Wine & Food Lovers Delight - 15 Days / 14 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 will be transferred to join your helicopter for a scenic flight across Auckland's Hauraki Gulf 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 1 night including breakfast
	Deluxe	Accolades in the Panorama Suite for 1 night including breakfast

Day 4:  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 5:  On Yer Bike!
Discovering Hawke’s Bay vineyards by mountain bike is an ideal way for you to enjoy time together, while enjoying the beautiful countryside that is the world-renowned Ngatarawa Triangle grape growing region.  Today you enjoy a self guided tour and with three routes to choose from, you can visit up to six wineries!  A packed lunch is included.  You’ll be provided with a mobile phone for contact with the base to arrange for collection of any wine purchased enroute, or for rescue if you’ve 'run out of puff'!  A great day out!


Day 6:  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 Guest Room for 1 night including breakfast
	Deluxe	Parehua Country Estate in a Lakeside Suite for 1 night including breakfast

Day 7:  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 1 night including breakfast
	Deluxe	Duxton Hotel Wellington in a Superior Room for 1 night including breakfast

Day 8:  Wellington to Marlborough
Return your rental vehicle this morning before you travel by ferry across Cook Strait, the stretch of water that separates the North and South Islands of New Zealand.  The journey across Cook Strait has a dramatic beauty all of its own.  Both Islands can be viewed, including the magnificent Kaikoura ranges, and there is often the chance to see wildlife such as seabirds, dolphins, seals, whales and orca.  Then on arrival in Picton you collect your new rental vehicle and make your way to the Marlborough town of Blenheim.

Stay:	Superior	The Vintner’s Retreat in a Suite for 2 nights including breakfast
	Deluxe	The Peppertree in a Guest Suite for 2 nights including breakfast

Day 9:  Discover Marlborough Vineyards
With over 70 wineries, a range of boutique breweries and even a world class distillery, Marlborough really is a fantastic destination.  Add to this an incredible range of cafes and restaurants and Marlborough really is a "Gourmet Paradise".  Today you will enjoy the very best of the Marlborough wineries with your own Wine Tour Guide and Luxury Vehicle for the full day, (6 hours).  Visit the Icons such as Cloudy Bay, Allan Scott's and Hunters, or let us show you some of the boutique wineries such as Huia, Seresin and Te Whare Ra.  The tour can be personalised to include your favourite wineries, or alternatively mix in a nice selection of arts and crafts, gardens and wineries.
 

Day 10:  Marlborough to Kaikoura
State Highway 1 today takes you through the coastal foothills, and then out into the picturesque Awatere Valley before turning toward the awesome beauty of the Pacific Coast and Kaikoura.  This afternoon you enjoy a three hour Whale Watching experience by boat.  Off the coast of the Kaikoura village is a marine environment so rich in nutrients that it attracts some of the most magnificent creatures with which we share our planet.  Among them the giant Sperm Whale which can grow up to 20 metres in length and has the largest brain of any animal alive.

Stay:	Superior	White Morph Inn in a Superior Studio for 1 night including breakfast
	Deluxe	Hapuku Lodge in a King Room for 1 night including breakfast

Day 11:  Kaikoura to Mt Cook
The trip south today takes you along the edge of the rugged coastal ranges.  Then the landscape becomes gentler as you approach Waipara – a region known for its vineyards and olive groves and could be a great place to stop for refreshments.  Pass by Christchurch and through diverse farmland to Lake Tekapo, where you can view the solitary Church of the Good Shepherd.  Your tour then continues along the Tasman River before arriving in Mt Cook National Park where you will find New Zealand’s tallest mountain, Aoraki / Mt Cook which stands at 3754 metres.

Stay:	Superior	The Hermitage in an Aoraki Wing Room for 1 night including dinner & breakfast
	Deluxe	The Hermitage in an Aoraki Top Floor Room for 1 night including dinner & breakfast

Day 12:  Mt Cook to Queenstown
Depart Mt Cook National Park today and follow the shores of Lake Pukaki and into the rugged landscape of the Mackenzie Basin.  Then continue on through the golden tussock country of the Lindis Pass.  Enjoy the scenery of the fruit growing region of Cromwell and the historic gold mining region of the rugged Kawarau Gorge before arriving in Queenstown.

Stay:	Superior	Heritage Queenstown in a Deluxe Room for 3 nights including breakfast
	Deluxe	Mercure Grand St Moritz in a One Bedroom Lakeview Suite for 3 nights inc breakfast

Day 13:  Gourmet Wine Tour
This morning you depart by private vehicle on a full day out in the company of a senior wine guide and enjoy superb scenery, gourmet food and the finest wine.  You’ll see real drama in the scenery, hear the pristine silence of the high country, savour the scent of pure clean air and feel the pulse of the heart of Central Otago.  Visit four to five of Central’s premier vineyards, take a tour of New Zealand’s largest underground wine cave and explore your senses at The Big Picture, the world’s first visual and sensory wine experience.  Enjoy a delightful gourmet platter lunch and mid-morning cheese tasting during the tour.  An excellent day out!


Day 14:  At Leisure
Today is at leisure to relax or explore Queenstown.  Whether it's bungy jumping, white-water rafting, heli-skiing, fly-fishing, hang gliding, horse riding or scenic flights, you will find thrills and excitement in every way imaginable. Meanwhile, other activities such as exploring historic Arrowtown, scenic walks, eco-tours, shopping, galleries, cafes and an exciting nightlife provide something for everyone all year round.


Day 15:  Depart Queenstown
Sadly your time in New Zealand comes to an end as you return your rental vehicle to Queenstown 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.