To travel to the coastal town of Napier, New Zealand, is to journey back in time.
Specifically to the 1930s, when sunbursts, chevrons, zigzags and speed lines became mainstays of architectural design.
And what makes this historic city on New Zealand's North Island even more memorable is the lens with which you view it -- in my case, in the backseat of a 1939 Packard driven by tour guide John, a local farmer-turned-volunteer for the city's Art Deco Trust, who picked us up dressed to the nines in 1930s period attire (tweed flat cap included).
The Trust, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the unique style of the city, offers tours with its fleet of vintage cars. A lesson in history is also on offer: After picking up our group, John and fellow guide, Ruben, explained how a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake on Feb. 3, 1931, ravaged the area; the city was rebuilt quickly in a style quite popular for the time: art deco.
Seeing the sights
Our group's tour included a photo op at the city's historic National Tobacco Company building; a roll along Emerson Street, with its ubiquitous concrete buildings and verandas; and a stop at the city's Napier Municipal Theatre, which features its original seats and ticket booth, along with a stage spotlight dating back to the 1910s.
One stop on the tour is Napier's historic National Tobacco Company building. Photo Credit: Emma Weissman
Along the way, John made sure to point out various building design features: cigarette lines, geometric shapes in the windows, sunbursts over entryways. As it turns out, we were also part of the show, with locals and visitors alike turning heads and snapping photos of our ride as we rolled past.
Napier is a popular New Zealand port of call for cruise lines including Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises. Tours depart and end at the Art Deco Centre in Memorial Square. Rates begin at $270 for a one-hour tour with one car (for four passengers), or $330 for 90 minutes.
The city's Art Deco Festival draws some 50,000 attendees twice yearly, in February and July. Next month's festival takes place July 17 to 19, and features jazz performances, period costumes and -- you guessed it -- classic cars.