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New Zealand is rapidly emerging as a producer
of fine wine, and is also a major exporter of
meat, seafood,
fruit and vegetables. The raw materials are excellent
and there are some marvellous restaurants as well
as
local delicacies.
DAY
1 ARRIVE
AUCKLAND
You
will be met and transferred to your hotel by private
vehicle.
This afternoon, sightseeing tour of Auckland,
featuring views from Mt Eden, the Domain Gardens
and
Parnell Village, the excellent Maori and Pacific
Islands Court at the Museum, and Kelly Tarlton's
Underwater
World and Antarctic Encounter. Or you may
prefer to take the ferry to Waiheke Island to
visit the wineries.
Accommodation: Auckland, 2 nights
DAY
2 WEST
AUCKLAND WINERIES (BL)
Today,
a full day tour of one of New Zealand's best wine
producing regions. Though a lot of the grapes
such as cabernet sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir,
Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are grown here,
local
winemakers also import grapes from the Hawkes
Bay and Marlborough areas. Most of
the vineyards were
originally established in this area by European
immigrants, including Corbans (1902), Babich (1916),
Selaks
(1934) and Soljans (1937). Lunch will be
at a local café or winery and in the afternoon
drive through the
beautiful Waitakere Ranges.
DAY
3 WAITOMO
TO ROTORUA (BLD)
The
drive today takes you through the Waikato Valley,
a major dairy and horse raising area, stopping
for
lunch and a guided tour of Waitomo Glowworm Caves
before continuing to Rotorua. This
evening, enjoy a
hangi dinner and concert of traditional Maori
song and dance on a Marae.
Accommodation: Rotorua 1 night
DAY
4 TO
NAPIER (B)
This
morning's sightseeing in Rotorua includes a guides
tour of Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve and Maori
Arts and Crafts Institute, Rainbow Springs to
see the huge trout and rare kiwi bird, and the
Agrodome for
the popular sheep show. This afternoon's
drive will take you through Taupo and across the
Kaimanawa
Ranges to the art deco city of Napier, center
of the Hawkes Bay wine region.
Accommodation: Napier 1 night
DAY
5 TO
WELLINGTON (B)
This
morning's tour includes a visit to a variety of
wineries, which may include Te Mata Estate and
Vidals,
or other wineries of your choice. Then in
the afternoon, continue south to Wellington, stopping
in the
Wairarapa where there are some fine wines being
produced, perhaps visiting Palliser Estate and
Te
Kairanga in Martinborough, known for their
Pinot Noir. The evening is free in
New Zealand's capital city.
Accommodation: Wellington 1 night
DAY
6 TO
BLENHEIM (BL)
Transfer
to the ferry for a cruise across Cook Strait to
Picton on the South Island. The last part
of the
cruise through the Marlborough Sounds is especially
scenic. Alternatively, transfer to the airport
for a
short flight to Blenheim. The Marlborough
wine region is a short drive from Picton. Have
lunch at a
winery and spend the afternoon tasting at selected
wineries, such as Hunters and Cloudy Bay, known
for
Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blancs.
Accommodation: Blenheim 1 night
DAY
7 TO
CHRISTCHURCH (B)
It's
a 5 hour drive along the east coast to Christchurch,
perhaps stopping at Kaikoura for a whale watch
flight or cruise. Or you may prefer to visit
a few of the Waipara wineries before reaching
Christchurch,
often called the Garden City because of its lovely
parks and gardens.
Accommodation: Christchurch 1 night
DAY
8 TO
QUEENSTOWN (B)
A
full day touring across the Canterbury Plains
then inland. At Tekapo, see the quaint Church
of the Good
Shepard and maybe take the opportunity of a scenic
flight over Mt. Cook National Park where there
are
good views of the mighty Southern Alps (optional
extra & weather permitting). Descend through
the Lindis
Pass to Central Otago and on to Queenstown.
Accommodation: Queenstown 3 nights
DAY
9 QUEENSTOWN
(BD)
This
morning's sightseeing includes an aerial gondola
ride to Bob's Peak for panoramic views over the
lake
and mountains, a visit to quaint Arrowtown and
wine tasting at Gibbston Valley Winery. Stop
at the
Kawarau Bridge, the original AJ Hackett site,
to see bungy jumping and a chance to have a go,
if you dare
(optional extra). This evening, board the
vintage lake steamer, TSS Earnslaw, for a cruise
to Walter Peak
High Station for a farm show and dinner at the
homestead.
DAY
10 MILFORD
SOUND (BL)
This
morning, embark on a full day tour, traveling
via Fiordland National Park. The scenery
is breathtaking,
with lofty mountains and deep valleys carved out
by ice age glaciers. There are clear rushing
mountain
streams, leaping waterfalls and dense rainforest.
At Milford Sound, cruise down the
fiord where seals and
dolphins are frequently seen. Buffet lunch
on board. Return to Queenstown in the evening.
DAY
11 DEPART
QUEENSTOWN (B)
Transfer
to the airport by private vehicle for your onward
flight or return to the USA. Or stay on
for a few
more nights in Queenstown.
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