The Best of New Zealand
Resort: | The Best of New Zealand |
Operator: | Titan Travel |
Destination: | New Zealand |
Price From: | £5895.00 |
OverviewAn intoxicating fusion of natural beauty, big-city cool and Maori culture, New Zealand is well worth the long journey. Our ‘Best of New Zealand’ tours introduce the dramatic scenery of South and North Island – the snow-capped Southern Alps, fiords, glaciers, natural hot springs and award-winning wine regions. Youll spend time in laid-back cities, including two nights each in capital city Wellington and the City of Sails, Auckland. And youll finish your New Zealand itinerary with three nights in the subtropical Bay of Islands, home to soaring sand dunes and a rugged coastline. What’s Included:
16 excursions and visits
Plus
Itinerary
Days 1-2 – UK – In flight Titans VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home for your flights to Christchurch. UK – In flight Day 3 – Christchurch On arrival, the remainder of the day is free. You might choose to stretch your legs strolling through Hagley Park to the wonderful botanical gardens, fringed by the River Avon. Crowne Plaza Christchurch (4.5-star)
Day 4 – Dunedin We travel south to Dunedin, clustered around an attractive harbour. Known as the Edinburgh of the South for its strong Scottish influence, the city is home to New Zealands only kilt shop and produces the countrys whisky. Well follow the theme this evening with a grand, Scottish-style dinner. Scenic Hotel Southern Cross, Dunedin (4.5-star) Day 5 – Dunedin Today youre free to explore more of Dunedin. Admire the Edwardian and Victorian architecture, visit the botanical gardens or perhaps follow the Street Art Trail in the quirky Warehouse Precinct. Scenic Hotel Southern Cross, Dunedin (4.5-star)
Day 6 – Te Anau We journey across the rich Southland plains to Te Anau. Its the gateway to Fiordland National Park, known for its spectacular waterfalls, dense native forest and rare birds. Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas (4-star)
Day 7 – Milford Sound – Queenstown Well make our way through the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys, one of the most scenic drives in the country. Then, a cruise on spectacular Milford Sound takes us along the fiord, past the spectacular Mitre Peak, out to the open sea and back again. This majestic area was described by Rudyard Kipling as the eighth wonder of the world. We may catch a glimpse of seals frolicking in their natural habitat. Our drive to Queenstown skirts Lake Wakatipu, the only land-locked lake in the world with its own tide – its name translates as the lake that breathes. Excursions & visits: Milford Sound cruise, Fiordland National Park (morning) Heritage Queenstown (4.5-star) Day 8 – Queenstown Queenstown, dominated by the majestic Remarkables, is a favourite with those who love the great outdoors. After a free day, we take an evening cruise aboard the beautiful vintage TSS Earnslaw. We travel across Lake Wakatipu to the high country sheep station of Walter Peak where youll dine in the elegant Colonels Homestead. Excursions & visits: TSS Earnslaw cruise (evening) Heritage Queenstown (4.5-star) Day 9 – Mount Cook This morning we visit Gibbston Valley Winery to sample their wine, before journeying into the heart of the Southern Alps. Our first glimpse of majestic Mount Cook, towering 3,754 metres above sea level, reveals why its known to Maori people as Cloud Piercer. The Tasman Glacier, nudging one side of Mount Cook, is one of the longest glaciers outside the Himalayas. Excursions & visits: Visit Gibbston Valley Winery (morning) Hermitage Hotel, Mount Cook (4.5-star) Day 10 – Christchurch We skirt the glacial blue waters of Lake Pukaki and pass Lake Tekapo en route to Christchurch. Crowne Plaza Christchurch (4.5-star) Day 11 – Wellington We head north across the plains to the coastal town of Kaikoura, famous for its crayfish. At Picton, we leave the South Island and steam across the spectacular Cook Strait on the comfortable inter-island ferry. Wellington Harbour offers our first view of the capital city, our home for the next two nights. Rydges Wellington (4.5-star) Day 12 – Wellington We take a morning tour of the Windy City of Wellington. The afternoon is free to explore and there are several attractions worth a visit, none more so than New Zealands national museum, Te Papa. Excursions & visits: Wellington city tour (morning) Rydges Wellington (4.5-star) Day 13 – Rotorua We head north, stopping at Huka Falls where the wide Waikato River squeezes through a narrow gorge and tumbles down into a beautiful aquamarine pool. We continue to one of the jewels of the country, Rotorua, known for its awe-inspiring geothermal activity. Later on today, well enjoy a Maori cultural experience, an authentic Maori concert and a traditional hangi feast. Excursions & visits: Visit Huka Falls (afternoon) Rydges Rotorua (4.5-star) Day 14 – Rotorua This morning well visit the Agrodome for a fascinating farm show, where the skills of mustering, shearing and milking and the use of sheep dogs are demonstrated. Then well head to the National Kiwi Hatchery, where you can learn about New Zealand’s national icon and if you’re lucky, spot a newly hatched chick of this rare, flightless bird. This afternoon, well take a tour of Whakarewarewa Thermal Village, where the Tuhourangi/Ngati Wahiao tribe have opened their doors to share their way of life for over 200 years. Excursions & visits: Visits to the Agrodome farm show and the National Kiwi Hatchery (morning) Rydges Rotorua (4.5-star) Day 15 – Waitomo Caves – Auckland At Waitomo Caves, we take a boat along the underground river to see the thousands of glow-worms – spectacular in the darkness of the grotto. The tiny blue-green lights shine brighter if the glow worms are hungry! We travel on via the dairy centre of Hamilton to Auckland. Excursions & visits: Waitomo glow-worm caves (morning) Stamford Plaza Auckland (5-star) Day 16 – Auckland Today we introduce you to the City of Sails, the largest metropolis in New Zealand. Our city tour highlights include Old Customhouse, the shoppers delight of Lower Queen Street, and Parliament Street. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Excursions & visits: Auckland city tour (morning) Stamford Plaza Auckland (5-star) Day 17 – Bay of Islands Crossing the bridge spanning the Waitemata Harbour this morning, we can look back at Aucklands famous landmark, Rangitoto Island, before heading to Northland, the birthplace of the nation. We drive along the west coast, passing sleepy harbourside hamlets and native forests. The Waipoua Forest is home to huge kauri trees, the largest of which – Tane Mahuta (Lord of the Forest) – stands 30 metres tall. Well learn more about these ancient trees at the Kauri Museum. Excursions & visits: Visit the Kauri Museum (morning) Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands (4-star) Day 18 – Bay of Islands We embark on a delightful cruise around the bay to see Cape Brett lighthouse and hopefully spot seals, dolphins or whales. We also cruise into the grand Cathedral Cave and through the Hole in the Rock. This afternoon, we visit Waitangi Treaty House, where the historic signing between Maori and British formed the nation of New Zealand in 1840. Our visit includes a guided tour of Waitangi. Excursions & visits: Bay of Islands cruise (morning) Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands (4-star) Day 19 – Bay of Islands The charm of this region is the solitude and outstanding scenic beauty; and today, youre free to soak it all up. Visit historic Russell, the countrys first capital, or perhaps join a launch cruise to see where Captain Cook first anchored on his voyage of discovery. The sand dunes and hillocks of shells along Ninety Mile Beach also captivate the hearts of visitors. Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands (4-star)
Day 20 – Bay of Islands – Auckland – In flight We head south along the Hibiscus Coast and return to Auckland for your return flight to the UK. Bay of Islands – Auckland – In flight Day 21 – UK Upon arrival, your Titan vehicle will be waiting for the journey home. UK |