Itinerary Details
1 Arrive Auckland, New Zealand
New Zealand’s “City of Sails,” Auckland is a bustling, bracing delight, spearheading the nation at the top of the North Island and surrounded by 48 staggering volcanic peaks. Admire the city’s highlights, including the city’s gardens, vibrant Viaduct Harbor waterfront; and Tamaki Paenga Hira (Auckland Museum), celebrated for its unique collection of Maori and Pacific Island treasures.
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2 Auckland – Wine & Olive Oil Tastings
Ferry to Waiheke Island to taste gourmet gold at boutique vineyards and an olive mill, pairing wines and award-winning oil with wild honey, artisan cheeses or succulent oysters from Te Matuku Bay. With your appetite delectably whetted, lunch at one of New Zealand's top vineyard restaurants awaits.
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3 Hawke’s Bay – Gem On A Crescent-Shaped Coast
Known as the fruit bowl of New Zealand, the healthy ecosystem in Hawke’s Bay means the land is generous in its gifts — its terroir and topography turns out world-class vineyards, orchards and lush market gardens fragrant with herbs. Visit Rosewood Cape Kidnappers and explore the coastal property by ATV, riding over rugged green terrain towards Ocean Beach and Bare Island and across to Rangaika Beach, a spectacular stretch of coast steeped in Maori history.
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4 Hawke’s Bay – Farmsteads & Wineries
Explore the Hawke’s Bay region your way today as you choose from activities including a walk amid the diverse art deco buildings of Napier, a tour of local farmsteads or orchards, a look behind the scenes at prestigious local wineries, a visit to local artists’ studios, an insider’s glimpse of a local ranch, a stroll through a stunning historic country garden, or a relaxing afternoon at a remote beach.
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5 Wellington – Flavors Of The Capital
Cable cars rush up its forested slopes, statues dot the scenic marina: welcome to small-but-mighty Wellington, where Maori and European history collide and culinary surprises await in a city with more restaurants, cafés and bars per capita than New York City. Start exploring with a culinary tour of the city as your passionate foodie guide curates tastings of local artisan favorites such as coffee, scones, kiwi pie and kombucha.
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6 Wellington – Iconic Sites
A ride by cable car to Kelburn offers fabulous views of the city. Continue to the Otari-Wilton's Bush Native Botanic Garden, with its treetop walkway and the quiet pleasures of the Begonia House, while Lady Norwood Rose Garden only adds to the appreciation of the city’s natural splendors. See the timber-framed Old St. Paul's Cathedral and summit of Mount Victoria for the breathtaking panoramas. A stop at the National Museum of New Zealand — Te Papa, which chronicles the region’s Maori and European histories — completes the picture of Wellington’s wonders.
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7 Blenheim – Green Gateway To Epic Wine Country
Sitting in an oil painting of bright skies, vine-striped slopes and distant mountains, Blenheim is the gateway to Marlborough, one of New Zealand’s most famous winelands. Chic wineries are tucked into the furrows of this sun-kissed landscape, each one a destination in its own right: come for the prize-winning vintages and stay for the culinary masterpieces spun from fresh local produce.
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8 Blenheim – A Taste Of The Marlborough Region
Drive to an iconic winery for a private tasting. Follow up with two courses of inspired pairings at a renowned local winery and restaurant. Then, cast off on a shared cruise through the Marlborough Sounds, sampling fresh local salmon and mussels paired with local wine along the way.
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9 Kaikoura – Hapuku Kitchen Seasonal Feast
Celebrate some of New Zealand’s bountiful culinary treasures with a feast of your own making. Start with an introduction to the Hapuku Kitchen over a cup of locally roasted coffee, or a refreshing drink made from herbs and flowers from the garden. Then wander through the Hapuku Kitchen property, foraging in the garden for fruit, vegetables and herbs. Return with your selections to the kitchen and prepare the various dishes that make up the day’s menu. With help from a chef always at hand, learn many techniques and tricks for successful dishes. Finish by eating what you created, accompanied by wine or beer from some favorite Canterbury and Marlborough winemakers and brewers.
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10 Kaikoura – Up Close With Whales And More
Get ready for close encounters of the cetaceous kind as you embark by boat on the whale-watching expedition of a lifetime. Visit with year-round-resident sperm whales and revel in the chance to see migratory humpback whales (Jun-Jul) or orca (Dec-Mar). Marvel as your expert guide maneuvers you into intimate proximity with these gentle giants. Keep watch for New Zealand's tiny Hector dolphins, high-spirited Dusky dolphins, New Zealand fur seals and the Royal Albatross as well. Kaikoura has the largest concentration and variety of seabirds on mainland New Zealand including 13 species of albatross, 14 varieties of petrels and seven types of shearwater. Wherever you look, on the water or in the air, nature’s show will captivate you.
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11 Queenstown – Action-Packed City With An Alpine Backdrop
Once a Maori settlement and, later, a gold mining outpost, Queenstown has transformed in recent decades to become a frontier resort town renowned as an adventure destination. Oenophiles have much to discover here, too: nearby are Central Otago, the world’s southernmost wine region, and Gibbston Valley, whose celebrated vintners offer tours and tastings at pioneering local wine estates.
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12 Queenstown – Milford Sound By Helicopter And Tasting Otago’s Wines
Take to the skies on a thrilling heli-tour, views of alpine lakes and mountainous forest. Fly along the Southern Alps to take in Milford Sound, experiencing its jaw-dropping scenery. View Lake Quill, the source of the spectacular Sutherland Falls. Sweep the full length of the fiord, flying to a remote west coast beach to view New Zealand fur seal colonies. Before heading for home, weather permitting, land on “the top of the world,” where you can stand among the ancient ice floes of the Fiordland Glaciers. Back on terra firma, toast your rousing flight on a wine tour packed with insider access. Savor pinot noir from renowned Central Otago and other wines as you listen to stories about the legends who kicked off pinot noir production here. Then go behind the scenes at a renowned winery where internationally trained wine advisors lead you on a vineyard tour. Meet some of the viticulturists in charge of protecting the terroir and producing optimal fruit during this special, off-the-menu experience that delivers authentic insights into winemaking in Central Otago.
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13 Depart Queenstown
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