small group escorted tours > the touring collection frequently asked questions

The Touring Collection Frequently Asked Questions

Our Coaches   These touring options are operated in late model Toyota Coaster 6 cylinder turbo diesel midicoaches.  Passengers never number more than 12 - so you have plenty of space to move around. Most importantly, each seat has spacious leg room, large picture windows and specially customised interiors. Our coaches have full standing headroom, are fully carpeted and have climate control. They are fitted with reclining seats and lap belts. Passengers' luggage is stowed in purpose-built, fully enclosed and secure fibreglass trailers. NZ Guided tours - our guides are there for you Our knowledgeable drivers are our tour guides who give you that fresh and personal insight into our country and its culture - making the sense of what you are seeing so much more real than just the sights. They take pleasure and pride in looking after your individual interests - meeting our local artists; introducing you to their favourite cafes and restaurants; and joining you for walks through our unspoiled coastal and forest environment. Accommodation Before and After We can provide a range of additional accommodation for passengers pre and post tour. Please advise any additional accommodation requirements when making your reservation. Special Needs Travellers While some accommodation has rooms and access provisions suitable for wheelchairs, most stopovers do not have this provision. The coaches don't have floor-lowering steps to enable wheelchair access but our seats have extra leg room which eases access inside the coaches. For passengers with physical disabilities, our New Zealand can-do attitude means we sincerely endeavour to provide the service for those keen to travel with us. Smoking New Zealand laws do not allow smoking on coaches. Our coaches stop frequently and we suggest passengers use these for their smoking requirements. Hotel rooms, bars and restaurants have designated smoking and non-smoking areas. Indoor public places are smoke free.  Soft Adventure/Activities Activities on tour are designed for travellers who want to get out there. The Decidedly Different Islands and Decidedly Southern tours feature soft adventure activities such as walking a section of the Queen Charlotte track, kayaking, whale watching and visiting a gannet colony. All are optional - providing plenty of personal choice. Our two night stopovers in the Marlborough Sounds and Queenstown allow the adventurous to participate in a wide range of activities -and the less adventurous to take life at their own pace.