Northern Wine & Cuisine Discovery - 7 Days / 6 Nights

Day 1:  Arrive Auckland
On arrival at Auckland airport you will be met by our representative and transferred by private vehicle 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.

Stay:	Superior	Heritage Auckland in a Superior Room for 2 nights including breakfast
	Deluxe	Hyatt Auckland in a Residence One Bedroom Suite for 2 nights including breakfast

Day 2:  Discover Waiheke Island Vineyards
This morning you are transferred to join the ferry for your scenic journey across Auckland's Waitemata Harbour to Waiheke Island, a magical island paradise in the treasure trove of Auckland's Hauraki Gulf islands.  On arrival you will be met for a privately guided vineyard tour on Waiheke. With tastings at the best boutique wineries and perhaps a visit to an olive mill, the secrets of Waiheke's stunning world wide success in fine reds will be revealed.  Finish your vineyard tour with a sumptuous lunch at Mudbrick Vineyard & Restaurant.  Then after your meal and some time to relax, you will be taken to join the late afternoon ferry back to Auckland city before enjoying the stroll back to your hotel.


Day 3:  Auckland to Rotorua & Cultural Encounter
Collect your rental vehicle this morning and then as you depart Auckland, suburban scenery gradually gives way to the farmland of South Auckland.  The Waikato River then accompanies you for much of your journey through the green countryside to reach Hamilton, a city carved in two by the mighty Waikato River.  From here you continue through the fertile Waikato region before arriving in the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua.  This evening you journey back in time to a Pre-European lifestyle experience of customs and traditions.  Enjoy the night’s festivities as you experience a Maori Hangi (feast) and cultural show featuring a selection of favourite Maori love and action songs including the fearsome "haka" - or war dance.

Stay:	Superior	Duxton Okawa Bay in a Lakeview Room for 2 nights including breakfast
	Deluxe	Accolades in the Panorama Suite for 2 nights including breakfast

Day 4:  Discover the Sights
A fun filled day is in store today as you discover Rotorua’s best attractions!  Your attraction pass includes Paradise Valley, a superb trout and wildlife enclosure; the Agrodome – a live on stage sheep show; Skyline Skyrides & Gondola boasting the best views in town; Te Puia - where you can learn the Maori culture and see the famous mud pools and Polynesian Spa where you can end the day with a relaxing soak in the hot pools.


Day 5:  Rotorua to the Hawke’s Bay
Depart Rotorua and travel south through the large Kaingaroa man made forest to reach the popular lake resort of Taupo, which owes its landscapes to its dramatic volcanic origins.  Taupo is also home to the spectacular Huka Falls.  Then depart for the Hawke’s Bay town of Napier.  The major entertainment on the road from Taupo to Napier is the fantastic scenery.  There’s a bit of everything - rugged hills, beautiful valleys, gentle plains and huge vistas.

Stay:	Superior	The County Hotel in a Luxury Room for 2 nights including breakfast
	Deluxe	Millar Road in a Cottage for 2 nights including breakfast provisions

Day 6:  Food & Wine Lover’s Delight
Today you enjoy a full day privately guided tour of the Hawke’s Bay Wine Country where you start your exploration of the range of New World wine excellence in both white and red varietals with Long Island Tours.  Luxury guided tours with authentic and distinctive Hawke's Bay characters are their passion and today you visit the very best of the wineries and taste the best of the wine.  Guided by a vineyard owner and medal winning wine expert, this is a fantastic tour for wine lovers!  Lunch at a vineyard is also included.


Day 7:  Hawke’s Bay to the Wairarapa
Travel from Napier to the Wairarapa region today on a comfortable 3 hour drive south on State Highway 2, through typical New Zealand farmland, towns and orchards to arrive in Martinborough.  From Martinborough’s village centre you can stroll to any or all of the 30 local vineyards.  Pick up a map from the visitors centre.  Of if you can’t find the time or energy to wander from vineyard to vineyard, there’s a wine centre where you can sample many wines under one roof.

Stay:	Superior	Peppers Martinborough in a Gust Room for 1 night including breakfast
	Deluxe	Parehua Country Estate in a Lakeside Suite for 1 night including breakfast

Day 8:  Wairarapa to Wellington
Less than 2 hours drive away, Wellington, New Zealand’s Capital beckons.  Climb up and over the Rimutaka Range - great views in every direction.  Once the mountains are behind you, it’s easy driving for the rest of your journey.  You’ll wind through the picturesque Hutt Valley then a fast moving motorway will whisk you into the city.  Wellington is the nation's capital and the political headquarters for the country.  It is also home to Te Papa - the interactive Museum of New Zealand.

Stay:	Superior	James Cook Grand Chancellor in a Superior Room for 2 nights including breakfast
	Deluxe	Duxton Hotel Wellington in a Superior Room for 2 nights including breakfast

Day 9:  Walking Gourmet Tour
Today you’ll enjoy a great introduction to Wellington’s lively food scene and some favourite food places.  And Wellington is so compact, it’s ideal for this unique Walking Gourmet tour.  Start with great coffee and tastes at one of our favourite boutique coffee roasters and café.  Explore the best fresh food store where real Wellington foodies and chefs shop where we’ll gather a basket of products to taste.  On the way we’ll explore many of our favourite cafes, bars and food outlets, including some indigenous foods, and see why we regard ourselves as New Zealand’s café capital.  Indulge in a Tasting Lunch at an award winning restaurant, where the owners and/or chefs will introduce their food and regional wine matches.


Day 10:  Depart Wellington
Sadly your time in New Zealand comes to an end as you return your rental vehicle to Wellington Airport in time to join 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.
 

Tariff - please contact us for details and pricing.

This travel package has been prepared by Luxury Vacations to help you plan your holiday in New Zealand.  All of our packages are fully flexible, from the date you travel to the accommodation you stay at, the vineyards and sightseeing you experience to your mode of transport. 

We also offer a free itinerary planning service so you can design your dream vacation.  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 golfing holiday, 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.