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New Zealand is naturally enticing because it is so geographically diverse. Glaciers, fiords, waterfalls forests and lakes draw us in. But don’t forget the friendly English-speaking New Zealanders! |
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Cruise Milford Sound, see Franz Josef Glacier, take the Tranz Scenic Railway through Arthurs Pass, deliver the mail in Queen Charlotte Sound and drive Ninety Mile Beach. We visit the North and South islands with a local driver/guide. |
ITINERARY Day 1 |
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Day 5
A
Cape Reinga tour to enjoy the magnificent natural wonders of the North. You will be awed
by the grandeur of the mighty Kauri trees, the expanse of Ninety Mile Beach and the
mystique of Cape Reinga. Numerous stops will be made to take in the scenic highlights and
activities: an easy twenty minute walk through the Puketi Kauri Forest, along Ninety Mile
Beach to the top of New Zealand and wander out to the lighthouse and the picturesque
village of Mangonui. Return to Paihia for a free evening. (BL)
Day 6
Heading to Rotorua today – a scenic drive to the Maori cultural and thermal area. En
route through Auckand, enjoy lunch at a harbourside restaurant. Overnight
Rotorua for 2 nights (BL)
Day 7
Today visit Rainbow Springs,
35 acres of natural bush and natural springs with the world’s finest trout sanctuary
of Rainbow, Brown and Brook Trout. Visit the kiwi bird conservation house to view the
daily activity, nocturnal house and the conservation programme to save the kiwi bird from
extinction. Later visit the Agrodome – an entertaining and informative show about the
New Zealand sheep industry. After lunch head for the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute to
see wood carvers, flax weavers, the bubbling mud pools, boiling springs, geysers and the
silica terraces. Tonight experience an authentic Maori village and enjoy a colourful Maori
concert and hangi (feast). (BLD)
Day 8
Today we will visit New Zealand’s main wine region – Hawkes Bay. Pass by the
mighty Huka Falls (time for a stop) en route to Lake Taupo – NZ’s world renowned
and enjoy some free time for lunch. Continue through to Napier. A wine tasting and dinner
will be at one of New Zealand’s oldest vineyards tonight – which is a converted
monastery. Overnight Napier (BD)
Day 9
This morning enjoy a walking tour of Napier – the famous ‘art deco’ region
of NZ and this afternoon enjoy the scenic drive to Wellington – the capital city.
Overnight Wellington (BLD)
Day 10
After breakfast, free time in this cosmopolitan harbour city and then depart for the cable
car to Kelburn. Lunch is at the top of the hill with panoramic views over the city . The
Interislander ferry this afternoon will take you through the stunning Marlborough Sounds
on your way to the top of the South Island. Overnight Picton (BLD)
Day 11
Today we join the local
mail boat run and see the best of beautiful Queen Charlotte Sound - the real Marlborough
Sounds. Enjoy the excitement of mail day in beautiful remote places as you help deliver
the mail and groceries and say ‘Hi’ to the children waiting for their schoolwork
that is delivered by correspondence to families in beautiful remote places. Return to
shore for lunch and a quick look in the whaling museum and then head to Christchurch.
Overnight Christchurch (BD)
Day 12
This morning take the Tranz Scenic railway which passes through some spectacular scenery
on your way to Arthurs Pass –one of the 10 finest rail journeys in the world.
Continue our journey by coach down the west coast near Franz Josef Glacier with a visit to
a greenstone factory. Nowhere else in the world do glaciers descend this far down into
temperate zones. Overnight Franz Josef (BD)
Day 13
An opportunity for an
optional scenic flight across the glaciers and Southern Alps is offered before we leave
and cross the Haast Pass with a boat journey on the Haast River and enjoy lunch on the
shores of Lake Wanaka – a beautiful alpine lake. Continue through to the
‘adventure alpine capital’ of NZ – Queenstown on the shores of Lake
Wakatipu amongst beautiful mountain ranges . Tonight dinner at Walter's Peak – having
reached the famous homestead by the Earnslaw – an historic steamship. Overnight
Queenstown (BLD)
Day 14
Today the
magnificent Milford Sounds - surrounded by steep forest-clad cliffs and waterfalls. Travel
through the Fiordland National Park where lush beech forests meet snow capped mountains.
At Milford you board a launch to enjoy lunch and cruise the Sound, travelling below the
famous Mitre Peak and beneath a spectacular waterfall. Overnight Te Anau (B,L)
Day 15
Today your destination is the city of Dunedin – a town with a strong Scottish
tradition. We will visit an albatross colony. for viewing of the birds and their chicks as
well as Larnach Castle – NZ’s only castle and view the magnificent restored
gardens. Enjoy walking to a local brewery for a tour and tasting and dinner tonight.
Overnight Dunedin (BD)
Day 16
Driving along the East coast today and view the famous Moeraki Boulders on the beach. A
highlight of the trip will be staying tonight with local farming families, eating in their
homes and breakfasting with them in the morning. Overnight – Farm stay,
Fairlie/Geraldine area (BLD)
Day 17
Visit
Longbeach Farm–a 2800 acre sheep property and newly converted dairy farm, see sheep
being shorn. Christchurch is our destination tonight for our farewell dinner but we will
have some time for strolling near the gardens along the Avon River, punting on the
riverboats or shopping. Overnight Christchurch (BD)
Day 18
Free time until our departure for our afternoon flight back to Toronto and arrive home on
the same day—November 23. (B, inflight meals)
Included:
Dr. Ken Shonk, our Guest Host on this Adventure, is a retired doctor of a
family practice. He currently writes a monthly health column for Forever Young and is a
speaker at many engagements. Dr. Shonk uses humour in stress management, relationships,
parenting and in the aging process. He will show how you can bring more humour into your
life to make it a tad more bearable. All of this liberally sprinkled with lousy jokes that
have been referred to as a “ mirthful message” or a “chuckles
checkup”.
“There ain’t much fun in medicine but there is a lot of medicine in fun!”
Janice Bock is a retired teacher with many years of travel both escorting
groups and on her own. Recently Janice has returned from Galapagos Islands & Ecuador,
Vietnam, Bali and Lake Bled, Croatia and Montenegro. Janice spent over 5 months
travelling, working and living in New Zealand and wants to show you both the North and
South Islands of this beautiful country in the South Pacific.
New Zealand Adventure
November 6 - 23, 2009
Cost is $8198. Cdn. p.p. shared.
Deposit is $500.00 at time of booking
Final payment is Sept. 6/09
Cancellation and Medical Insurance is highly recommended.
For more information or to book your tour visit: GoTravelPlus.com/tours
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