Real Housewives of Sydney star, Dr Kate Adams, says Kiwi men do this better

Real Housewives of Sydney star Dr Kate Adams has revealed her rules for wellness on the go, plus the biggest difference between Aussie and Kiwi men after a recent trip to New Zealand.

The Real Housewives of Sydney recently flew to New Zealand to film a "getaway" episode of the show. 

In the wake of the trip, Dr Kate Adams, one of the show's contestants and owner and head vet at Bondi Vet Hospital, reveals to Escape her top five travel tips (plus a few funny differences between Kiwis and Aussies). 

1. Always wear a jumper on a flight

"I'm always cold when I'm not in first class"

Why are flights always so cold? No one knows. But it's a thing and to counter it, Dr Kate packs a jumper "because I’m always cold (when I'm not in first class)."

2. Never forget your contacts... or your makeup

Contact lenses (and glasses) are a travel essential for Dr Kate. "If they lost my checked baggage and my contacts were in there it would be very bad news," she tells Escape.

"I’ve had poor vision since I was a teenager - was all those books and study probably. My dad always told me that and he was right - now I couldn't even get to the toilet on my own!"

"I also carry all my makeup in my carry on. I don’t like the thought of not having any if my bags got delayed or lost and more importantly it would be so expensive and hard to replace all the things in there!"

3. Avoid flying economy at all cost

Dr Kate is not a fan of economy

While some people mess about with foot hammocks and neck pillows in order to sleep like a baby in cattle class, Dr Kate has another solution: avoid it altogether.

"Buy business class or first if you’ve got the bank account for it," she says. "Never ever do a long haul flight in economy if you care about living." 

"I recall flying to Italy when I was poorer and sure, I can stay in backpackers on flea beds, but I cannot cannot do economy."

"That was the last economy trip for me. It was brutal and I had the most swollen sore ankles for the entire trip. I can’t. Call me a princess but I’d rather not go."

4. Be prepared for different medical systems overseas

The only thing that surprised Dr Kate in New Zealand was the lack of pharmaceuticals.

"I ended up having to go to the local hospital because I had forgot to pack my kidney medication," she said.

"When I got there I was surprised at how fast their ED is (much quicker than Australia!), but equally they didn’t have my medications."

"The doctors there told me there are heaps of medications we have in Australia that they don’t have there. I was like 'whhhaaatt?!' Anyway they sorted it - and they put me on other medication - not as good but did the trick!"

5. Always book your own bedroom and bathroom on a group trip

Having your own space on a trip helps you reset

When travelling with friends, having your own bedroom and bathroom is essential, Dr Kate says.

"It gives you a nook to go to when you feel like regrouping and being by yourself."

"I’m happy with whatever as long as I get downtime. If I’m not rushed in the mornings and have food, I’m a pretty happy camper!"

New Zealand travel tips

Dr Kate shared some of her NZ travel tips too

Most underrated spot in NZ

"Arrowtown. I felt like I was in Hansel and Gretel. I walked all the way out of town and it was so quiet even when the wind blows and there’s this majestic mountain of pine trees and coupled with the cold it has quite a magical feel to the whole place. It makes you feel like the earth is listening to your soul. Or maybe your soul can hear the earth."

Dr Kate says she did a lot of "grounding" around that part of New Zealand and reckons she "could’ve stayed in a little house there for weeks" and "maybe even written a book or two!"

"There was some amazing restaurants too. Like next level so if you go - go for the second half of the day and turn it into dinner."

Most extravagant NZ experience

Eichardt's Private Hotel is epic, Kate says

"We had so many! I loved the helicopter ride but honestly Eichardt's Private Hotel - the hotel - was so fabulous and luxe."

"My room was right on the water and they bring you whatever you’d like and the room is just so comfortable and snug."

Culture shock

"The New Zealand men, from a looks and charm perspective take the award compared to Australian men."

"In general, they are much more handsome, rugged looking, down to earth, gentle, warm and comfortable with their masculinity. Don’t worry I looked! And I loved that about them."

What it's like travelling as a vet

"When you can help, you do." Pictures via Instagram (@drkateadams)

Everywhere Dr Kate goes that has street dogs and cats, "you will find me going around collecting people's leftovers on their plates at restaurants to feed to animals later," she says.

"I get frowned on for it and sometimes told off - but I don’t care. I don’t like seeing animals hungry and food going to waste more than I care about what people think of me. I hate that all Aussies (who often all say they love their pets) don’t do it."

"I’m also known for telling those donkey and horse owners off in Europe," she adds. "They are often not cared for well enough and they are put through hard labour in the hot sun and not given enough water."

Dr Adams' thoughts on animal tourism

"I am very conscious about animal tourism as often they are used to carry tourists and their belongings and I don’t like it at all. Even though that’s 'normal' in some of these countries, I don’t think it’s right for Australians not to ‘see’ these things just because it’s not in our country."

Most memorable animal experience while travelling

Even in Greece, Dr Kate got roped into a local vet hospital

"It would have to be when I went to Greece. I went to a teeny tiny little island off the beaten track for three weeks to rest and relax and the first day I was there got roped into helping at the local vet hospital."

"I was surprised just how rudimentary it was and it was a whole island with just one lady from London who’d been there twenty years for the whole place (including surrounding islands). She was run off her feet and basically had nothing at all to work with in terms of medicines or tools."

"I couldn’t believe it. I was glad to help because there were so many pets that really needed care and just didn’t have it. But by the end of that holiday I needed a holiday."

"I think that’s the thing about being a vet - it’s who you are really and unlike every other job you don’t just get to put it away when you leave the hospital. When you can help, you do."

The Real Housewives of Sydney airs on Binge. New episodes drop on Tuesdays at 130pm AEST. 

Originally published as Real Housewives of Sydney star, Dr Kate Adams, says Kiwi men do this better