or electronics to chemical-free cleaning protecting the biodiversity, water waste-reduction techniques in place and 95% of staff employed from the local area.

Stay there on: Inspiring Indochina.

Sails in the Desert, Ayers Rock, Australia

 

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This desert oasis in Uluru has an entire solar field that produces 45% of its energy, not to mention a waste minimisation programme to avoid sending waste to landfill, and an ongoing mission to raise awareness of wildlife conservation among its guests. A certified Advanced Ecotourism property, Sails in the Desert partners with the indigenous Anangu community on storytelling experiences and champions Aboriginal art in its onsite gallery, as well as training the next generation to increase the indigenous presence in the tourism industry.

Spend the night on: Inspiring Australia.

Live music is a universal language, transcending cultural and language barriers. With its powerful ability to stir emotions, evoke memories, and form deep connections, music is magical. An experience with private live music is even more unforgettable, offering an intimate connection between the artist and the audience. In a world where we often share our musical experiences in crowded venues, it’s a true privilege to experience a private encounter with musicians and their craft. We look at 7 of our most unique private live music experiences, from an exclusive concert in Hue to a recording session in Nashville. 

Read more: After Hours: Travel Like a VIP With These Exclusive Experiences

1. Experience an exclusive sunset dinner with local musicians in Rajasthan, India

The northern Indian state of Rajasthan has a rich cultural identity, and music is at the heart of it. Its desert folk songs have been passed down through generations for centuries, and there are several instruments only found in Rajasthan, including the dholak drum and the 17-stringed kamaicha.

You’ll be enchanted by the evocative sounds of Rajasthan’s desert folk music at an exclusive sunset banquet. As the sun sets over the soaring sand dunes of the Thar Desert, you’ll dine on traditional nomadic dishes, while local musicians serenade you with their distinct melodies. As the stars appear in the dark night sky, you’ll feel swept away in the magic of the music and the ancient desert. 

Experience this on: Imperial Rajasthan

Read more: Golden Moments in the Golden City: What Awaits Luxury Gold Guests in Jaisalmer

2. Enjoy a private concert at Camille Huyen’s family home in Hue, Vietnam

In the historic city of Hue, Luxury Gold guests will be invited into the home of the celebrated painter and singer, Camille Huyen. You’ll enjoy a delicious dinner and a private concert, with Camille serenading the group with traditional music. You’ll also explore the authentic home she shares with her husband, learning about their captivating journey and the dream that guided them back to Vietnam. A blend of music, art, and storytelling creates an unforgettable evening.

Experience this on: Sensational Vietnam & Laos & Inspiring Indochina

Read more: These Luxury Travel Experiences Will Never Go Out of Style

3. Record a song in a private session in Studio B in Nashville, USA

It’s one thing to listen to private live music. It’s another thing entirely to create it yourself. Luxury Gold guests will join a professional sound engineer at Nashville’s iconic Studio B, where you’ll record a take-home song, just as legends like Elvis Presley and Dolly Parton have done here before. Studio B was a cradle of music in the 1950s and 60s, with everyone from the Everly Brothers to Roy Orbison, Chet Atkins and Eddy Arnold recording here. 

As part of this rare recording session, you’ll also have a private session with a Nashville singer/songwriter to learn the stories behind the icons and how they created their famous songs – from the first notes to global success. Later, you’ll enjoy a live country music show at the Grand Ole Opry. 

If you’re traveling on a Founder’s Collection departure, you’ll even meet a music legend. You could meet the renowned Brenda Lee, the top-charting solo female singer in the 1960s, or Charlie McCoy, the Grammy-winning legend who’s collaborated with the likes of Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan and Loretta Lynn.

Experience this on: Southern Grace

Read more: Brenda Lee: The pop icon who inspired some of the biggest names in music

4. Witness a private musical performance in Neputa Village, Japan

The Tsugaru-han Neputa Village in the city of Hirosaki is home to the remarkable traditional arts and crafts of the region. You’ll see colorful decorations and enormous, intricate floats being prepared by skilled craftsmen for the summer festival, Neputa Matsuri. They take almost a year to create and will be paraded through the streets during this 300-year-old festival that also features vibrant performances of the Tsugaru-jamisen.

You’ll also witness a private music performance of Tsugaru Shamisen guitar and Taiko drumming. The rhythmic, heart-pounding beats of the drum combined with the soulful guitar strings tell spirited stories of ancient Japan. It’s a truly special experience to watch this traditional performance in such an intimate setting. 

Experience this on: Majestic Japan

Read more: Bird Costumes and Cherry Blossom: Why Spring is the Best Time to Visit Japan

5. Experience traditional Māori music in Rotorua, New Zealand

Get a rich insight into the culture of Māori, New Zealand’s Indigenous people, with this incredible experience in Rotorua. You’ll stroll through the ancient forest village with your local Māori guide and learn about traditional art forms. Later, you’ll indulge in a Hāngī feast, cooked traditionally in a pit oven using geothermal steam at Te Pā Tū. As you dig into your unique meal, you’ll witness a live cultural performance showcasing ancient stories, songs and performing arts. See the iconic Haka (war dance) and action dances, all surrounded by the enchanting forest of Rotorua. 

Experience this on: The Long White Cloud

Read more: Rugged luxury: Why a Trip to New Zealand Might Surprise You

6. Enjoy a private performance of Cante Alentejano in Lisbon, Portugal

Luxury Gold guests will enjoy a delicious Portuguese lunch all while witnessing a private live music performance of Cante Alentejano, a traditional polyphonic singing style from the Alentejo region of Portugal. This unique musical art form is characterized by its rich harmonies and distinctive vocal techniques. The soloists lead a verse and the group creates a powerful harmony. The mesmerizing songs tell the stories of love, nature, work and daily life in the rural region. The music is a beautiful way to get an insight into this regional culture. Cante Alentejano has been recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, for its cultural significance in the Alentejo region.

Experience this on: Spain & Portugal in Style

Read more: 5 timeless and beautiful European cities to re-discover this summer

7. Witness Indigenous music with Cree Warrior Women in the Canadian Rockies

Luxury Gold guests go beyond the spectacular landscapes of the Canadian Rockies, connecting with the traditional owners of the land. We’ll meet some of the First Nations Cree Warrior Women from the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation in this exclusive, intimate experience. You’ll have the opportunity to talk with women, including matriarchs Matricia and Mackenzie Brown. Y learn about their Indigenous spirituality, culture and connection to their land. We’ll sit down to enjoy a fireside barbecue, all while witnessing a musical performance of storytelling through drumming and song. Set on the shores of Trefoil Lake in Jasper, you’ll gaze up at the beautiful Pyramid Mountain as you listen to the rhythmic drumming and singing. 

Experience this on: Majesty of the Rockies

Read more: Uncovering Indigenous history with Canada’s Warrior Women