honeymoon packages > northern serenity

8 Night Northern Serenity in New Zealand

Day 1:  Arrive Auckland On arrival at Auckland airport you collect your rental vehicle and make your way to your accommodation.  Known as the 'City of Sails', Auckland is New Zealand's largest and most vibrant city offering an array of cosmopolitan experiences.  Enfolded by two huge harbours, Auckland is an environment that's alive with cultural excitement and sea-flavoured challenges.  Included for the duration of your car hire is an innovative commentary system.  Imagine driving around New Zealand automatically gaining an in-depth knowledge of the history of the towns and regions you pass through, hearing ancient Maori myths and legends, listening to stories told by the characters that shaped our history, learning of the unique wildlife, geographical landmarks and scenic attractions that you see as you travel.  Packed with over 2,000 audio commentaries, KRUSE® is guaranteed to keep you entertained and informed everywhere you go on your New Zealand self-drive holiday.  As an added bonus, from the 1st of March 2011 the KRUSE system also includes GPS navigation. Later today you unwind as you enjoy a relaxing one hour massage for two.  This massage is a memorable experience to be shared with a special partner.  One spacious room filled with the ambience of candlelight allows you to indulge in two simultaneous massages side-by-side.  Day 2:  Auckland to the Bay of Islands At the beginning of your journey today, you’ll drive over the Auckland Harbour Bridge towards the bays and beaches of Auckland’s North Shore.  The motorway will quickly sweep you northward, until the suburban scenery gives way to peaceful farmland.  You then enjoy spectacular scenery of native forests and sub-tropical bush as you make your way to Paihia in the Bay of Islands, a seaside town nestled on the foreshore of the National Maritime Park.  Day 3:  Cape Reinga Fly & Drive Trip Your half day tour starts with a flight up to Cape Reinga via Northlands spectacular harbours, such as the Whangaroa Harbour and the Rangaunu Harbour.  You also pass across some beautiful beaches such as Coopers Beach, Doubtless Bay and of course the famous Ninety Mile Beach.  From Ninety Mile Beach we then fly inland where we land at our airfield, which is only 20km from the Cape Reinga lighthouse.  Once on the ground a comfortable air-conditioned mini-bus will meet the aircraft and will take you on a 2 1/2 hour tour around the top of New Zealand.  After a 20 minute drive, we reach the Cape Reinga Lighthouse where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean. You then rejoin the vehicle for a short drive to Tapotupotu Bay where we enjoy a freshly baked light refreshment. There is time for a stroll on the beach, and a quick swim if desired, then you move across to the Te Paki quicksand stream with its giant sand dunes; (sleds are available for those who wish to experience the exhilaration of sliding down the sand dunes and try some "sand surfing").  Then the return flight to the Bay of Islands includes some of the most spectacular coastal scenery Northland has to offer.  Day 4:  Bay of Islands to Auckland Today enjoy a leisurely drive back to the northern suburbs of Auckland where on arrival the remainder of the day is at your leisure.  Heritage Hinemoa Street has much to offer visitors to the area with its amazing array of quaint houses, shops and businesses.  Beneath their historic facade are award winning restaurants and clever specialty shops that hold all manner of surprises. Day 5:  Auckland to the Coromandel/Bay of Plenty Region Depart Auckland today as you travel south along the Southern Motorway to reach the market garden area of Pukekohe.  Then continue on to reach your destination of the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula, a beautiful rugged area fringed with dozens of excellent beaches.  Your destination in the Coromandel is the town of Waihi. Day 6:  At Leisure / Hot Water Beach Today is at leisure to enjoy the best that this region has to offer.  Perhaps a picnic at the beach or in the bush, a relaxing day at the stunning beaches or take a 20 minute drive to Hot Water Beach which is one of the region’s most fascinating places.  For two hours either side of low tide, you can dig in the sand for hot spring water and make your own spa pool.  This evening dinner is included at your accommodation. Day 7:  Bay of Plenty/Coromandel Region to Rotorua & Hells Gate Spa Travel along the Bay of Plenty Coastline before heading inland across the volcanic plateau to the geothermal city of Rotorua, passing many of the regions crystal clear lakes en-route.  