COLLETTE EXPERIENCES
Traverse through the heart of the Southern Alps aboard the famous Tranz Alpine train.Visit
the historic Waitangi Treaty house to discover the early beginnings of the nation of New
Zealand.
Get to know a local New Zealand family during a memorable authentic experience of
dinner, and the choice of an overnight stay in their home. |
YOUR ITINERARY AT A GLANCE
Day 1-2 Overnight flight
Day 3- 4 Rydges, Auckland
Day 5- 6 Scenic Circle Bay of Islands Hotel, Bay of Islands
Day 7 New Zealand Family Home or Rydges, Rotorua
Day 8 Rydges, Rotorua
Day 9-10 Duxton Hotel, Wellington
Day 11 Chateau on the Park or Rydges, Christchurch
Day 12 Franz Josef Glacier Hotel, Franz Josef
Day 13-15 Mercure Resort, Queenstown
Day 16 Teanau Hotel & Villas, Teanau
Day 17 The Hermitage Hotel, Mount Cook
Day 18-19 Chateau on the Park or Rydges, Christchurch
Day 20 In flight |
Day 1 - Day 2: OVERNIGHT FLIGHT
Today, your New Zealand adventure begins with your flight to Auckland. You arrive in New
Zealand on the morning of Day 3.
Day 3: ARRIVE AUKLAND NEW ZEALAND Your tour begins in Auckland, the 'City
of Sails', consistently rated one of the best places in the world to live. Auckland has
the highest Polynesian population in the world, imbuing the vibrant cultures from many
Pacific islands into its chic atmosphere. This evening, join your fellow travellers for a
welcome dinner. Today dinner will be included
Day 4: AUKLAND Get to know the best of Auckland during a panoramic city
tour featuring America's Cup Village, the War Memorial, vibrant Queen Street, the Auckland
Harbour Bridge, and spectacular views from the top of Mount Eden, one of 53 dormant
volcanoes throughout the area. The remainder of the day is at leisure for you to enjoy the
city. Perhaps visit one of the city's amazing museums or galleries, or just enjoy some of
the wonderful shopping that is available in the city. Today breakfast will be included.
Day 5: AUKLAND - BAY OF ISLANDS Leave the city and travel north to the
Bay of Islands, your home for the next two nights. This Maritime region boasts more than
144 islands, warm bays, a colourful history and abundant marine life. Visit the Waitangi
National Trust & Treaty House. It was on these lush grounds that Maori and British
leaders signed the 1844 treaty establishing New Zealand's nationhood. Today breakfast and
dinner will be included.
Day 6: BAY OF ISLANDS Begin your day with a cruise through the bay's
famous Hole in the Rock and view the Cape Brett Lighthouse which stands nearly 500 feet
above sea level at the edge of the Cape Brett Peninsula. The rest of the day is yours to
explore Paihia, the quaint town known as 'the jewel of the Bay of Islands', at leisure.
Today breakfast will be included.
Day 7: BAY OF ISLANDS - ROTORUA Today you'll head to the dramatic
geothermal landscape of Rotorua. One-third of Rotorua's population has Maori roots dating
back to their arrival in New Zealand over 1,000 years ago, making this city a thriving
cultural centre. Make yourself right at home this evening when a New Zealand family
welcomes you into their home for dinner and a home stay. This is sure to be an
unforgettable experience as you make new friends, learn about the customs of the 'Kiwi's'
and enjoy a home-cooked
meal. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 8: ROTORUA This morning visit Te Puia, New Zealand's premier Maori
cultural and geothermal experience. You'll be truly amazed by the landscape of erupting
geysers, bubbling mud pools and other geothermal wonders. Here, the Maori keep their
customs alive by teaching the tribal youth the skills of traditional carving, weaving and
dancing. Take part in an interactive demonstration on the art of weaving and the
importance of the Maori dress. You will also view the Kiwi bird and learn what New
Zealanders are doing to try to remove the Kiwi from the endangered species list. New
Zealand's farming traditions are illuminated with a visit to the Agrodome where you will
see a sheep-shearing demonstration. Meet the skilled carvers who work with pounamu, a New
Zealand jade, at a local jade factory. Tonight you will experience a traditional Maori
welcome and Hangi meal followed by an authentic evening of Maori entertainment. Today
breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 9: ROTORUA - WELLINGTON Journey south through the rolling countryside
of the North Island, dotted with white sheep grazing, making your way to Wellington, New
Zealand's capital city. Today breakfast will be included.
Day 10: WELLINGTON During your panoramic sightseeing tour of Wellington,
view the Beehive, New Zealand's Parliament, historic St. Paul's Church, and the government
building, the largest wooden building in the Southern Hemisphere. Following the tour you
will visit the Te Papa Tongawera Museum, a fascinating centre dedicated to art, history
and the Maori culture. Today breakfast will be included.
