• Round-trip airfare from Los Angeles to Auckland, returning from Christchurch
• 2 nights Auckland, The Hotel Britomart Auckland, Galway Room including breakfast
  • Half day Auckland Wine Country with Lunch
  • Waiheke Island Exclusive Tour including lunch and round-trip ferry transfers
• One-way Auckland to Rotorua via Hobbiton
• 2 nights Rotorua, Regent of Rotorua, Superior Room including breakfast
  • Te Po Combo Experience
• 11 days Intermediate Car Hire including unlimited kilometers
  • Redwoods Treewalk Day experience
• 2 nights Hawkes Bay, Porters Boutique Hotel, Deluxe Room including breakfast
  • 2-hour Art Deco Guided Walk
• 2 nights Martinborough, The Martinborough Hotel, Petit Room including breakfast
• 1 night Wellington, Museum Apartment Hotel, Executive King Studio including breakfast
• Interislander ferry from Wellington to Picton
• 2 nights Blenheim, Vintners Retreat, 1 Bedroom Manor including continental breakfast
  • Taste of Marlborough Tour
• 3 nights Christchurch, The Mayfair, Mayfair King Room including breakfast
  • Arthurs Pass and TranzAlpine Rail guided tour
  • Wine Trail and City Day Tour
• One-way private arrival transfer Auckland Airport to Hotel
• US/foreign taxes and fees including September 11 Security Fee

All trips include 24-hour emergency travel assistance.

Book by:

May 31, 2024

Valid for travel between:

July 24 – September 17, 2024

Additional dates, gateway cities and airlines may be available.

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Day 1: Depart USA

This evening make your way to Los Angeles  for your overnight flight to Auckland.

Day 2: International Date Line

During your flight, you will cross the International Date Line.

Day 3: Auckland

After you clear Customs and Immigration, collect your luggage and transfer by a private vehicle to your hotel for a two-night stay. Start your afternoon wine tour with a pickup from your Auckland city accommodation by Bush and Beach. Explore the historic Kumeu wineries, established by Croatian winemaking families in the 1930s, who continue to produce some of New Zealand’s most celebrated wines. Your first stop is the award-winning Soljans Vineyard, renowned for richly flavored wines that skillfully blend traditional and modern techniques. Enjoy a sun-soaked Mediterranean-style lunch at Soljans Winery, showcasing fresh local produce. Next, visit West Brook Winery with its idyllic setting and wines reflecting their unique regional origins. Your journey continues to a gannet nesting site overlooking the Tasman Sea at Muriwai, followed by a tasting at Coopers Creek, known for their diverse wine offerings.

Day 4: Auckland – Waiheke Island – Auckland (B)

Make your way to the ferry terminal for your transfer to Waiheke Island. On arrival, you will be met by your driver/guide for a private tour of Waiheke Island. Visit three or more of the Island’s highly regarded vineyards, where they can taste their fine wines and learn about the unique region. If wine isn’t your thing, let us know at time of booking so we can create a personalized itinerary based on their interests. It could be a visit to an artist’s studio or sculpture garden, a scenic coastal walk, a beach excursion or an exciting zipline ride over lush native bush.

Day 5: Auckland – Matamata – Rotorua (B)

Travel south from Auckland on a small group tour, over the Bombay Hills to the rich farmland of the Waikato region. Your journey takes you through undulating green hills reminding you that you are approaching The Shire. Your guide will give you commentary on the way to Hobbiton with insights into the areas you are travelling through, along with some background to the movies. On arrival at Shire’s Rest you embark on your Hobbiton movie set tour. This location is the largest “green set” in the world and the only part of the set remaining in New Zealand. You see 44 hobbit holes, the Mill and double arch bridge and the party tree. At this stunning location you can take a photo at the gate to Bilbo’s house, “Bag End”, looking out over the whole set to the hills in the distance. The tour ends with a visit to the Green Dragon Inn for a drink. After the movie set tour concludes, you will be transferred to Rotorua for a 2-night stay.

Day 6: Rotorua (B)

Collect your rental vehicle this morning and make your way to Redwoods Treewalk. The Redwoods Treewalk, features 28 suspended bridges, 27 platforms, and 700 meters of treetop adventure suitable for all ages. Informative storyboards narrate local tales and forestry insights along the way. This ecological walk is perfect for wet weather, and you can explore at your leisure without safety harnesses or training, basking in the serenity of this remarkable forest. This afternoon, explore Te Puia on a guided tour followed by a world-famous hāngī buffet dinner is served in Pātaka Kai Restaurant, Bar and Café and be entertained with a cultural performance.

Day 7: Rotorua – Napier (B)

As you depart from the geo-thermal town of Rotorua, you’ll journey through lush farmlands and rolling hills. The road unfolds before you, revealing the Hawke’s Bay region’s iconic landscapes. You’ll soon arrive in Napier, renowned for its captivating art deco architecture and stunning coastal views, making the drive a prelude to the city’s unique charm and rich history.

