Itinerary

February 28: 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.

March 1 : 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: Mecure Hotel (2 nights). Meals: B, L

March 2 : 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. Meals: B, D

March 3 : 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. Meals: B, L, D

March 4: Rotorua / Christchurch
Breakfast in the hotel. This morning there's time for a dip in the hotel pool or a relaxing in the spa. Late morning we continue our sightseeing in 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. Late this afternoon we transfer to the Rotorua Airport for out flight to Christchurch, our home for the next two nights. This evening is yours to enjoy in this vibrant,city.
Accommodation: Hotel Grand Chancellor (3 nights). Meals: B, L

March 5: Christchurch
Breakfast in the hotel and then transfer to the world-famous International Antarctic Center for a Guided tour. After a break for lunch on, we continue our sightseeing tour of the "Garden City" including the impressive Cathedral; the wonderful stone buildings of the Christchurch Arts Centre; and the lovely gardens at Mona Vale Estate. Tonight we host a dinner with a local quilting expert at the stunning Arts Centre restaurant.
Accommodation: Hotel Grand Chancellor. Meals: B, D

March 6: Christchurch
This morning is a fun event, as we host a local quilt group at breakfast in the hotel. We met these quilters last year and know you will enjoy them. Be prepared for a lot of Kiwi hospitality, as they will share their quilting and their shopping tips for Christchurch ! 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. Meals: B

March 7: Christchurch / Dunedin
An early breakfast in the hotel, then we say farewell to 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. In the late afternoon 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. Accommodation: Southern Cross Hotel (2 nights). Meals: B, L

March 8: Dunedin
This morning we embark on a local sightseeing tour with 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. On our way back to the hotel we'll stop by a historical quilting exhibit at the local museum. This evening we will arrange a meet & greet with the Dunedin Quilters guild. They are a lively group with lots of amazing quilts and stories to share with us. Meals: B, L

March 9: Dunedin / Queenstown
Today 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. Before checking into our hotel, we will visit the Queenstown arts collective and visit with wonderful local quilters and textile artists. Tonight, relax on your own in Queenstown.
Meals: B, L

March 10: 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 one of the cities best restaurants.
Meals: B, D

March 11: Depart Queenstown for the U.S.
Breakfast in the hotel. We have a half-day free to day any last minute shopping before we head to the 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. Meals: B

*THIS ITINERARY IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE