ITINERARY

January 17 : Depart U.S.A.
Our international flight will depart the west coast of the U.S.A for Auckland, New Zealand. We lose a day as we cross the International Date Line.

January 19 : Welcome to New Zealand
Arrive early morning in Auckland. After completing entry formalities, transfer to our hotel, centrally located in the CBD. In the afternoon, drive out of the city to “Ayrlies” the wonderful country garden of Bev McConnell, a well-respected patron of gardening in New Zealand. Enjoy a lunch in the garden followed by a leisurely tour of the property. Tonight enjoy dinner on your own in Auckland.
Accommodation: Sky City Hotel (2 nights)

January 20 : Auckland
Breakfast in the hotel. This morning depart for a sightseeing tour of New Zealand’s largest city. Visit the Auckland Museum, where a docent will provide information and a guided tour. In the afternoon, board the ferry for Waiheke, one of the Gulf Islands near Auckland and famous for NZ wine tasting.

January 21 : Auckland / Rotorua
Breakfast in the hotel. Depart Auckland and travel south. Stop in the country village of Gordonton to visit and tea at the “Grandmothers Garden,” New Zealand’s leading patchworking and quilting store. Continue on to the farming town of Matamata for a country style lunch at Longlands Farm. In the afternoon travel the short distance to Rotorua. This evening transfer to Te Puia Marae (traditional Maori village) for a powhiri (traditional welcome), concert of Maori song and dance and hangi dinner. This is a special and educational experience offering a wonderful introduction to the spirit, talents and humor of the Maori people.
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel

January 22: Rotorua / Wellington
Breakfast in the hotel. Time for a brief sightseeing tour of Rotorua including lovely Rainbow Springs. Enjoy a guided tour that includes the opportunity to see the rare Tuatara lizard, New Zealand’s only reptile species, and the Kiwi bird, in the special nocturnal enclosure.

Transfer to Rotorua Airport for out flight to Wellington, home of New Zealand’s Parliament, as well as the hub for business and the performing arts. Here we will tour the Taia Gallery, New Zealand’s textile and quilting center. Late this afternoon we will check in to our hotel. This evening is yours to enjoy in this vibrant, compact port city.
Accommodation: James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor (1 night)

January 23: Wellington / Christchurch
Breakfast in the hotel. Time for a morning sightseeing tour of the Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum. Then transfer to the airport for the flight to Christchurch. Lunch en-route. On arrival in Christchurch transfer to the world-famous International Antarctic Center for a Guided tour, then travel by coach to our hotel in the CBD.
Accommodation: Hotel Grand Chancellor (2 nights)

January 24: Christchurch
Breakfast in the hotel. This morning our sightseeing tour of the ‘Garden City’ includes the impressive Cathedral; the wonderful stone buildings of the Christchurch Arts Centre; and the lovely gardens at Mona Vale Estate. The afternoon is yours to enjoy on your own. Perhaps you will choose to relax and punt on the River Avon, enjoying scenic vistas across the Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps from the Port Hills.

January 25: Christchurch / Dunedin
Breakfast in the hotel. Depart Christchurch travelling south across the sheep and cropping areas of the Canterbury Plains. On a clear day the majestic Southern Alps can be seen to the West for much of the journey. Pass through the farming towns of Ashburton, Oamaru and Timaru. Lunch en-route. Travel across the Otago Hills and drive into the university city of Dunedin. Originally settled by the Scots, Dunedin is a city of real character and old wealth.
Accommodation: Southern Cross Hotel (2 nights)

January 26: Dunedin
Breakfast in the hotel. This morning you will be joined by world-renowned naturalist Neville Peat, an award winning author, photographer and adventurer who will provide an exclusive overview of New Zealand’s natural history. Local sightseeing will include a visit to the Royal Albatross and Yellow Eyed Penguin colonies at Taiaroa Heads on the Otago Peninsula. Lunch is included at lovely Glenfalloch Gardens overlooking the Otago Harbour. Remainder of day at leisure. In the evening we will arrange a meet & greet with the Dunedin Quilters club.

January 27: Dunedin / Queenstown
Breakfast in the hotel. This morning we head through the southern suburbs of Dunedin and on to the fertile Taieri Plains, where sheep and dairy farms are the primary industries. We will travel past Lake Waihola to the small township of Milton where we will stop and visit “Quality Yarns” woolen shop where a variety of yarns are spun on the premises. We then continue inland through Central Otago, renowned for its stone fruit orchards. By mid-afternoon we arrive in Queenstown, New Zealand’s premiere alpine resort. Enjoy a brief sightseeing tour and ride the aerial gondola to Bob’s Peak for stunning panoramic views of Queenstown. Tonight, relax on your own in Queenstown.

January 28: Queenstown
Today enjoy your last day in New Zealand with a schedule-free day in Queenstown. You can take part in a wide variety of optional excursions in the region, or simply relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Optional trips range from an all-day tour of Milford Sound to jet boating on the Shotover River. There’s also golf, tennis, fishing, wine tasting, lake cruises, local shopping ... even bungy jumping nearby. We will provide scheduling assistance with optional activities. This evening we will enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

January 29: Depart Queenstown for the U.S.
Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to Queenstown airport for the flight to Auckland, connecting with a flight to the U.S.A. We gain back our day as we again cross the International Date Line en-route home.

Click here for information about an optional Fiji extension trip