Day 11: WELLINGTON - PICTON - CHRISTCHURCH Climb aboard a ferry and sail
across Cook Strait to experience what Wine Spectator called 'the most beautiful ferry ride
in the world'. Arrive in Picton, on the South Island. Discover why the Marlborough region
is one of the world's best wine regions when you tour a local winery. Later, arrive in
picturesque Christchurch, situated on the Avon River and considered 'the most English city
outside of England'. Today breakfast will be included.
Day 12: CHRISTCHURCH - FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER REGION The TranzAlpine train
whisks you away on a journey past farmlands, through the deep gorges of the Waimakariri
River valley and into the rugged snowcapped mountains of the Southern Alps, as you wind
your way to New Zealand's spectacular west coast. Arrive in the breathtaking Franz Josef
Glacier Region this evening. There is nowhere else in the world where you will find
glaciers in such close proximity to temperate climates. Today breakfast and dinner will be
included.
Day 13: FRANZ JOSEF - QUEENSTOWN Enjoy a picture stop of the famous Franz
Josef glacier before leaving the South Island's lush west coast. Take in the stunning
scenery as you pass through rainforest surrounded by the Southern Alps. You'll enjoy
beautiful ocean vistas as you travel the twisting coastline. This picturesque route is
comprised of one lane bridges, green glacial lakes, thundering waterfalls and dramatic
landscape changes. After crossing the Haast Pass, arrive in Queenstown, one of New
Zealand's most gorgeous towns. Enjoy a memorable dinner at the Skyline Restaurant
overlooking Queenstown, the Remarkable Mountains and Lake Wakatipu. Today breakfast and
dinner will be included.
Day 14: QUEENSTOWN This morning travel to historic Arrowtown, a gold rush
town set on the
picturesque Arrow River. More than 60 restored buildings date back to the 19th Century in
this town lined with boutiques and cafes. Stroll along Main Street where you'll discover a
wealth of New Zealand handcrafts. This afternoon, venture into New Zealand's largest
underground wine cave for a tasting at an award-winning wine producer in the Central Otago
region. This charming boutique winery houses a stunning selection of fine wines to quench
your palate. This unforgettable experience is followed by lunch at the winery's fabulous
restaurant. Later, return to Queenstown and enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure.
Today breakfast and lunch will be included.
|
What's Included?
Door to Door Transfer
21 Days, 27 Meals:
17 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 8 Dinners |
Day 15: QUEENSTOWN Today is yours to discover Queenstown at your
leisure. Set amidst spectacular scenery, Queenstown is not only an adventure centre, but
offers excellent shopping and dining. Perhaps you'll opt to take off for'Middle Earth' and
experience the 'Safari of the Rings' adventure, exploring the scenery where Tolkien's
beloved stories were brought to life in the film trilogy. Today breakfast will be
included.
Day 16: QUEENSTOWN - MILFORD SOUND - TE ANAU Your ride to Milford Sound
is lined with unforgettable beauty, taking you through beech forest into Hollyford
Valley's rugged grandeur and through the Homer Tunnel. Arriving at mesmerising Milford
Sound, sail away on a leisurely cruise that brings you through the deep fjord, surrounded
by sheer mountains rising almost six thousand feet from the water's surface. Enjoy an
overnight on the southern shores of Lake Te Anau, the largest lake on the South Island.
Today breakfast and lunch will be included.
Day 17: TE ANAU - MOUNT COOK REGION The Maori word for Mount Cook is
Aoraki, which means 'cloud piercer'. Journey through New Zealand's unspoiled wilderness
and arrive at Mount Cook National Park, where permanent ice fields and glaciers blanket
the ragged peaks. This is where New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary honed his mountaineering
skills before attempting Everest. Explore the park up-close during a nature walk. Maybe
you'll choose to partake in an optional flight seeing tour (weather permitting) to witness
breathtaking aerial viewsof Mt. Cook and the glaciers. Today breakfast and dinner will be
included.
Day 18: MOUNT COOK - CHRISTCHURCH Travel back to Christchurch this
morning and visit a family farm in Canterbury. See the workings of the farm including a
sheep shearing demonstration, herding, and learn firsthand how this New Zealand family
farm operates. A sightseeing tour of the city features the Neo-Gothic Cathedral, the
downtown park district and stunning Victorian-style buildings. The remainder of the day is
yours to explore this quaint city, named for the college at Oxford University, and exuding
a decidedly English feel. Stroll through the gardens, wander through the shops or simply
relax. Today breakfast will be included.
Day 19: CHRISTCHURCH Spend your day at leisure in beautiful Christchurch.
Tonight, celebrate the amazing sights you have seen and the new friendships forged as you
dine in a restored mansion, once the homestead of the first family to settle in
Christchurch. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.
Day 20: CHRISTCHURCH - DEPART FOR HOME Your tour ends today in
Christchurch. Depart for home with countless fond memories to share with friends and
family. Today breakfast will be included.
Day 21: ARRIVE U.K.
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dates and prices
EXTEND YOUR STAY: Add pre nights in Auckland from only £50 per
person, per night; and/or add post nights in Christchurch from only £55 per person, per
night. |
