New Zealand’s Director of Trade and Enterprise for South America visits Allariz

Karlene Davis is New Zealand’s Director of Trade and Enterprise for South America and is currently based in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Previously she was New Zealand’s Trade Commissioner for Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos.

Karlene, and her husband Ian, talked with me at the end of their week holiday in Allariz.

“We lead hectic lives in Sao Paulo; with a full on work load and huge amounts of daily stress so our idea was to get as far away as possible from that. We wanted to find a beautiful setting in Europe where we could relax and unwind but also a place that was culturally different and interesting but without being too touristic. Both Ian and I love our food and wine so that was important too. Some friends of ours recommended Galica and in particular Allariz so here we are”.

“We rented an apartment from Vacaciones en Allariz and that was just the right thing to do. It has given us much more freedom than if we were in a hotel and we have all the comforts of being at home. Our apartment gives us a real feeling that we are actually living as a local rather than just visiting as a tourist”.

“The old cobbled streets and beautiful buildings in the historic centre of Allariz are just wonderful and I can happily spend hours just wandering around them.  I must admit I did get sidetracked into the Outlet Fashion shops on more than one occasion.  I love the restaurants as well; just wonderful food and for us such great value”.

 “The great thing about Allariz is that we were made to feel so welcome by everyone we met and where ever we went”.

“For me Allariz would be the perfect base for a Galician holiday. We did a day trip to Lugo and Santiago which was great but it was also nice to come back to Allariz for a wine in the square, dinner and then home to our lovely apartment”.

“Ian and I are already planning on coming back later in the year. We want to enjoy Allariz in the autumn and to explore more of the local area”.