Best known for its geysers, boiling mud pools, crystal lakes teeming with trout, steaming cliffs and volcanoes, Rotorua is also the home of Maori culture.   Later today visit Hells Gate & Wai Ora Spa and partake in the traditional mud bath experience, followed by a relaxing sulphur spa overlooking the geothermal reserve.  The unique geothermal mud’s and waters of Rotorua are renown for their curative and invigorating properties - and this is particularly so at 'Hell's Gate'.  The silky smooth geothermal mud in combination with the sulphurous geothermal water opens the skins pores allowing the active ingredients to gently exfoliate and treat the skin while in the spa leaving it very clean and soft to touch.  Other effects include increased blood circulation and a sense of overall well being.  You’ll also indulge in a relaxing full body massage incorporating elements of Miri Miri which is the traditional Maori massage regime that has been practiced for hundreds of years, as well as special techniques that were used on site to ready our warriors for battle.   Day 8:  Exclusive Cruise on Lake Rotoiti Step aboard, relax unwind and enjoy your exclusive scenic cruise on picturesque Lake Rotoiti aboard a luxury 53 foot sailing catamaran.  On the beautiful fresh waters of Lake Rotoiti you can choose from a range of relaxing or energetic activities whilst exploring the secluded coves and native shoreline.  You will have the chance to helm Tiua, hoist the sails and grind the winches, try your hand at trout fishing, leap off to swim in the fresh water or soak in the natural mineral hot pools that are only accessible by boat.  Alternatively you can sit back and let the crew set the sails while you relax and watch the scenery slip by under full sail.  The catamaran has a large spacious deck with bean bags and nets to spread out on at the bow while the comfortable saloon and cockpit areas are fully weather tight with clear roll down curtains allowing you to cruise, fish and soak in any weather.  Duration is 3 hours and morning or afternoon tea is included. Day 9:  Depart Rotorua Sadly your time in New Zealand comes to an end as you return your rental car to Rotorua or Auckland airport for your onward flight.  Here, we bid you a fond farewell to your homeland and hope you leave with many happy memories of your stay in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Inclusions - this package is inclusive of the following: Accommodation as follows: 1 nights at Sky City Grand Hotel in a Luxury Harbour View Room 2 nights at Bay of Islands Lodge in a Guest Room 1 night at Stafford Villa in a Guest Room 2 nights at Poets Corner Lodge in a Guest Room 2 nights at Nicara Lodge in a Lakeside Room Meals as follows: All breakfasts Dinner on day 5 at Poets Corner Lodge Morning or Afternoon tea on your exclusive Lake Rotoiti sail Activities as follows: One hour couples massage at East Day Spa Scenic flight over the Northland Region Guided driving tour in the Cape Reinga region Hells Gate Mud Bath & Spa and Massage 3 hours exclusive sailing charter on Lake Rotoiti Transportation by self drive rental vehicle including unlimited kilometres & daily insurance KRUSE commentary system for the duration of your car hire (including GPS from 01 March 2011) Detailed travel itinerary in both electronic and hard copy format Arrival documents including information on the regions you are visiting Driving directions & maps 24 hour on call assistance during your vacation Optional discounted travel insurance through Comprehensive Travel Tariff - please contact us for details and pricing. This package has been prepared by Luxury Vacations to help you plan your honeymoon in New Zealand.  All of our packages are fully flexible, from the date you travel to the accommodation you stay at, the activities and sightseeing you experience to your mode of transport.  We also offer a free itinerary planning service so you can design your dream honeymoon.  We’ll match your interests, budget and time frame to find that perfect balance just for you - all the while backed by our specialist advice. If you’d like further information and pricing on this honeymoon package, please email us and be sure to let us know your proposed month of travel. Or if you’d like us to help you plan your own individually tailored holiday, simply fill out our free enquiry form with as much information as you can and one of our experienced staff will be in contact.