Enter to win a trip to New Zealand’s Rhythm & Vines Music Festival

by Jessica Festa on

STA Travel is hosting their Ultimate Break Sweepstakes which gives travelers the chance to win a trip for two to New Zealand to ring in the new year at the three-day Rhythm & Vines Music Festival. The winner will receive round-trip airfare, luxury campervan rental, grounds pass, and tickets to the festival.

To enter, click here to enter your information. Want to learn more about the music festival? Check out this 2011 line-up announcement video:


First domestic 787 begins construction

by Grant Martin on

Production and delivery of the 787 jumbo jet is starting to shift into high gear, and as ANA shows off its new Japanese aircraft the focus is now turning to the domestic carriers. Delivery of the new Boeing aircraft to its first domestic carrier is slated for the merged Continental/United airlines — it was Continental’s order (in 2004!) before the two giants joined forces.

Planned for delivery in the beginning of next year, the 787 is scheduled to begin service between Auckland, NZ and Houston, Texas.

In its current state, the aircraft is just having its wings attached at the Boeing plant in Washington. If you look closely, you can see that the fuselage is in multiple pieces and the tail isn’t even in sight. Either way, that fact that the airplane is on the production line is exciting news — we look forward to seeing the inside.

Tweet your way to New Zealand

by McLean Robbins on

We at Gadling are all about the freebies, and even more so when they involve travel. Brancott Estate, a New Zealand winemaker, is helping our wanderlust take flight with their new Twitter-based promotion dubbed the #WhatIf challenge. The winner will get two round trip airline tickets to New Zealand and a tour and tasting at the winery.

(Wait, we have to drink, tweet, and we could win a free trip? Sounds like an average Friday night with a potential prize …)

“Social media, and Twitter in particular, has changed the way we share our thoughts and feelings with the world, and has democratized subjects once dominated by a select few,” said Patrick Materman, Chief Winemaker for Brancott Estate.

To enter, write a creative tweet on the traditional tasting note using the #WhatIf hashtag. The winemaker has a range of varietals ranging from Sauvingon Blanc to Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio. The winner will be chosen based on creativity, length of tweet (get as close to 140 as you can) as well as interpretation of a tasting note form. The contest ends June 13, and complete rules are on their Facebook page.

Win trip for two in Air New Zealand Like Totally 80’s contest

by Mike Barish on

Air New Zealand has never been afraid to show off its sense of humor. From matchmaking flights to cheeky commercials to risque in-flight safety videos, the Kiwi airline knows how to get attention. Now, however, we might actually benefit from their creativity with prizes that include a trip for two to New Zealand. They’re celebrating the decade of excess with their Like Totally 80’s contest on Facebook. To enter, you just need to upload a photo of yourself rocking some classic 80’s clothes. Too young to have owned your own acid-washed jeans? Well, hit up the vintage stores and take a picture of yourself just dressing the part. It’s a small price to pay for the chance to publicly humiliate yourself win a trip to one of the most beautiful places in the world.

The airline’s Facebook fans will vote for their favorite photos and the final 10 will be judged by a panel. The winner wins a trip for two to New Zealand. First runner-up will win an iPod compatible “boombox” while the second runner-up will score a case of Tab cola, the soda for beautiful people. Just last year I enjoyed some cold, “delicious” Tab with my Gadling buddy Scott Carmichael. My advice: Try not to come in third place in this contest.

Tomorrow is the deadline to enter Air New Zealand’s Like Totally 80’s contest, so act fast.