Day 8: Napier (B)

Today is free to explore the Napier/Hawke’s Bay region. Delve into Napier’s rich Maori heritage at the Pania of the Reef statue and experience the local culture. The city’s gorgeous beaches, such as Marine Parade, provide opportunities for relaxation and seaside picnics, making Napier an ideal destination for a diverse array of daytime adventures. For wine enthusiasts, a visit to the nearby Hawke’s Bay wine country is a must, offering tastings at world-renowned vineyards. This afternoon, take a walk back in time with a guided walking tour of Napier’s fascinating Art Deco Quarter. Your local guide will tell you stories of the earthquake that destroyed the city, the people they were affected, and the remarkable recovery and rebuild that was completed within two years. A truly memorable experience of the most complete Art Deco city in the world.

Day 9: Napier – Martinborough (B)

As you leave Napier’s art deco charm behind, the road takes you through lush vineyards, rolling hills, and coastal vistas, offering glimpses of the stunning Hawke’s Bay coastline. The drive continues through rugged terrains and native forests, ultimately leading you to the wine region of Martinborough.

Day 10: Martinborough (B)

Packed with colonial charm, Martinborough features over 20 wineries, most within cycling and walking distance of the quaint village square. Some of New Zealand’s best pinot noir comes from the town’s predominately family-owned vineyards, so it’s not surprising it is a key stop on your wine journey. Join a guided tour and make your own way to some of the cellar doors in the region.

Day 11: Martinborough – Wellington (B)

The drive from Martinborough to Wellington is a scenic journey through New Zealand’s picturesque landscapes, transitioning from the charming vineyards of Martinborough to the vibrant capital city. As you approach Wellington, the coastal views and dynamic urban energy create a captivating prelude to your exploration of the city’s cultural treasures and waterfront attractions.

Day 12: Wellington – Blenheim (B)

This morning, transfer to the Wellington Ferry Terminal for your trip across Marlborough Sounds to Picton. On arrival, make your way to Blenheim for a 2-night stay. Blenheim is situated in the heart of wine-growing Marlborough. It is one of the sunniest towns in New Zealand, with an estimated average of 2,438 hours of sunshine a year. In and around Blenheim you’ll find an array of cafes, restaurants, wineries, bars, shops, artisan food outlets and golf courses along with popular walkways along the Taylor River Reserve. There are more than 30 wineries within driving distance of the town, and most of them welcome visitors for sampling sessions and cellar door sales.

Day 13: Blenheim (B)

Today, join a guided tour designed for wine enthusiasts seeking exceptional wine and culinary experiences, including exclusive behind-the-scenes tours, tastings hosted by winemakers, and access to special reserve wines. It caters to those who wish to delve deeper into the region’s wineries, its wines, and the passionate individuals behind them. Each winery visit offers a private, personalized experience away from public areas, providing both outstanding service and unique insights into the winemaking process. The tour takes you through a curated selection of boutique and iconic wineries, allowing you to connect with knowledgeable wine connoisseurs eager to share their expertise and love for the craft.

Day 14: Blenheim – Christchurch (B)

After breakfast, travel south towards to Christchurch, with the option to stop at Kaikoura for a whale watching cruise or scenic flight. The drive from Blenheim to Christchurch offers a picturesque journey through New Zealand’s South Island, revealing the country’s stunning landscapes. As you leave the renowned Marlborough wine region behind, the road leads you through rolling vineyards and serene countryside before guiding you into the vibrant urban charm of Christchurch, where you’ll have the opportunity to explore the city’s cultural attractions and natural beauty.

Day 15: Christchurch (B)

Embark on a tour that combines a Christchurch city exploration, showcasing its post-earthquake transformation, with a wine journey through the Waipara Region, celebrated for its aromatic whites and Pinot Noirs. After a city tour, we’ll head north to visit a minimum of three vineyards, providing tastings at each. Your day also includes a delightful lunch at a winery or local Cafe/Bistro before returning to your city accommodation. This tour offers a perfect blend of Canterbury Wine Country discovery and insights into Christchurch’s rejuvenation, making it ideal for wine and city enthusiasts.

Day 16: Christchurch (B,L)

Experience the breathtaking transition from the Canterbury Plains into the sub-alpine region, surrounded by rugged mountain ranges. Enjoy the famous TranzAlpine train journey, witnessing the unique Waimakariri River and its braided riverbed system, as well as the stunning Waimakariri gorge. At Arthur’s Pass, your guide will welcome you, and your return trip will be in a luxury vehicle. The journey concludes by crossing Porters Pass, traversing the Canterbury Plains, and reaching Christchurch, where your guide will drop you off at your accommodation.

Day 17: Depart Christchurch (B)

After breakfast, you have some free time to explore the city or catch up on last minute shopping before returning your rental vehicle to Christchurch Airport for your return flight home.

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Additional upgrades and add-ons may be available.

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