-Anna Were, YOU Travel Tauranga Director & Consultant, shares her recent get-away experience.

Our favourite bonding zone when we are time deficient is Lake Rotoiti - just 40mins from departure to we-laxation.

Staying in a boutique bach surrounded by bush on the lake edge with two kayaks, our own jetty and truly comfortable beds, this really is a great place to stay!

We love the vibe at "world famous" (in Bay of Plenty), Okere Falls Café, and enjoy the short walk to get a coffee each morning. I like to do the loop trail around Tutea Falls each day to justify indulging in their magnificent muffins. 

Our days are spent doing one of the many bush walks in the region, kayaking and mountain-biking through the Redwoods. Something from the eldest to the youngest in our family, AND FUN!

The evenings are nearly always spent savouring a wine, listening to the twighlight tweets from the abundant birdlife and restoring the threads that hold the family together. We weave in moments of joy, laughter and appreciation - all too precious when the grind of everyday life competes with your time and preoccupies your headspace.

Lake Rotoiti is a great place exhale stress and breathe in nature. My VERY, VERY favourite thing to do on the odd occasion is to take in an AIX massage at the QE II Spa. Hot jets of water releasing muscle tension while your qualified therapist soothes those tight muscles.

Note you should ALWAYS pre-book this AND like their facebook page to take advantage of special offers. We rebooked for Easter when the locals hold their Wooden Boat Parade.