Classic New Zealand
Wine Trail
12 Days
Auckland to Christchurch
from $2172 First Class
from $2998 Boutique
Day 1 Arrive Auckland
Welcome to New Zealand
Auckland airport transfer to accommodation
Afternoon: NZL 40 America's Cup Sailing
The America’s Cup is the world’s oldest and most prestigious sporting trophy and ultimate yachting regatta. Usually the domain of billionaires and elite professional yachties, NZL 40 and NZL 41 offer the unique opportunity for everyone to participate in sailing on these grand prix racing machines.
Passengers become the crew and are encouraged to take the helm, exert energy on the grinders or simply sit back and enjoy the action as we sail down the Auckland Harbour. The trip suits people of all experiences and abilities and is the perfect activity in Auckland, ‘City of Sails’.
Accom:
Auckland 1 nt
Day 2 Pick up your Rental Car 11 Days
Drive to Waitomo
Take an amazingly serene, surreal and beautiful trip lit by the soft blue luminescence of glow worms as you “cave tube” through an underground environment! Enjoy the ups and downs, unders and overs, and sounds of rushing water or absolute silence! Bring a towel, your swimsuit, a camera and a smile!
Drive to Rotorua
Rotorua means two lakes. Actually there are 16 lakes, active geothermal features, rich Maori Culture and much much more. Be sure to ask our knowledgeable staff to recommend activities that will match your interests and add special value to your stay in Rotorua
Accom: Rotorua 2 nts
Day 3 Free morning - (check with your agent for recommendations)
Evening: Maori Hangi and Concert
Join your Maori hosts for an authentic evening of culture, native dancing and good food. A hundred years ago, you may not have been invited to dinner, you may have been the dinner...
Day 4 Drive to Taupo
Huka Jet Boat
Huka Falls Jet in Taupo, offers a unique combination of excitement and natural beauty. A 30-minute thrilling jet boat ride in the hands of a professional Jetboat driver.
The half hour of thrills, fun and excitement takes you along a beautiful river environment, lined with native bush, sheer rock cliff face and natural hot springs.
Combine 360° spins and passing nature by incredibly close at disorientating speeds for an amazing must-do visitor experience, before even reaching the majesty that is the Huka Falls. Witness Huka Falls from water level. Your incredible journey will also take you past the Wairakei Thermal Power Station, Huka Prawn Park and the Aratiatia Dam.
Maybe add a helicopter ride over the area – The perfect combo!
Drive to
the Hawkes Bay
The drive today takes you to the start of the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail; look out for the brown road signs marking the route through to Marlborough.
Viewing the Norfolk pine-lined Marine parade, it’s hard to believe that this elegant city was completely destroyed in the Hawke’s Bay earthquake of 1931. Although there was a great loss of life and almost all the brick buildings of the city collapsed, the earthquake gave the survivors an extra 10,000 acres of land, and now the airport and a large section of Napier stand on what used to be the sea floor. One of the highlights of this area is it’s wines.
Hawkes Bay Wine Region - Classic NZ Wine Trail
Hawke’s Bay in many ways has a similarity to the great French wine region of Bordeaux, certainly supporting the massive plantings of recent years of Bordeaux Red varieties, particularly Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. (The Australian and New Zealand Wine & Food Pictorial Atlas by Thomas K. Hardy)
Careful vineyard selection and highly skilled viticulture results in Hawkes Bay producing very high quality grapes. Red wine production is predominantly centered on Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon together with varietals grown here. These are complemented by Semillon Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Methode Traditionelle and dessert wines.
Accom: Hawkes Bay 2 nts
Day 5 Free Day
Day 6 Drive to Martinborough
Wairarapa Wine Region
- Classic NZ Wine Trail
Wairarapa is the general area of the South Eastern portion of New Zealand’s North Island. Wairarapa does very well with Pinot Noir and the aromatic whites such as Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris. Martinborough has some 23 wineries who all produce very individual wines. (The Australian and New Zealand Wine & Food Pictorial Atlas by Thomas K. Hardy)
Accom: Wairarapa 2 nts
Day 7 Free Day
Visit the vineyards of the Wairarapa Wine Region. Be sure to visit the Martinborough Wine Centre at the beginning of your day's adventures.
Day 8 Drive to Wellington
Wellington is the capital of New Zealand. If you arrive earlier look in include a visit to Te Papa Museum as well as a view over the city from Mt. Victoria. A tour of Parliament Buildings will show how a massive building counters the effects of Wellington's many earthquakes. Have time for a cable car ride?
Accom: Wellington 1 nt
Day 9 Inter Island Ferry
Drive to Blenheim
Marlborough Wine Region - Classic NZ Wine Trail
The Marlborough wine region only came to life in 1973 when Montana Wines
planted the first vines. The real boom in planting started after Cloudy Bay released their first Sauvignon Blanc in 1985 and began making a real statement on world wine markets. The region is much like California’s Napa Valley, with its elongated valley surrounded by mountains on three sides and a wide shallow bay on the other. It also has its share of mists in autumn that contribute to botrytised wines of exceptional quality. (The Australian and New Zealand Wine & Food Pictorial Atlas by Thomas K. Hardy)
Accom:
Marlborough 2 nts
Day 10 Free Day
Drive, bike or tour wineries. Ask our knowledgeable staff for suggestions.
Day 11 Drive to Christchurch
Christchurch
is the South Island's largest city with a population of just over 360,000. It is
situated on the east coast of the flat Canterbury Plains with views to the often
snowy peaks of the Southern Alps.
The River Avon flows through this "most English city". Enjoy the gothic
architecture of Cathedral Square and stroll along the beautiful river walk, or
sit in a café and watch the world go by. There are many things to see and do
while in Christchurch including botanic gardens, bike riding, punting, golfing,
swim with Dolphins, Hot Air Ballooning, a chocolate tour.
Accom: Christchurch 1 nt
Day 12 Return rental car, same time as pick up Tour ends this morning
Price Per Person
|
First Class |
Twin Share | Single |
| 2010-11 | ||
| Apr 1 '10-Sep 30 '10 | $2172 | $3595 |
| Oct 1 '10-Dec 23 '10 | $2371 | $3985 |
| Dec 24 '10-Jan 6 '11 | $2595 | $4430 |
| Jan 7 '11-Mar 31 '11 | $2372 | $3985 |
Price Per Person
|
Boutique |
Twin Share | Single |
| 2010-11 | ||
| Apr 1 '10-Sep 30 '10 | $2998 | $5180 |
| Oct 1 '10-Dec 23 '10 | $3333 | $5738 |
| Dec 24 '10-Jan 6 '11 | $3540 | $6150 |
| Jan 7 '11-Mar 31 '11 | $3333 | $5738 |
Included:
Air: Additional
New Zealand: Auckland airport private transfer to accommodation, Sailing, Auckland 1nt, Car Rental includes unlimited kilometers, GST (12.5%), intermediate auto, Auckland to Christchurch 11 days, Black Labyrinth, Rotorua 2 nts, Maori Hangi and Concert, Huka Jet, Napier 2nts, Wairarapa 2nts, Wellington 1 nt, Inter-Island Ferry Wellington to Picton, Marlborough 2 nts, Christchurch 1nt
________________________
Valid: Now through Mar 31 '11
** It may be necessary on certain dates to substitute similar type activities and accommodations
Additional: Flights